Some fish fun

Today we headed to the aquarium with the Moeller's and Ewing's. The aquarium is new so none of us had gone. All the kids were especially excited and maybe the parents too. We thought we would try to beat the crowds and show up first thing in the morning. Well it didn't work. First of all it was hard to find parking and then once we were inside there was back to back people. The kids didn't seem to notice at all. They waited patiently for there turn and just enjoyed being with each other. Our first stop of the day was at this feeding tank. Miss Dawn found the kids some seaweed to feed the fish. They had a great time feeding the fish and trying to pet them. Ashley was a little timid and would only put in the tip of one of her fingers in. She also wasn't keen on the seaweed.

Ashley moved herself on to an exhibit where they were all contained but then a worker came by and took the tree frog out to get a closer look.

Ashley was fine keeping her distance and didn't seem to nervous until the frog jumped off of his hand. Guess what it was time to move on again. It is funny to see this side of her because she is our most adventurous kid just not with live things.

As we continued to move through it became clear that the favorites exhibits were the ones they could touch things at. There was a boat filled with clams. The iguana out of its cage. The shark and sting ray tank Ashley even got more daring. This was close to the end and I think she had got more comfortable watching everyone else. Of coarse having Miss Dawn by her side might have something to do with it too.

We had a great time at the aquarium. I loved riding home and listening to the girls talk back and forth about their favorite parts. Madison was defiantly the most daring. Which is quite a different twist to the normal. I love that all three of them enjoyed themselves and didn't feel like it was too young or too old for them. It will be fun to go again.

A side note: Allison and Ashley are 100%. We had a few rough days but for the most part it wasn't that bad. I think the hardest part for me was the lack of sleep. I am now all caught up on my sleep thanks to my wonderful in-laws that took the girls for a few days. The girls came back to a new mom and they came back refreshed themselves. We survived two getting their tonsils out and now I will tell you it was a good idea to do them both at the same time. There was a few moments where I thought it might have been easier to do them separately.

Life saver

This has been our lifesaver through out this whole tonsil thing. Some friends brought Allison and Ashley a McDonald's shake last week and it was a lifesaver. The girls are eating some but not nearly enough and I think all the calories in these really help them. Today wasn't the best day. The girls had more pain then in past days so I ran out and got them each a shake.

Things defiantly got better for them after that. I am all for better. Maybe it will also make for a better night. I can always hope right.

Mission more sleep----FAILED

Yesterday I moved Allison and Ashley back into their room in hopes that we might get better sleep. They had been sleeping pretty well and weren't waking up needing me in the middle of the night so I thought it might be time for me to get some good sleep. The girls went to sleep fine but then I had to wake them up at 11:30 for medicine and the night took a turn. This is what the morning ended up looking like. After waking Allison up she was in to much pain to go back to sleep in her bed and needed me. Kevin moved himself to the couch so she could have his spot. Two hours later Ashley came into my room crying and really needed me so she climbed in too. Once we got them comfortable they seemed to sleep well but I still need some. Tonight we will try again.

Team party

Tonight Madison had her end of the season basketball party. This season has been one of the best seasons for her. The girls she plays with are just a great bunch of girls. Most of them have played with her for 3 or more years and just know that she is quiet. They don't mind and just treat her like one of the girls. Maybe one day she will open up more and goof off with them.

The parents got together and got the girls sweatshirts. It is funny what can make kids happy. One girl was so happy to have a shirt with her last name on it. Silly. We took one last picture of the girls this season showing off their sweatshirts.

Recovery

Recovery has been going well. The girls take their medicine when they are asked so we have been able to keep their pain under control. They are drinking like the doctors want them to and they have even eaten some stuff. I guess I had heard some of the worst horror stories and so I was expecting the worst. Things are going way better then I expected.

Today I had a church thing so was gone all morning and into the afternoon. Allison and Ashley acted like I had been gone for a month. They were glued to me for the rest of the day.

The girls had some fun with St. Patrick's today. Ashley wanted to keep her leprechaun trap from last year so she pulled it out and had it all set up to catch one. Allison had a fun idea while Capri was over last night. They made a leprechaun out of salt dough. What a clever idea. Isn't it cute. Ashley didn't fall for it but sure had fun with it all.

All star game

Madison was picked by her coach to play in the All Star game this year. It was such a great honor for her. It was fun to watch Madison play with some different people and see how she interacted with them. The teams were made up of 2-3 members of each team. She did a great job and had fun meeting some new people. The other girls were so nice and did a great job at being team players.

Allison and Ashley were still not up to going out so Dawn came over and watched them. She was so sweet to do it so both Kevin and I could see Madison play. She also helped me get some more water in them. They are really getting bored with me. Things are going smoother then I expected. Lets hope it stays this way.

Band concert

Madison had a band concert tonight. I was the only one that was able to go because Allison and Ashley are still recovering. Madison was such a trooper. It is always hard to juggle things but it helps when the girls are so understanding when it doesn't work out that the whole family can make it. I tried to video it for Kevin but I wasn't prepared and the video camera was dead. I did get 1 1/2 of her songs on video before my other camera died. At least I have something for Kevin to see.

