Another Busy week

And by not broken... 

We actually mean broken! I went to see Dr. Feelgood on Tuesday and he looked at me funny when I said the Urgent Care clinic told me my foot wasn't broken. He showed me the note from the radiologist and it clearly said "Bone Fragments of the 4th metatarsal visible." Usually, and correct me if I'm wrong, in order to have fragments of something solid it had to have broken.. Right? After a short deliberation over whether it would help to bother with a podiatrist or not I decided it would probably be a good idea. Just to make sure it doesn't feel like this forever. I am sure it wasn't good for me to walk on it like this for almost a month but I really didn't have a choice. We'll see what happens next I suppose. Since I did't hear back from them this week I'll have to call Monday to see what's up with that. 

I said before that I love Dr. Feelgood. He is so calm and has a dry sense of humor so we get along pretty well. He collects guitars and play regularly. This means that him and Loopy also get along really well. Dr Feelgood has been trying to get Loopy to play music with him for years but Loopy never calls him and this makes Dr. Feelgood sad. So I wrote him a prescription on his little pad (in sloppy Dr. handwriting of coarse) for "Playing music with Loopy, good for the soul" and our phone numbers.Rumor has it that a couple years ago he was pretty sick and has a different Dr. stand in for a while at the office. He let me know that Loopy has to go to his house out in BFE because he has developed a seizure disorder and can't drive for 6 months. That makes me sad because being told you can't do something so simple and have that freedom is depressing. You better believe I'll make Loopy go play classic guitars with the Good Doctor.. if he calls. 

We spent the afternoon making food out of Play-Doh with an elephant.

He ate all the spaghetti. 

Headaches. ugh.

Wednesday my big plans to hit the beach and watch wildlife was foiled by the worst migraine in years. You know the kind that make the quietest noises rattle around in your brain and then you feel like you might puke because the brain pressure is too much for humans to endure while trying to function and remain upright? One of those days. 

Here's an idea of how my day started.. before bright and early even happened. 

1am: Yaaaawn, I should go to bed.
2am: I should stop reading.
2:20am: (Kendal) I peed potty. Can't find pants. Where's dad? We are ready to go shopping. (Me) no, its still night time. Go back to bed! (Kendal, sobbing) But shopping with daaad wake him up and lets go. I found pants. (me) tomorrow. Please go to sleep 
4:15am: (Kendal) I can't find pants again and my binky is gone.
7:30am: (Kendal) Scoot over mom, I'm here for snuggles and milk.
8:05am: the boys leave for school and work.
8:30am: Loopy is back home, he has the flu.
8:45am: Another poo strike ruined by blueberries and sprinkle cookie earned. 

Loopy came home after dropping Logan off with the same headache. He stopped in the bathroom to hurl then promptly went back to bed. I got up to take the morning kid shift and pick Logan up. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to remain upright for long I stopped and got them happy meals, put them on the couch with a movie and went back to bed. Couple hours later Loopy got up and took the afternoon shift. That sucked. 

Listening to the kids hold conversations when they don't think anyone is listening is pretty funny. All parents know that 'taking a nap'  or 'resting' while the kids are not isn't really restful, we are ALWAYS listening. 

Logan: Hey, Look at my pet spider. Its a tarantula. Some bite but mine doesn't. 

Kendal: No. There is no nice spiders. (thumping noises) 

Logan: KENDAL! Stop punching my spider, please stop, its my pet!

Kendal: I have to kill it. Spiders are yucky.

That's my girl! 

Although Logan is scared to death of going ON roller coasters he has been creating them all week on a new game he found on the Wii. Until recently he didn't know how to connect the end of the coaster to the launch house.. so the cars would "fly off to their doom." His coasters were named things like "Death Trap, Coaster of Terror, and This Won't Be Good"

More doctor stuff and time out with friends. 

I woke up early to drop off Logan and get my thyroid ultra-sounded. No results from that yet, but I can say its a little unnerving to lay there for 15min knowing the technician understands what is on the screen but 'can't' say what she is or isn't seeing. It has to be reviewed by the radiologist and sent to the doctor who ordered the tests. We'll see what happens next with that. 

