Big Fall

This morning was a real surprise...ending with much to be thankful for. Cary was off work today, we all had intentions of sleeping in a bit. But suddenly we were all awakened by a BIG thud and immediate screaming. The kind of screaming no parent wants to hear.

Cary and I took off for McKinley's room where we found him pretty beat up. He'd fallen out of bed and directly onto a small stack of books we'd been given from a friend. I'd neglected to put them away because I wanted to keep them out for us to read and play with the following day. Big mistake. Lesson learned.

McKinley didn't stop crying for a long time, it scared him and he was in pain. As he pulled away from my hug so I could look at his face I saw blood coming from his tears. Insert panic. I think the past few issues that have happened (Bully shove at the park, Pecan up nose, etc) have built up my ability to contain the panic so it isn't seen by McKinley (which is super important, particularly when you're alone and handling a situation that needs immediate attention) but inside I was literally freaking out. Utterly terrified.

I called our pediatrician (the receptionist on the phone did NOT hide HER panic as well as I had managed...)and they asked to bring him in immediately, so we threw on clothing and made it to the office in just minutes. McKinley's eye was swelling slightly and was super sensitive. The doc took a look and found a small cut that was extremely close to the tear duct. Extremely, as in I can't even think of the proper measurement to accurately describe just how close it really was. Our doctor spent several minutes examining the cut to be absolutely sure it WAS NOT at the tear duct. Thankfully, the cut was where the blood had been coming from and we were minutely close to a major problem...MUCH, MUCH to be thankful for.

We walked out of the appointment only needing an antibiotic ointment and to use a cool compress to keep down the swelling. I am so thankful for the outcome and so relieved that McKinley is okay.

I try to count my blessings every day, but today I didn't stop counting them. I am so thanful...
Lynn

Zoo Trip

Another fun trip to the zoo! This time we briefly met up with my friend Kylie and her two boys. They had a blast in the splash park, which was perfect because it was a HOT, HOT day! When I pulled my camera from my bag I bumped the setting, didn't have time to check because I was trying to capture some real cuteness, so the photos of the boys ended up blue! Honestly, kind of a cool mistake!

Kylie and company left shortly after the splashing, but McKinley and I stayed to close the place down...surprise, surprise! We had so much fun together and even stopped off and had dinner in Plainfield at Panda Express, a favorite of ours. It was great to spend a little time with friends and even more fun to spend such a great day with my boy.

This was the first time since the new Tiger exhibit opened that we had a chance to visit and were we treated with a sight! Several tigers were up close and personal with us, much like the Cheetah exhibit. We even saw a Tiger stretch all the way up (and trust me, it was at least 8 feet worth of stretching...vertically) right beside the viewing glass. Another tiger took a drink from the stream, and another tiger paced back and forth checking out each person viewing. Very interesting, and a little freaky too...

And of course, no zoo trip is complete without at least one ride on the train!

Lynn

Spring Recap

Today is the first day of summer, so an appropriate time to recap our crazy spring! And crazy it was, between soccer, school, social engagements, gardening and a surprise, whew!!!!!!!

Soccer was a riot! McKinley's first crack at a team sport proved to be a real treat to watch and a lot of energy-releasing fun for the entire team of 3 and 4 year olds. We are blessed to know the coaches of McKinley's team, they live on Cary's mail route and their daughter is in McKinley's preschool class. We could not have asked for a better experience for our boy and his first go-round, he learned a lot, he played hard and most importantly --- he had a LOT of fun! Below are some of my favorite photos:

School was a really wonderful experience for our entire family. We've again been blessed to be introduced to such a wonderful group of people in the St. Patrick's community and McKinley isn't the only ones to reap the benefits. The Spring was easily the busiest time for school, it kept us on our toes! I think my favorite day was McKinley's 'pretend' Birthday (since he's a summer baby they all get to celebrate before the school year ends! Hello, JEALOUS! I never got to do that!), not only was it "his" day, it was also water day for the entire class. When we picked McKinley up he was soaking wet from all the water play, it was really a funny sight. We also discovered that the strawberry smoothie pops I made for his birthday snack were a big hit combined with water day and the heat. I was glad. I really enjoy making a healthy treat that makes the kids happy...

