One, Two, Three Strikes your out

Adrienne suggested that we should come to the Bees game on Monday night since her friend Andrea was singing the National Anthem.  I didn't think much about it, mostly because it gives me anxiety to pay $50-$60 just for tickets for our family.  So, we don't often take our kids to movies, since we can just wait and own the DVD for $20.  Anyways, after a little research we found out the Monday nights it Harmon's night and you can get actual reserved seats for $3!  Can you say CHEAP!  My Mom and I made a trip to Harmons to get a few groceries we needed anyway and picked up the coupons.  We BBQ'd hotdogs at home, had chips, watermelon and baked beans.  Again, a package of hot dogs was 89 cents and I think I noticed that one hot dog at the stadium was $3.50! We left a little after six, parked, and were at the box office by 6:35.  Game time is 7:00.  I thought for sure it would be packed.  Surely there are many other cheap Utahns up for a good family night activity.  We got the 2nd row of the upper tier right behind home plate.  We had eleven of us there plus two babies!  Me, Cole, Maddy, Tenley, Grandma, Grandpa, Lauren, Tanner, Bridget, Lindsay, Riley, Ryder, and Ruby!  It was such a fun night.  Something very different and the weather was perfect.  Just a light jacket was needed the last hour.  I must say that being at a baseball game is all about the food, unless you are into keeping an intense scorebook record the entire game (the people in front of us thought they were official score keepers)  After about five minutes Tenley wanted the candy I had secretly brought in my purse.  I told her to wait until the 2nd inning.  She didn't know what that meant but it was not now, so she didn't like it.  I brought some Pop Rocks and Swedish Fish.  Grandma and Adrienne bought peanuts which are always a hit.  I took Tenley down to get a treat before the 7th inning stretch, because she obviously hadn't had enough.  We ended up getting her and Maddy a Mrs. Fields Cookie and a sprite.  Cole wanted to do some wandering of his own, so he walked around the other end of the stadium and came back with a batting helmet full of Mint Chocolate Chip.  The girls felt their cookie was no longer exciting but I put my foot down and said enough!  We had all six grandkids there so we tried to get a picture. It sure was a fun adventure out for Family Night... well, it might not really count since Norm wasn't there.  He is working late every night so he couldn't make it.  We love him for working so hard but we sure miss him!

May I take your order please...

I love that my kids can keep themselves entertained with their imaginations.  They love a good electronic (we are proud owners of Nintendo DS's, Playstation PSP, Wii, etc...)  Yes, they play them, but they are not addicted to them, they do NOT play them for hours on end.  They will go days with out even touching them.  I love when they pull out the dress up box, the kitchen stuff and other miscellaneous household items and create a wonderful playland. 

While I was working on the computer in my room, I could hear the girls creating some spectacular imagination land.  I resisted checking on them for fear I would disrupt their creativity.  After a while, my curiosity forced me to take a peek...

Here is what I found, a fully functioning restaurant...

Maddy was playing the role of the waitress, with her apron, pen and notepad.  She had a tray to delivery food, there was the food prep/cooking area.  Tenley was playing the customer with her baby next to her.  They had rolled up the silveware in napkins and tied them with ribbons.  They put four t.v. trays together to make the table and covered it with a blanket.  It will be a sad day when there is no more imagination play at our house.  Why do we lose this?  I hope they keep it up for a while and I will try to capture more of it in pictures.