"its too little"

After stopping home me and Kendal went out for coffee with a friend. The people at the table next to us were breeders of exotic pets. They had a couple bearded dragons which Kendal LOVED. She spent a good portion of the time sitting down by their table cooing at the lizards. 

"His wings are missing, Mom. Dragons have wings.
Lets buy this and maybe get new wings?"

Later that night I had a sort of girls night out. We had a great time and I haven't laughed that hard (unless at my kids) in a long time. All I can say is that Thai food is yummy, karaoke is funny, my friend Adriana can sing, Luci is hilarious when you add beer and then she fell down because curbs are sneaky. Thankfully she thought it was as funny as I did or I'd be a bad friend.  She just found out at the Urgent Care that she isn't broken.. so that's good. There are no pictures of this event.. but I sort of wish there was. 

Friday!

Today is Friday and that makes me happy. We got up and ventured out to Target this morning for some supplies. Kendal suggested that "Maybe we go see spooky trick or treat pumpkin and ghosts" In the Halloween section I was suggesting costumes for her this year... 

Me:Kendal, Do you want to be the girl from "Brave" for Halloween? 

Kendal: No, just the shooter, mom. (bow n arrow)

Me: Do you want to be Rapunzel? 

Kendal: No.

Me: Cinderalla? 

Kendal: Nope.

Me: a Butterfly? Lady Bug? Bee?

Kendal: NO! oooh, look a cute piggy!!

Me: THIS?! Instead of a princess?

Kendal: Yes, Wear that trick or treating.. 

I can't make this stuff up. 

She wants to be a "cute pig" with a shooter. And successfully scared the other kids out of the isle.

So far Logan still wants to be an astronaut, which is good, because he already has the costume. We still have a whole month to change our minds so who knows what will happen. 

Obviously we didn't end up going to the festival in Pensacola like we had hoped but next year maybe we can plan ahead. We'll have to see what the weekend holds for us. Its always an adventure around here. 

ps

I can't stop staring at the scary pig face on my beautiful 3yr old... 

Lets get caught up on some kid-isms, shall we?

Sept 10. a quotable bunch today.

Logan is reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid to me. Kendal is on the couch with a potty training related tummy ache and Loopy just left to head back into the storm of a GoDaddy outage.

A short commentary on the above activities between me and my friend Luci. She's so witty:

Luci: 

1. :) good book!

2. :( bad tummy!

3. :/ go daddy isn't so go anymore!

Me: 

1. I JUST gave it to him and he is on page 30.

2. She just needs to poo and get it over with.

3. It was bound to happen.

Luci:
1. No shit?! Awesome!
2. No shit, literally.
3. NO.SHIT. For real.

Later that day...

Logan: Mom, only 9 more years until I'm in college!

Logan: If I was the boss at ACI, I'd let dad and his friends go home whenever they want.

Later-er that night...

Loopy: I think this wine made my feet slippery.

Sept 11. well, it was worth a shot.

Kendal keeps telling me to take a nap on the couch. I must look tired... or she is planning something I wouldn't let her get away with. As tempting as it is, I have to go get Logan.

Sept 13. Kendal time.

First we had to make and drink some coffee. She was yelling at her giraffes for talking to Emperor Zurg during coffee time. This is apparently forbidden. 

Then it was time to do a sinus rinse.. just like daddy. If she happened to inherit Dad's chronic sinus problems, she's know exactly what to do.  

"Mix it up...

Breath out Sllloooowwwwwlllly....
Like that mom!"




At lunch time Kendal was eating some chicken nuggets, having a little conversation with herself and a toy frog. Keep in mind frog sounds JUST like F**K. I wasn't saying a word. Just trying to keep a straight face. I couldn't do it.

What you doing? 

Eating chicken FROG! 

What are you taking about, Frog? 

I love this froggy chicken mom!

Where is my mother's frog?

Is this frog so funny mom?"

After some Frogging lunch we went to Starbucks so I could hang out with my awesomely witty friend Luci while Kendal jumped off some tall stuff onto some hard stuff. In this case it was unstable bricks stacked around an umbrella. Oh, she was also wearing a Folder's bucket on her head...