Another project we've embarked on is a bigger garden than we've ever made happen at home. And I've learned that apparently we are now called "URBAN FARMERS". I love the term. Makes us sounds WAY better at it than we are! So, my URBAN FARMER hubby and I set out to create a few small raised garden beds - another wonderful find from ana-white.com. They were pretty easy...and in my opinion they look fabulous! I'm SO proud of what we (mostly Cary) did. And yes, Cary may have done most of the 'putting together' of the awesome new beds, but I did my share as well, tending to the new little seedlings we were growing. McKinley is really enjoying watching a seed turn into a plant, turn into something we can pick from our little back yard garden and use in the kitchen for dinner!

We chose tomatoes, sweet peppers, summer squash, lettuce, carrots, chives, basil and cilantro. It sounds like a lot but it hasn't become more than we can keep up with thus far. I just CANNOT wait to see what happens! I'm seeing some pesto and some guacamole in our future and I cannot wait...those are two of my faves!

Here is some of the process, updates to come!

Another Spring project (yes, totally bit off way more than I could chew, but worth it) was a Lenten project called 40 bags/40 days. I found the idea on a blog I follow, the author experiences something much like me...she just doesn't get much out of giving the typical item away during lent, so she does this: makes a list of 40 areas in life that need physically cleaned out. Gather 40 bags, do one projects each day and reflect on how releasing that space of its clutter, physical or psychological makes you feel and how it connects with lent, Easter and God's love. I did it, thought truth be told I did not complete all 40 of my areas by Easter but I've continued to work on the ones that were not yet finished and I'm pleased and a bit overwhelmed with how I feel. I loved having the opportunity to better organize our keepsakes, newspaper articles and photos and other things of McKinley's. I'm so proud of how beautifully everything fit into two small archival boxes. The most awesome thing for me was the reorganization and cleaning out of my shoes. I like shoes. A lot. Almost as much as bags. And no, bags were NOT on my 40 days list. Nope, not budging on those babies! The shoes were not well organized and I could not stand it. I knew what needed to be done and I knew what I wanted it to look like upon completion. So, I chose to do it while McKinley napped...and when he awoke several pairs hit the growing donation pile, a few hit the trash can and a few friends were reunited...and they are so lovely together on their beautiful new shoe tree. Anyway, it was quite liberating and I think I truly GOT more from this lent project than anything I've ever done for lent. It was awesome! Below, photos of some of the beauties who got to stay for the party:

Finally, the social engagements nearly knocked us right off our agendas this Spring, but so fun! We enjoyed everything from zoo trips and egg hunts to weddings and impromptu gatherings with old friends.

Hooray for Spring and the good times and beautiful weather it brought, and hooray for Summer and all it has to bring!

Lynn

A Big Cookie...

A while back the three of us were walking through the mall when Cary spotted a local Cookie store's display of VERY BIG special occasion cookies. He said, "You know, I'd take one of those suckers over a birthday cake ANY day"...consider the message banked.

With Father's Day fast approaching McKinley and I discussed ordering one of those bad boys. McKinley saw the golf green and HAD to have it for his Daddy! So, I made the order and strategically planned a Father's Day trip to the mall, citing some much needed Sears stop (hello, MAN STORE! I knew it would get him there - easy as pie!)

McKinley kept the little secret, taking his Dad by the hand and pulling him to the store. Cary had this BIG smile on his face and was happy...it made me teary. The sweet girl behind the counter had the giant golf cookie beautifully boxed and ready for us to walk out the door, so when I asked if we could borrow a knife and purchase some drinks it was no surprise that the look on her face was pure shock. I get it, it must be hard to watch someone butcher your creation but I knew there was no a chance in the world we were walkin' outta that little bakery without either of the men in my life sampling a few bites. Fits would ensue!

So, we parked it on the table and Cary and McKinley cut into their yummy treat, complete with milk! Luckily, I snapped a quick photo of them before the butchering began.

