Robert's First Camping Trip

We went camping at Huntsville State Park last Sunday. Since we had date night and the walk, we decided to just wait until Sunday to go. We decided to stop off and see 'ol Sam Houston before heading to the park. We lived in Huntsville for four years and our eldest was born there, yet we had never been to see the statue. I wanted to get a picture of Clara in front of him since Huntsville is her birthplace and all, but she wanted nothing to do with Sam. She was terrified of him for some reason. Robert was intrigued though.

Sam is the tallest statue of an American hero (I think that's right). He is 67 feet tall (again, don't quote me on that). He stands right on the side of I45 and you can see him from miles away (I do know this for a fact).

This picture gives you a better perspective on just how tall he is. Clara is clinging to me for dear life just in case Sam up and decided to go for a walk and stretch his legs or something.

On to the park. We just walked around some (but not too much since we were all walked out from the day before) and just let the kids play around the campsite. The previous campers left a log smoldering in the fire pit and for some reason, the smoke was killing me. I had a horrible headache and my throat and eyes were on fire. I don't usually have problems, but I was in pain.

I believe Robert was also in pain because of those teeth. He was a bear all day. He didn't want you to pick him or redirect him, or take something away from him. If you did anything he didn't want you to do, he let loose screaming.

Ok, maybe he was cute for a few minutes here and there.

Clara helped Daddy put up the tent.

That evening, Robert was just acting worse and worse. I had given him Tylenol and then right as it was getting dark, I think I took something away from him and he came unglued! He was screaming and would not calm down. It sounded like we were torturing him. Chris decided to drive him around for a bit and see if he would calm down.

I couldn't even get him in his carseat he was thrashing and screaming so much. Chris had to put him in. I was actually starting to worry it was something more than the teeth. He drove around for a little while and Robert fell asleep. When Chris got back we discussed what we should do. I did not want him waking during the night and doing that and we also didn't know how he would do anyway since this was his first time camping. We decided it would be best for me to take him home and come back the next morning. He slept the whole way home, I gave him some Tylenol and put him down and he slept all night. I'm so glad we didn't attempt to stay the night. That might have scarred me for a very long time.

So Chris and Clara had a little Daddy/daughter camping time. Which is good since they were supposed to go on an adventure guide camping trip this weekend, but we seem to all have a case of the sniffles, so unfortunately camping got cancelled.

We got up early the next morning and drove back to pack up and do a little more walking around. This next picture is blurry but I put it on here because Chris says he looks like a family member on his side. Any guesses?

Clara was soooo excited when she found this feather. Look at her face. She flew around with it for a long time and it ended up coming home with us.

Robert's first camping trip.

And because you all know how much I love a good flashback comparison photo, I give you Clara's first camping trip. Also Huntsville State Park, Thanksgiving weekend 2006.

It's My Heart Walk

We walked in a 5k downtown on Saturday morning. The walk was for an organization called It's My Heart to benefit people with congenital heart defects. The team we walked on was for 3 of our little friends with CHDs, Alanna, Jake and Kate. Our team was really big; I would guess there were about 50 of us.

We had perfect weather for a 5k. It was overcast and cool in the morning and then the sun came out and it warmed up, but thankfully not so much to be really uncomfortable. Clara was on cloud nine when she finally got to see Leah. We hadn't seen them since before Christmas, so she really needed her Leah fix. They were so sweet and didn't let go of each other's hands for about the first hour.

Here's a group shot of a handful of the older kiddos. Clara blends right in with all the 6 year olds. Alanna is on the far left. She had heart surgery a couple of years ago, right around the same time our friend Justin had his heart surgery. Jake, who is 4, wasn't able to be at the walk this year because he's laying low before undergoing his third heart surgery next week. Please say a prayer for him and for Ty and Amy and their peace of mind as they go through this surgery and recovery.

Clara was such a trooper. She walked the entire way without ever being carried or pushed in a stroller. Robert did great too. He slept for about half of the walk. It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed catching up with several friends we hadn't seen in a while. Clara wandered off twice. We found her quickly both times, but still, not cool. Those bouncy houses were just calling her name.