Sept 16. Error.

After Kendal dumped coffee on my computer and suggested "maybe next time mom should use a sippy cup" I turned it on and the 'usb device is not recognized' by my computer. I thought that by now it would recognize coffee.

Sept 17. Bodily Functions.

Although Kendal has woken up dry nearly every morning so far and hasn't had an accident since day 1 she is currently on a 3 day poo strike. She just poured herself a pint of blueberries for lunch. Strike over in 5,4,3,2...

This is how my 6yr old's brain works. They are learning about weather at school. Rain, evaporation, ect. 

Logan: Guess what I learned at school!?

Me: What? (excited because he never tells me anything)

Logan: When animals in the forest and stuff have to pee it sometimes runs off into rivers or creeks, Then it goes into lakes and evaporates into clouds, Then it rains pee from all those animals. See how its raining now? Pee.

Me: Gross. Your teacher taught you that? 

Logan: Nope, I just figured it out. I should teach that class, huh?

In other news Kendal just grabbed my pinky toe to get my attention and pulled it really hard the wrong way. Holy crap. Ouch. 

Kendal didn't give up the strike without a fight. For some reason she had serious bathroom anxiety today. It was pretty sad to watch her fight the irrational fear of messing herself and just going potty and the overwhelming need to answer the call of nature. Poor thing. Tomorrow will be better. 

Coming up this week.....

Tomorrow I have an appointment with Dr FeelGood about my foot because it still hurts. (Probably more than I let on.) It is also still purple. Maybe he can tell me what's going on. Also get a second opinion on whether or not my Thyroid is really enlarged. 2 birds. 1 stone. 

I have to stop and get Logan the 3rd Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. I am pretty sure he stays up reading all night because he is averaging a book every 3 days. I don't know WHERE he gets that..*Guilty face* I quiz him to see if he's paying attention to what he's reading and he seems to be following the story pretty well and hasn't had to ask me the meaning or pronunciation of words. He might be in right about starting college in 9 years. 

Wednesday Logan has a 1/2 day and I plan to hit the beach in the afternoon. I've been wanting to go hang out on the Inter-coastal and watch the dolphins while the kids dig in sand. We'll see if this actually happens. It all depends on weather (raining pee) Kendal's acceptance of nature's call, my gimpy issues, and our overall motivation. 

Thursday I have an appointment to get my Thyroid ultra-sounded. My blood-work came back normal but my girly Dr. still wants me to get it checked out.. Maybe they can utlrasound my foot at the same time. 2 birds. 1 stone.

Friday Loopy wants to drive across the state to a festival  to see Pearl Jam. We'd have to leave at noon and take the kids cause we don't have a sitter. We'll see if that actually happens. I have never had a 'normal' trip to Pensacola. I guess we can add to the collection of strange memories. 

Good night all!

Is it really only Wednesday?

Finally starting to cool down!

Summers and early fall around here consist of spraying kids in the face with hoses, diving into kiddie pools, and sitting in the house telling kids to close the dang doors because its 100 degrees outside with 95% humidity and torrential rains. These next few months are my favorite because it doesn't feel like we are hanging out on the equator in wool sweaters. Don't get me wrong (and don't try to talk me into moving back to MI) I LOVE Florida even in the summer. The ocean, the scenery.... I can go sit on the Inter-coastal and watch dolphins and manatees every day if I want. (why don't I do that...?) But Sept, Oct, and Nov are the best! Outdoor events every weekend, warm breezes and less rain. This week we went out and did something every day. I love it. 

But it's only Wednesday!

How can that possibly be!? I was ready to get Friday's stuff together for Logan, excited that I don't have to make a lunch because its pizza day tomorrow.. but no. Today is STILL freakin' Wednesday. 

It's been a 1/2 hour, don't think its gonna happen.
Please go to bed. It's 1am.

