My not-so-secret "surprise" trip June 9-15 About This Page:

[mfirst]

Originally Posted by shnewell

Congrats on your academic honors!!

Thank you!

[mfirst]

Just when things can't get any crazier around here....

Patrick has stopped eating again stating that "he can't swallow" and this morning he woke up and his lymph nodes were really swollen...these have been my clues in the past that he's got strep. I called Dr. T's office to request an appointment...the nurse put me on hold for a minute then returned and asked for a number to call me back. Ten minutes later, Dr. T was personally calling me (so glad I switched practices). We have an appointment for this afternoon, but she wanted to discuss ENT's with me because I will be leaving her office today with a referral call being made. On the one hand, I'm very relieved that she is so quick to act and was able to fit us in (though all appointments were full) this afternoon, but on the other hand...my heart is just so sad because I thought we'd kicked the infection. It has been exactly ONE week since his last antibiotic shot, and he did test negative last week. He's supposed to go on a field trip to Bruckner Nature Center tomorrow with his preschool class, but if the test is positive I'm not sure he'll be able to go.

To end on a more positive note:
It stopped raining yesterday and I checked the radar before heading to the ball field (about 20 minutes from our house)...as we drove it started sprinkling, but the sky didn't look bad at all. By the time we pulled into the park, the storm sirens were sounding...his game was cancelled and we made the treck home. It took us 15 minutes just to get out of the park as it's only a two lane road and there were ten different games schedulled that were all cancelled. I've never seen so much rain..we gathered about 1/2 inch in 20 minutes. Once we got home and changed into dry clothes, we decided to just hang out and play Sorry. I so enjoyed ending the evening just hanging out with the boys! We actually played a bit past their bed time, but some things are just worth it, right?

I've had to do a bit of "reshuffeling" today...no music class, and no babysitting this afternoon. I'm thinking that hopefully we can at least get oustide later and enjoy the 80 degree weather - just depends on how Patrick is feeling. Right now, he's curled up next to me asleep. He fell asleep while I was reading to him.

[shnewell]

for Patrick!!

But yay for your new doctor!

[OhToodles!]

We don't have those stores, but Wal-Mart currently has a whole line of 'bug' stuff.

Poor Patrick! he gets better soon!

You must be getting all the rain we had over the weekend - at least you didn't get baseball sized hail.

[mfirst]

Originally Posted by shnewell

for Patrick!!

But yay for your new doctor!

Thanks! I am really relieved with the attention and care we've gotten so far from the new doc . Coach had planned a personal day for tomorrow to help out Patrick's field trip is at the same time as Cullen's speech assessment. Anyway, the field trip is out for Patrick, as is school for the oldest, but it's going to be really nice having Coach around to help out with the boys.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

We don't have those stores, but Wal-Mart currently has a whole line of 'bug' stuff.

Poor Patrick! he gets better soon!

You must be getting all the rain we had over the weekend - at least you didn't get baseball sized hail.

Hmmm..may have to check out the bug stuff at Walmart this weekend. Thankfully no baseball size hail..this was more the size of a pea (if even that large). I saw that your area was hit this past weekend and hoped everything was okay for you guys...this spring weather has been CRAZY. I think we're noticing the rain so much this year because we had virtually none last year.

[2Peanuts]

I hope you get some answers at Patrick's appointment today!

And congrats on your academics! I can't imagine doing grad school while being a mom! You definitely deserve an awesome vacation!

Carol

[mfirst]

Originally Posted by 2Peanuts

I hope you get some answers at Patrick's appointment today!

And congrats on your academics! I can't imagine doing grad school while being a mom! You definitely deserve an awesome vacation!

Carol

Thank you! We're really looking forward to our vacation and though we're going to have our cell phones with us, we've vowed to only answer calls from each other...anything else can wait.

Grad school has been tough at times, but I needed to get my master's in order to return to teaching at the college level (Ohio changed the rules on me and no longer accepts experience in place of a degree). It will also (hopefully) help me to return to teaching at the MS/HS level.

[mfirst]

We'll we've made it to Friday - it felt like this week was so long. I actually questioned Coach's choice of clothes for work today. Jeans and a school t-shirt? For a Monday? He gently reminded me that today was Friday. Guess I'm a bit off after having him home yesterday.

He managed to get both cars washed and waxed while the boys played outside yesterday. I've got to much "Cleveland" blood in me to think it's okay to haul out the baby pool on May 3rd, but it was 87 out. We actually had to turn on our air conditioning last night.