It is always fun to see how far the kids have come from last year. Madison is doing such a great job. I am so glad she will be playing again next year.

Tonsils

Today I took Allison and Ashley in to have their tonsils removed. Both of them are restless sleepers and snore so I took them in. Dr. Beck decided that it was best to get them out before they started causing more problems. Kevin had a busy day at work so Dawn came along for moral support. I think this was the best choice because Miss Dawn and Capri were just the distraction that the girls needed. Allison had had a month to think about this so she was getting nervous. Ashley needed distraction from the naughty people in the waiting room that didn't know how to read and follow instructions. There were plenty of signs all over the waiting room about not eating but they brought a happy meal and ice cream cone in for their child while they were waiting. I just wanted to smack them. I can't believe some people can be so inconsiderate.

Allison was on the schedule first which I at first thought was weird but Dr. Beck could tell when we had her appointment that she was more nervous then Ashley so she thought it was best.
Dr. Beck and her staff are just amazing. They did a great job and explaining everything and making the girls comfortable. They had stuff to distract them like being able to decorate their breathing mask.
Once they got Allison all prepped it was Ashley's turn.
The girls thought it was cool that they moved the curtain and they were able to share a room just like at home. Soon it was time for Allison to be wheeled away and all the distraction sure worked because she was wheeled away with a smile.
Now it was time to just sit and wait for Ashley's time. She talked basketball with the nurses. They got her excited to come home and watch March Madness. They brought her, her own bracket to fill out. She sat and looked at for such along time. She wanted to root for BSU but couldn't find them. I had to break it to her that they didn't make it. Before we knew it they were coming to wheel away Ashley. She didn't mind one bit when they took her away. I know that the friendly staff played a big roll in our positive experience and Miss Dawn.

Allison came out of anesthesia pretty well. She was groggy but nothing else.
Ashley came out of anesthesia quicker so her throat was still numb and she had a hard time with that. They had me come to her sooner then they had me come to Allison who slept longer. This was after they moved Ashley to the second recovery room and she was feeling better. The girls did a great job and ate their popsicle like the nurses wanted. It upset Ashley's stomach but she they gave her something for that. Before we knew it we were on home.
Dawn helped me get the girls settled and gave them each a little something before she headed home.
The afternoon went smoothly. The girls rested and drank their water like I ask them. They told us that it would be a good idea to have them sleep elevated to make them more comfortable. We moved Ashley's mattress into the living and put one end on some blankets and Allison slept in the recliner.
Lets hope the night goes smoothly like today.

Elections

I have been working the elections with Dawn for a little while. It has really been a lot of fun. I really enjoy the people that I get to interact with and just being a part of the process. Today Dawn had a conflict with her school schedule so they needed her to pick someone else to be the Chief Judge(boss) for the day. She ask me if I would do it. I was a little nervous because even though I enjoy working it is still intimidating. The day went great and there was no big problems. It was fun to be able to pull rank and tell them to get to work. The different color badge really made me important.

Basketball is over

Today the girls played their last games for this season. It has been a great season for all three girls. I have seen so much growth in their abilities.

Ashley was so much fun to watch. She started the season out with a bang and I was impressed with her abilities on the court. Well she ended with a bang too. Today's game she kept on rebounding and then turning around and making a shot. She ended up making 8 baskets. She also did a great job and staying with the girl that she was guarding. I am so proud of how hard Ashley played all season and she never gave up.

Allison also did a great job this season. Allison is right at the age where she recognize that it takes skill to play basketball and be good so she started questioning herself this season. She tried to tell me that she didn't know how to shoot and make it. Then one game she made a sweet shot which was probably the farthest shot that she has made in a game. It really helped boost her confidence and she stop doubting herself.
One of the biggest high lights for her was when she was picked to do the jump ball. I saw it in her face as they started to set up for it. Way to go Allison you had a great season. We are so proud of you.

Madison and her team had the best season that they have ever had. At Madison age there are several club basketball teams out there that play year round. Many of the girls on the other teams play in these clubs so they have more experience then our team. None of our girls play club ball. In seasons past we have struggled but this season they pulled it together. All of the girls made such strides. The biggest strides that Madison made were first with her aggression. If she started fighting a girl for the ball she never lost. She held onto it and wasn't letting go even if it was three against one. It was also fun to watch Madison do the jump ball. The girls she goes up against are no where close to her height but they certainly try. Madison improved on so many levels. It was so much fun to watch her play. I look forward to the many years to come.

Rockhop

Chaparral had a rock hop tonight. Allison and Ashley really wanted to go. I wasn't too sure about it because it is always so crowded. I finally came around and took the girls. We met some friends there which made it even more fun for the girls. For the rock hop they dressed up like the 80s. We really had some fun with and the girls looked so cute.

The girls had a lot of fun dancing around with their friends.
I am glad that I caved in and took them. They had a lot of fun and it wasn't as bad as I remembered.