3 days of peace, sort of

Last Wednesday thru Friday, Dave took Thea, Emma, George and Charlie on their annual camping trip...This was Charlie's first time going! Ellie and I got some quiet time, sort of. They went to Rickett's Glen State Park this year which is near Scranton. Dave read that there were a lot of waterfalls there and thought the kids would enjoy it. So when he called me on Friday afternoon he reported that they were having a great time and that there were lots of black bears around. So I'm obviously worried that some bear is going to get a hold of my little Charlie, as he is the one who usually falls victim to the accidents/misfortunes of the family. Needless to say, I was freaking out when Dave called me Friday evening about 9 and said they were at Bloomsburg Hospital ER because Charlie had a fishing hook lodged just millimeters below his eye, worm still attached. I believe my words exact words were, "Are you F+++ING kidding me?" He wasn't. So after 2 hours, Bloomsburg wouldn't touch him and sent them to yet another hospital where they had a "Children's Dept" so Dave arrived there only to wait for a opthamolic specialist to be paged in. (Yes, the worm is still dangling from my son's eye) Apparently, Chalie wasn't even crying. Thea was in the waiting room with Emma and George who were sleeping on her lap. I was at home pacing the house waiting for updates. Finally, they gave Charlie an IV and some verised (sp?) and were able to remove the hook. No stitches, thank God. It literally JUST missed his eye! He definitely has a guardian angel because in the past 6 months he nearly lost 2 fingers and one eye. All on Dave's watch...though I try not to get mad I have to admit I lost if once during this ordeal. You see, George was the one who cast the line which hooked dear Charlie, and I just calmly "asked" if Dave was watching him and if he had a safety lesson before they began fishing. Is there something wrong with that? Anyhow, Charlie brought me the hook and the dried up worm home as a sovenier. EW. He tells everyone, "I gotted a hook stuckted in my eye. I'm always getting damaged." (pause, to wipe tears)

Anyway, a few photos from the better part of their trip!

Ellie and the bucket

Just thought I'dd add some photos of Ellie that Thea took while she was entertaining herself with a bucket of water. It kept her busy for almost an hour! Of course, she was completely soaked after...She doesn't like to look at the camera much for pictures! She can't be bothered by it. She has a mind of her own, that's for sure!

first post

I've been wanting to start one of these...my sister in law who lives in Georgia has one and I love to read it. It makes me feel like I am more a part of their lives...kind of feel like a "voyeur" at times but its also a great way to stay connected. So here goes! Not sure what I'm going to write, or how often. I guess I will post as the mood strikes me. Let's start with what has been going on this week. We enjoyed a family outing to the Phillie's game last weekend (less Ellie, who stayed behind at mom-mom's) The kids got to run the bases after the game. It was VERY cute! Charlie even got a full face smooch from the Phanatic. (He didn't much like it, but I sure did)

Emma, just shy of her 9th birthday, was a non-bike rider until Dave and I endured a tough-love trip to her school parking lot and gave her no option. The heck with all the experts who say they'll do it when they're ready, blah blah. I've had enough kids to know that sometimes you've got to lay down the law, so to speak. So we spent the first 20 minutes in the 95 degree heat with a sweaty, crying child refusing to even get on her bike...I got frustrated, well, pissed, and sat in the car. Dave who is much more patient, coaxed her on the bike and got her going on the grass down a small hill. 15 minutes later she was cruising with a very big grin. Two days later she is a pro and rides at every opportunity. It was not an easy battle, she was an impossible child during the whole process. But I am truly proud of her. I love to watch her ride. Had we never forced the issue, she probably wouldn't have ever done it. So all the experts can kiss my ***!

George has been obsessed with his new SpongeBob video game that he got for his birthday. I think he dreams about it because its the first thing he talks about when he wakes up. It pains me to admit that one of the few words in Ellie's vocabulary is "BongeBob". How wrong is that? Ond day I swear she said it over 100 times! She is so cute right now, just a big soft marshmellow! She says Hi to everyone! She almost sounds like a southerner when she says it... "Hiiiiiiiiiii" (dragging the i) She really tries to talk in sentences but it just sounds like babble. She loves to dance and shakes her hiney like a pro.

Charlie is finished school and I'm afraid he is becoming quite bored with me at home. He has been quite mischievous lately. This week he flooded the kitchen counter and floor with water and dumped all of the fish food into one of the Incredibles costume gloves and then emptied that onto his bed. I have no idea why. Is this fun for a four year old? Its hard to get mad at him though...with such and innocent little face!

This coming weekend, like most others, we have 2 baseball/softball games, a cub scout event and 3 birthday parties. Our calendar is so full that some days we wonder how we are going to get everyone where they are supposed to be. Somehow it always works out. And it is definitely worth it.....