Back to the ER

I haven't felt the best the last few days, so I was really looking forward to having a low-key, stay-at-home-day today. We planned to go to the grocery store and then stay home the rest of the day. Maxwell changed things up a bit.

We had just gotten home from Kroger. Payton and I were putting away groceries when I heard the familiar "thud" of something hitting my coffee table. Usually this sound is followed by Max's call of "I'm ok!" This time, I didn't hear the usual response.

I'm still not sure exactly how the accident happened, but I definitely knew Max was hurt. I threw what I was working on in the fridge and started toward the living room. As I make my first few steps, Maxwell was already coming my way. He was holding a very bloody hand to his very bloody face.

I placed my hand on top of his, held pressure there and told Payton to get me a towel. Normally Payton is a good listener but this poor little guy was so nervous and scared for his baby brother that he couldn't do much. After a reminder, he found the towel and brought it to me. We finally got to calling Matt and work and told him we were on our way in.

By the time we loaded in the car, the bleeding had stopped, but I knew it was a wound that would need treatment. We weren't in the ER long when Dr. Ying came in, took a look at Max and declared the need for stitches.

I thought Maxwell would FREAK, but he did really well actually. Matt and I had nothing to do with the procedure. We'd rather he associate strangers with that kind of thing. The only time he cried is when they gave him back to me. But he was so very proud of himself for doing a "great job".

In the end, he has four stitches and a loose tooth. We'll watch the tooth closely. He'll be going to the dentist mid-February anyway, but sooner if needed. Tonight, he didn't really eat anything once the numbing medications wore off. Hopefully he's a little more comfortable tomorrow.

So, that makes two trips to the same ER in the last 17 days. If you're willing to provide a good character/parenting reference for Matt and I when Child Protective Services calls on Monday, please let me know. ;)

Zoodles: Kids Game Manager

I have two little men who LOVE to play on the computer, but I hate having them switch back and forth between sites and not knowing exactly what they are playing.

Recently, I discovered Zoodles.com. It's a web based program that remembers your child's learning level and the appropriateness of the the games for your child. When you click the desktop icon, a secure internet browser is launched. The browser blocks all the ads, so my kids aren't bombarded with "buy me-eat me" messages. It's a collection of all the best educational games from the sites my kids normally play at, but all in one place! PBS, Nick Jr, Fisher-Price, Disney, Discovery and tons more! More than 250 game choices! The kids can not log out until I type in the word "quit" in the corner.

AND, I set the controls. I choose the focus of their games: Literacy, Math, Life Skills, Science and Social Studies. Each boy has their own profile, so I can choose more Life Skills for Max at this stage and more Science and Social Studies for Payton. I can set time limits, violence limits, block specific shows (Spongebob in this house), block games and block sites.

At the end of each week, I get a report for each boy that tells me how long they played, what games they played and how they did on them.

It does cost, but the low monthly fee is so worth it to know that my kids are on a safe site where I control what they do.



I was not paid or asked to review this product. It is my own opinion and the company did not influence my opinion in any way.

Whew!!

Last weekend was spent in Ohio for Matt's grandfather's funeral and time with the family.

This weekend, we went back. Thankfully for a much better reason. Max turned 3 today!

His party was a "Yo Gabba Gabba" theme and we did pretty good for not having pre-made decorations or ideas. I did some research online and found some good ideas and made them work for us.

I made his cake as Plex, his favorite character. We had the rest of the characters displayed as well, and all of the kids at the party really loved it.

The party was small in comparison to previous ones, but it was nice. We all had a good time and I'm just glad it's over. I don't have to think about another birthday party until mid-March...when Payton turns..*shudder* seven!

Update

Payton is doing just fine. No permanent effects other than a new board being added to the end of his bed for more security.

My mother-in-law's father passed away. It's Matt's first death of a grandparent. And Payton's first experience with death of a family member.

We found out on Thursday night, but we didn't even mention it to Payton until Friday after school. We explained it to him, and answered a few questions he had for us, but for the most part he doesn't really understand yet. We told him the funeral would be on Monday and that we thought he'd have more questions then. I encouraged him to ask them when he thought of them. I hope he does.

