Return to Work

So, I guess I let the heat get the best of me. Or, caught a nasty bug. Or, both. But, after more than 24 hours of vicious flu-like symptoms, I had reached my limit. Matt dropped me at the brand new awesome ER, just a few miles from home. I was the only one in the department and they had a Dr. asking me questions within 10 minutes of walking though the door.

I was more dehydrated than I thought. It took 2 full bags of fluid to get me feeling even a bit better. Along with 2 IV pushes of Zofran, Protonix and something else I can't remember. All lab tests came back normal, so they turned me loose after a few hours. The Dr. said to take it easy and gave me this return to work slip:

I guess my family didn't get this memo, since I've spent most of today catching up with dishes, washing and cleaning. But, Matt, Mom and TR all stepped in to help watch and care for Devin over the past few days. She was adorable, showing concern and respect for me being so sick. She sat for 2 hours in the ER with me...never asking for anything, refusing to watch the TV or do anything other than stare at me and all the stuff in the room. (Don't worry, Mom walked around with her while they did the more unpleasant tests and procedures.)

So, we're all laying low this weekend. Perhaps a late afternoon trip to the pool and early to bed!

The Countdown

As expected, the summer is flying by. Dev starts school in 4 weeks. It's so hard to believe it's here. How could 5 years have passed so quickly? When I watch her, there's almost nothing "baby" about her. But, she was just so little. And, now she's....not little. In fact, she's grown a bit taller this summer and certainly stronger.

I'm feeling so good about our school choice. I guess only time will tell how she adapts, but I know this is a wonderful place has amazing potential for Dev. It's interesting in the first 5 years of life, how everyone tells you not to worry about development. Whether it's sitting up, walking, talking, etc...all Dr.'s and books say, don't worry....each child develops in their own way. As long as they achieve the milestone within the wide range of time, no worries. So, why does that suddenly change at 5 years old? Why are most kids then expected to sit in a classroom and learn the exact same way at the same time?

So for now, we spend the days swimming, going to the library, gardening and staying inside when it's 100+ degrees. See this box:

Don't tell anyone, but he password is, "Secretminity."

(And, no these aren't more extensions! Just clip ons)

Green Giveaway

If you read this blog much, you know how we try to conserve and recycle as much as possible in our family.

My friend is hosting a blog giveaway here. There are easy ways to enter to win some really nice (and Green) kitchen items. Plus her blog is filled with really cute craft ideas and ways to decorate your home. Enjoy!

It's July!

I know it's July in the Midwest, but I still want to complain about the heat. Yesterday it was 97 degrees with a dew point of 80...for those of you keeping score at home, it felt like 117. Which meant we stayed at the pool, in the water for most of the day.

Dev's got a full blown case of ballet obsession going on right now. I loved this little gem she worked on during rest time yesterday. Not hard to guess this ballet...

It's been fun (and amazing) to watch her learning to read and spell. She's sounding out the words and doing her best to translate that to some letters she knows. Maybe it's my Mom brain, but I can read the "Odette" and "Odile" above!

The note below, just might classify as the youngest Passive Aggressive Notes.com ever! Notice she starts with "LOL" to keep it light.

But, then it's note saying how she's ready to go to back to Holiday World again. To ride the rides. The next page was a bunch of numbers in rows, showing the dates she is available to go.

The gardens are loving the heat, since we've had plenty of rain. I can see why folks grow bush-type green beans. The pole beans are a mess!

Crammed into this garden are: Pole beans, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, hot peppers, peanuts, cucumbers, basil and strawberries. The community garden plot is also doing well, churning out bush beans, cucumbers, zucchini and pumpkins. My corn is also "knee high!!"

The Other Grandma

We try to encourage Dev to call her "Grandma Ann." But, usually she refers to her as, "The other Grandma." Which makes sense, since Devin really has the best of both Grandparent worlds. She has the in-town Grandma, who she sees almost everyday. In town Grandma, aka Ga-Ga (The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "wax") does lots of regular-type stuff with Dev making their relationship very special and close. But, Gaga has to (try) to enforce all of my rules and directions:)

Out-of-town Grandma (and Papa) are also special. I grew up with Grandparents who were flights and/or long drives away, which made our time together memorable. Some of my favorite childhood memories are the weeks I spent in Tulsa visiting family and enjoying my Grandma and Grandpa time.

You can see the joy in her eyes...trips to Papa and Grandma's are anticipated for weeks, counting days on the calendar and asking no less than 75 times on the drive, "Are we there yet?" (And, lamenting the whole way home, "I miss Papa and Grandma.")

There were a few holes to dig and Papa was prepared. But, we need to find him some St. Louis Cardinals garden gloves...ahem.

Their little helper...doesn't everyone garden in a maxi dress?

Matt and I left to check out the local Farmer's Market on Saturday morning. It was 93 degrees at 9:15 am...this band was playing Bluegrass music, go figure.

I thought setting big buckets of chalk out was a cool idea. These 2 were hard at work.

Matt helped saw down some branches of this thorn tree...OUCH!

This visit was extra special, as Dev's cousin's were visiting too! A post-lawnmowing water gun fight was in order.

And, there was garden cart riding.

Just looking at this picture, reminds me of the smell. Which reminds me of how incredible our dinner was...beef from the farm cooked perfectly. I usually eat about 3-4 bites of steak and have had enough. But, this dinner had me gnawing the bone and looking for scraps.

Just a few fireworks for fun. (We'll be doing many, MANY more tonight)

One cute moment, just before the steak dinner...Aunt Meghan did a short prayer and Dev's cousin (4.5) asked if he could say one too. He was adorable, reciting his prayer perfectly. Without missing a beat, Dev asked if she could pray as well. (Keep in mind we don't pray or attend church) I held my breath, just a bit curious as to what she might feel led to pray for. She solemnly folded her hands and prayed for, "A magical unicorn."

Guess who's prayers were answered in the form of a firework today?