This weekend we didn't do anything because Kendal was still in potty training days #2 and #3. Risky to be in public places when she hadn't mastered this yet. She is doing so much better than I expected. She has had a couple accidents at night but daytime is not an issue. Hooray for progress. My only issue is bedtime. For about a year she has been great at bedtime. Goes right to her room, read stories, and we don't see her til morning. NOW she goes to her room, reads stories, has to pee, lays down for 10 minutes and has to pee.. it goes on and on. As I type this at nearly 1am she is sitting on the toilet trying to avoid going back to bed. (see photo) This too shall pass.. right? Today she earned her poo on the potty present. Bribes are awesome and when candy isn't enough, we offer gifts. Learning to #2 sitting down can't be easy after doing it standing or laying down (babies) for 3 years so I consider it a gross milestone. I was happy this phase didn't last 2 months like it did for Logan! Anyway, we went to Target and she chose a mini-mouse/ pet figurine set. So easy to please!

Mondays. Yuck.

Every morning Kendal wakes me up wanting to play games. Today she wanted to play ping pong at the table. Loopy found this relic on Ebay a few years ago because we each had them as kids. The box says it is from 1982. Judging from the well dressed and over excited families on the cover I would say that is about right. 

This is Happy Green Monster Puppet. He likes ping pong

Yeah.. That's how you hold it.

I had a few hours to myself in the afternoon thanks to a Dr. Appointment in St. Augustine. It was the girly type that I would skip every year if they didn't require me to show up before renewing my birth control. If I don't show up I find myself there way more often due to being knocked up. Besides, it was worth being able to enjoy a couple hours alone. Aside from telling me my thyroid is enlarged it was all good. Now I have to have tests done tomorrow to make sure it's in working order. Just one of those getting older things I guess. I'll let you know how that turns out. 

5th grade reading level?  

On my way home I stopped and got a couple things for the kids. Kendal has been asking for a potty book that we had borrowed from the library a while back. Logan wanted a new series since he's done with the Fudge books and didn't like Ramona as much. I got him Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He was WAY more excited than I thought he'd be and started reading immediately. He finished that book today. All 225 pages. I haven't read it yet, but apparently its the best book EVER. Guess I'll go get the next one tomorrow. 

We spent most of the evening outside playing because it wasn't blistering hot out there. Logan was practicing his cartwheels. He is pretty sure he's got it down. What do you think?

I also just took some random pictures cause its been a while...

This sums up life at our house REALLY well.

By the way, Kendal's hair was AMAZING today. In a good way for a change. It had perfect little spirals. Although I am sure she'll have trouble in school one day for having unruly curly red hair, once she can maintain it she'll be the luckiest girl ever.

me and my girl.

Me: Its midnight. GO TO SLEEEEEP!!!!
Kendal: but I have to peeeeee.

Tuesday. Way less yuck.

My big plan was to hang out at home and take a nap. While waiting in line to pick up Logan we were invited to head to a park with friends. That sounded like more fun. Logan and Nick were in Pre-K together as 4yr olds and Kendal and Mia are the same age (Mia is 6 months older) so it works out well for us. Plus I'm friends their mom which makes life SO much easier!! As a mom one of my fears is my kid being besties with a kid with ass hole parents. It'll happen eventually but for now I am grateful.

There was no fighting and Kendal even made it to the bathroom without incident. The only problem is was when we tried to get them all to stand on this rock for a picture. Kendal was SO excited that she bear hugged Mia who couldn't hold her up and they toppled over onto said sharp, jagged rock. A couple tears later we were all happy again. We even all went out for dinner without incident!

Wednesday, fantastic.

Just one glass.. until tomorrow when I buy a bottle.

We had SO much fun with the kids yesterday that we all went to swim in their pool today. Any chance they get to go swimming they are super excited. I didn't get any pictures of that because I was drinking this stuff and sitting on my butt for a change. Like I said, Susan and me, we get along JUST fine.









So about a month ago I went out for coffee with my friend Michelle.
Me: I have to stop at the store for a couple things Loopy wanted.
Michelle: Ok, what do you need?
Me: Tissues and Hershey's Chocolate with almonds.
Michelle: That time of the month for the boys again?
Me: Yup.