Nolan returned to school - if I hadn't seen his Strep test results, I would NOT have known he was sick at all. He at three helping of spaghetti last night. He was happy to "get back to things" but wouldn't wear his Star Wars shirt (May the 4th be with everyone!) because his principal likes the to wear their Bethel High Five shirts on Friday. He's going to a Star Wars themed birthday party for his best buddy tonight.

The weekend "race" continues around here with baseball for Nolan on Saturday - well, hopefully because his first 2 games have been rained out and it's looking like rain tomorrow).

I've "Tweeked" our ADR's a bit...
7/16 Hollywood & Vine @ 11:20 for "brunch"
7/18 'Ohana's @ 5:00
7/19 T-Rex @ 3:00
7/20 Chefs de France @ 1:30
All of these are completely new places to eat for us!

I also made reservations for Nolan's birthday dinner/celebrating Coach finishing his Master's in Administration dinner. We're going to Osaka's, a Japanese steakhouse here in town. It's Nolan and Brian's favorite place. Right now, we're supposed to be going on his actual birthday, but that may have to change when we get his make-up game schedule.

Next week is another crazy-busy week as May continues to steamroll past me. Nolan has games Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. My parents are here Sunday night and will go to school for "Silver Bee Day" (grandparents day) with Nolan on Monday. He wants them to ride the bus with him.

We also have a behavior assessment on Wednesday for Cullen, and speech therapy for him on Friday.

Hopefully, Patrick's Strep read Sunday will be negative, or I don't know HOW everything will get done. Only 2 more Monday's of the school year left!

[BlueCinderellaEyes]

here is hoping for a negative test!
Your boys are adorable

[2Peanuts]

Hey Melissa!

I read your update on Patrick in another thread --- so glad you're beginning to get answers & responsive doctors, too!

Re: your ADRs --- Hollywood & Vine is really fun. I particularly like that it's a buffet, so I know we'll find something for everyone. The characters come out & lead dance & sing alongs for all the kids. Not sure if your kids are participators or watchers. Mine are watchers.

T-Rex --- it's L O U D in there, so pack a megaphone. When we were there, they had the AC cranking, too, which felt too cold to us in January weather, but it may be a welcome relief in July. But just be aware that it's dark & loud in there, in case Cullen has any sensory issues.

And I love Chefs de France! Who doesn't love a table visit with a rat? I love French food, and it's so hard to come by in my area. So, when we go to Disney, I try to get the family to eat somewhere in France!

Good luck getting all your to-do's to-done! Looking forward to more updates!

Carol

[mfirst]

Originally Posted by BlueCinderellaEyes

here is hoping for a negative test!
Your boys are adorable

Thank you! We think they're adorable, but we're kind of biased

His test was negative, so we know that the medicine is working...we have to have a retest Friday to see if it has stayed away (his meds wear off on Thursday).

Originally Posted by 2Peanuts

Hey Melissa!

I read your update on Patrick in another thread --- so glad you're beginning to get answers & responsive doctors, too!

Re: your ADRs --- Hollywood & Vine is really fun. I particularly like that it's a buffet, so I know we'll find something for everyone. The characters come out & lead dance & sing alongs for all the kids. Not sure if your kids are participators or watchers. Mine are watchers.

T-Rex --- it's L O U D in there, so pack a megaphone. When we were there, they had the AC cranking, too, which felt too cold to us in January weather, but it may be a welcome relief in July. But just be aware that it's dark & loud in there, in case Cullen has any sensory issues.

And I love Chefs de France! Who doesn't love a table visit with a rat? I love French food, and it's so hard to come by in my area. So, when we go to Disney, I try to get the family to eat somewhere in France!

Good luck getting all your to-do's to-done! Looking forward to more updates!

Carol

Thanks for the information on the restaraunts! Sometimes they join in, and other times they're content to sit and watch. Patrick will do whatever big brother does, so it kind of depends on Nolan's mood

I was a bit worried about T-Rex - I know the older two will it, but I'm not so sure about Cullen. If he gets too nervous/agitated one of us will be ready to get him out of there. Our reservation is for 3:00 because I wanted an "off-time" and I wans't too sure how they would be for Patrick's food allergies. I called and spoke with a manager there, and they gave me a bit of information. It may be a "desert for the atmposphere" kind of meal for us.

