The Allison Weekly - Week of 10/5/2009

Another busy week in the Allison house! I'm feeling a lot better, but still not 100%. I've been playing catch up at work and here around the house. This week, I had Logan's first Parent/Teacher conference. Mrs. Z. had only good things to say about my exceptionally smart, handsome, and sweet baby boy! Jay and I had the opportunity to be mystery shoppers at a chain restaurant in town. Gotta love that free food! He's such a cheap date!

On Saturday, we had Logan's first sleepover! Ok, so I admit that the mommies were enjoying some wine time, so the sleepover was only half-planned and depended on whether or not that third bottle was opened (it was).

Logan and Connor

Gavin and Cole. He's a great babysitter!

The whole gang (minus Keegan and the mommies) playing Wii.

Keegan "surfing" on his Elmo tray table.

"Let's go surfin' now. Everybody's learnin' how."

I still miss summer vacation

Just thought you should know. I drove by McClay Gardens with Logan today and he asked when we can go swimming at the lake again. I wish every day was summer. Mosquitos, humidity, and all! Those were the days.....

Just in case

For the first week of school, I drew these little hearts on the inside of our wrists. The children were excited, nervous, and anxious about starting the new school year and I told them I'd be thinking about them lots and lots. I came up with this little symbol to represent my love for them. Whenever they missed me, whenever they were scared, and just in case they needed some familiarity, they could just look at their heart and know I was thinking about them. As Logan set off to Kindergarten, I think the heart on my wrist helped me get through the day more than it helped him. So you can imagine my surprise when he asked for me to draw it again the following morning.

One day, I asked Logan if he needed to use his heart that particular day. His reply: "Yes, but I didn't think of you. I thought of dad". Motherhood: a thankless job, but a rewarding one nonetheless!

As they made friends and grew accustomed to the expectations of their new teachers and the new school year, they rarely need the heart anymore. But every now and then, they still ask for it "one more time".

The Allison Weekly - from H1N1 to Pneumonia & finally back again

This is a doubled-up version of "The Allison Weekly" as I have been too sick over the past few weeks to stand up...much less blog.



Wow! Boy has it been a past couple of weeks in the Allison household! A couple of weeks ago, the dreaded Swine Flu hit me like a ton of bricks while I was in the middle of a "crisis" situation with a child at one of my schools. I had no choice but to walk out on the school, which at the time, I felt terrible about. In hindsight, it's better that I didn't continue to share my germs around the school. H1N1 kept me bedridden...literally...for a week. My fever consistently increased to 103 degrees (!!!!!!) in the evenings. And as the days blended into nights, I always knew the evening had come when my fever once again rose to 103. With constant Tylonol and Advil, I was able to keep it down to a miserable 100-101 degrees throughout the day. Miraculously, the kids didn't get it. I attribute this to the fact that my husband's OCD tendencies kicked into overdrive. He shipped the kids off to Nana's whenever possible, quarantined me to my bedroom, forced me to wear a mask, and worked diligently to completely disinfect the house. Lysol was his BFF.

Well, as they say, it takes a village to raise a child...especially when Mommy is feeling under the weather. So all I can say is THANK GOD FOR NANA (and Papa...and Miss Shannon...and Nanny Ashley...and Nanny Hannah...and....).

As week one of my illness rolled over into week two, Jay insisted that I go to Urgent Care (I should note here that I had already been once at the start of my illness. Despite the fact that a nurse had informed Jay over the phone that I would be able to receive an anti-viral, they sent me back home with a prescription for "lots of rest and fluids"...NO MEDS!). I reluctantly and angrily agreed to go see a doctor, which in hind-sight might have even saved my life! Since I was unable to drive myself, Jay had to leave work to take me to the doctor and as I was in the process of receiving my diagnosis of pneumonia (and treatment), our 2nd nanny (Hannah) called to say that Keegan had a fever. So, Jay drove me home from the doctor's office, picked Keegan up, and headed right back where he came from. Keegan's diagnosis: Ear infection (Yay, Antibiotics!). You would think this is the end of my story, but since all bad things for the Allison's occur in clusters, Keegan woke the next morning with an ear that looked like this:

These pictures really do not even do it justice. It was seeping at the top of the ear and was swollen to almost twice its normal size. There was a puddle and stain in his bed from where it had been leaking all night.

