Seany stayed close to home.
While, RyGuy went off on an adventure.
Ry came back dirty and unhappy about it.
Half the rocks we had moved out of the backyard. Double the piles and that's about what was taken out.
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I Do Now
6 days ago
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Fence free and rocky
Seany stayed close to home.Packing up Pear
Yes, that's all in the front room.
We filled up this room too. I just never got a picture of it.
Papa Pat bought donuts for the chicklets on moving day. It took all 4 chicklets to polish off that giant thing some called a donut.
Random pictures
Ryan saw that I had the camera, so he was on my knees mugging until he liked a photo of himself.
Our little ham, RyGuy.
Alex found a treasure, his hand x-ray from 2005!
Alex lost his second tooth 2 days ago. The tooth fairy left him a dollar covered in fairy dust. "Mommy, do you think the tooth fairy is a boy or a girl?"
"Girl."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I've met her. Besides, how many boy fairies use fairy dust?"
Monday, May 19, 2008
Cassie's Cause
Alex participated in a walk-a-thon for one of his friends, Cassie. Alex and Cassie have been friends since they were three and a half years old. She has a brain tumor and is again undergoing chemo. As this is a friend from his old school, we received an email the night before inviting him to participate and he didn't get a chance to collect donations (i.e. $1/lap).
Cassie was completely blind 3 years ago and luckily the tumor was reduced enough that although she doesn't have perfect sight, she can see again. Unfortunately, the tumor requires treatment again. Radiation is not a good option because of some complications with the tumor's location in her brain. And surgery is totally out. Chemotherapy is the only road available and is very expensive.
Sean & Ryan donated by pilfering food from the snack table. They raised an extra $5 thanks to Seany & Ryan's skills at swiping and munching
On our way home, Alex said, "Mommy, guess what? I'm going to call Nona and she'll be so proud of me for helping Cassie." To which I responded that I to was proud of him. I did feel a little teary when he got to lap 8 and said, "I'm tired but I can definitely finish my last 2 laps Cassie needs the money to pay for all her medical bills."
If anyone wants to donate to the cause, you can send the donation to us or directly to the school attention: Cassie's Cause. They raised just over $2000 at the walk-a-thon of which $52 was from us.
Lakeview Academy
Attn: Cassie's Cause
527 W. 400 N.
Saratoga Springs, UT 84045
Additionally, I can tell you that having a very healthy special needs kid is very expensive. Ryan's tests and check up thus far in 2008 have run us $1200 out of pocket. I can't even guess at how much they have to pay for the chemo in addition to all Cassie requires for her regular care.
Cassie was completely blind 3 years ago and luckily the tumor was reduced enough that although she doesn't have perfect sight, she can see again. Unfortunately, the tumor requires treatment again. Radiation is not a good option because of some complications with the tumor's location in her brain. And surgery is totally out. Chemotherapy is the only road available and is very expensive.
Sean & Ryan donated by pilfering food from the snack table. They raised an extra $5 thanks to Seany & Ryan's skills at swiping and munching
On our way home, Alex said, "Mommy, guess what? I'm going to call Nona and she'll be so proud of me for helping Cassie." To which I responded that I to was proud of him. I did feel a little teary when he got to lap 8 and said, "I'm tired but I can definitely finish my last 2 laps Cassie needs the money to pay for all her medical bills."
If anyone wants to donate to the cause, you can send the donation to us or directly to the school attention: Cassie's Cause. They raised just over $2000 at the walk-a-thon of which $52 was from us.
Lakeview Academy
Attn: Cassie's Cause
527 W. 400 N.
Saratoga Springs, UT 84045
Additionally, I can tell you that having a very healthy special needs kid is very expensive. Ryan's tests and check up thus far in 2008 have run us $1200 out of pocket. I can't even guess at how much they have to pay for the chemo in addition to all Cassie requires for her regular care.
IRONMAN
Mark took the big boys to see Ironman yesterday while I shopped with the twix. The mall took out the play center so we had to shop for 2.5 hours. About an 1 hour in to our excursion, Ryan slipped on the escalator and scrapped his leg from ankle to knee and that was the end of shopping and playing. We spent the next half hour watching Ryan look at his injured leg.
Sean was (is still) sick with a fever so he was cool with hanging out on a bench driving his car back and forth.
The big guys loved it! I think Andrew loved be part of the big boys instead of stuck with the 'babies.'
Sean was (is still) sick with a fever so he was cool with hanging out on a bench driving his car back and forth.
The big guys loved it! I think Andrew loved be part of the big boys instead of stuck with the 'babies.'
Friday, May 16, 2008
Landscapers
I need a moment to vent.
The peeps that put the front yard sprinklers in put them in and over the property line when they swung them around our backyard. So now, the $6K fence goes in next week and the sprinkler line will be UNDER the fence, the posts are going to puncture the water line!
Then, my neighbor (on that side) has hired a landscaper to do the basics in her yard -- she's already spent $6K on her share of the fencing, $8K on their patio and he's charging her $11K to cover the rocks with topsoil, lay sprinklers, put down a couple veggie boxes, surround the sod with curbing and put down sod. Not build their shed, not plant any trees, not put any veggies in said boxes. Total rip off.