Palate Expander... part 3

Last week after we went to the orthodontist for a monthly visit, he said he wanted us to do 12 more turns on Tenley's expander.  I thought that's no big deal, six more days. We'd had a break for a month or two so six days should be slick.  Well, Tenley reverted back to day 1 with the expander.  We had to fight with her for two days to even try it.  We finally got three turns in over two days.  As I was beginning to do the fourth turn one night before bed, we had a problem.  Tenley laid right down, was cooperating, mouth open wide, head tilted back, I turned it just fine... as I went to pull the key out the whole expander and the brackets on her back teeth came off!  Tenley freaked out and started crying.  "Please call dr. Bills, tell him it's an emegency!"  I assured her this was not an emergency, that he was home with his family, and that I could just clip two wires and it would come out.  I fought, and I mean fought, with her for over an hour.  She would not hold still long enought to let me clip the wires to be able to pull the expander out.  I finally sent her to bed and told her I hoped she didn't swallow it.  It was not a pretty mother-daughter hour.  Luckily, Norm walked in the door, at 9:45.  It took both of us holding her down, arms, legs, head, to clip the wires.  I was exhausted and so was she.  Norm asked me why I got all worked up and fought with her.  I said, I didn't know what else to do. I don't have the strength to man handle them anymore so when they are so stubborn and defiant, all I know how to do is yell and threaten.  Looking back, I realize that none of that worked and probably will never work.  I feel horrible and hope Tenley doesn't remember that night.  Maybe I should delete this post.  Hopefully, as I look back and read my thoughts I will remember that getting upset and worked up doesn't solve anything.  Stay calm and positive is my new resolve!

So, on to the part 3 of the expander.  The next day we call the orthodontist office and they squeeze us in.  They decided to make it less traumatic for Tenley that they will do it over two days.  When I called in to make the appointment I inquired to see if they do any kind of sedation, a valium or something, since I knew Tenley would be a basket case.  Dr. Bill's doesn't have a license to prescribe so we just have to tough it out. Oh, boy, I am not looking forward to this.  They first have to fit new bands on her back teeth and she just cries and sobs and they push those up into her gums.  Then they have to take an impression.  Her mouth is so tiny their trays barely fit and it's hard for her to keep it open wide enought to not bump the wet goo while they get it positioned.  So, needless to say they had to do it twice.  Tenley was a trooper though.  The trays were big and they hurt her mouth, she was gagging, but I kept her focused on my face and we talked about the fun things to do over the summer.  I had also bribed her with going out to lunch and a $15 toy shopping spree at Wal-Mart.  They then take the bands off and tell her that when she comes back tomorrow they will put the new appliance in that Dr. Bill's is going to build.  He decided that he didn't need to put the same kind back in, so no key turning for us.  We were excited about that, but she still has to have the expander in for 6-7 monthts.  We return the next day (again, two more absences for Tenley, I did check her out after sending her for two hours in the morning)  and there is bad news.  The impression got messed up and we have to start OVER!!!  Everything the day before was wasted. So, the whole idea of spreading it over two days to inflict less trauma has not only been wasted but she is now doubly traumatized by reliving the whole experience of the first day and enduring the 2nd day installation all at once!  She is amazingly brave.  I think most kids would clamp their mouth shut and say I am not participating in this but she opens up.  We have to coax her to open wider, but she does it.  She cries, she sobs and when your mouth is wide open and you are crying you often snort.  I didn't know this, but it happens.  So, bands, on, impression, made, play DS, watch cartoons for 45 minutes, while the Dr. makes the appliance.  He sits down they have the glue all over the bands and this is when she clamps her mouth shut.  He tells her, "Tenley, the glue is on and is setting up you have to open your mouth"  After about 5 seconds she opens up and they cram those bands on.  She is once again crying.  Then she has to bite down on cotton rolls for 4 minutes while it sets.  They take the cotton rolls out and are cleaning the excess cotton out and its bloody.  I thought that she as maybe being a little dramatic, I knew it was probably uncomfortable and scary for a little tiny girl, but it was bleeding!  I  felt so bad for the sweet little thing.  So she now has a new appliance that looks more like a bent and twisted paper clip.  It is not as big and bulky but it comes up closer to her front teeth. She is learning to eat with it again and talk again with a lisp.  It's fun to ask her to say Sally Sells Seashells by the Sea Shore.  What a trooper she is and I am so proud of her.  Hopefully this is the end of our installation experience and we can last for six months with this one.  We have a new resolve to be much more careful with what she eats.  We were careful befoe but we will be EXTRA careful because we don't want to experience that again.  We always try to look at the big picture and realize that these hard moments will be way easier and better than jaw surgery later.  Dr. Bills gave Tenley and I two free movie tickets and free ice cream cone certificates.  He, and his staff, have been very concerned and patient with her.  We are truly grateful that we found him as an orthodontist.  He even called me the next day to check on her.  He always feels so bad when she cries and he always asks her if she is still his friend.  She always says yes... what a good girl!