This weekend I went out for coffee with my friend Michelle
Me: I have to stop at the store for a couple things Loopy wanted.
Michelle: Ok, what do you need?
Me: Toilet paper and chocolate cake.
Michelle: Wow, is he pregnant?
Me: Probably.
Michelle: Here, this one is on sale for $1.20
Me: Nope, it needs to have melty chocolate chips inside and smooth frosting.
Michelle: So he's in the 3rd trimester already?
Me: Yup.

Loopy's PMS cake.

That bring us to this evening when I finally got around to making said cake.. which he's been staring longingly at for 3 days now. Finally finished it and got it frosted.

Kendal: OH CAKE
Me: Do you like cake?
Kendal: No. I like fire, put that fire on it.
Me: You want me to put a candle on dad's cake?
Kendal: Ok mom, that a good idea. I'll blow it!
Me: OOook.....

We have a severe candle shortage around here!

Alright, I'm off to bed before someone comes out to the living room to ask me for something. 

Happy to report... Today was GREAT!!

Potty training update

Kendal woke up happy and didn't have any accidents on her first no-diaper night! She crawled into bed with me just like she does every morning and laid there for a while drinking her milk. I asked her twice if she had to go potty and she said "nope". I dozed for 1/2 hour and she woke me up to go pee. YAY!! Despite having a house full of people this afternoon, going out for hibachi dinner, and staying up late she didn't have ANY accidents on her first day of potty training. We are all pretty excited about that! 

Foot update

Finally got a call from the Walk-In clinic and I am not broken, YAY!! No fractures and no other serious issues. I talked to the Dr. and he said if the sharp pain and random aching doesn't go away in a week to call my regular doctor. I can live with that. I was up most of last night because there was no comfortable position to sleep. I'll take my pain meds tonight and see if it helps. Swelling is down more and I am done taking Prednisone. Thank God.  

Still bruised and stabby.

Visitors update

Last weekend I was supposed to head to Disney to hang out with my favorite art buddy, Brandi, from high school. That obviously didn't happen. She is on vacation with her (now) fiance and all their kids. Judd proposed before fireworks on their first night before fireworks at Magic Kingdom. He had all 3 of his kids get down and propose with him (collective aaaawwwww) Anyway, they are heading back to MI tonight but stopped in to hang out and relax for a bit.. And relax they did!! That's Judd and one of his twin girls passed out on the couch. Logan and his new best friend Gavin playing Wii. 

What a week at Disney does to people.

We had plans to go to the beach or go Gator hunting or something else Florida-like. But like most people stopping here on a road trip they were content to just lay around. Sounds good to me!! Brandi's son Tristan is 5 days older than Kendal. Here they are playing in the little pool. Well they were playing together RIGHT before this. It occurred to me that I should take a couple pictures. By the time I found my camera they were done in the pool. We had to bribe them to get back into the pool.. with sprinkle cookies.

She might be kicking him a little bit

Kids in the pool in the rain.

Last night Loopy was suggesting things we could all go do. His first suggestion was Sakura. Yum. Then the crew got here and asked if there is a hibachi in town. I love when 10 people can agree on something!! After a hellish day at work (that I am still hearing about RIGHT now) Loopy came home and we all went to a tasty dinner which went shockingly well. Logan had toys to share with Gavin, Kendal had Elephants, Loopy had beer... Me and Brandi had alcohol....

My friend is a hottie.

Boobs.

I've said before that I love meeting up with friends who I haven't seen in years and we can pick up where we left off. Brandi is one of 'em. 13 years of not seeing each other and we just sat and talked all afternoon (and potty trained and maintained 6 amazingly well behaved kids..) Wish we would have taken more (not boob) pictures.. I think Judd took some at dinner so I'll steal them once they are posted. 

Here's hoping the rest of the weekend is this happy. Hooray Friday!!!

This will be a long month.

Picking up where we left off..

I haven't posted in a few days. I was in the worst mood ever this weekend because my gimpy foot was THROBBING and I was hobbling around trying to carry on like I was fine. Which I obviously was not.. This is the result of not listening to the Dr's orders of sitting on my butt for 3-5 days. I think I took these Tuesday night. Sometimes you just have to power through.

Swollen

Seriously uncomfortable and very bruised.