Poor Jay. He was trying to actually go back to work today. But instead, he went back to the doctor. The diagnosis: possible MRSA...definite staph infection. After a scary 24 hours, it completely disappeared (thanks to a second, stronger round of antibiotics). And that proved to be the start of the road to recovery in the Allison house. I'm happy to report that despite a lingering cough and fatigue, I feel almost completely back to normal. I was also rewarded with a 7 pound weight loss, courtesy of Mr. Pneumonia, which finally brings me back to my pre-pregnancy weight! I have been celebrating with chewy brownies and pizza.

I feel loved, needed, and missed by my family...a great feeling as a mom. It's so good to be back!

The Allison Weekly -- Week of 9/14/2009

Notable events:

• Nana was kind enough to attend Logan's first open house where she was greeted by a welcome letter written by Logan himself. His teacher had so many great things to say about him.

• We saw the most beautiful, complete rainbow!

• Logan, Gavin, Nana, and Papa traveled to Orlando for a quick Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure trip. This left us home alone with just one kid! We enjoyed our bonding time with Keegan and can't believe we ever thought one kid was a lot of work...little did I know!

Dr. Logan

It's been a doozie of a past few weeks. We've seen so many doctors that Logan has decided he wants to become one when he grows up. Sorry for the blogging break, but if you follow me on Facebook then you probably already know about all of the infectious diseases that have plagued our home: Swine flu, pneumonia, and finally MRSA. I am back to blogging this week and happy to report that I'm feeling much better these days. Stay tuned for photos all the gory details!

Clean up! Clean up! Everybody clean up!

Keegan just found a tampon in the bathroom (unused, of course), put it in the GI Joe box, and then clapped for himself because he thought he cleaned up!

The many faces of Gray in all his chocolate glory

The Allison Weekly -- Week of 9/7/2009

This week was a vast improvement from Labor Day weekend. Everyone is well again, the 'Noles won (barely), and we had a productive week overall.

Highlights of the weekend:

Logan has discovered Guitar Hero and immediately surpassed my skill level. He eats, sleeps, and breathes video games. After much discussion about the various types of video game consoles available, the boys have decided to "save" their money to buy a Wii. We thought this to be a better option than just asking Santa nicely for it and it's turning out to be a quite a good lesson for them to learn the value of a dollar, how to save. And also how to declutter and sell stuff we no longer need on Craiglist. That's just the way the Allison's roll, you know. So far, we've sold $80 of unwanted crap on Craigslist and counting. At this rate, we'll have our Wii in no time. But if you know me well, then you know that I can't pass up a good deal, and the rumor is that they will be on sale at Walmart at the beginning of October. Stay tuned.


Keegan wants to use a bowl like the big kids. This is how that's working out for us...


More teething.

More video games.

And here, Keegan has decided he wants to sit in a big kid chair like the rest of the family. Despite using the bowls with the suction cups on the bottom, Keegan always finds a way to break the suction, dump the bowl, and spread the food contents all over the table. When he's done eating (or if he doesn't like what you're serving) he throws his food on the floor. Life is good when you're one. He can always just stare at me with a blank look on his face like he doesn't know why I'm mad at him and all will be forgiven.

The Allison Weekly -- Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend was not what I had planned, to say the least. Logan started us off Friday night with a nasty stomach virus that hit about 45 minutes after we had gone to sleep. Jay and I had put the kids to bed early and enjoyed a relaxing evening on the couch, glass(es) of wine in hand. Funny how quickly you can sober up when you need to. Anyway, poor baby. It always hits him the hardest. So, six hours later, he was finally able to get some sleep. By that point, Jay had done several loads of laundry, we had no clean sheets or towels in the house, and we were exhausted from staying up all night cleaning the carpets, floors, and bathrooms. Just as Logan finally fell asleep, Gavin came running in to inform us that he "threw up all over the room". This was the understatement of the year, but I'll spare you the gory details. Luckily, Gavin has a stomach of steel and this was pretty much the end of it for him. Saturday and Sunday were spent cleaning, disinfecting, doing laundry, nursing Logan back to health, and tending to a sick Keegan (of course he didn't want to be left out). Keegan's illness appeared to be something entirely different (runny nose, cough, etc.) and culminated with the appearance of two new teeth! So, not the relaxing holiday weekend I had planned, but everyone is feeling better now.

Rock on, Gray!

Sins against God or a lack there-of

Tonight, as we ate dinner, we discussed going to church and what it means.