So, I asked him how much he'd charge to take our rocks away and level our yard. "That's it. That's all you want done."
"No, we only have a small amount to spend on the whole yard so we need to as much as we can ourselves."
No answer, no quote, nada. I guess he's not interested if its not a big enough job.
And he was supposed to take out all her rocks and he said, "Well the rocks are out and we'll get the sprinklers going in now."
She said, "What are all those? I see giant piles of rocks everywhere."
He said, "Well we aren't going to get every single rock."
Apparantly, that means you can leave a full ton of surface rocks and call it a day.
The peeps that put the front yard sprinklers in put them in and over the property line when they swung them around our backyard. So now, the $6K fence goes in next week and the sprinkler line will be UNDER the fence, the posts are going to puncture the water line!
Then, my neighbor (on that side) has hired a landscaper to do the basics in her yard -- she's already spent $6K on her share of the fencing, $8K on their patio and he's charging her $11K to cover the rocks with topsoil, lay sprinklers, put down a couple veggie boxes, surround the sod with curbing and put down sod. Not build their shed, not plant any trees, not put any veggies in said boxes. Total rip off.
So, I asked him how much he'd charge to take our rocks away and level our yard. "That's it. That's all you want done."
"No, we only have a small amount to spend on the whole yard so we need to as much as we can ourselves."
No answer, no quote, nada. I guess he's not interested if its not a big enough job.
And he was supposed to take out all her rocks and he said, "Well the rocks are out and we'll get the sprinklers going in now."
She said, "What are all those? I see giant piles of rocks everywhere."
He said, "Well we aren't going to get every single rock."
Apparantly, that means you can leave a full ton of surface rocks and call it a day.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Permits
So, the city has all kinds of permits and requirements before you do anything.
To do the backyard:
1 fence permit: free
1 shed permit: free if under 120 sq feet
and 1 questionable pergola permit. The inspector said, "Well its a structure so it needs to be to code, but I don't have a permit for it."
"Can you tell me what the code requirements are?"
"Well, since there's not a permit, just do what you want. Don't put a roof on, I guess screens would be ok, but NOT a roof. And keep it 5 feet from the property line like we would require a shed."
"Ok. So, when we're actually ready to do it, do we let you know? Make sure the rules haven't changed? Etc?"
"No, I don't have anything to give you or applications to fill out."
So my very basic translation, when the inspector doesn't have a good answer, do whatever you want and don't tell him about it.
To do the backyard:
1 fence permit: free
1 shed permit: free if under 120 sq feet
and 1 questionable pergola permit. The inspector said, "Well its a structure so it needs to be to code, but I don't have a permit for it."
"Can you tell me what the code requirements are?"
"Well, since there's not a permit, just do what you want. Don't put a roof on, I guess screens would be ok, but NOT a roof. And keep it 5 feet from the property line like we would require a shed."
"Ok. So, when we're actually ready to do it, do we let you know? Make sure the rules haven't changed? Etc?"
"No, I don't have anything to give you or applications to fill out."
So my very basic translation, when the inspector doesn't have a good answer, do whatever you want and don't tell him about it.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Topped himself
This afternoon after a morning of errands, Andrew would not put down his baseball bat. He tried carrying it on his shoulder, across his back, using it as a cane and finally between his legs.
"Mommy look when I hold my bat like this it looks like I have a really long p*****."
Yes, my 4 year old said that. We had to have the privacy talk, the we don't talk about the parts of our body that make potties, etc.
"Mommy look when I hold my bat like this it looks like I have a really long p*****."
Yes, my 4 year old said that. We had to have the privacy talk, the we don't talk about the parts of our body that make potties, etc.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
One more Andrew tale
So, we're moving rocks. Day 6 of rock rotation. Very boring, very tedious, very under appreciated by those who do not have millions of pounds of rocks to move. We're all filthy. We've all bathed every night before dinner/bed/reentry into brand spanking new house.
Andrew & Alex keep their rooms locked. To keep the twix out. Smart kids. But it means they can't get in either. An adult has to reach the key for them.
So after his bath, Andrew had to wait for me to come get the key for him. Instead of sitting draped in a towel like his more modest slightly older contemporary. Andrew decided to go to the sliding glass door and dance for our neighbors behind us who were trying to figure out their drainage system before the fence goes in, directly across from our sliding glass door.
All of a sudden, I realize what he's doing. I offer my apologies and she kindly (very understanding actually) made no big deal about his tally wacker antics.
Andrew & Alex keep their rooms locked. To keep the twix out. Smart kids. But it means they can't get in either. An adult has to reach the key for them.
So after his bath, Andrew had to wait for me to come get the key for him. Instead of sitting draped in a towel like his more modest slightly older contemporary. Andrew decided to go to the sliding glass door and dance for our neighbors behind us who were trying to figure out their drainage system before the fence goes in, directly across from our sliding glass door.
All of a sudden, I realize what he's doing. I offer my apologies and she kindly (very understanding actually) made no big deal about his tally wacker antics.
And so the tale grows...
By the time he's an old man, he'll have survived rapid fire coming from the hills.
Andrew said, "Mommy, can I tell our neighbor about my chin owie."
"Yes, Andrew."
"So this thing came and hit me right here (pointing violently). Seeee!"
