First Loose Tooth

Last night my youngest son had an announcement...  his first loose tooth! Talk about exciting. He bit down on his food at dinner, said "ouch", and I figured he bit his tongue. He mentioned his tooth hurt, I asked to see it, and sure enough it wiggled. It's actually a little bitter sweet since he is my last child.

Whether it is a first child, or a third child like last night, the "first" is always exciting. Now he'll experience fairy mail, the magic of a pillow and fantasy, and rewards for his pain. This is one of the last reminisces of childhood and innocent beliefs.

Children only have so many years to believe in magic/fairytales, wishing on stars, and wondering if a leprechaun and pot of gold truly are at the end of that rainbow. A time when garden fairies tend the gardens, frogs can turn into a prince, and jumping on autumn leaves and splashing in rain puddles are still enjoyable.

.~*~._ .~*~._ .~*~._ .~*~._ .~*~._ .~*~._ .~*~.

Tooth Fairy Mail (Honestly it is faster to do yourself, but this is an idea)

Tooth Fairy Certificate (SmileBox) (I found free ones that are just as cute)

Tooth Fairy Envelope

Tooth Fairy Certificate

Tooth Fairy Certificate 2

Tooth Fairy Pillows

 

Tooth Fairy Pillows 2

Sick Kids

~*Wow*~... it is amazing the things we learn, and how they contradict to when we were children!

I found myself on the phone, talking to the advice nurse last night, mainly for the purpose to prevent my middle child from enduring a lukewarm bath. I still shutter when I think back to my childhood. A mean adult, forcing me to get into the bath tub, and lots of being shouted at. I have recollections of a single wet wash cloth to cover, crying, and shivering to the point I felt nauseated. My full intention was, even though my husband never had my experiences to understand, prevent my little boy from looking back like I do.

I in the process have "learned" more than just a few things. Over the phone I had it explained to me that it is an outdated practice, and actually gives the adverse effect. I had it explained to me that it will work in the short term, but than the body works harder to warm up, which will raise the core temperature. I've never thought to wipe a kid down with alcohol, but she stated that is a "no-no".

My little man started out with a temperature of 103.2, which dropped during the duration of the call to 102.5 thanks to the medication his daddy gave him. ~*Cheers*~

I ended up at the doctor's office, where I got a bigger explanation concerning the lukewarm bath. When a child has a rising temperature, the hands and feet remain colder and with less blood flow, and it is a natural process. Apparently the lukewarm bath can be done after this point, when you are feeling the hot flashes, throwing the covers off, and you are past the peak and trying to cool back down. It was truly interesting to learn about, but I can't say at this point if it is something I would be willing to do with the kids. I can't predict the future, and now that I am better informed, it might be less of a negative thing.

I learned last night over the phone (advice nurse) that the point of worry is 106F, if they are unresponsive, can't hold/maintain a conversation, or gasping/troubled breathing. I did the appointment today just to be safe, and I am relived with all I have been able to take in. I am appreciative to learn the doctor has a more "natural" approach to healing like I do! In fact, to take nothing, a cold/flu actually gets over a few days earlier than those who prefer to medicate. And it isn't a judgmental thing, I have nothing against since my husband prefers to reach for Motrin and so forth for the kids. I respect his views as he does mine. I also prefer the kids suck on hard candy than cough drops... just "personal preference".

After three kids, I still do not know it all, and it makes me realize I should be grateful about the fact my kids are not sick that often! Especially if my eldest is seventeen years old, middle son (that is currently sick) is seven years old, and youngest son is five years old. I am thankful that my children are for the most part healthy, intelligent, and thriving!!!

American River Cleanup 2012

 

 

Back for yet another year of river cleanup in Sacramento, and something our family is becoming passionate about, last year the kids' were excited to get TShirts... this year they passed out a reusable bags. Tyler hopes next year they do hats to match his shirt... one can only dream!

 

We combed through bushes, flat ground, and we'd celebrate each "score"... we found trash in all sizes.



 

We teach our kids to do "good deeds", but also that this particular project has a greater good!!! They are not only helping the wild animals, habitat, but making it a much nicer place for the next human visitors that pass through to enjoy.



 

I am so proud of our little men... on their way to making a positive impact on the world and through such works learning to be much better people by seeing what others do. These are life lessons that I pray will continue on in their lives.



 

By the time we were done... we collected a bag and 1/3 bag of stuff!!! We brought trash bags from home to help cut down the use of resources by those running the program. The boys loved the new gloves, and we'll put them to great use next year... ~*Cheers*~



BIG OR SMALL IT ALL COUNTS... from cigarette butts, to bottles, to cans, and we found a few surprises this year.

First Day of School (posted late)

 

Better posted late than never...

 

The first day of school was chaotic, my teenager was trying to get out of the house as fast as he could, and the little ones were running in separate directions. I was somewhere, between feeding breakfast, doing hair, getting kids dressed, and packing lunches... all a vague blur now as I reflect in my own memories.

Banana Chips & Peanut Butter

Healthy Snack

 

I've found that whether it is pretzels and peanut butter or dried banana chips with peanut butter, the kids love them! I make a blended peanut butter with a dash of honey for taste. However, I've seen an ad recently for a peanut butter that has flaxseed, cinnamon, and raisins in it... might be worth a try. Need to read the label first.

~*Birthday Celebrations*~

There is something about being a parent, nostalgia as a birthday rolls around, and you remember when this little person entered your life. Somehow the life you led before a child melts away and is soon forgotten as it drifts into the shadows of your murky memories. Sacrifice for a helpless infant, giving every last moment of patience left to the toddler, tolerance as they form into little people (and it isn't what you envisioned).

 

Today is about the cake he chose, the restaurant he wants to eat at, and the gifts that will make him happy... all were his choices. I don't think we should need a birthday to remind a child they are special, thought of, or all the qualities that make us love them. Fact is, we're only graced for eighteen years, hope and pray we mold them enough into good morally standing people, and than they are released into the world with the path they choose.