ME: Pretty soon we're going to get Gavin and Keegan baptised.

LOGAN: Why not me? Have I already been map-a-tized?

ME: Yeah, when you were smaller than Keegan. Mommy and Daddy have been slacking. I can show you pictures in the scrapbook after dinner. (which is probably the last time I scrapbooked!)

LOGAN: How come we have to get map-a-tized?

ME: Because Jesus died for our sins. And so you can be freed from your original sins. (As an afterthought, I add...) And, by the way, sins means the bad stuff you did.

LOGAN: But I didn't do anything to Him!!!!!!!

Because I always tend to get the better picture...

Today is Gavin's picture day at school. He's so excited about it, but traditionally speaking I tend to get the money shot here at our own little house. Apparently, they're intimidated by the strange adults doing ridiculous things to get them to smile while their entire class nervously looks on. Go figure. Not to mention the likelihood of a drink spill down the front of the shirt or snack stain around the mouth before it's picture time. So here's the best shot of the morning taken in my front yard.

We got slimed at the Nick Hotel!

And by "we" I mean "not me". Just the boys.

A very special Sponge Bob birthday!

Gavin's 4th birthday bash at the Nickelodeon Hotel!

The kids (and adults) had so much fun that we didn't even want to leave the hotel. Not even to go to Universal. Not even to hit the outlet malls (gasp!). Okay, so we did manage to sneak away from the kids to do a little shopping, but we rushed right back to continue to play! If you have kids under 8 or so, I highly recommend this place. It's super-fun for the kids and it's like a mini-resort where Dora and Sponge Bob just walk around all day posing for pictures. They have shops, computers, a food court, games, shows, and two pool areas with lots of slides and lifeguards. They also have a "Birthday Bash" with Sponge Bob if you're celebrating a special someones birthday. But most importantly, they have poolside bars so the big people can relax and enjoy too!

Red, Yellow, Green and Kindergarten woes

After a bit of a rocky start, Logan is really enjoying Kindergarten. He wasn't feeling well for the first week of school and came home a few times complaining that no one was playing with him on the playground. Fast forward one week and he's all smiles in the morning and is already asking for me to set up a play date with "Max". Of course, Max was "on yellow" today, meaning that he did something naughty in class, so only time will tell if Max will really get to come over for a play date. Hey, I'll interfere while I still can, thank you very much.

So about being on yellow...Logan's class has your standard classroom wide behavior system where all children start the day on green and move back and forth through green, yellow, and red for various inappropriate behaviors. Logan brings home a notebook each day with a smiley face colored red, yellow, or green accordingly. He nags me to sign this book about 105 times an evening, which lets me know that Mrs. Kindergarten Teacher is giving them candy upon receipt of the signed notebook each day. Today Logan's smiley face was colored kind of a confusing, ambiguous, yellow-green rather than a primary green.

This was our conversation:

ME: Logan, you're on YELLOW today!?!?! How come?
LOGAN: No, mom. I'm on green!
ME: This looks like yellow to me.
LOGAN: No, really, it's green. I just picked a funny green color today on accident.
ME: Are you sure you're not on yellow?
LOGAN: No! Mom! You know I would never do that to you!!!!!!

Hygeine logic

The setting: The boys have been told several times to go brush their teeth and get ready for bed. Logan has brushed his, but Gavin has yet to do so. Logan is having issues with tattling.

LOGAN: Dad! Gavin hasn't even brushed his teeth!!!

JAY: Logan, don't tell on your brother. Gavin, why haven't you brushed your teeth? GO BRUSH YOUR TEETH!!!!

GAVIN: But don't worry, Dad. It's ok. They are still here. See. Look, Daddy. (points to teeth) They're still here!

Karate Kid

After months of watching and imitating the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies from the 80's, Logan has joined Dragon System Tae Kwon Do! He's been enrolled for about a month and these pictures were taken before his little uniform came in, which is why he's wearing sweatpants. While we were waiting for one to be ordered in his size (extra, extra, extra small -- he's the littlest kid in a class full of children and adults of all ages), Logan attended several classes and watched the kids with higher belts practice with their "weapons". This is what he had to say about it:

LOGAN: How high of a belt do I have to be to get a weapon, mom? Those are cool!

