Oh Boy.

I took Donny to the barber today for a haircut. While we were waiting, a father, mother and one year boy came in for a cut. The father went to the empty chair and the mother and son sat across from us. The mother was soon on the phone speaking to someone when she said, "Oh my God!" Donny snapped his head and gave me a look and all I could think was "Oh boy, here we go." When she put her phone down, Donny marched over to her and said, "You said Oh my God!" The mother just looked at me very confused. I told her that Donny was not allowed to say "Oh my God." She apologized and said he was correct and that she really shouldn't say those words. About five minutes later, her phone rang again. Donny turned to me and said, "She's not going to say that again is she?" "I don't think so honey."

I Have Been Hijacked!

GOT MILK

Posted by Big Daddy

OUR NEW BABYSITTER

Posted by Big Daddy

SHE'S HERE!

Big Daddy arranged for a babysitter to come over today to get to know Abigail and Donny. We are hoping to get out once and awhile. Donny couldn't wait for her arrival and let the entire neighborhood know when she did arrive, "SHE"S HERE! SHE'S HERE! SHE'S HERE!" He took to her right away and within fifteen minutes, I heard him tell her she was pretty and had big muscles. A little later, I gave Donny a cup of rice milk and he took babysitter into his room. He returned and asked, "Mama, could I get a cup of cow's milk?" I asked him why and he told me it was snack time. "Did you ask if she wanted a cup of cow's milk?" "Oh." He ran off and then yelled that he didn't need cow's milk. I don't think we're going to have a problem.

All Clear

I took Donny to his regular doctor today for a follow up. Let me just start by saying, when we enter the office it's about the same as when Norm enters Cheers, and everybody defiantly knows our name. The doctor listened to Donny's lungs and didn't hear anything, so the five daily breathing treatments must be doing the trick. Now, if I can just keep this up for another six days. He still hasn't realized that he will be doing two treatments a day until at least next spring.

Catalog Season

Donny saw his first catalog two years ago and has been hooked ever since. Luckily for him, I receive entirely too many catalogs. He will keep them in his room next to the bed, on the coffee table, kitchen table and sometimes in the bathroom. Getting rid of them is a secret ops mission. The catalogs are helping make the breathing treatments go quicker and considering he asks me if he's almost done as soon as I turn the machine on, anything helps at this point.

Rainy Sunday Morning

Don't you just love a rainy Sunday? I love this picture of everyone.

Community Day

On Saturday, I took the kids to Larchmont for Larchmont's Community Day. The event was held in front of the firehouse. The events included an art festival, truck day (utility trucks were available for children to climb on) and public safety. Big Daddy and Fire Rides were hired to give rides to the manor. Donny was very excited when we arrived and had a hard time deciding what he wanted to see. He just wanted to walk "very far" so he could see everything and he loved being with his cousin. I think he had the most fun talking on the PA of the fire engine when Big Daddy gave him a ride. Abigail had a great time also, but she a bit more laid back than her brother. Thanks to Aunt Karen who helped me manage two kids, I couldn't have attended without her.

One Lung

So much for my last post. During a trip to the allergist today, the doctor discovered Donny has pneumonia in his right lung. More breathing treatments and antibiotics for the little guy.

What A Difference

What a difference a day makes, that and breathing treatments every four hours around the clock. Donny's cough has turned from a deep, croupy, rumbling cough to a drier cough and he is breathing with much more ease. I am trying to convince him to return to school. He was such a trooper last night when I strapped a mask to his face and turned on the machine that sounds like Big Daddy's air compressor. He just grabbed the mask and rolled over. After about five minutes he said, "Okay, let me sleep now." and gave me the mask. I don't think he was really awake, but I did leave. I not even going to mention that his sister hasn't made a peep since I put her down at 7:00 last night, that would be three nights in a row. You can't see it, but I'm smiling.

Can You Feel The Love

Our Little Patient

Donny saw the doctor this morning and was prescribed an oral steroid for his lungs. He is still wheezing and needs is breathing treatments, but they are not worried about pneumonia at the moment. He needs to return to the doctor tomorrow so they can listen to his chest again. He insisted that Ashley sit next to him this morning.

Family Down

Our day to the zoo has been cancelled due to illness that is running ramped through the house. Big Daddy and Ashley have been spared the fever, running/stuffy nose and all around miserable feeling. I hope that our dear friends have a great day at the zoo and that Saturdays goodbye kiss did not pass the illness to Donny's best friend. Last year, we were on the every two weeks sick schedule, is it bumped up to one week at four? I didn't get that memo. Abigail could be the carrier. She had her first music class last week and sucked on pretty much everything the teacher passed out. What a way to start the school year.

Play With Me

Donny had his best girl over yesterday for a play date. He was so happy and had such a great time that he fell asleep by 6:30. They LOVED playing on the mound of dirt, but I had to put an end to that, just too dirty. I wish I could film them the entire time, they are so cute together. BTY-She showed up game ready, wearing a Buckeyes t-shirt.

Planter

The planter around the porch was finished today...

Beret

Yesterday, Donny went to Abigail's room and returned wearing a Christmas beret. He continued to wear the beret the entire time he played. Do you see the look he gave me when I photographed him? It was as if he always wears this particular hat for playing and how dare I take his picture.