We discovered something about Clara that we were unaware of. She is deathly afraid of porta-potties. Can blame her, but it sure made things more difficult. It wasn't until the end of the walk that she needed to go, but when we walked in, she hesitated and then when I tried to coax her onto the toilet, she started screaming. I let her use the emergency potty in the van instead. Of course it's designed for about a 2-3 year old, so I was getting everything set up just right so she wouldn't miss and pee all over the car. She ended up peeing on my hand instead. Oy. Kids are so gross.

Date Night

Friday night was date night for Chris and I. The first since before Robert was born. (I know, that's really, really sad. You don't have to tell me.) We dropped the kids off at church and had three glorious hours to ourselves. Chris met me at the church, but got stuck in traffic, so it was more like two hours and 20 minutes.

We went to a Japanese steakhouse. I hadn't been in forever and I love, love, love a good hibachi meal, so Chris obliged even though he and Clara just went to Benihanas a couple of weeks ago. It would have been a very nice meal if we had been seated at a different table.

We were seated at the hibachi grill between two different parties. Next to me was a family of 4. I think the girl next to me was the daughter (early twenties maybe) but I could be wrong. She kept looking over at me from the time we sat down. When the chef put a bowl full of chicken on the grill and said it was for the fried rice, Chris said, "Oh, no chicken in mine please." Ok, anyone who knows Chris knows that he has the potential to come off rude. He's not, it just seems that way sometimes. I'm just saying. (Love you Sweetie!) This time, however, he wasn't rude or belligerent or anything. I prefer to inform people that he has an allergy but he hates that so I kept quiet since there were so many people around us.

Well, then I hear the mom and daughter giggling next to me and I catch one of them say, "No egg in my fried rice please" and the other says "No rice in my fried rice please." I couldn't believe they would make fun of someone within earshot. Who does that? So I tell Chris he's being mocked and then had to spend quite a bit of time keeping him from saying something back. Our meal had just started so I really didn't want to spend the next hour awkwardly sitting next to them.

We were minding our own business throughout the entire meal and that girl looked over at me and then back to mom giggling and talking throughout the entire meal. At one point the pre-teen boy with them asked what they were talking about and what was so funny. I really wanted to tell him it was us, but I refrained.

Once the meal was over and the checks had come, I opened up our check to take a look. I guess the girl was looking over my shoulder and I didn't notice because then I hear the mom say, "They don't have kids. That's why they're able to spend so much and why we have to get the chicken." Excuse me!! Why on earth would someone sit around making such stupid judgments about people they don't even know? You are at a Japanese steakhouse. It's not exactly a cheap meal even if you get the chicken. The chicken was maybe 2 bucks cheaper. And they had a huge sushi appetizer and the dad got this massive sushi meal that had to be brought out on two plates. Yeah, they're on a strict budget with those two kids. Oh my goodness. I wanted to scream. They were getting up to leave when the people on the other side of us started talking to us. I quickly interjected something about our imaginary children and the fact that this was our first night out since our 15 month old was born.

Anyway, just had to get that off my chest :) We then browsed the aisles at Barnes and Noble for a bit. I couldn't get Chris to leave the Sex and Relationship aisle. There were other couples from church dropping in killing a few minutes until time to pick up the kids and he thought it would be really funny to be browsing that section as other people from church came in. My husband is easily amused and I'm easily mortified by his shenanigans.

It was an enjoyable night and just reinforced the fact that we seriously need to start making date nights a priority. It's just such a pain when you have to plan what night and what you're going to do, then try to get a sitter, and then you have to pay that sitter. Ugh. It's just easier (and cheaper) to stay home. Maybe the church will do another date night next year :)

Kids and Meds

Robert had his follow up appointment for his ear infection on Tuesday and he's finally infection free. The doctor said we could go down to just one treatment a day and we'll see if continues to be effective at keeping his lungs clear.

I believe Clara's antihistamine is really doing it's job as well. She was coughing and had a runny nose for about three weeks and I was fairly certain she had another sinus infection. I just realized a few days ago that she had been symptom free for several days and I just hadn't noticed. This is the first time in I don't know how long that she's not ended up with an infection once her nose started running.

