Agent Yellow

Help.
My home has been infiltrated with secret agents.


I can't shake the feeling that I am being watched.


My associate, Agent Yellow, has been on the case, but has so far not uncovered any clues as to the spy's identity.

We did intercept his comrades:

Agent Whiskers was guarding the spy gear,

while Agent Pecker was caught snooping around.

It seems our location was compromised while our watchman took a quick catnap.

(Yes, I know. He's in the baby bassinet. So gross. But she hasn't slept there for months and I tossed him out right after. He keeps coming back. I keep tossing. Not sure what to do.)


I hope to uncover more information by following the giggles.

This Agent Blue, signing off. Isn't that the cutest secret agent you have ever seen?

Health Update

Today, everyone went to school. Small victories. I, however, feel like a pharmacist. Between the three of us I am administering 13 different medications over the course of the day. I don't count Mike's, he has to take care of himself.

Andy is feeling better. He doesn't have to have his tonsils out. His adenoids are enlarged but the doc thinks its more allergies. So we are off to the allergist for a skin test and medicine adjustment. Better than surgery I guess. Tomorrow is the much anticipated Pre-K lottery drawing for our school. Wish us luck. If he gets in he will get to go to school with Lenna next year. Otherwise I will have to find a spot for him in a center.

Lenna is still sick. I did my best to put her under Monday. She was jumping rope at school and fell hard on her rear end. She was sore but I gave her some Motrin and I sent her off to play soccer. She did great. She loves to run. She is rather indifferent to weather or not she actually makes contact with the ball, but enjoys chasing after it. I'll sign her up for track in a few years. She wasn't feeling too hot when she got back. I had to send her to school because we are maxed out on allowable absences but the nurse called me at 1230 to come get her. I took her to the doctor. She has a cracked tailbone that should take 4-6 weeks to heal. She has a double ear infection that needed antibiotics and ear drops. And she had untreated allergies that were causing her bloody noses (two yesterday alone). Yep, Monday I sent her off to play soccer on a grassy pollen field unmedicated, with a double ear infection and a broken hiney. I am such a bad mom.

I lined up all the medicine on the kitchen counter so I could remember to give it all out. Flonase, saline spray, zyrtec, singulair, motrin, colace, amoxicilin, two kinds of ear drops (one for wax and one for pain), flinstones, prenatals, birth control, and zoloft. Lenna looked at the line this morning and said "Mom, it looks like a pharmacy in here." I agree. I need a chart. I have never been more grateful for medical insurance and 100% prescription coverage.

Monday Musings

Today, Andrew is sick. I know, that is getting a little old isn't it? Believe me, I am getting tired of that headline, too. Someone tell his immune system.
He has a fever, headache, sore throat, and upset stomach. All he wants to do is lie on the couch and watch tv. And he wants me to do it with him. Who am I to argue. However, I am worried about all of the brain cells that I am losing watching hours of animated cartoons. I need something to focus on besides the musical adventures of Robin Hood the Clean and Mayor Stinkypants. So here I am. I almost felt guilty about writing a random post with five unfinished posts waiting in line to be illustrated and edited before they grace cyberspace with their presence, but then I was conveniently strapped to the couch away from my photos. Rambling it is!
I got a new church calling last week. I was just getting comfortable in RS. Though I think the leadership might be relieved. I always felt like I could never quite measure up to their expectations. So now it is back to primary. I am still not sure how I feel about that. I am teaching Lenna's class again. First, I don't think I am responsible enough to be teaching all of the kids who are getting ready to be baptized. Too much pressure. It was easier when they were four and I could tell myself it was ok if I botched the lesson because they were going to get the same one four more times. Not anymore. And also, I really was telling the same kids that when they were four. Interesting- I taught the same set of kids when they were four and five. Two new faces, but other than that the same. The same ones still have trouble sitting in their chairs but now they can take themselves to the bathroom and take turns reading. I guess there is something or someone I am supposed to learn from that I missed the last time. Hopefully I'll catch it this time around. I hope their parents aren't sick of me.
Last week I went to enrichment meeting. It was pretty low key and had a nice turnout. And a nursery, so I got to go. Rebecca was a bit overwhelmed with the noise and had to spend a few minutes on the sidewalk but otherwise did well. At the end of the meeting someone asked if we could go around the room and introduce ourselves because our ward has a pretty high turnover rate. If you spend six months in primary you will return to a completely new RS group.
Get to the point- I was last. Not a big deal. But I stood in the back and listened to each sister introduce themselves and say something about who they were. "I can sing" "I am a good cook" "I sew and quilt" "I'm into food storage" "I just wrote a book about genealogy" I had nothing to say. I couldn't think of that one thing that would define me. I am good at lots of things. Above average, even. I like to do lots of things. But there isn't anything that I am REALLY into or REALLY good at.
Please don't comment telling me what you think that thing is. I am off to discover it for myself somehow. I just thought in interesting that I will be 30 this year and am still looking to define myself. I am ready to be something besides Lenna/Andy/Rebecca's mom, Mike's wife, or kid #2 of 10. I am ready to learn something more important than the third verse to the hand washing song and go on an adventure that doesn't involve oatmeal or sippy cups. We will see how it turns out. For now the only mountain I am climbing is Mt Washmore- and it is kicking my butt!

