Third Grade Here We Come!!

A little TV instructions from sissy

I can't believe that school starts back today!!  I mean where in the world has summer gone?!?  We have been doing back to school preparations for awhile now with clothes, shoes, lunch box, etc and today it was finally time to start school!  This morning before Savannah left for the bus Preston realized that his TV helper was leaving for the day and sort of panicked.  I came in from my run and found this . . . Savannah writing down the channels for his favorite shows.  He asked her to write them down and then wanted to know what to do if he accidentally pressed 222 instead of 254.  It was a precious moment for me to watch!

Shortly after breakfast we were all set for our annual front porch photo shoot.  I can't believe my baby is going to THIRD grade!!!

Silly kids waiting for the bus

Sweet Savannah ready for THIRD grade!

The bus came and none of the kids even took a second look back.

I'm praying for a wonderful year at PSE . . . one filled with academic growth and lots of fun too!  And I'm thankful for another year with Preston at home.  Today I feel a total sense of peace about our TK decision as I cant' imagine my sweet boy climbing on that big yellow bus today.

Back to School Surprise ~ Fresh Beat Band!!

Where are we going??  

Dave and I were super excited to surprise the kids with a concert of their own this weekend.  They both love the Fresh Beat Band, but after pricing their tickets for some time it was seriously way more than we wanted to spend (tickets start around $65/ticket without fees).  But when Dave saw that they were coming to Carowinds we thought it was working looking into since we might be able to get a cheaper ticket with our season passes.  As it turns out tickets were much cheaper so we jumped at the chance to surprise them.

After a full morning of Savannah starting her running club, my long run, and Preston's regular run with Dave, we showered and then just casually suggested that we go to Carowinds one last time before school started.  They were both game so our plan worked beautifully.  As it got closer to concert time we headed towards the Palladium and they both started whining . . "are we leaving?"  "I wanted to ride some more stuff!"   So I told them we were going to see a show.  I guess they are used to my craziness because they just went along with it! :)  When we got out the tickets they became even more confused so once we were in I said "guys, we are taking you to see the Fresh Beat Band!"  They looked at us so confused and were totally not buying it.  Finally when we got in and saw the stage with the sign they were SO excited!

They finally believed us when they saw the sign!

Preston was still a bit confused because he said "I didn't know they were real people."  It was a super fun concert and a great way to end the summer!

Lots of Extra Entertainment

Hillsong 2014

As a special birthday treat for Dave we decided to get a babysitter and go to the Hillsong concert, which was actually in Charlotte this year!  The concert was pretty good with a wide variety of songs.  I have to say that it was probably less enjoyable for me since I had done a fairly long run Saturday morning and my legs were pretty achy so I sat through most of the songs!

Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream treats after the concert

 Then on Sunday we traveled to Elon for the annual Saul reunion at Great Grandma's church.  The kids were super excited to see their cousins, even if it was only for a short time.

These five can provide quite the entertainment!

It was a very busy weekend, but we were glad to squeeze in a variety of fun things before school starts . . .  ever so soon!

A Healthy Celebration and a Birthday Party

What a crazy two weeks this has been . . . our sweet Savannah has endured over 9 days of super high fevers that only sometimes responded to Motrin.  She's been through many battles of shivering through the day and night where even 4 blankets would not make her warm.  The fevers also led to fatigue, muscle inflammation which made her unable to put any pressure on one leg, severe headaches, sweating episodes, loss of appetite (she lost 4.5 pounds last week alone), and let's not even talk about the heartbreak she's endured with having to miss out on so many fun things.  She missed a Carowinds play date, a pool play date, an ice cream party at the library, and the worst was that she was unable to sing with the rest of the Children's ministry at church on Sunday during the service.  After another temperature spike close to 105 last Friday afternoon we decided that as soon as we were all healthy we were going to have an "all healthy" party to celebrate . . and it would not include healthy food!  She was much better by Saturday afternoon, although still running a fever, so after dinner we went out for ice cream.  On Sunday we really thought we were in the clear until the fever once again spiked to around 104 in the afternoon.  After 3 separate doctor visits we were finally able to see our favorite Dr. Baker this Monday.  He immediately saw her and knew that she was really sick (although her fever was 97.6 when we left for his office it had spiked to 102 by the time we were home).  He ordered another strep test, an urine sample, and then when the rapid strep came back negative he ordered blood work.  Thankfully after 2 hours at his office we left with answers.  The blood work was just fine, Praise the Lord, the strep was negative, but the urine was highly contaminated.  So we left with a prescription for an antibiotic!  Finally, medicine!!  What a bummer to know that we wasted 10 days of summer when this could have been fixed much earlier . . but by Wednesday this girl was almost back to normal.  Her appetite was back, she was back to fighting with her brother and no more fevers.