It's so wonderful to think we may just be getting some control over their allergy and asthma issues. I do wish it didn't require daily medication, but at least they're getting some relief now.

Beautiful Winter Days

We've had our share of yucky days this past month or so, but we've also gotten several reprieves from the weather. Between the weather and sick kids, we've only had a few good play days. If Robert would just keep a hat on, I would have taken him out to play on the days that it was just a little cold and windy while getting over his ear infections. Unfortunately, he despises hats. At least when they're on his head.

He's trying really hard to keep up with his big sister in this next picture.

And I think it's just about someone's nap time here.

Not long after Clara got her bike, she fell off of it. It wasn't a bad fall. Chris was right next to her, helping her get to the side of the road when a car was coming and she got scared. She fell into the grass and didn't get hurt at all. It has made her really scared though. She doesn't even want to try riding it anymore.

We finally convinced her to try it at the park where there aren't any cars and we told her she could wear kneepads and she liked that idea. You can see how nervous she is here. She's ridden it one other time since then and is getting more comfortable thankfully. It's so hard seeing her struggle with her physical limitations. She's so confident in most of the things she does, but anything requiring coordination is very difficult for her.

I don't think this one will have any problems in that area. He's so much more sure-footed than Clara was at this age. I don't feel the need to hover over him nearly as much. He's had his share of falls of course, but nothing like Clara. He's wearing his souvenir shirt from Galveston that says "Cap'n Stinky".

We let him go down the slide by himself for the first time and he loves it. He wants to do it over and over. We can sit him at the top and he's figured out the little hip nudge to get himself going.

I'm looking forward to springtime with lots of warm days spent outside.

Be Mine

Wednesday morning we joined our playgroup to pass out Valentine cards at the assisted living facility. Robert passed some out.

And others he ate.

Clara was there too. I just didn't get any pictures of her.

Daddy's Sweetheart

Chris and Clara are part of the YMCA's Adventure Guides. It's main goal is to promote and encourage the father/daughter relationship, although to be accepting of everyone, there are moms and boys at some things. Why does everything in this country have to be PC? Anyway, I'm not going to go there.

Saturday evening they attended the Sweetheart Dance. Everyone met for dinner at Benihana's before the dance. There were several girls Clara's age, a few younger and some teenagers. Clara got to wear her special locket that was Grandma's when she was a young girl. That's how you know it's an extra special event. The good jewelry makes an appearance :)

Then on to the dance. Chris said when they first got there, the dads were all on one side of the gym and the girls stood on the other side. Just like junior high. Ha! Everyone loosened up after while and he said Clara had a great time. There was a good deal of time spent running around without shoes with the other little girls. And she spent some time playing with the teenage girls, who taught her how to dance the Macarena and do the chicken dance. She did manage to dance with Chris for several dances and got twirled around like a princess in the process. I doubt she got him on the dance floor for the Macarena though. He does have his limits.

And then at the end, Clara had her first limbo experience. Chris said she only did it once and then went back to running around.

Then a couple hundred balloons were dropped from the ceiling and she was in heaven. She ran around like crazy picking up balloons and bringing them back to him to hold for her. She brought five of them home and was none too happy that Robert enjoys their inflatable goodness as well.

What a magical night for Clara.

To Bus or Not to Bus

I've recently started thinking about several things pertaining to having a child in school. I have never really considered allowing Clara to ride the bus, but it turns out she is still adamant about riding it. She equates going to school with riding a bus it seems. I'm not against it, I just always assumed I'd drive her myself.

So, the bus stop is about 5 houses down the street. She would be picked up only half an hour before school starts and dropped off 15 minutes after the bell, so she wouldn't be spending a ridiculous amount of time on board. I think it would be a really great way to give her a little freedom and independence as well. Not only that, but I wouldn't have to wake Robert from his nap to go pick her up every day. I'm not seeing a negative here. Is there anything I'm failing to consider, because I really don't have a good reason not to let her try it, especially since it's something she wants to do so badly. Opinions, please.