Today its feeling better. I can almost walk without a limp. (not for long) Every once in a while there is a strange tingly shooting pain on the left side and up through my heal..I haven't heard back from a radiologist, So I'll keep pretending I'm fine and keep the peace round here. 

Meanwhile, life carried on as usual..

Sept 1

Kendal jut dropped my computer. I am testing the keys to make sure all the buttons still work. abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz. seems to be ok :) She was trying to help because I can't go get it.. Dell Vostro is REALLY durable!!

Sept 2

Something in this house has been making a growling noise all evening. After some searching we found a headless growling tiger flashlight under Loopy's desk. Strange things happen when you have kids...

later that night...

Logan is currently reading Beezus and Ramona. In the first chapter Beezus refers to her sister at least 3 times as being a "very gay little girl" Logan asked what that means, so I told him it means extremely joyful. Its amazing how definitions of words have changed over the years. He has told me a few times today that he's having a very gay day or he feels so gay to be eating his very own cheesy pizza. Tuesday should be interesting for him at school...

Sept 3

See, I'm HAPPY to help, Mom!

Logan invited Kendal to go swing with him. I can't lift her up and stand there to push her. He's a little upset that I am making him stand and push. I told him it was HIS idea. She's giddy cause she wanted to swing ALLLL weekend. At least they are being nice to each other. For some reason his Elephant is stuffed in his shirt and she keeps slipping off the swing because she won't put down her plastic elephant.

Pretending to get kicked.

Its funny EVERY time. Until he got kicked.

 Sept 4

There is a loud ass hog in my ravine. I would get a flashlight to go check him out but the only one I have is the dying headless tiger flashlight.. That might scare him off. 

Sept 5

The kids are playing outside...

Logan: AAAAACCKKKK AAAAAAAAH (for no reason)

Kendal: Whats all the screaming and yelling and screaming and yelling and screaming!?

Logan: That wasn't screaming. EEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!! that was screaming.

Neighbor turns on vacuum and scares the crap out of Kendal who looks terrified and runs away with her elephants.

Kendal: AAAHHHHH, Help me!!! Wanna go in home! Mooooom, PWEEESE open dooooor!!!

Logan: and THAT was yelling.

Sept 6

I was getting out of the shower Kendal handed me a towel... 

Kendal: want a towel mom?

Me: Thanks, babe

Kendal: Ew, I See your BELLY BUTTON!

Me: Belly buttons are gross?

Kendal: yeah, they are a BAD idea. 

Me: (laughing because she's grossed out by a belly button of all things) 

Kendal: Ask me WHY its bad idea.

Me: Ok, why? 

Kendal: Because I need Caaandy!!!

Me: What?

Kendal: Lets go get that candy.

This girl can change ANY situation into a ploy to eat candy. 

Logan got a new pen pal.. sort of. 

Anyone who knows Logan knows he LOVES to read. Anything and everything is fair game.. including the less than kid friendly things posted on Facebook that he tries to read over my shoulder. (face/palm) Anyway. He finished reading Double Fudge last week by Judy Blume. He wanted to know if there is a movie to go with it..There isn't but he watched Fudge-a-Mania and loved it. (read that book last year) He was SO disappointed that he asked if he can write a letter to Judy Blume and ask her if she'll make a Double Fudge movie. Heck yeah! Logan and Loopy found her website and wrote her a note...

Dear Judy, 

Will you please make a Double Fudge movie because I loved the book so much. I just want to know what all the other characters in the book look like. I have seen one movie so far and it was great!

Sincerely, 

Logan

Hometown: Palm Coast, FL - Age: 6 - Posted September 1, 2012 2:36 pm

A couple days later I had an e-mail from JUDY BLUME!! Seriously, I might be more excited about this than Logan is!

Hi Logan,

Thanks so much for visiting my website. Glad you enjoyed Double Fudge. I'm trying to write a new book now. I think it will be YA, but it will probably take two years to finish it. (Ugh - writing is hard work!) You know what keeps me going? The idea that you'll be there to read it. That makes it all worthwhile.

