Tuesday Tidbits...

As I am writing this, to the left of me sleeping on our pull-out bed from the coach is sweet Gracelyn. We just got home from the doctor where she was diagnosed with Flu A. $400 at the pharmacy later and she has Tamiflu as well as a steroid because we have to watch her closely to make sure she is breathing okay. The kind doc also prescribed preventative Tamiflu for the last 4 of us as we wait and see.

waiting to leave for the doctor

it's the flu. :(

Something happier! Brandon's Gifted/Talented class hosted an academic bowl last Thursday. I kept score in one of the three rooms where teams faced off. Unfortunately I didn't get to see Brandon in action because there was a messup with the bracket and his team played all 5 rounds in one room, and it wasn't the room I was in. He and I were both bummed but he knew I was there helping and we got to have lunch together, just the two of us. It was a great day!

 I went in before the competition started and snapped some pics of him at the table. I heard from 3 people, 2 of which I am not really friends with so I know they weren't just telling me what I wanted to hear, that Brandon did awesome. He knew so many answers and in one round where it was neck and neck with the other team, the coach kept him in and they won! All 3 of our school teams ranked 1,2,3. Brandon's team ranked second! I was proud of all the kids.

That day was a big day for Gracelyn and me. I wanted to help with Brandon's quiz bowl but Ryan couldn't watch her so I was going to have to find a sitter, someone other than family. It sounds stupid but I am pretty, okay really close with Gracelyn. I think it stems from her sickness but I do recognize it and am dealing with it, baby steps. Our wonderful church CDO program could watch her that day. It worked perfect. Ryan said she was already telling him bye as he parked. She walked in and gave a wave behind her head to Ryan. When I picked her up the teachers told me she was better than the kids who come every day. Total success.

It was a successful day! Britton went home from school with a friend and had a blast! 

 Great days call for cupcakes!

Sunday night, Blaine read to the family a book that was 1st grade, 10th month! He needed no help! I am so proud of him. He likes to have fun a lot so I never really know how much attention he pays to people or things.

not the best pic but you get the idea.

 Gracelyn doesn't like all animals but she loves Mimi and Pappy's puppy Bella. The thing is, Bella doesn't feel the same about G. She isn't really a kid-loving dog. In fact, Bella sticks close to Rick or hides out in her home. It doesn't stop Gracelyn from paying her some attention though, she just can't get away.

reading her new American Girl books to Bella

Yesterday was Britton's Per Parade. The kids were told to bring a stuffed animal...

go big or go home. Britton chose the bear that Brandon received when he was born. It's been well-loved over the past nearly 11 years and it's as big as Britton. The teachers told me he was so happy and proud and the kids learned about sizes as they lined up with their animals by size. We tried to change his mind to a different animal but it just wasn't happening.

Blaine has an allergic reaction to something on his back but I wanted to get it checked out just to make sure so I checked him out of school yesterday to take him to the doc. Very seldom do I get time with just Blaine and he is just so much fun. I never know what he is going to come up with next. He reminded me that Wednesday is his 100th day of school so we needed to decorate a tee. So after the doc where he was confirmed it was in fact an allergic reaction and Blaine invented a method to let the doc see his back while keeping his belly warm...

"it's not a gown though, Mom."

We hit Wal-Mart for a tee and paint, the pharmacy and the bank. I told Ryan later about how much fun I had and all of Blaine's one-liners

Have a great week!!