"Oh, yes, it looks very sore."
"Yeah it is. It was a cannon that fired that rock at me because there was nobody around."
Her answer, "Yes, Andrew. Stick with the cannon story, that makes it much more interesting."
Laughter insued.
Andrew said, "Mommy, can I tell our neighbor about my chin owie."
"Yes, Andrew."
"So this thing came and hit me right here (pointing violently). Seeee!"
"Oh, yes, it looks very sore."
"Yeah it is. It was a cannon that fired that rock at me because there was nobody around."
Her answer, "Yes, Andrew. Stick with the cannon story, that makes it much more interesting."
Laughter insued.
We have a super nice neighbor
The weekend we moved in, Michelle something, brought us the most divine cupcakes ever -- dark chocolate with some kind of cream cheese filling and heath bar bits through out and topped.
Today we had a near disaster and Michelle something saved me/us. On the way home from school, out of nowhere a rock hit Andrew on the underside of his chin. He chin swelled up to twice the normal size and turned blue and bloody. She heard his screams and came right over to help us. He could not ride his trike because his helmet would hurt his chin. She carried it to our house and helped get the others settled while I doctored Andrew.
I love her already.
Today we had a near disaster and Michelle something saved me/us. On the way home from school, out of nowhere a rock hit Andrew on the underside of his chin. He chin swelled up to twice the normal size and turned blue and bloody. She heard his screams and came right over to help us. He could not ride his trike because his helmet would hurt his chin. She carried it to our house and helped get the others settled while I doctored Andrew.
I love her already.
Monday, May 05, 2008
So far
We've hung 20-ish things on walls -- for the chicklets. Andrew has 4 directional signs, 2 tin signs, and 4 CARS lithographs coming (I need to track down their frames). Sean & Ryan have 5 animals on parade over their closet where they will never reach. Alex, dear dear Alex has got 4 family photos, 1 autographed astronaut, 1 tin sign, 2 Star Wars pictures and a propeller, american flag, and xray to go.
We've spent about 10 hours working in the back yard. We have a giant pile of rocks. We've got rocks of all sizes and shapes. We're trying to work with the neighbor behind us to get a rock/retaining wall up so that we don't end up with their yard in our yard before our fence comes in 2 weeks.
We still have to hang the last 2 blinds in the front room and Andrew's room. We have tons of boxes to sort through. We haven't found all the kitchen stuff yet. We have lots of work to do.
We've spent about 10 hours working in the back yard. We have a giant pile of rocks. We've got rocks of all sizes and shapes. We're trying to work with the neighbor behind us to get a rock/retaining wall up so that we don't end up with their yard in our yard before our fence comes in 2 weeks.
We still have to hang the last 2 blinds in the front room and Andrew's room. We have tons of boxes to sort through. We haven't found all the kitchen stuff yet. We have lots of work to do.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Alex's Park View Welcomes
Alex's new school is called Park View Elementary. He's gone from a Lakeview to a Park View.
In his first 3 days attendance, he's been given 5 pictures (2 from a Josh) and a note "Alex, I'm so happy you came to our school. I like all the games we play" (from an Abby).
So far, he's enjoying his classmates and all the new things that come with a new school.
He commented, "Guess what's wierd. The kid Josh from Park View is really nice. He's not mean like the Josh from Lakeview. The new Josh is great!"
In his first 3 days attendance, he's been given 5 pictures (2 from a Josh) and a note "Alex, I'm so happy you came to our school. I like all the games we play" (from an Abby).
So far, he's enjoying his classmates and all the new things that come with a new school.
He commented, "Guess what's wierd. The kid Josh from Park View is really nice. He's not mean like the Josh from Lakeview. The new Josh is great!"
Alex's Lakeview Farwells
Each of his Lakeview Academy classmates wrote Alex a good-bye letter. I'd like to share some of their thoughts.
You are a good friend. Thank you for playing Zelda with me, Leif, Bryson, and Eric. Do you think you'll like your new house & school very much,
Thank you for playing Zelda with me and have good luck in your new school. You're a good friend. I'll miss you. Good Times.
I will miss you. I hope you like you're new school and I hope you will get new friends. You are my best friend.
You're nice. I'll miss you. I'll miss you. I like it when you play with me. You're the best. You're my friend. You're sweet. But I don't want you to leave. I'll miss you! You're nice.
You're TRUE NICE KIND!
You are awesome. You are a cool friend. I wish you good luck in school. You are the nicest friend and the funniest friend I ever had.
You are my best friend. I will really really miss you.
I think you are the fastest runner in the class.
I will miss you really. I will miss playing with you a lot. I like your haircut!
This is Lauren. I will miss you. I hope you will have fun at your new house. You are my best friend.
I'll miss ya. Have fun at your new school. Make good friends NOT bad ones. I wish you could stay here.
You ARE the best student in the whole second grade. You're the coolest friend.
I really want you to stay and you are a good reader and you are fun to play with.
I'll miss you in this school. I like how you are always trying to help others. I hope you have a fun time at your school. I wish you the best.
I hope you like your new house and your new school. I'm really going to miss you. Good Luck is coming your way.