When the water runs green

It is either time to move away due to trouble at the Savannah River Site, or it is Saint Patrick's Day in downtown Augusta. Thankfully, it was the latter.

We had a fun afternoon at the parade. The kids loved it, it has been a long time since we took them to a parade. It was a little loud at some points and the marching bands that consisted of a drum line and marching girls in hot pants did leave a little to be desired in that area but overall it was a fun afternoon.

I let Lenna play hookie for the afternoon and picked her up early. The attendance lady is still threatening me with the truant officer if I let her miss any more school. They will get over it.

We also went to the commons where they had some inflatables and craft booths and such. The kids had a good time and everyone went home tired and green. It was nice to be outside and get some exercise- I think we all slept very well that night.

Here are some pictures, just for fun.

How to Catch a Leprechaun

For Saint Patrick's Dy, Andrew and I made a leprechaun trap. Because who wants a little guy running around playing tricks, like turning the milk green, when you can catch him and get three wishes?

1. Gather your supplies- a box, a stick, some gold bait, some green paper, and any other random thing you find that looks interesting. When you go outside to get the stick, don't do as I did and plant your foot in the middle of a fire ant mound. It won't be fun.

2. Cover the box with green paint, paper, or whatever you can find to help it blend into the greenery outside. We used paper.

3. Decorate, because this is a holiday after all. A few yards of green ribbon ought to do the trick. If not, add stickers, beads, leaves, etc until you have reached an appropriate level of festivity.

4. Gather anything that looks like gold to put in as bait. Leprechauns love gold!

5. Set your trap outdoors if it is a nice day. if it starts to rain, feel free to move it inside, since the leprechaun will probably go inside, too.

6. Use your stick to prop it open. Andrew was careful to make sure this stick was exactly as long as his arm from his wrist to his elbow. I guess that is the perfect trap-setting length.

7. Wait. This is the hardest part. If you are lucky and wait long enough you might catch one and force him to give you his pot of gold.

Or, the leprechaun may come and spring the trap, but manage to get away- leaving behind a few chocolate gold coins. Or not, if your mom forgets to buy them. Then he will just leave a handful of pennies. Either way, you win!

Green

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I do believe there is a little Irish in us. We always had corned beef and cabbage and boiled potatoes for St Patrick's Day at home when I was a kid. I have made it for my family as well but didn't remember on grocery day this week, so we are doing without. Hopefully green mashed potatoes will fill the need for festive food.

Anyway, we were looking for green this morning and I was amazed at nature's paintbrush. I can honestly say that when looking from any window in the house I can easily discern at least five different shades of green. Upwards of ten if it is a larger window. The pollen makes things difficult, but there are advantages to residing in the Garden City.

I tried to take a picture for you but my little point and shoot camera, shooting through a window due to a congested and fussy hold-me-all-day-long baby, just could not do the job. I will keep trying.