Love,

Judy

Check out my new

Pain & Great One chapter book series

I was jumping up and down because she is one of my favorite authors ever. He said "Um, that is pretty awesome, but we are going to have to write her again. She didn't really answer my question." Right, ok.. 

Dear Judy,

I am in 1st grade and thanks for writing me back. uh What about the movie Double Fudge? Because I really want to see a Double Fudge movie. um hmmmm I am really looking forward to finding your new book in two years. What will it be about? I really want to hear about it because I am busy looking forward to helping. (if you need help) Thats all. 

Love Logan.

The next day I had ANOTHER e-mail from the office of the famous and awesome Ms. Judy Blume. 

Hi Logan,

Thanks so much for your email. Judy wishes there was a way she could answer all of the questions her readers ask. Sadly, it's just not possible, especially when she's trying to write (as you know, she's working on a new book). Not enough time in the day. Hope you understand. I can tell you that there aren't any plans for a Double Fudge movie at this point. Also, it's still very early in the writing process for her new book, so I don't have any information for you about it. She'll keep her readers updated about her book on her website and Facebook page. Hope this answers your questions, and thanks again for writing. Take care!

Warm regards,

Peg Owen

Assistant to Judy Blume

Ok, it wasn't from Judy, but still cool, right?! I found out today that she has been battling breast cancer. I never expected her to write Logan back. I am sure she gets 1000's of messages a week. The fact that she is recovering from surgery, still writing, and took the time to write to my 6yr old is amazing to me. What a strong woman! 

You can read about her story Here. Best of luck to you Mrs. Blume!!

One of my Heros

Kendal's New Adventure...

I said last month that in September we are going to get this child out of diapers. I was going to do this last weekend because we didn't have solid plans to be anywhere and it was a holiday weekend. Then I fell down and got very pissy so I just let it go. Well today we ran out of diapers, so guess what!? Today was the day. I joined the ranks of my friends and family over at The Good Life, Frazzled Reflections, and Serial Mommy in the world of potty training a girl. 

Our morning started like this:

Me: Uh oh, only 2 more diapers left Kendal! 

Kendal: I like diapers, we can go store and get more.

Me: Nope, they only sell those to babies and you aren't a baby anymore. 

Kendal: But I don't WANT underwear! Put diaper here on this butt.

Me: Ok, but you will only have one more.

Couple hours later:

Kendal: Mom, I pooped. change diaper

Me: I'll clean you up, but we are on your last diaper

Kendal: oh poop.

couple hours later after swimming in the pool and taking bath

Me: Lets get you dressed...

Kendal: no, not that underwear

Me: Sorry, we are out of diapers, remember?

So let the games begin! No, really, she made up games to pass the time. 

This one is called
"Throw Quacky Ducky into little potty"

Practicing her letters...

She is pretty excited. Mostly because we are bribing her with Jelly Beans and Skittles. We all know how she feels about candy and cookies! She takes her time getting the job done, that's for sure! I have to remind her what we are REALLY there for (Jelly Beans!) Then she does her business eats her candy and runs off. Her baby elephant is also getting potty trained...

Don't worry, she doesn't use this one.

She seriously made me take like 20 pictures and a movie of her first official potty day. I won't post them here for obvious reasons but I have never seen a child find so many ways to sit on a toilet. We had to get past the basics like.. if I give her pants because she is cold, she pees in them. So, no more pants. Here are more feeble attempts at using anything but the potty:

"Maybe just pee on the floor? That a bad idea mom?" 

"Maybe I can just pee on this towel, tie it here.. that be good idea"

"Maybe you pretend to be sleeping.. do it!" *I make snoring sounds" "psssss, I did it! Jelly Bean time" 

Can't blame a girl for trying I guess. After reading bedtime stories I offered her a slip-on diaper JUST for the night. She turned it down and said she wants her Tinkerbell underwear.

Stay Tuned! 

Quick update

If you are sick of hearing about my gimpy foot, stop reading.