I really think you are good at math. I really think you should stay right here! I'll miss you while your gone. How far are you going? Will I be able to visit you? You are a very good friend. May be you should be friends with everybody in the school.
You are a good friend. Thank you for playing Zelda with me, Leif, Bryson, and Eric. Do you think you'll like your new house & school very much,
Thank you for playing Zelda with me and have good luck in your new school. You're a good friend. I'll miss you. Good Times.
I will miss you. I hope you like you're new school and I hope you will get new friends. You are my best friend.
You're nice. I'll miss you. I'll miss you. I like it when you play with me. You're the best. You're my friend. You're sweet. But I don't want you to leave. I'll miss you! You're nice.
You're TRUE NICE KIND!
You are awesome. You are a cool friend. I wish you good luck in school. You are the nicest friend and the funniest friend I ever had.
You are my best friend. I will really really miss you.
I think you are the fastest runner in the class.
I will miss you really. I will miss playing with you a lot. I like your haircut!
This is Lauren. I will miss you. I hope you will have fun at your new house. You are my best friend.
I'll miss ya. Have fun at your new school. Make good friends NOT bad ones. I wish you could stay here.
You ARE the best student in the whole second grade. You're the coolest friend.
I really want you to stay and you are a good reader and you are fun to play with.
I'll miss you in this school. I like how you are always trying to help others. I hope you have a fun time at your school. I wish you the best.
I hope you like your new house and your new school. I'm really going to miss you. Good Luck is coming your way.
I really think you are good at math. I really think you should stay right here! I'll miss you while your gone. How far are you going? Will I be able to visit you? You are a very good friend. May be you should be friends with everybody in the school.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Hints next time you move...
Lining shelves in kitchens and bathrooms saves many a mess. I suggest the following as I just spent 12 hours lining things.
Duct Shelf liner (not adhesive, so you do have to move it back occassionally)
If you really want the contact paper, use Martha Stewarts Kmart brand instead of name brand contact paper. Hers has a faint grid among the instructions -- makes cutting much easier. Hers also doesn't seem to curl to the very last piece as your trying to get it to lie down. Also, I'd invest in a heavy duty paper cutter.
For the record books:
44 kitchen and bath cabinet shelves were lined
17 kitchen and bath drawers were lined
4 Six foot pantry shelves were lined
Boxes:
14 kitchen boxes emptied, 4 to go
12 Clothing boxes emptied, 2 to go (at least I only see 2)
50+ boxes to be dealt with later are in the basement
5 beds assembled, 1 bed to assemble upon awaited repair completion
Duct Shelf liner (not adhesive, so you do have to move it back occassionally)
If you really want the contact paper, use Martha Stewarts Kmart brand instead of name brand contact paper. Hers has a faint grid among the instructions -- makes cutting much easier. Hers also doesn't seem to curl to the very last piece as your trying to get it to lie down. Also, I'd invest in a heavy duty paper cutter.
For the record books:
44 kitchen and bath cabinet shelves were lined
17 kitchen and bath drawers were lined
4 Six foot pantry shelves were lined
Boxes:
14 kitchen boxes emptied, 4 to go
12 Clothing boxes emptied, 2 to go (at least I only see 2)
50+ boxes to be dealt with later are in the basement
5 beds assembled, 1 bed to assemble upon awaited repair completion
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Complete and total CHOAS!
But I must admit, Mark is a very fast worker. He gets a ton done, especially when I take the kids out of the house.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Moving Day!
Pictures and stories coming tomorrow night....
Closed yesterday on 2 homes. We spent more money yesterday than any other day in our lives. Broke our old record by almost double!
Closed yesterday on 2 homes. We spent more money yesterday than any other day in our lives. Broke our old record by almost double!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Rest In Peace Grandpa Jim
It is health and honorable
to weep at the loss
of someone we love.
Healthy because it is respectful
to admit the importance of people
who have loved and supported us...
people whose footprints
cannot ever be matched.
-- Maya Angelou
Grandpa Jim
This morning, Mark's grandpa passed away.
He was a wonderful person. One of those guys who flatters everyone, is ridiculously proud of every one's achievements, and loved above all else his wife and family.
Random thoughts...
His stories about his WWII days as a merchant marine and pow.
His time working 'overseas' for the government in Newfoundland Canada.
Building his own house on his own land.
He was extremely proud of Mark from his college graduation to leaving California to take care of his own family. He didn't want us to go to Utah, but he told me that he thought Mark made the right decision that Mark was a man of honor and bravery.
How I was always his favorite -- I always found that amusing, as I was sure all the other grandsons' wives were also 'the favorite.'
His absolute delight in Alex's birth, to be matched by Andrew, and the Sean & Ryan's birth. Though he really got how precarious things were with Sean & especially Ryan. I remember having to convince him it was OK to touch them in the NICU. He still absolutely delighted in the miracle of their birth and loved to say he had "TWIN great-grandsons."
I never met a man as proud as Jim Devlin. But, I don't mean that in pride as a deadly sin. If anything was greater then his pride. It was his absolute loyalty and love for his family. There were no better looking people then his grandsons and granddaughter. There were no more beautiful children than his own great-grandchildren.
I realize this is poorly organized and written. I just have a few minutes alone and needed to jot down some things.
