Scattered Thoughts

1.  Greg and Enoch are a bit worried about their bees.  It's going to be a cold winter.  One hive isn't doing too well and we are all hoping it will pull through.  (Greg is winterizing the hives.)

2.  Kate lost her first tooth.  At least the first tooth that fell out on its own (she lost one when she was two when it was knocked out).  She was very excited!  It was really bothering her and so loose, so she asked Greg to pull it out.  He popped it out without much effort.  The tooth fairy left her a dollar and she was so excited!

3.  I've been gathering ideas for Christmas.  Enoch has a few things he is asking for.  Guard wants a camera.  Kate keeps telling me she has everything she needs and can't think of anything she wants.  Oh, Kate!  You are awesome!

Museum of Natural Curiosity

My kids love this museum.
We have gone a quite a bit since it has opened and each time the kids find something new to do amid the crowds and craziness.
Enoch loves Kidopolis.  Kate loves the Jungle.  And Guard loves Water Works.  I love seeing them have fun and exploring.  Something for everyone.
We went back in July as a farewell to the Fords before their big move to St. Louis.  We had a great time, but it was bittersweet.

While the Fords were back in Utah visiting for Thanksgiving, we knew this had to be on our list again.  The kids had just as much fun and it was like Carson and Brynnley had never left.  It's great to have cousins like that.

Thanks Museum of Natural Curiosity to give us a place to play and reconnect

Appendixless

Since Gavin doesn't talk to us much these days, we had no idea that he had been sick.  He finally called Greg from school and asked to be checked out because he had spent the last hour dry-heaving in the bathroom.  When Gavin got home, he told us he hadn't slept or eaten in two days because he was having intense pain in his abdomen.  Can you please just tell us this!?
Greg took him to the doctor, who diagnosed him with appendicitis and sent him to the hospital for x-rays.  The radiologist confirmed the diagnosis and Gavin was immediately admitted to American Fork Hospital.  Greg stayed with him while I took care of things at home.  I called Annette and she volunteered to take the kids and have them for as long as we needed!  She is a lifesaver!  I don't know what we would do without them.
After dropping the kids off at the Steenecks, I went to the hospital.  We didn't know exactly when Gavin was going in for surgery, but we were told it could be anytime.  He was doing well and playing on his phone when I got there (the only thing he requested from home was his charger).  They put him in the children's ward and he was quite a bit long for the beds.

 

Greg and Gavin got to the hospital at about 2.  I got there around 4.  Gavin finally went into surgery at 7:30 pm.  He was a bit worried, but put on a brave face.  I gave him a kiss goodbye and they wheeled him off.

Greg and I grabbed some dinner while he was under and scarfed it down because we weren't sure how long he would be. 

 His surgery was a bit longer than usual to remove appendixes because his was twisted up and around and had attached to the wall of his intestine.   His surgeon, Dr. Patterson, seemed excited to have discovered that and went into detail about it.  I just wanted to know if he was okay.  He was.

He spend about 30 minutes in recovery before they wheeled him back to his room.  He was a bit loopy, but actually came out of the anesthesia quite quickly.

He kept complaining that his mouth was very dry and that he couldn't hear without his contacts in. 
It only took him about an hour before he was up and walking around.

Once he passed all the criteria for being discharged, he choose to come home (they gave him the option of staying until morning).  Greg and Gavin got home about midnight (I came home at ten, so Annette could get home and get some sleep).
He slept well that night and has recovered remarkably well.  He only took two Lortab, went to school on Monday and back to work on Wednesday.  It has all seemed too easy for surgery.  He has three small incisions that are healing well.  Aside from soreness, he is doing great.

Enoch and Mom date

It has become a tradition at Eaglecrest Elementary to see a movie at Thanksgiving Point Megaplex for their mother/son date.  I think it is a great idea.  Enoch loves it.
This year we watched Big Hero 6.  I wasn't sure what to expect when it started, but it was a very fun movie.  Enoch really liked it.  He laughed, he covered his eyes, he jumped in his seat and he laughed some more.
We had a great time!  Thanks for going with me, Enoch!  I love you!

(We aren't very good at selfies!)
And look who we saw working at Megaplex?!

First Snowfall

My kids always look forward to the first snowfall of the year - no matter how much or how little.

 It's something that they haven't seen for months.  It signals change in their world.  They love playing in the snow.  And...Mom makes homemade hot chocolate to go along with breakfast.

Enoch is convinced homemade hot chocolate is the absolute best thing in the world.  He always lists it as his favorite food.  He loves it!
So do the rest of us.

Sorting

It was a sad day for Guard when Enoch and Kate went to school.  Now he has to stay home with mom.  She is boring.
I'm using all my ideas to keep Guard entertained during the school day.  It can be challenging.  He would be perfectly happy sitting in front of the TV all day watching Kratts and Diego, and some days it is tempting to let him do that.  But, we play Legos, read books, go for walks, play dinosaurs, build forts, try to clean and anything else I can think of that will keep him busy.
Today, we sorted.

Guard really liked it and had a lot of fun.  Truthfully, he enjoys dumping out the muffin tins when they are full and then throwing the marbles all over the family room.  Perhaps that is why we haven't done it since.  We'll try it again.

Family Pictures