It was the best birthday gift I could have received, a healthy child.  So she got to pick my birthday dinner place and of course she chose McAlisters.  It was kids eat free night so that was just fine with me. :)  Dave surprised me with Coldstone icecream cookies and we all celebrated my birthday along with Savannah being healthy.

Another lesson learned this summer . . . don't waste time with doctors that are unfamiliar with your child.  Stick to the best; it's worth the long wait!

A Reminder in Front of Carowinds . . .

This week has not started off according to my plans at all.  Savannah started running a high fever again Monday morning that was pretty unresponsive to Motrin.  She woke up at midnight last night with a fever of 104.2 (under her arm) and proceeded to throw up as she was calling for me.  After getting that all cleaned up and getting her settled back in bed Dave and I were finally back asleep by 1:30am . . only to be awoken again at 3am by Preston screaming/crying standing naked in the bathroom because he soaked the bed.  He has a cold, which frequently causes him to wet the bed at night. :(  

So we've cancelled lots of fun things with friends, postponed other errands, and are trying to stay close to home.  BUT, we had promised some friends of ours that we'd take them to Carowinds this week.  Not wanting to let them down I came up with the "great" plan to meet at Carowinds after I took Savannah to the doctor.  The other mom could watch the kids while I ran in and got the tickets for them.  Then we could leave them to play and we could come home and rest.  

On the way to the doctor this morning the kids were upset that they were having to miss so many fun things this week, but I reminded them that God always has a perfect plan.  I explained that we really don't know why Savannah got sick or when she would be better, but God did know and it was all part of His plan.  I tried to explain that maybe it was because we needed to spend more time at home, or maybe He was keeping us from something bad at one of our fun outings, I really didn't know but  we just had to trust He was in control.  I'm not sure how much of that they understood, but it seemed to occupy their thoughts for awhile and certainly gave Preston more fuel to ask questions about.

Anyway, so we left the doctor and proceeded to Carowinds to meet our friends.  We met in the parking lot and I ran in to get the tickets and complete my Cinnabon mystery shop.  When I was coming out I saw a kid sitting on the edge of the sidewalk sobbing and noticed there was blood all over his hands, face, and arms.  As I got closer a large lady who was clearly NOT his mom, but was supposed to be taking care of him came over and starting yelling "get up boy, what's wrong with you?"  At that point I about lost it.  I wasn't sure if I should cry or yell, but I made  a smart decision and politely asked her if she needed help.  Once she realized that I saw what was going on she changed her tune and starting asking the poor boy what was wrong.  "Is it your tooth?  Put out your tongue."  She said that they were fine and would take him inside.  

I left with tears in my eyes as I thought about the poor kid.  He clearly was in pain and hurt.  I bet he wanted his mama or at least someone to love on him.  Yet he was there with this seemingly uncaring lady and all of his friends watching him hurt.  I think that one of the reasons my sweet Savannah is sick was to send a gentle reminder to me!

* A reminder to be thankful I can always be with my kids; that they never have to be left in the care of someone who truly doesn't love them

* A reminder that in the midst of throw up, fevers, and wet beds I'm thankful that my children call "MOM" and I am the one who can answer

* A reminder that God is in control.  Soon all will be well in our house and we'll be back to fun play dates and outings . . but for now I should cherish the days when Savannah and Preston are here.  Safe.  Loved.  And knowing they can always call "mom".