He was a wonderful person. One of those guys who flatters everyone, is ridiculously proud of every one's achievements, and loved above all else his wife and family.
Random thoughts...
His stories about his WWII days as a merchant marine and pow.
His time working 'overseas' for the government in Newfoundland Canada.
Building his own house on his own land.
He was extremely proud of Mark from his college graduation to leaving California to take care of his own family. He didn't want us to go to Utah, but he told me that he thought Mark made the right decision that Mark was a man of honor and bravery.
How I was always his favorite -- I always found that amusing, as I was sure all the other grandsons' wives were also 'the favorite.'
His absolute delight in Alex's birth, to be matched by Andrew, and the Sean & Ryan's birth. Though he really got how precarious things were with Sean & especially Ryan. I remember having to convince him it was OK to touch them in the NICU. He still absolutely delighted in the miracle of their birth and loved to say he had "TWIN great-grandsons."
I never met a man as proud as Jim Devlin. But, I don't mean that in pride as a deadly sin. If anything was greater then his pride. It was his absolute loyalty and love for his family. There were no better looking people then his grandsons and granddaughter. There were no more beautiful children than his own great-grandchildren.
I realize this is poorly organized and written. I just have a few minutes alone and needed to jot down some things.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
SO really...
I need some suggestions! WHAT DO I DO WITH THE CABINETS? Anybody hear of a humane shackling system for 2 year old twix? Anybody put a pole in the living room to attach their twix to? I'm at a total loss here folks.
Yesterday, from 9:30 to 10:45 I was making all the necessary phone calls to move (OK not all, but I made 4 of them). Then Alex came screaming into the office, "Mommy! Mommy! There's an emergency. You have to hurry! I'm not kidding! This isn't a pretend emergency (we go through this a lot in the Devlin house)! This is a REAL emergency!"
So I am flying up the stairs, I look past RyGuy filling the dump truck with chocolate syrup. I look past Andrew lining up ice cream bars on the carpet (these poor peeps buying this place need to give up on saving this carpet and just rip it out). I look to the kitchen, to Seany standing on the oven drawer to the climb to the counter to climb up the refrigerator to reach the playing card on top.
After assessing (2-3 seconds tops) the various situations, I ask Alex, "WHAT is the emergency?"
"Ryan is filling his dump truck with chocolate syrup! Andrew is eating SIX ice cream bars! Sean is climbing in the kitchen!" Alex shrieks out at me as though I should have obviously known.
Here's the thing, to me none of that is an emergency (OK the climbing on the oven is). This is just what my life is. If I have to say make phone calls then I know I will face this kind of bedlam when I finish. If I don't make the phone calls, who will make them? Mark is supposed to work when he's at work, not take care of our family stuff.
An emergency to me is like last week, when Ryan drank a bottle of children's ibuprofen and I had to call poison control. I keep it in a cabinet next to the sink. He got to it by climbing up the cabinets and standing on the counter and reaching up (it have to be on tip toes because he's short) into the medicine shelf. FYI, the poison control guys advice, "Well, don't give him any more if he starts acting sick." Yeah its the 'if' that's wrong with that advice.
While I was cleaning up all of this, they went downstairs and emptied comet all over the basement floor. That is when I flipped out -- poisonous substance Mark had left in reach of the twix. The adults in my life HAVE to cooperate with my wishes regarding keeping things out of reach. I am the one stuck managing this nut house everyday.
Yesterday, from 9:30 to 10:45 I was making all the necessary phone calls to move (OK not all, but I made 4 of them). Then Alex came screaming into the office, "Mommy! Mommy! There's an emergency. You have to hurry! I'm not kidding! This isn't a pretend emergency (we go through this a lot in the Devlin house)! This is a REAL emergency!"
So I am flying up the stairs, I look past RyGuy filling the dump truck with chocolate syrup. I look past Andrew lining up ice cream bars on the carpet (these poor peeps buying this place need to give up on saving this carpet and just rip it out). I look to the kitchen, to Seany standing on the oven drawer to the climb to the counter to climb up the refrigerator to reach the playing card on top.
After assessing (2-3 seconds tops) the various situations, I ask Alex, "WHAT is the emergency?"
"Ryan is filling his dump truck with chocolate syrup! Andrew is eating SIX ice cream bars! Sean is climbing in the kitchen!" Alex shrieks out at me as though I should have obviously known.
Here's the thing, to me none of that is an emergency (OK the climbing on the oven is). This is just what my life is. If I have to say make phone calls then I know I will face this kind of bedlam when I finish. If I don't make the phone calls, who will make them? Mark is supposed to work when he's at work, not take care of our family stuff.
An emergency to me is like last week, when Ryan drank a bottle of children's ibuprofen and I had to call poison control. I keep it in a cabinet next to the sink. He got to it by climbing up the cabinets and standing on the counter and reaching up (it have to be on tip toes because he's short) into the medicine shelf. FYI, the poison control guys advice, "Well, don't give him any more if he starts acting sick." Yeah its the 'if' that's wrong with that advice.
While I was cleaning up all of this, they went downstairs and emptied comet all over the basement floor. That is when I flipped out -- poisonous substance Mark had left in reach of the twix. The adults in my life HAVE to cooperate with my wishes regarding keeping things out of reach. I am the one stuck managing this nut house everyday.