I spent a couple hours at Medi-Quick yesterday. I have always preferred to go there instead of the ER because it's $250 cheaper and instead of my regular Doctor because he cut down on his hours and it takes a long time to get in. My only complaint yesterday is that the hyper little x-ray tech lady made me walk to the diagnostics room. She said "follow me!" Then took off like a bat out of hell around several corners and through an office.. Once I found her she took the very uncomfortable x-rays she said "Ok, c'mon back" Then I hobbled back to my room and sat down. While I was looking at my foot as if it might fall off. She came back into the room and said she broke the machine and I have to do it again. *sigh* I told her that if she wants me to walk she's got to slow down. Also, if you break the machine again, you are shit out of luck. Turns out I don't have any obvious broken bones. There was some bleeding because I tore some ligaments. That explains the swelling and bruising. They did not have a radiologist on staff so they'll send my good x-rays to one on Monday and let me know if there are any hairline fractures they didn't see at the walk in clinic. Loopy was mad because I didn't ask if the second opinion was covered by our insurance. It sucks that you have to think about that sort of thing before getting medical help. THAT is a whole other topic I am NOT in the mood to discuss. I was also not in the mood to discuss what doctors are/not covered when I have a throbbing foot make worse by walking back and forth a few times through the office. No,  I didn't ask. If I had, what would I have done? Told them not to double check? Gone to the ER and paid the $300 I was trying to avoid? They aren't covered either! I better stop there.   

I am NOT good at sitting down with my feet up. I am NOT good at being patient while I wait for someone to do the stuff I usually do. I should count the number of times I sit down and have to get RIGHT back up during the day. Most days its no big deal. But now it involves getting crutches and hobbling into the kitchen to fetch a drink, cook lunch, or go outside to bring a towel to a cold, wet kid. You may say "make Loopy do it." The problem with that is he is a guy. This means he has to finish saving his progress on a game, or pimping out his car on the game, changing his clothes, or stopping to go to the bathroom... All these things may only take a couple extra minutes, but in those minutes the kids have started yelling, lunch is getting cold, I have gotten grumpy and completed the task I needed help with in the first place. I can't carry anything because of the crutches. I can walk a little, and its not so bad until I sit down and then its throbbing all over again. This will be a long couple of weeks. I hope its all better fast, but today its more swollen and purple. Wanna see a couple pictures? Sure ya do.

Comparison

Little poofy.. toes are swollen today too.

Logan, King of Falling Down and Overreacting to EVERYTHING has been very understanding. He made me a get well card and constantly asks if I'm feeling better. He's been more self sufficient and helping out more. Kendal has not mastered empathy yet. She has her moments but NOTHING is more important than her frantic need to go outside on the swings. 

Kendal: I wanna swing.

Me: I can't get outside right now to put you up there and push you.

Kendal: Oh PWEEEESE go swinging! (starting to get frantic)

Me: Sorry babe, I can't walk.

Kendal: Maybe try hopping and jumping like this! (hop hop hop, falls down)

Me: I don't think so.

Kendal: DAAAAAD!!! Mom needs help with walking.(weeping in a ball on the floor)

Speaking of Logan falling down he tripped over a rain boot while sprinting across the house his to get his bathing suit on. Of coarse he started yelling then sobbing uncontrollably that he needs crutches and a bandage:

Kendal in the pool: Why's Logan freaking out? 

Me: He fell and hurt himself

Kendal: Yup, that be a mark (that is Kendal speak for That'll leave a mark)

I had big plans to head to Orlando this afternoon to see a friend from high school. She's on vacation with her family and staying at the newest Disney resort. We WERE going to have fun swimming in the pool and exploring then maybe West Side for dinner... Loopy was going to stay back because his Levaquin/ Prednisone cocktail makes him unreasonably pissy in stressful situations. Since I can't walk, carry things, or chase rouge kids on my own I decided to stay home. Maybe I can try going tomorrow? I know I shouldn't but I miss my friend! I took a happy pill but it just made me turn into super happy fun mommy for a couple hours. (best side effect ever) I spent the afternoon outside throwing cups of icey water on kids in the driveway while sitting on the back of my car. The humidity and moving around made my foot look like an angry balloon, but we had fun anyway. And now I'm back to being sore :(

Here's hoping for good night's rest and miraculously healing completely before tomorrow...