It has been raining here in conjunction with the arrival of spring, so the grass is covered with a layer of mist and fluffy with new growth, the trees are blooming and budding, and every growing thing seems to be awake this morning. There are about ten different trees out my front window, each with their own unique contribution to the canopy of green. The two different grasses in the lawn plus a large variety of weeds are making the ground a nice patchwork, and even the tree trunks have two or three different varieties of moss, ivy, and invading undergrowth to make them festive this morning. The azaleas are flowering white, pink, and red. The irises, daffodils, and tulips planted by the plant-loving previous owners are pushing up through last year's cast-off leaves to greet spring time as well.

We are not Catholic, but today seems like a good day to celebrate spring and the arrival of all things green and to give a grateful nod to the Lord in acknowledgement of His handiwork.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! I hope yours is a lucky day!

And Life Goes On

Nothing to say today, except is has been over a week so I feel like I should say something anyway. So until I get my pictures up and running, here is a short list of what we have been up to.

Lenna had her play. She was great. She wants to go to drama camp and cheer camp this summer. Those of you who knew me in high school will know why this makes me sigh.

My bathroom is still raining. It is supposed to rain here until Tuesday. That is a lot of dripping.

We got paid yesterday. It was nice. I like having money. I like not having enough cabinet space for all the food storage. Well, I would like more space but like that we have so much food and that I could buy more to replace what we had eaten.

Rebecca is sick. She has this pathetic hoarse little cry and a runny nose. So sad. And just for the record I hate taking rectal temps. Probably not as much as Rebecca though.

Lenna and I learned how to make cakesters. She is addicted. Fortunately, cake mix was on sale
this week so we were able to stock up.

Andrew went to Lenna's play and to school in his new Superman pajamas. Lauren, I thought of you.

I had to buy Andy a light saber to get him to get his haircut. Worth the $5 for the sword, not worth the $10 for each kid they wanted at Walmart. She did a crummy job- I keep finding stray long pieces on Andy's head that I have to trim, and she burned Lenna's ears with the hair dryer. No tip for her! And stay away from the salon at the Bobby Jones WalMart

Lenna has her first soccer game Monday. Should be interesting.

Lenna won a writing contest at school. Her teacher is sending hers off to the state contest to represent the first grade. She is very excited and proud.

I was asked to teach Lenna's primary class for a few weeks while her teacher gets knee surgery. I am scared. I hope Rebecca cooperates.

Andrew has an appointment with the ENT doc Friday. Apparently it is unusual for a four year old to get strep three times a year and snore all night. Everyone pray for little tonsils and adenoids. I do not want to spend another day at the hospital in outpatient surgery.

Lenna has a mysterious painful and itchy rash in an unmentionable place that looks suspiciously like a staph infection contracted from a contaminated public toilet seat. Lets all hope not. And I managed to get a lot of long adjectives in that sentence. Back to the clinic tomorrow to get it checked out.

So that is it. I have some pictures and fun narratives to share when I get motivated enough. Not today. This will have to keep you until then.

If you are having trouble feeling motivated

If you are having trouble getting motivated to mop your floors, here is one way.
Leave your four year old unattended watching tv while you take a shower. Make sure he has never thrown up before (that he remembers) so has no idea what to do when the urge hits. Then you just might be lucky enough to come out and discover a trail of vomit consisting of half-digested oatmeal and apple juice leading from one end of the hall to the other, culminating with a lovely spatter all over the back of your new couch. In an effort to throw in a little mom guilt, the culprit will be hiding behind the chair crying, not because he feels awful, but because he is afraid he will be in trouble for making such a mess.
On a positive note, the rest of the house is a mess and the laundry and dishes are piling up but my hallway is now nice and shiny and disinfected.
Happy Saturday!

Friday Night

It is Friday night in the Cross home. So as not to break with tradition, someone is ill.

Lenna came home from school today looking pretty under the weather. She has had a runny nose for a few days but nothing major. She went to a party at the park followed by soccer practice tonight. By the end she was coughing up a storm. Of course it is Friday so we have no access to a doctor until Monday unless we go the ER route. So I am fishing for a cyber diagnosis.