Friday, April 18, 2008
So I found these fabulous cabinet locks
and they're way too expensive for our household. They're probably worth the price but at $5 a lock (we need 34), we can't afford them.
They're called TotLocks Magnet System. A powerful magnet is installed inside the cabinet, then you use the "key" to open the cabinet or drawer. Impossible to open without the "key". Just what we need for Seany.
Online I found that they have an adhesive system (which would probably not stick to our cabinets) and a drill into the wood system.
Pricing it out:
4 locks with key: $19.99 x 3 = $60.
4 locks no key: $12.99 x 6 = $78.
So that's $140 to keep our cabinets closed, chemicals in, and twix out!
The traditional cabinet locks cost $2 for 8 locks. So, we're looking at a price difference of $130. Unfortunately, Seany can open the traditional kid locks.
I don't have a clue what to do.
Any ideas?
They're called TotLocks Magnet System. A powerful magnet is installed inside the cabinet, then you use the "key" to open the cabinet or drawer. Impossible to open without the "key". Just what we need for Seany.
Online I found that they have an adhesive system (which would probably not stick to our cabinets) and a drill into the wood system.
Pricing it out:
4 locks with key: $19.99 x 3 = $60.
4 locks no key: $12.99 x 6 = $78.
So that's $140 to keep our cabinets closed, chemicals in, and twix out!
The traditional cabinet locks cost $2 for 8 locks. So, we're looking at a price difference of $130. Unfortunately, Seany can open the traditional kid locks.
I don't have a clue what to do.
Any ideas?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Clippers
This happened some time ago. But I'd like not to forget it.
Sean & Ryan are very interested in nail clippers. They bring them out and practice squeezing the lever down. (We can never find a pair when their needed because Alex, Mark, Andrew, and I are always snatching them and putting them up 'high' where the clippers enter limbo only to be found again now that we're packing up.)
On one such occasion, Ryan got a hold of a pair. Sean sat right down in front of Ryan and held his hand out as if Ryan was an adult capable of safely clipping the sharp nail edge.
Luckily, my Mommy instinct caused me to question their sitting quietly cooperatively together. And before an injury could occur I broke up the twix grooming stand.
Sean & Ryan are very interested in nail clippers. They bring them out and practice squeezing the lever down. (We can never find a pair when their needed because Alex, Mark, Andrew, and I are always snatching them and putting them up 'high' where the clippers enter limbo only to be found again now that we're packing up.)
On one such occasion, Ryan got a hold of a pair. Sean sat right down in front of Ryan and held his hand out as if Ryan was an adult capable of safely clipping the sharp nail edge.
Luckily, my Mommy instinct caused me to question their sitting quietly cooperatively together. And before an injury could occur I broke up the twix grooming stand.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Mark's grandpa is passing away soon...
I was going to write about it, but I think what Mark had to say is so much more. I pray for both of them and all Mark's family.
My grandfather has always been a hero of mine. He was always so wise, so strong, and so smart. He knew how to do just about anything, make anything, or fix anything. He always had amazing stories of the things he had done, seen, and lived through. He taught me so much about how to live me life, how to treat people, and how cherish my family. I've never met a man with more love for his family than my grandfather.
I always knew he would not live forever. I'd lost my maternal grandparents many years ago. But you are really never prepared for it to happen. Deep down I knew that his health has been failing the last several years, but it was always easier to believe him when he said he was doing good. Even as talk of doctors appointments grew in frequency, I allowed myself to believe that he was just being more cautious.
When my dad told me it was cancer, it came as no surprise. I had been hoping for a miracle, but had already accepted the inevitable. I flew out to California to see him. To tell him I love him. I would not allow myself to become emotional in front of him. I knew he would not want that. That he would not be strong enough to take me breaking down, or talking about him dying. I wanted so much to tell him how much he means to me. How much I regret not being able to see him as much since moving to Utah.
When my maternal grandfather was dying, I had no job. I stayed by him and did what I could to make him comfortable in his last few days. My penance for all the times I had opted to stay home or go out with friends instead of going with my mother to visit him. Now as my paternal grandfather nears his final days, life seems to be throwing obstacles in my way. A week from today I'm to sign papers on the sale of my house and on the purchase of my new home. Then I have to move. This thing I've been hoping for, for almost a year now couldn't come at a worse moment.
Today at work I get the news that he's had a seizure. The cancer in his lungs and bones has moved into his brain. I don't want to be here at work, but I don't want to go home and cry in front of my children. They don't need to see their hero crying over the impending death of his.
My grandfather has always been a hero of mine. He was always so wise, so strong, and so smart. He knew how to do just about anything, make anything, or fix anything. He always had amazing stories of the things he had done, seen, and lived through. He taught me so much about how to live me life, how to treat people, and how cherish my family. I've never met a man with more love for his family than my grandfather.
I always knew he would not live forever. I'd lost my maternal grandparents many years ago. But you are really never prepared for it to happen. Deep down I knew that his health has been failing the last several years, but it was always easier to believe him when he said he was doing good. Even as talk of doctors appointments grew in frequency, I allowed myself to believe that he was just being more cautious.