Back To School

Last night I attended a continuing education class at Dutches County Community College. The class, 20 Ways To Earn Residual Income, was a three hour course that started at 6 P.M. The geek that I am made sure to be there early, but since I am not familiar with this campus, I couldn't find the correct parking lot. I asked a "security guard" for directions to the lot I thought was closest to my class room, according to the handy-dandy campus map I brought with me. He was very kind and I followed him as he drove me around campus to the appropriate lot. As we entered the lot, there were signs posted "No Student Parking" so I told him that I was a student for one night, to which he replied, "Oh, I thought you were a teacher. I guess you should have told me. You need to go back and park in lot E." So I drove back and park in lot E and climb a small mountain to get to my class. I called Big Daddy as I was climbing the stairs and he asked if I was really that out of breath.

I arrived at the top of the mountain sweating profusely and extremely tired, considering Abigail seems to think sleep is optional. A few years ago, the large sweat rings under my arms would have me in such a state that I would consider getting back in the car and heading home, but not now, I have the I don't care 'tude going. I find the class and there is one other "student" sitting in the room with the teacher. Promptly at 6 P.M. the class begins with the two of us. The teacher begins by asking each of us if we are here for a particular subject matter listed in the course description. I tell him that I am interested in the real estate section of his lecture, satisfied with our answers he begins the class. About an hour into class the third student arrives, roughly fifteen minutes later the teacher stops, looks at me and says, "The course description really lists real estate? I told them to take that out, I no longer include that in my lecture." I just sat there, but I was thinking, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I DROVE 45 MINUTES AND CLIMBED A MOUNTAIN JUST FOR THAT PART OF YOUR LECTURE!!!! YOU COULDN'T TELL ME THAT EARLIER!!!" The late arrival said, "Oh, that's why I took the course."

The teacher carried on and finished the lecture. Throughout the lecture questions from the other students would arise concerning the teachers opinion. He would reply that he was not an advisor and had no opinion. The last topic on the syllabus was home based business. He spent about three minutes pumping up the benefits of starting a home based business. I was watching the clock and calculating what time I could be in bed if I left right now, right now, stop talking...I'm adult I can just leave, can't I? That's when the teacher said, "Do you mind if I tell you about my home based business?" The two men agreed and I just rolled my eyes, because I knew where this was going. Within five minutes, he had my classmates convinced they should get in on his business. He handed us DVD's that explained how we could start making money today and if we could just fill out the paper with all our information so he could contact us. I was so pissed, but my classmates had star dust in their eyes. I tried to give them a look, warn them, don't you get guys? He makes money from you!!!! Just as I think he has wrapped up, he starts pushing his two books. I wanted to scream" Finally at 9:20 he finished, I left his DVD on the table and walked out to a deserted campus and practically ran to my car. What a night!

By the way, as I finally finish writing this, at 8:31, Abigail is still asleep and slept through the night. If I knew this, Big Daddy would have been putting her to bed for the last six months.

Camping

Big Daddy, Donny and Ashley camped out last night. Abigail and I stayed inside, which was fine for me, it was quite chilly. Big Daddy and I were discussing how long Donny would sleep when he appeared, stretched, looked at us with his sleepy face and said he was going back in to check on Ashley.







As he went in the tent, he requested marshmallows and sandwiches. I guess that is the appropriate breakfast menu when camping.

My only regret is not getting a photo of the three of them all curled up together. I just hope he doesn't think this is his new apartment.

A Good Start

The planter around the porch looks good already after only one day of work. I can't wait to see how much is accomplished today.

First Day Of School

Today is Donny's first day of school. He was a bit worried last night. My heart broke when he asked, "Mama, what if the boys and girls don't like me?" He didn't seem too worried this morning and he had his best friend by his side. He did very well, gave us a hug and kiss and walked in to the classroom. I did very well also, no tears this year. I can't believe my baby is getting so big, he's a little man.

Whose Bath?

Ashley received a long overdue bath last night. The poor dogs' life just isn't the same since the children arrived. There was a time when she was bathed once a week, now she lucky to have a bath once a month and last night she had to share bath time when Donny striped down and joined her.

Sidewalk

I am very slow posting these photos, but since a new project is taking place today, I thought I should photograph before the new addition. We are adding a stone flower bed around the porch and stone steps leading to the sidewalk. Hopefully, I won't be so slow to add those photos.

$#%@$!@

I stayed up entirely too late to watch the Buckeyes lose the game in the fourth quarter. We almost had USC, we were right there. I really thought they were going to pull it off, but in the end the score was USC 18, OSU 15.

Go Buckeys!!!!

New Word

Labor Day Parade

Today was a big day for us. We surprised Donny by taking him along for a Fire Rides job in NYC. Donny and I took the train to the city and walked to 48th at Fifth Ave and met Big Daddy who drove the fire engine. Remember The Triangle Fire Coalition hired us to drive them in the Labor Day Parade. Here are some photos of our day.

The kids in their game day wear. Taken just before we left. Abigail stayed with Aunt Karen.

Watching the world go by riding the train to the city.

We were the last people off the train. He was so excited to see the buildings.

Donny looks like he is in a wheelchair instead of the stroller.

Waiting on 48th street.

Members of the coalition lining up for the walk.

Donny having lunch as we pass Saks.

http://rememberthetrianglefire.org/