Other than the drama of the fall/ambulance ride & this recent loss in Matt's family, it's been a pretty slow week. ;)

Next week, I have a TON of work to do in the library at school, I have to lead some professional development and then I also have to plan Maxwell's birthday party! Can you believe my little guy will be 3 in just 1 week? :(

Payton's Big Adventure

Last night, I was peacefully asleep when around 12:30am, I heard a loud thud and Payton crying. Matt had just gotten home from work and was still awake and ran into Payton's room. I figured Matt would handle it and stayed in bed. A few minutes later, I could still hear P crying in pain in the living room. I put on my robe, went to see what had happened.

As Payton explained it, he rolled off the only open end of his loft in his sleep. He landed flat on his back (thankfully!) on the carpeted floor. We had him laying flat on the couch and he said that it was hurting more not less as time went on. I asked him to sit and that made him more uncomfortable.

Matt and I just weren't ok with the level of pain he was in. We decided it was time for a trip to the ER. The problem was he couldn't stand or sit to get to the car. While Matt made him comfortable on the floor, I changed clothes and called 9-1-1. My first time ever having to call.

The ambulance came and loaded him up on a back board and all kinds of stabilization tools. Payton enjoyed his ride in the ambulance and shared his excitement with "duck", his special animal he's had since the day he was born. By the time we got to the ER, he was feeling much better and after seeing the doctor, he was allowed off the back board.

After x-rays and another once over from the ER doctor, we were sent home. We spent a total of 4 hours on this adventure. Today, Payton is feeling just fine. I imagine he's going to be sore tomorrow and through the weekend, but for now he's fine. We're all home today, recovering from a wild trip that none of us will forget.

Finding Peace

Over the last 16 months, my life has changed so drastically.

I ignored friends, love & God and went down a path I didn't belong on.

I found my way off the path and found friends, God & love again.

I went started working again. And I found a joy in working again.

I found peace in many things before, but now I am finding peace again.

In me. In my soul. In my heart. In God.

The peace I have now, I've never known before. And I'm so very glad to have found it. ♥

Product Review: Remote Control Build A Bot

Maxwell received this gift from my parents on my recommendation. He's a tough kid to buy for because he has all his brother's hand-me-down toys and clothes. But I did find this item and I'm so glad I did.

The Remote Control Build A Bot is a item I found in Young Explorer's Catalog. They sell a LOT of really cool, unusual toys that are different than what you find at the traditional toy stores.

The Bot comes with pieces that are all separate and repositionable. Maxwell really likes taking it apart and putting it back together. It does require that most of the weight be positioned in the front (red) section of the body, but other than that, he can do just about anything.

The unit is powered by 4 AAs in the body and 1 9V in the remote control. (You can also put 3 of the little flat circle batteries in the head to make the lights in the eyes come one.) The remote has two simple buttons that are easy to work; one forward, the other turns. It moves at a good pace for a 3 year old on the carpet. On the hard floors, it cruises really quick.

The boys both enjoy it, but I think it's best for a 3-5 year old boy. Payton, at almost 7, got bored in about 30 minutes and hasn't played with it anymore. I'm not sure I would call it his "favorite" gift, but it's in his top 5 I think.

Overall, I'd give it 3.5 out of 4 stars.

so tired....

I had intended to sit down tonight a write a few reviews on the boys fave and not-so-fave toys of the holiday season. I'm not going to.

I'm tired. I'm crabby. And my lil' man is calling my name from his bed because he "needs a band-aid". Every night he needs a band-aid. And then, he needs "medicinit" (medicine). No, he doesn't get it. Then, he needs "fresh water". Then he wants to hear a story. Then he wants to play a game. Then he wants to sing "just one" song. Which turns into two or three.

So I'm giving up on the intelligent blog post for tonight about why my kids did or didn't like the toys they got for Christmas and instead, I'm going to go see what Maxwell wants (again) and then crack open a Cherry Wheat Sam Adams and hit the couch with the heating pad. Sounds like a great night.