When my dad told me it was cancer, it came as no surprise. I had been hoping for a miracle, but had already accepted the inevitable. I flew out to California to see him. To tell him I love him. I would not allow myself to become emotional in front of him. I knew he would not want that. That he would not be strong enough to take me breaking down, or talking about him dying. I wanted so much to tell him how much he means to me. How much I regret not being able to see him as much since moving to Utah.
When my maternal grandfather was dying, I had no job. I stayed by him and did what I could to make him comfortable in his last few days. My penance for all the times I had opted to stay home or go out with friends instead of going with my mother to visit him. Now as my paternal grandfather nears his final days, life seems to be throwing obstacles in my way. A week from today I'm to sign papers on the sale of my house and on the purchase of my new home. Then I have to move. This thing I've been hoping for, for almost a year now couldn't come at a worse moment.
Today at work I get the news that he's had a seizure. The cancer in his lungs and bones has moved into his brain. I don't want to be here at work, but I don't want to go home and cry in front of my children. They don't need to see their hero crying over the impending death of his.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Casts come off
Trying to be brave during the sawing. The saw doesn't hurt, it's very noisy.
Pry bar to seperate the two bits.
Cutting off the casts socks.
And the muscleless legs are free!
The group with Father Dave
With only 20 kids, us Cali natives commented on how much more time the procession could take.
Ceremony
Family
Uncle Vince, Nona, Alex, Auntie Carolyn, and Papa.
The gang -- Tattooed Seany, Alex, Tattooed RyGuy, and Andrew. Nobody was interested in struggling to get pictures outside church.
Daddy, Alex, and Mommy.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Really helpful peeps
I just took Alex & Andrew out of soccer in Saratoga Springs. We get all that registration back minus $5 each service fee.
With that cash, Alex gets to play baseball in Payson, our new place.
The rec lady in Payson is one of those super helpers. She said, "Can you get me the registration form today? I'm setting up the teams and I can put him on a team with his neighbor kids if I've got the paperwork. If it waits to next week, he may end up on a team with not enough kids."
I love peeps like her. A woman who gets what really matters in life!
New to town
Need to make friends
Place on a team with kids he'll run into this summer
Awesome, just awesome.
With that cash, Alex gets to play baseball in Payson, our new place.
The rec lady in Payson is one of those super helpers. She said, "Can you get me the registration form today? I'm setting up the teams and I can put him on a team with his neighbor kids if I've got the paperwork. If it waits to next week, he may end up on a team with not enough kids."
I love peeps like her. A woman who gets what really matters in life!
New to town
Need to make friends
Place on a team with kids he'll run into this summer
Awesome, just awesome.
Optimus Who?
Alex has an Optimus Prime Voice Changer helmet (TRANSFORMER). Its a favorite toy in the Devlin Playroom. Alex also has an Optimus Prime costume with a little mask.
Sean put on the mask and in his 'deep' voice began saying, "I ah Opti-ma Pie." After a few listenings, I got it. But where oh where was my camera??? AAHHH!
Sean put on the mask and in his 'deep' voice began saying, "I ah Opti-ma Pie." After a few listenings, I got it. But where oh where was my camera??? AAHHH!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Digging in the sand
Andrew and Seany really liked the sand pit.
Ryan not so much. He eventually came out and got his shoes on. Then stood at the entrance calling, "Sea Sea Ahdoo Ahdoo Mon Mon NOW!!" (Sean, Sean, Andrew, Andrew, Come on, Come on, NOW!!)
First Andy covered his toes and wiggled them out. Then Andy covered his feet and wiggled them out. Then he covered his legs. At that point I told him not to bury the rest of his body -- too many kiddies.
Shark ATTACK!
That be Andrew and Seany in the dark.
And RyGuy makes an appearance.
At the gift shop, Seany chose a shark and kept saying "Raa."
How much do 7 preschoolers and a twix weigh?
About the same as a small meat eater nearly 250 pounds.
"Mommy, take a picture of me and my friend on this baby dino."Sand & Water Table
Sean didn't like the apron.
Neither did RyGuy.
Sean loved the table and played for a long time.
Andrew gave it a few minutes.
Ryan didn't like the wet sand and quickly disappeared.
Build a Dinosaur
Where should the tail go?
Hmm. Andrew dragged a new tail around for a while.
Ryan tried to manage a limb on his own.
Sean stayed in Andrew's way while he tried to build.
Andrew's Dinosaur Museum Field Trip arrival
Ryan listening attentively to the guide's instructions.
Andrew was super chilled (45 outside) and took a good long time to warm up.Saturday, April 05, 2008
Moving Sale
We made about the following:
Pre-sales: $90
At the sale sales: $145
Post sales: $50
Total (before stuff goes up on ebay): $300+/-
Enough to move to Payson with!
Pre-sales: $90
At the sale sales: $145
Post sales: $50
Total (before stuff goes up on ebay): $300+/-
Enough to move to Payson with!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Ryan update
Ryan has been totally miserable since we got home. He finally fell asleep and rested until 8, then started crying all over again. We gave him a bath and tylenol to help him sleep, but every time he passes gas or voids his bladder the pain starts again.
I feel so sorry for him.