I French food, and can't find it anywhere around our house. Do they still have Remy visitng tables? I couldn't find mention of it on the WDW site. It would be a bonus. It's Coach's favorite Pixar movie right now. I even made Ratatouille for the family because of this movie (boy that was A LOT of work, but tasty!)

[mfirst]

Well, Patrick's rapid test was NEGATIVE Sunday, so he was able to return to school today. He only has six more days before his preschool finishes for the year (he only goes on Tuesday and Thursdays). Hard to believe he'll be in school four days a week next year! He has to have a rapid test Friday to make sure he's still Strep free as his medicine wears off Thursday. The doctor really wanted to test him Saturday, but we're going to be out of town.

Nolan's game Friday was cancelled, so I don't feel as bad about letting him skip it to go to his buddy's birthday party. He actually got to play a full game this past Saturday. He groun-out and then hit a pop up to the "pitcher" (it's coach pitch). He fielded really well - made one out and also lost the ball. I inteded to taoke some pictures, but as it was drizzling, I didn't want to ruin my camer.

My parents arrived Sunday. It was a gorgeous day outside - we spent time trying to teach Nolan to ride a two wheel bike (he has no desire even though all his friends ride without training wheels - very frustrating). We also watched as the boys splashed in the sprinkler. It was a really pretty day - high of 86 again. We took everyone to La Fiesta for dinner (and a late Cinco de Mayo celebratrion) to celebrate Nolan's birthday. He inhaled his enchiladas and we got the staff to sing Felice Cumpleanos Afterwards, we headed to Cold Stone Creamery for desert. He chose an interesting combination (cotton candy ice cream with crushed kit kat), I had a chocolate shake, and the younger two split Rasberry sorbet with Oreo (again, another odd combination). It was very ! I that they will open a fresh made container of sorbet and use a fresh scoop and open a fresh topping bag to make sure my younger boys have safe food! We've made note to "keep them in business" this summer - as if that will be a problem.

My parents attended the Silver Bee (grandparent's day) program at Nolan's school, got to meet his principal and his teachers and tour his school. They were very impressed! Afterwards, Dad helped me get the van up to the mechanics - I ran over a roofing nail leaving La Fiesta Sunday and needed the tire patched. It was really nice to get the errand done without having to drag my crew with me.

Nolan's b-ball game was rained out (no surprise there) last night so we headed over to Target to stock up on a few things for our travels. I found the Medela bags mentioned by a fellow PP'r in another post. I've already tried them out and am impressed (why haven't I discovered these before?). I put two in our "Disney stash" and set aside one for camping. The others are in my cupboard. We also stocked up on sunscreen and bug spray while we were at Target.

I'm also starting to get ready for a garage sale in the beginning of June. I'm a bit sad, but we're going to be selling our "baby gear" crib, changing table, glider, travel system etc. I'm not sure why I'm sad - I can't have any more babies (too many complications after the last two), but it still seems so final. The "bright" side is that I've told Coach that I'm putting in the travel system and the lightweight stroller and will use the money from those to get a new umbrella type stroller with a sunshield, so I get to get my new stroller and he gets me to get rid of two thus keeping our stroller number at 2. After we return from Disney, my Aunt is taking my double stroller because her daughter is due in two weeks with twin girls.

It's time to pick Patrick up from school and run a few errands before lunch and nap time! Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

[jackid2]

Just started reading. Great start so far and I can't wait to catch up on the rest

[OhToodles!]

Whew! I'm tired just reading that!
Glad to hear of the negative test results and I hope it stays that way.
Sounds like you've been busy, but lots of fun stuff thrown in there too.
The boys (well mainly Dylan) played in a baby pool this weekend too - it was HOT!
Yay for 2 more Mondays!

[mfirst]

Originally Posted by jackid2

Just started reading. Great start so far and I can't wait to catch up on the rest

Thank you for reading along!

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Whew! I'm tired just reading that!
Glad to hear of the negative test results and I hope it stays that way.
Sounds like you've been busy, but lots of fun stuff thrown in there too.
The boys (well mainly Dylan) played in a baby pool this weekend too - it was HOT!
Yay for 2 more Mondays!

We're officially at one more Monday now. Actually, in looking at the calendar I realized the boys should be doing a single digit dance...only 9 more days of school until summer for Nolan and 3 for Patrick!

We plan on opening our above ground pool after we return from Ohiopyle...we just don't have the time to work on it right now (not sure why). Glad my kiddos aren't the only ones enjoying "summer" fun in early May