Here are the symptoms:
fever (101-ish)
runny nose (clear)
cough (loud, moist, deep, takes her breath away)
chest pain from cough
fatigue
no appetite
has had normal cold symptoms for about a week

So here is my question: what to do? just a cold complication that will run its course with a humidifier and some mucinex? should I worry about pneumonia or bronchitis?

How can I get her back to normal by Tuesday in time for her play that she has been waiting for all year? After all, she is a dancing firefly with a glow in the dark rear end, and she just can't miss it! Thanks for the help.

Woo Hoo

I think you should all go and check out this blog.

Why? Because it is pretty. Because it is helpful and funny and motivational. Because we all could be a little more organized, I think. Because she lets me write stuff on there once in a while (OK, once a while ago, but still). Because I won a prize and I think that is very cool.


So here you go. Go and visit and tell her I sent you, so maybe we both could win a prize!

Time Out for Mercy

Currently, the punishment of choice in our house is time out. There are often other consequences for misbehavior, such as not being allowed to sit anywhere but the floor for a day if you get caught jumping on the couch or having your toys disappear if you do not put them away or sending certain toys to time out if they hurt someone.

Anyway, sometimes Andrew or Lenna just need a few minutes to calm down reflect on their behavior and so a time out order is issued. I like to put them on a tall stool in the middle of the kitchen. They can't scoot around, touch things, or kick the wall. All they can do it sit there and look at the timer.

Recently I had to send Lenna to time out. She very rarely gets in trouble, so when she does it is really devastating to her. When I put her up on that stool she started sobbing as if her little heart was broken and that I had just dished out the worst punishment in the world. I, being the tender mother that I am, just walked away trying not to laugh. Her brother on the other hand, came to her side. She reached out for a hug and he obliged, standing there beside her for the full seven minutes to help her feel better.

The interesting part is that he would rather do just about anything than sit in time out. He protests just as loudly when it is his turn to sit on that stool. But when it was Lenna's turn and he was standing there as her comforter, he had no trouble standing still in the middle of the room for the entire time. But if I had put him there, he would be sitting, kicking, squirming, crying, and doing just about anything he could but holding quietly still.

Andrew is better acquainted with the time out stool than Lenna is. In fact, it is rare that he doesn't go for a visit at least once a day. One time he was there as a result of fighting with and hitting his sister. He dragged his feet all the way there, crying big tears, repeating over and over how sorry he was. He draped himself pathetically over the stool and wailed about the injustice of having to sit in time out while he could be playing. I came back to treat Lenna's injuries and found her crying just as hard as Andrew. I asked where she had been hurt and she said "Mom, I'm not hurt really. But I am so, so sad that Andrew is upset. Can I go to time out for him so he will stop crying? I just can't stand to hear him cry!"

Lenna was the victim of the assault, the one who cries like it's the end of the world when she is put in time out, but when given the chance she would switch places with Andrew to keep him from hurting.

I know that there is a gospel lesson in here some place, but my brain is having trouble putting it into words at the moment. Feel free to offer your own interpretation at will. The best I can do:

Sometimes you can endure for others out of love what you cannot endure for yourself.

Lost?

Where have I been? That is an excellent question.
I have no idea. I will let you know when I figure out the answer.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

So, um, its raining in my bathroom. I guessing this is very bad?

It has been raining here for a few days. Last night was a pretty big storm with lots of wind. Anyway, I got out of the shower and noticed that there was some water drops on the ceiling. I figured they were from Mike and I showering so close together, plus the humidity and rain, so just wiped them away with the towel. A few minutes later, they were back. The whole ceiling is wet and soft. I poked my fingernail into the crack and water came dripping out. Now it is a pretty steady drip, drip, drip of dirty water.

Help!

Update: Ok, put drain hole into sagging plaster to let the water out. Used a ball point pen, it was so soft I didn't need to drill or screw or anything. I got a good flow right between the eyes then filled the waste basket twice in about 20 minutes. It has slowed to a steady drip again.

*sigh* Anybody know how much a bathroom remodel runs these days? How about a good local work force- I have no idea how to do any of this stuff. Take apart a ceiling, fix a roof leak, put everything back together again. Paint. You know, I have never even painted a room before.

So sad, my new van is driving off into the sunset without me....