The cookie was a success...oh my was it good. Serious yum.

I hope that Cary had a really wonderful Father's Day and knows just how much he is loved and appreciated by his family. We had a lovely day and shared some fun activities and a really big cookie. Couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday!

Lynn

We pick, do U Pick???

I've been craving a way to really break into summer...some recent events have kept me inside and in bed and sick, so when I thought "U Pick! Strawberries!" I knew that would put me even more in the spirit and McKinley would love it.

I was right! We even convinced Mom to tag along, so I planned a quick trip to the grocery, packed a picnic lunch and we began our little road trip to a nearby U Pick farm.

We laid our little feast out on the picnic table and enjoyed the cool (okay, a little TOO cool) breeze while we ate salad, pita and hummus, yogurt, pop chips and dip, watermelon and cantaloupe...and a long-time fave of mine and McKinley's - Blood Orange Italian Sodas! Oh it was perfect. And delicious. And Mom even bought a little piece of cake that she and McKinley shared.

Once we were finished, we packed back up an hopped on the farm's golf cart for the worker to drive us to the patch. Honestly, I think the golf cart was McKinley's very favorite part of the entire trip. He was giddy as he rode in the front like a big boy. It was so cute!

We were assigned our rows and set out to work. We made quick picking out of it, Mom chose two small baskets and I chose the medium basket (which was about 5 pounds of berries). It didn't take long to fill them up, the three of us were plucking away! The berries were the most beautiful color...and the taste, OH MY GOODNESS I have never ever tasted a sweeter berry. We didn't add any sugar to them at all, they were perfect as is!

And if it tells you anything, McKinley was previously NOT a strawberry fan. So, why would I take him to pick them? Because I intended to use them in his smoothies and in ice cream, no actual berry to bite into, which is what is doesn't care for. However, he is a changed man! One taste of these suckers and he was hooked!

During the picking, a moment of perfect comedic timing happened when "Precious" the farm dog left her perch beside the employee and ran to befriend McKinley, just seconds after I pulled out my camera and started clicking. The dog KNEW I had a camera. Matter of fact she began posing in various ways: rolling on her back while laying on my foot and turning her head JUST SO. Lying with McKinley and looking back at the camera. And my favorite - her little sneaky way of capturing her good side in the shot with Mom and McKinley. What a diva! I turned off the camera and replaced the lens cap and poof! Precious was gone. Imagine that!

Once our baskets were full we headed back to the golf cart and to the stand to have our berries weighed. We tucked them safely in the hatch and headed home.

On the way there we made a stop at Cary's office where he had just arrived. The four of us stood, hatch up, eating those strawberries right there in the parking lot! Holy Moly those things are so good!!!!!!!!!

Today was awesome. The perfect way to put me back in the summer spirit! Here's hoping we'll be back soon for more strawberries and then blueberries!

YUM!!!

Lynn

The tale of a giant tube

We spent Saturday evening with our dear friends, The Cook Family. It was so wonderful! Easy, laid back, just fun - and exactly what we ALL needed. The boys played, we all chatted, we ate some yummy food then everyone hopped on the boat and headed out for a fun night of tubing on the lake. McKinley wasn't real sure about the tube at first, so The Cook boys went for a spin. As McKinley watched he became really eager to get out there himself. Randy stopped the boat, reeled the boys back in and McKinley and Lisa hopped on too! McKinley had perma-grin for the ENTIRE ride. Later Lisa told us that he was squealing with delight all the way. Randy went pretty slow at first, but several rides later and McKinley was making the motions for donuts, to speed up and to "Rock and Roll"! I'm actually surprised he didn't swallow some bugs, his smile was so big for so long!

Finally, it was time for some dessert after a quick swim at the dock and a dip in the hot tub. Ice cream sundaes? Yes, please! Everyone had some - complete with sprinkles, as requested by McKinley.

The boys were all worn out and plopped on the bed to watch a movie before gaining a second (third? fourth?) wind and playing more.

We ended the night really late but so relaxed having had the best time!

I love summer!!!!!!!!!!

Lynn