Oooooh-Pretty.

Six Years Old

Just about 4 weeks ago Caleb turned six. He had been planning his party for months. A big family party inviting all of the extended family in the area, a flag football game, and a bbq featuring bacon cheeseburgers was his plan. He carefully thought through the guest list and had positions assigned for each person. Even Chloe, Hazel, Anna & Lizzy were going to be recruited as cheerleaders.

Caleb eating his birthday bbq by himself.

The afternoon of his birthday we went to Costco and bought the big packages of hamburger, chips, buns , ice cream and even gave in to the giant mult-layer chocolate cake. Throughout the day he asked, "How much more time 'til my party?" I could see the grey clouds hovering around the perimeter of town but tried to remain optimistic. Not long before the party was to begin the clouds were upon us and the rain was pouring down. Caleb was disappointed but willing to postpone until the next day. As we were about to start the party with just our family inside the house with the George Foreman grill, the brothers started with stomach ailments. The next day was even worse--rain and barf continued pouring down. The round of phone calls was made again.

Caleb and Chloe dig into the strawberries and chocolate.

Caleb's cake for one.

We tried to make his day as special as possible. I ran to Albertson's and was able to get this awesome little cake for one. The bakery lady decked it out with a football and writing.

Caleb finally gets the big cake.
Finally, almost a week later Caleb was able to dig into that chocolate cake. It was far more than one family could eat, but it was soon to be inedible so we had to dig in.
We still haven't had a flag football game or family bbq. Caleb proved he is an amazingly good sport without playing in the game.

Project Complete

Master Bedroom of the cute 3 bedroom 'starter home' I've been working on this week.

Great room of the home. The colors I chose to use are chocolate accented with golden yellow.

In between trips to the ER and doctors offices I have been doing this decor prject. I will post more on my Interiors Redefined blog.

Seriously?

Tonight Chloe fell and had to get stitches on her chin.

Easter

Are you ready to start the hunt?

The tradition in our home is to have an Easter Scavenger Hunt. The kids get their empty baskets (buckets) and start out with a rhyming riddle they have to solve in order to find where the goodies are hidden. A series of riddles takes them on a hunt around the house and yard.

Chloe is shown some eggs hidden in the piano bench.

She has fun inspecting them and rattling them. The bonus is when she accidentally breaks one open to find its full of jelly beans.

Chase and Caleb have fun solving riddles together.

Whoa! Look what was hidden in Chloe's crib. Both the big and small are equally excited.

"Hey Guys, what's in the mail box? More jellybeans? Wait for me!"

After the hunt, Jayden joined us for some egg coloring. Unfortunately, Hazel was very sick so the rest of the Hill family was unable to join us. Thanks for bringing Jayden over and so much yummy food.

Carter enjoys loading up on some yummy lunch even with just one hand.

Jim and Karin's family joined us for lunch. Elizabeth is enjoying some of the fruit, veggies, rolls and ham.

Jayden dishes up some delicious strawberries.

Anna and Chloe enjoy a picnic lunch on the grass in the sun.

In addition to brownies, trifle, a veggie tray, beverages, cold cuts and more, Karin baked dozens of adorable (and equally tasty) sugar cookies in all kinds of Easter shapes. All of the kids had a blast icing them and the dads had fun eating them.

Anna shares her cookie with her Daddy.

After the party ended, Chloe found Caleb's bucket and White Chocolate bunny.

Today after school, Caleb had fun trying out his new kite in the rain.

Carter is wired

The wires used to mend the bones are covered in antibiotic gel to prevent infection...

then covered with a Colts blue cast (or is that Cougar blue?).

Spring Break. Literally.

Carter's arm pre-surgery is featured above.

Below are the post surgery x-rays showing how the fracture is held together.

Spring Break of the Arm:
9 am on Monday the phone call comes in.
Middle School Nurse says Carter needs to be taken to hospital for potential broken arm. (After seeing the top pic it didn't seem very 'potential' did it? )
Show up at ER again after a 6 hour hiatus. We had returned home at 2 am from an all night IV rehydration session and tests with Chloe. She had been vomiting for 6 hours.
It is determined Carter has suffered a Distal Radial Fracture.
Surgery is needed to repair the damage.
2 pm on Monday Carter goes in for surgery.
6 pm on Monday we take him home and begin post-op care.

No Break at all:
3 am on Tuesday Chloe begins vomiting again.
8 am call her doctor.
9:30 am she sees her doctor.
10:30 am Chloe is admitted to the hospital.

Spring Breaking Bread Together:
After a full day and a half of iv fluids Chloe gets to order some real food. She won't touch the noodles, veggies and sweet potatoes from lunch, so we go for the "good stuff" for dinner and she actually digs in. We're just happy to see her eat.
Big Brother and Little Sister hang at the hospital where I can be with both of them and see to their care. Chloe has to share her food with Carter since he isn't "officially" admitted as a patient.

Spring Break of the Bank:
All of this "fun" will most likely lead to this.

Spring Breakdown:

I am hoping that all of the above won't lead me to one of these.

Next year we will be celebrating SPRING BAK. Notice we are definitely planning on leaving the ER out of it.