ME: Well, I guess you have to be a green belt, 'cause that's what color those kids have. (I really know nothing about Tae Kwon Do, so I have to google everything on my blackberry to answer any questions he might have....and he averages about 75 karate-related questions a night).

LOGAN: Probably then, when my Gie comes in Master Murphy will say, "Logan, just tell your mom that you're a yellow belt now because you've been doing such a good job". And then I'll just be a yellow belt and I'll almost be a green belt so I can use weapons.

ME: Oh, really? You think so?

LOGAN: Yeah, and then when I'm big, like when I'm seven or something, I'll just be a black belt and I can be the teacher.

Spreading their wings to fly...whether I'm ready or not!

We've been to four orientations (three of which were for Logan), I've teared up several times, and I've played out this day in my head on numerous occasions. In the end, nothing really went as planned and all I could do was pray. We woke up a little too late, rushed to take a few pictures, and sped off to school. Despite my preparations the night before, I still arrived at Logan's school with only five minutes to spare and at exactly the same time as the other 700 parents. Logan did allow me to take a few pictures of him, which was part of the scenario I had planned out in my head. He also shocked me by letting me kiss him on the cheek in front of another student! It was over as quickly as it started. No tears...by either participant. No dramatic exits. No "Boo-Hoo Breakfast" in the guidance office (if I need therapy, I'll call on one of my umpteen psychologists/friends). Just a normal day at school where a big kid is off and on his own. Jay's experience taking Gavin to school ran just as smoothly, but then again his Pre-K4 class is in the same classroom, with many of the same kids. Just a different teacher. My boys spread their wings today and flew with the utmost success!

Gavin

Betton Hills Preparatory School

Pre-K4, Ms. Sara

Logan

Gilchrist Elementary School

Kindergarten, Mrs. Zeterour
(Yes, he really can say Mrs. Zeterour!)

Gilchrist Grizzlies

August 24, 2009

So, what did they have to say about their first day?

GAVIN: I like my teacher and I didn't go to time-out.

LOGAN: I like the playground even though it's like SOOOO small. As small as a mouse. And I don't like school lunch. That was gross. Can you not make me eat that anymore? And my least favorite thing was when they made us take a rest. Why do we have to do that when we're so big now?

Finally Four!

He's been waiting and waiting for what seems like forever (especially through the eyes of a child), but FINALLY my sweet boy is four! As many of you know, birthday's in the Coddington family last at least all weekend and usually all month. So, we began the festivities on Friday morning with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese and lunch at T.G.I.Friday's with Daddy. Friday night Gavin got to sleep in our room (a very special treat) and woke up with a big smile at 6:30AM! After Logan's morning Taekwondo class, we went to Fun Station for some games and putt-putt golf. Chick-fil-a for lunch, of course, and then a little rest before the evening pizza and macaroni and cheese party with the family. But it's not over yet! In two weeks, we head to Orlando to stay at the Nickelodeon hotel and Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure! We're so glad you're four, Gray!

mohawk to blue spike

Logan and I paid a much-needed visit to our hairdresser last night. Although not a popular decision, I insisted on having the mohawk blended out into a "normal kid" hair cut. Maybe we will revisit the mohawk for Halloween, but I did not want Logan to be typecast in any way on his first day of Kindergarten. You know, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, etcetera, etcetera. As a compromise, and so I did not totally fail in the "cool mom" department, I allowed him to get blue spike gel which he then got to wear to Taekwondo.

Before:

Side view before:


Ready for Kindergarten:

13 hours

This is what a 13-hour car ride did to my children. Boy are we glad to be home!

at his own pace

After a good 7 months of this...

...and a good 4 months of this...


Our baby boy...


...finally decided to WALK today!

Logan up to bat!

My only recent attempt at scrapbooking

This is the only real scrapbooking I've done since Keegan's birth 14 months ago. I miss it so much, but we're having too much fun living life around here! Plenty of time to catch up when we have an empty nest, I suppose. These are a few digital pages I made recently. Something about digital scrapbooking is so appealing. Maybe it's just the fact that I don't have to haul out my 3 pieces of scrapbook luggage only to have to put it all back again before the kids wake up the next morning.

low, low, low

I know it's a long video, but it's worth watching till the end. It just illustrates their individual personalities so well. By the way, this is one of their favorite songs and an integral part of their (near)nightly post-dinner dance ritual.

fun with spoons

I'm not sure who is more amused...

Fourth of July 2009