Hazel

Hazel is sick.
She complained about a sore throat once or twice on Saturday but she seemed fine. No fever, same energy level. We even met up with friends to see the new Percy Jackson movie and eat burgers. Sunday we ventured out to see Annie at the Paramount. I won't lie, she was pretty sick on Sunday but we gave her some children's Tylenol and she was OK to go tot he show.
Sunday night was rough. She woke up several times crying that her uvula hurt, yes, her uvula. At 6am I called the nurse helpline because she was drooling and unable to swallow. We've called the helpline before and every other time they've talked me down and suggested that we wait until her doctor can fit her in to see her. This morning they wasted no time. The woman on the other line asked if there were 2 adults in the house, she asked if we could both go to urgent care just in case Hazel stops breathing!! And if there was only one adult that I should call an ambulance.
August popped up as soon as I entered his room, threw on some clothes and was at the door. The whole family took Hazel to urgent care.
I was impressed how quickly they took care of Hazel. Once I said she couldn't breath and they saw her drooling they ushered her into a room.
Poor girl went through some throat numbing solution that really was a good idea but didn't work so they put an IV in her and gave her all the medicine that way.
In the end they said it was a terrible case of strep. She's had strep before but it's never been this bad. They gave her a steroid to make the swelling in her throat go down, a pain reliever to help her feel more comfortable (and help her sleep) and more antibiotics than I knew you could give a person.
We came home 2 hours later to a sleepwalking little girl. She slept for 3.5 hours and woke up asking for some food. Right now she's downstairs watching a movie with August.
And August? He's being so sweet to her. He even bought her a little bear that she's been carrying around for the last few days. And? He's delivered some of her Girl Scout Cookies for her...he's such a good big brother.

Fall

The weather has turned. We're now dressing in layers and wearing mittens on our walks to and from school. The dogs seek out the warmest place in the house and are very sad about not being able to sit on our couch to cuddle in the evening.
I'm not a fan of cold weather, and believe me, Seattle doesn't really get cold, not when you compare it to Michigan cold! The weather isn't my favorite but what comes with it is...lighting candles in the evening, hot dinners, blankets wrapped around our cold bodies while we read to each other.
Tonight we're having pot roast. The house smells warm and delicious. Tuesday is one of those busy days I've mentioned, but pot roast is perfect for a day like this. I prepared it at lunch and it will simmer in the oven while I pick the kids up and shuffle them to August's guitar practice and then over to soccer. Trey's going to pick August up from soccer so I'll be able to get back here and get the table set and pull the roast out before the boys get home.

Welcome Fall

I fear that the rain is here to stay.
I will have to say that we've been pretty lucky with the sun breaks. I have lots of squinty pictures of the kids enjoying the bright sun.
Found these lovely leaves outside of a friends house, aren't they lovely?
The beginning of Fall has been spectacular! I'm going to try to look back at these pictures on the days when I just can't face another gray day. I really don't mind the rain, it's just the gray streets, white sky and empty trees that gets to me. It's only just begun!

Seasonal Thoughts

***I think Mike G took this picture last year at Alki Beach***


I tend to get a bit melancholy as the temps change from warm and dry to wet and, well, not warm. I would be exaggerating if I said it got cold here...yesterday it was windy and 65, today it will be rainy and 60...not too bad. But I really did love this summer. I know, we had some cold days, but they were bumpered with very warm days...and I kinda like that.
So I'm thinking about why I get down around this time of year and I realize that I have absolutely NO reason. Here's what the change in weather brings the Many Family:

Trey's birthday, October 16.
Halloween (and my brother's birthday), October 31.
Hazel's birthday, November 17.
Thanksgiving, November 27.
August's birthday, December 4.
Christmas travel dates, December 19- January 3.
My Dad's birthday, Christmas Eve.

That's a lot to plan for folks! I have nothing to be down about. There are a million things to do and yet I'm sitting on my couch with a scarf wrapped around my neck. Trey's birthday is right around the corner...and what are we going to do for Hazel's birthday this year? She is still flip-flopping between a gymnastics party and a nail polish party...decisions, decisions!

Pumpkin Patch

As the second born child I am keenly aware of what I do with August and Hazel. I try to take as many pictures of H as I do A, try to cherish as many moments with them both as I can. The pitfall comes when it's time to go on field trips. As a rule, I hate them. Really, I just hate kids. Odd- I know as I'm a teacher but if I'm not in charge of said kids I find it very difficult to bear them. But...I went on the pumpkin patch field trip with A when he was in kindergarten and it was fun so when the paperwork came home for H I agreed to go.
Today was the day. I put on my shorter jeans and my new rain boots, layered my shirts and put on a warm vest with my scarf. I was ready.
The three of us made our way to school and H and I went right to her classroom because she warned me that they were leaving RIGHT AWAY and had to be in the room BEFORE the bell. The moms were to wait out in the hall while the teacher gave the students her expectations.
I looked across the hallway at the other mothers. They were dressed in orange and black. I kid you not! A few even had pumpkins of various sizes on their shirts and or ears! They were really excited to be going on this trip.
I made a b-line for the table where you could sign up to ride on the bus with all those kids (?!) or ask to ride in a car with another parent. I've served my time...I would not be riding that bus!
The van I made it in only had 2 other gals. The entire ride was full of conversations about potty training, how much they loved their mini vans and what they loved about our school. I could only really participate in the last conversation as I've completely forgotten potty training A and H...and...I do not love our mini van.
H was amazing throughout the field trip. She is so different from A. She just wanted to be with her friends and really didn't care to sit with or near me. I loved watching her enjoy herself.
August at the Pumpkin Patch in Kindergarten.Hazel at the Pumpkin Patch in Kindergarten.