Memorial Day

We have a tradition, with many other Americans, to visit the graves of our ancestors on Memorial Day weekend.  We usually go on Sunday afternoon after church.  My Mom and Dad are faithful goers.  When we were kids, we did not really like to go, in fact I think as we got older, as teenagers, we never went.  When I "grew-up" and was married, I began going again with my parents.  Norm came along a few years and then I realized how painful it was for him When I told him that I I didn't really care if he went along he seemed relieved.  The people's sites we visit are people he never knew. Irealized that it didn't matter to me if he came or not.  We like to chit-chat at the graves and remember things about those who have gone before us.  Norm is not a chit-chatter, especially at a cemetery for people he has no idea who they are.  But,  for whatever reason, my kids like to go.  We go every year, take our marigolds, stake them down with a clipped off hanger.  We visit Provo Cemetery, Orem Cemetery and Elysian Gardens in Salt Lake.  Last year, I realized that my kids didn't know these people, and I don't even know if they were clued in that they were THEIR relatives too.  I think they like walking around the cemetery finding the oldest dates on the headstones.  This year they found one born in 1810!  That is a LONG time ago.  Last year, I had the idea that we should make a book. We should have the names, the ancestry, a picture and directions to all the graves we visit. Well, another year flew right by and we didn't do it.  This year we found pictures of all the people we were visiting and I took my camera, took pictures of the headstones and made very good notes on how to find each spot.  It gets very tricky walking around in large grassy area looking for a flat headstone if you don't know where you are going.  We now have the info we need to make the book.  It was fun this year to have my Mom show the kids a picture and tell us something she remembered about each person.  I hope the cemetary book doesn't seem morbid but will be  a lasting legacy for our family to keep track of our ancestry and family history.  Also, I know I would never be able to find most of the headstones without my Mom's help so a written record will be key for the tradition to continue.

Norm, Dad, who is that?

Norm started a new job about 5-6 weeks ago.  We are SO grateful.  He is installing alarms for a company and is managing the other installers as well.  It is a job that has great potential.  Norm loves showing up for work, installing the alarm, buying the equipment with someone else's money, and getting a pay check from someone else!  They have been extremely busy, which is good, we won't complain!  It is allowing us to be able to optimistically be ready to move out the end of June.  Our only concern, not a complaint, is that we never seee him.  He often leaves at 8:00 am and doesn't show up back home unitl 10:30 pm!  We MISS him terribly.  They are in the process of hiring some other installers so hopefully he will be able to see us sometimes.  He is supposed  to be home until noon and then work from 1-9 of 10.  In the summer, that's great. We, can spend time together as a family from 8-12.  We are looking forward to that time. I miss him and I can tell the kids miss him.  They start getting grumpy with me and me with them.  We need some Dad intervention.  But, we are sooooo grateful, more than words can say, that he has this job and that he is willing to work these long hours for our family.  We love you Norm a.k.a. Dad!

