Putting a Fever on Ice

Saturday morning while at Leah's swim lesson I noticed a bump on Tyler's neck under the skin. It didn't look like a lymph node but I figured I'd better keep an eye on him. By that afternoon it was clear the "crude" was on it's way. He started coughing and by Sunday afternoon his eyes were watering and he felt warm to the touch. The thermometer showed he didn't have a fever but each time we took his temp it got a bit higher. By the time it was time to leave for skating his temp was hanging out at about 99.7. Do I do the socially responsible thing and keep him home and break both their little hearts or take them skating?

Think of me what you want but we headed to the rink, and am I glad we did. Tyler had a blast. I've never seen a kid so happy to fall on his butt over and over again. Each time he fell and I'd go over to prop him back up fully expecting him to decide enough was enough and each time his giggles alone were enough to knock him over. The giggles and legs flailing were too precious.

Leah had a blast too and I think she learned more in an hour then she did in 12 weeks of lessons. She just needed to get out there and figure it out. I on the other hand am here to state...ice skating is nothing like riding a bike. After 20 years it did not come naturally to get back on the ice. I've got a nice case of sciatica to prove the point.

We had fun all the same.

Private School Education for a Public School Mama

I suppose one should anticipate issues when an agnostic sends their child to catholic school. While I'm not second guessing my decision to send Leah to private school the last few weeks have been a bit of a wake up and have provided a bit of humor.

Being curious about what an Ash Wednesday homily consists of I asked Leah what Father McNulty discussed during the all school mass. She mumbled something about being good enough. "Good enough for what" I ask. She replies "Am I good enough for Gods love?" "Well are you good enough?" To my dismay she responded that she's trying really hard. While I appreciate the modesty I quickly set her straight that she's DEFINATELY good enough for God's love. I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt that she's just confused or misstating the intent of the service but what in heaven would a 5 year old do to make them unworthy of God's love? I was raised to believe God loves everyone and I certainly don't want my child thinking anything different.

As part of her religious studies they are talking about showings God's love by helping and being kind to others. The other day when Scott went in her room to wake her up Leah yells at him that he's not showing God's love. Now I'll give her his chipper morning antics can be rather annoying to us non-morning people, but I don't think that was the intent of the lesson plan. Scott jokingly asked if it was time to send her to public school.

Children experience different kinds of service projects throughout the school year and do activities with their "faith families" (small prayer groups consisting of students from kindergarten through grade 8.) Leah is convince it's called a "Fake Family" and won't budge in her stance regarding this fact in the least.

Dr. Tyler

I've been really bad about keeping this blog updated. So bad in fact the following pic is one Tyler's teacher took last summer. I have a copy hanging in my cubicle at work and it always makes me smile. I'm not sure if he's a vet or a surgeon...either way he's awfully cute.

Note to Mothers

When potty training don't call your son a "big boy" unless you are prepared to be called "big mama".

Holiday Greetings from the Heasley's

Hello friends and family,

We have decided to embrace our tree hugging nature (and well we’re just cheap and lazy), so we’re sending out an email card instead of hard copies.

It’s been a banner year for the Heasleys. Leah is in kindergarten and learning new things every day. She had her first play date and first scrap on the playground with a boy. Tyler is finally embracing potty training, much to his parents’ delight. He’s getting ready to move into the 3-year-old room at daycare.

Lots of things haven’t changed this year – Scott is still working his way through law school and our house STILL is under construction. The latest challenge is the siding company and its foreman who contracted pneumonia AND had his house broken into in the same week. We feel bad for the guy, but this company has to have more than one foreman, right???

We look forward to a great 2010. The construction should be done soon (although we’re not holding our breath) and then life will be grand. That is if we can get our beloved dog Tac to quit eating everything in sight – snowmen, screwdrivers, hairbands, flashcards, stuffed animals, Christmas ornaments, sticks of dynamite, tree limbs, flashlights, power cords and on and on and on.

We send our love and best wishes to all of you. Have a great holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year.

Scott, Liz, Leah, Tyler and Tac

Old vs. Cold

Just a little brag on my big boy...today marks the first day of no accidents. Not even during nap time. It's also the 1st time he....ah hum....well um....he pooped in potty at home!

On a less gross note - The past few days Tyler has told me I need new hands. I was thinking to myself.....that's a really odd thing to say. I know my hands are a bit dry from the cold weather but come on! I'm only in my mid 30's. What is this kid going to tell me I need to replace when I hit 40? So tonight I'm getting him ready for a bath and am taking his shirt off...doing my best not to bump his bare skin with my freezing cold hands and he says it again. Trying to joke it off and also get his tushy in the tub I ask if he thinks we'll be able to find a pair of new hands in the warm water. He relents and gets in the tub...of course has a blast and refuses to get out until I drain all the water out of the tub and he's left there shivering. I forget what I said to convince him to get out but I ask him if I have new hands now and does he like them. He says yeah then hums and says "ok mommy let's go get your cold hands". "You mean OLD hands"? "No your COLD hands mommy".

So the opposite of Cold is New....Old - Cold what's the difference when you're three?

Tyler Wants Thomas....Tyler's Gonna Get Thomas....Sorta

My baby is three! Can you believe it?

Shortly before his birthday, while rocking Tyler before bed (I know, I know he's getting too big for rocking, but he loves it as much as I do) I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday...assuming he wouldn't really care or would ask for something like ketchup (hey that's what he asked Santa for...the kid really likes ketchup). To my surprise he declared that he wanted a Thomas birthday. Ok a Thomas Birthday cake is easy, but what else?

The scenic railroad! Only issue is it's the holidays and polar express tickets are sold out in August. We settled for Mr. Jingelings Holiday Express. I'm happy to report I am too young to remember Mr. Jingeling...I was a Higbee/Twigbee shop baby. Halle's department store is little more then a building that Halle Barry is named after in my mind. I must admit I was a bit nervous about being locked in the train car with the "Keeper of the Keys" and had an image of singing horrid jingles for 3 hours with no escape, but any thing for my baby. Mr. Jingeling was not nearly as annoying as I had imagined and the kids got a kick out of it. The only down fall was the jingles only lasted for 30 minute of the 3 hour trip and keeping the kids occupied became more and more difficult as time passed. By the time we rolled back into the Rockside station I was motion sick, Tyler was running a fever and Leah was sound asleep. Despite it all I think the little man enjoyed himself and hopefully we're building lasting memories.