His one joy -- the giant yellow dump truck his nurse gave him. He asked me in baby talk to help him put his stickers (also from the nurse) on it, "Mommy elp me icker shruck." Then pushed it around when he was feeling ok saying, "my shruck. my shruck."
I feel so sorry for him.
His one joy -- the giant yellow dump truck his nurse gave him. He asked me in baby talk to help him put his stickers (also from the nurse) on it, "Mommy elp me icker shruck." Then pushed it around when he was feeling ok saying, "my shruck. my shruck."
Ryan's bladder study
Ryan went to his much dreaded urology test and ultrasound today. Let me tell you stressful.
First, I had to find day care for Andrew and Sean -- Alex could hang out at a friends house. But since they use OR facilities no sibs allowed.
Second, Ryan and I had to be there 2 hours early and go through all the surgical red tape.
Once in the first room, he had to change clothes into hospital grab (luckily in at a children's hospital cute critters starred on his belly) and socks. Then we waited, the nurse's aid came first. She took his stats and cooed at his and gave him a box of stickers to play with.
Then the nurse practitioner came in. She went over his sedative and made sure I understood what would happen to RyGuy. He would NOT feel everything and he would stay awake and he would remember nothing. Only one of those three things happened guess which...
The catheters in the urethra and anus -- he felt. The tape, the lidecane, the barium (over whatever they use for bladder studies), the paperclip taped to his belly -- he felt them all.
He stayed awake screaming (same drug they gave Sean to do his ears and Seany was high as a kite) and was stone cold sober.
Lastly, he keeps indicating his private region and saying "OW OW Owie OW Owieeeee!"
The ultrasound that followed was painless but sticky.
My Prognosis: one hour and a half of hell for mother and son -- obviously worse for son.
MD's Prognosis: Ryan may have some reflux but as he's shown no sign of infection for 2+ years (ie his whole life), we'll continue doing what we're doing (NADA). Ryan has to go through this hell again in 2 years at which time they should know if he is refluxing like a normal kid or needs a surgical correction. Between 2 and 5 its normal for kids to "leak" or pee bits at a time. All his voiding organs are very healthy and well formed.
First, I had to find day care for Andrew and Sean -- Alex could hang out at a friends house. But since they use OR facilities no sibs allowed.
Second, Ryan and I had to be there 2 hours early and go through all the surgical red tape.
Once in the first room, he had to change clothes into hospital grab (luckily in at a children's hospital cute critters starred on his belly) and socks. Then we waited, the nurse's aid came first. She took his stats and cooed at his and gave him a box of stickers to play with.
Then the nurse practitioner came in. She went over his sedative and made sure I understood what would happen to RyGuy. He would NOT feel everything and he would stay awake and he would remember nothing. Only one of those three things happened guess which...
The catheters in the urethra and anus -- he felt. The tape, the lidecane, the barium (over whatever they use for bladder studies), the paperclip taped to his belly -- he felt them all.
He stayed awake screaming (same drug they gave Sean to do his ears and Seany was high as a kite) and was stone cold sober.
Lastly, he keeps indicating his private region and saying "OW OW Owie OW Owieeeee!"
The ultrasound that followed was painless but sticky.
My Prognosis: one hour and a half of hell for mother and son -- obviously worse for son.
MD's Prognosis: Ryan may have some reflux but as he's shown no sign of infection for 2+ years (ie his whole life), we'll continue doing what we're doing (NADA). Ryan has to go through this hell again in 2 years at which time they should know if he is refluxing like a normal kid or needs a surgical correction. Between 2 and 5 its normal for kids to "leak" or pee bits at a time. All his voiding organs are very healthy and well formed.
Toy Clearance
Last night, Alex helped me sort through the toys in the playrooom -- what we'll keep for the new house and what we'll sell or donate.
We got rid of 2+ bins of toys! Unheard of! He would pull stuff out and say "Mommy, we never play with this, we can sell this." He sorted out all the cars that are broken or not favorites. I was really impressed!
We got rid of 2+ bins of toys! Unheard of! He would pull stuff out and say "Mommy, we never play with this, we can sell this." He sorted out all the cars that are broken or not favorites. I was really impressed!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
I was S-I-C-K yesterday
Very sick. At one point Seany held my head in his belly, stroked my hair, and cooed, "oh Mommy, oh oh..."
While Ryan cuddled up figuring "if she's laying in bed, she'll hold me extra."
While Ryan cuddled up figuring "if she's laying in bed, she'll hold me extra."
Last night...
A little girl (7 years old) in Salt Lake City was found dead about a day after her disappearance from her front porch. Her family came here from Vietnam as refugees being helped by the LDS church to make a better life.
Some evil person(s) kidnapped her off her front porch and did God knows what before killing her.
And some wonder at my outrage at the kids left unattended to play in the cul-de-sac all day. One's a 4 year old girl, then there are all the boys 7 and under.
This horror has just reaffirmed my position about my being outside when the chicklets are outside.
Everyone keep her and her family in your prayers.
Some evil person(s) kidnapped her off her front porch and did God knows what before killing her.
And some wonder at my outrage at the kids left unattended to play in the cul-de-sac all day. One's a 4 year old girl, then there are all the boys 7 and under.
This horror has just reaffirmed my position about my being outside when the chicklets are outside.
Everyone keep her and her family in your prayers.
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