Truancy Court.... for a 2nd grader

I received a letter in the mail a month or so ago from the principal at our elementary school notifying me that I need to attend a pre-truancy court meeting for Tenley's excessive absences. Hmmmmm, As I read on, she had missed 23 days of school.  I admit that is ALOT.  But, it wasn't like she was just home in her jammies laying on the couch eating bonbons with me while we watch Soap Operas.  She has been sick a lot. She had some serious orthodontic issues this year.  She had several eye doctor appointments up at Primary Children's.  We did go up to the cabin for Norm's parents 50th wedding anniversary reunion. I did get a note from the doctor's each time we went but that was not enough.  I began by speaking with the attendance secretary at the school to see what I needed to do.  Do I need to go back to the doctor's we visited and get notes for every date in case I missed one?  She assured me she would check with the principal and get back to me.  I didn't hear back and the pre-truance court date was fast approaching.  I didn't want to get thrown in jail or anything so I became persistant.  I called many times, hopefully not too obnoxious, but I wanted to get this taken care of.  Finally, I actually speak with the principal.  He has spoken with Tenley's teacher and was assured that Tenley had been making up all her work, that she was above grade level, and that her excessive absences did not affect her school work.  He then proceeded to tell me that since I was a concerned and aware parent that he would dismiss the truancy court meeting for me.  PHEW... I really did not want to go to that.  For next year, everytime, we go to the doctor, get a NOTE...  The day's she's home sick and we don't go to the doctor a Mom's note is NOT good enough, just thought you should know that!

Timpanogos Terror

Madison's 5th grade field trip this year was a hike to Timpanogos Cave.  I had a conflict that day (and I cannot even remember what it was, oh yes, I was supposed to clean Jenni's house, but I was home with a pukey Tenley) so Norm said he would go with her.  Maddy was so excited for Dad to come with her.  I was very excited too, since I am so out of shape I probably would have died trying to hike it.  Anyways, Norm was all worried about getting back to the school late.  He had a work appointment at 3:30 -ish. I said, don't be ridiculous... school is out at 2:55 so they CAN'T get back later than that.  They were scheduled to be back at the end of the school day so I asked Norm to just check Maddy out and bring her home so I wouldn't have to go over to the school and leave Tenley.  I tried to call him to see how it was going at about 2:00.  He didn't answer.  I figured, he's on the bus, its SUPER loud and he can't hear his phone.  Then at about 2:40 I get a text... Go Pick up Maddy.  So, I hop in the car and head to the school.  I drive up, at 2:50 (school is out in 5 minutes) and no bus and Norm's car is still there.  I call him again and he proceeds to tell me of the terror of the day.  There was a horrible accident, a girl, named Shaylie, slipped of the trail and fell about 100 feet straight down.  Norm's group was behind her group but he passed someone using the emergency phone and asked what was wrong.  They told him a girl fell and he took off running down the trail to see what had happened.  When he reached the area where she had gone off people were looking over but you couldn't see her.  He then ran down a couple of zigzags to get on the same level with her and hiked across the mountain to get to her.  It was straight down cliffs where she went off so he couldn't go down that way.  As he was hiking towards her, he had no idea what he was going to find, what kind of shape she was in.  He saw her off in the distance and she looked unconscious.  As he approached closer he saw her moving and starting to try to get up.  He yelled at her to stay down and quickly got to her.  To his utter amazement, she was not in that bad of shape.  She didn't have any obvious broken bones or any serious bleeding.  Her face and mouth were a little bloody and she was moaning.  He just stayed with her and tried to talk to her while waiting for someone who knew what to do could get to her.  The Park Rangers came first and then the EMTs from Alpine came and worked on her for a little while.  They decided to call Life Flight to get her out after that far of a fall to make sure there weren't internal injuries.  Search and Rescue performed the evacuation since the terrain was so treacherous.  They had to use ropes from above to hold the gurney flat while they tried to carry her out without moving her too much.  Norm stayed with her and helped until they got her out to the helicopter.  The buses left shortly after that and Norm ended up riding back with another parent and her teacher Mrs. Laver.  The 5th grade teachers were all so grateful that Norm was there and able to get to her first.  They appreciated that they didn't have to hike over to her and that he was so much help.  Norm acted like it was no big deal, anyone would have done it.  I know people react differently in emergency situations, the adrenalin gets going and you do things you never thought you could.  I don't know if I would have had the insight to walk down the trail to get level with her and then climb over.  I don't know if I would have been brave enough to hike over on that steep mountain.  I believe that he was there for a reason, that he was there to help that girl.  He was my hero that day, and many others have offered him hero status... he respectfully declines and says "It's no big deal"   I disagree.... may we all try to be heroes to someone sometime.