A Call from the VICE PRINCIPAL!!!!

Mon., Aug. 25th--- So this afternoon I get a call from the Vice Principal at CTA-- (didn't even know they had a vice principal).  She starts by saying... Mrs. Fairrington, I had a talk with Chase today.  Seriously, I am thinking what the heck happened.  I have NEVER been called by the principal, vice principal, teacher or anyone for that matter regarding Chase.   She proceeds to tell me that while at recess (I'm thinking what.... did he get in a fight, did he get hurt, did he break a rule, was he a bully....things he has never done) he..... ATE AN ANT!  She says that a few boys were all there and hears them say he ate an ant.  So she talks to him about why he maybe shouldn't eat an ant and he tells her that he does it all the time.  I asked her if he was joking and she says, "Oh no, he says he does this all the time!" What!!??!!??  Then, she tells me that he went into detail about how he ripped off the legs and the body (BTW- how do you disect an ant?)  So, I was a bit confused and could not wait for Chase to get home so that I could talk to him about it.  When he gets home I ask him what happened and he replies... we were just goofing off.  He proceeds to tell me the story (the same one she told however it came off just a little different).   I tell him that she told me he said he does it all the time.  He says, well yeah mom, that time in Kindergarten that me and Maddox ate an ant.  (I'm not sure that eating an ant in Kindergarten and now you're in 3rd grade equals eating them all the time.)  And then he tells me but mom, I smeared most of the body away and all that was left was one puney leg and I ate that.  (Not sure that is pulling off the legs and the body.)  Whatever, it was nice that she called to tell me that my son ate an ant but, I'm not sure what the intention of the call was.  Was it to let me know in case he got sick?, was it to let me know they thought he was not being fed at home?, do they think he has cruelty to animals issues? did they want me to ground him?  I'm not sure?  I do know that I hope the next time I get a call from the school it is for something worthy of a phone call and having my son be nervous all day about it (she told him that she was going to call me.)  Chase is a good kid and I know he felt so nervous all day about her calling me.  I hate to think he felt nervous all day about this.  Now if he had gotten in a fight, broke a rule, flooded the bathroom intentionally, launched spit balls during class--- now those are things worth feeling nervous about and having the vice principal calling home about but, eating an ant?  O, Brother!-- I hope this does not affect his chances at Harvard!

Team Charlene Auction!

Sat., Aug. 23rd-- We had the auction for the Holbrooks.  Let me just say that it was awesome!  There were so many people and so many that gave of their time, talents and money.  It was great to see all the support from the community and complete strangers.  I am so glad to have seen it all and been there to help such a great family.  Charlene, Curt and their cute boys- Luke, Ty and Jake are such an amazing family.  The food was awesome, the conversation was great and the apron that I won is soooo darn cute!   

Picture Day!

Chase- All ready in 2 minutes!

Hayden- Cute Hair!!!! (Hayden never wears her hair down- she always wants it in a ponytail).

Thurs., Aug. 21st--- Picture day.  That pretty much says it all.  Even if it is school picture day it causes me to sweat.  The night before I had washed Hayden's hair and put it in sponge curlers.  Well, in the morning her hair was still not dried (she has very thick hair) so that was a bust.  Anyway, I made do and did a cute little french braid just across her bangs and curled the ends of the back.  She looked so adorable.  Well, Hayden proceeds to tell me that she hates it and that everyone will tell her how dumb her hair looks and then..... she is not going to smile in her pictures.  She has threatened this MANY times-- and followed through on her threats.  So, I tell her that if she doesn't smile she won't get to have a birthday party-- ( I threaten things all the time that I know I won't follow through on- so, I always find a way for them to earn it back).  Bad parenting I'm sure.  Anyway- she says she does not care.  I asked her if anyone has ever told her that her hair looked dumb and she answered no.  So, I'm not sure why she thinks someone would say that to her now.  So dealing with all that (getting Chase ready was a breeze) made me sweaty and bugged but, at least I did not have the option to go down to the school and bribe her/threaten her like I do when I take them to Kiddie Kandids.  

When she came home she said that her teacher and three other girls said how cute her hair was so she was happy and told me that she did smile in her pictures (so whew... she will still have a birthday party-- lol!) 

Blake's First Day of Preschool

Blake's all ready for SCHOOL!

Mrs. Farnsworth and all the kids!

What a fun day!

Tues., Aug. 19--- Today was Blake's first day of preschool.  He was so excited to go.  He woke up and put his backpack on and kept saying-- today is Tuesday mom!  He had been so excited for Tuesday to come (we told him everyday that he would be going to school on Tuesday.)  He took off his backpack for a few minutes to get in the bath and then it was right back on.  He looked so cute and grown up.  He goes to Tammy's Treasures Preschool and his teacher is Mrs. Farnsworth.  He loves her so much and now thinks that Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best days of the week.  

Lauren's First Tooth

Sat., Aug. 16-- Lauren was very fussy during Chase's baptism.  Crying, only wanting me to hold her and then still crying.  This can be typical for her at times (especially while in church).  She wanted to nurse the whole time (again very typical).  I have been feeling her gums constantly because I could feel a bump and knew very soon that a tooth would be popping out.  Sure enough after the baptism I felt and there it was!  Lauren's first tooth at 9.5 mos!  She is definatly my latest teether but that is fine with me (again back to the nursing).  So, I will always remember her first tooth was on Chase's baptism!  (Chase got his first tooth on Kaden's first birthday- he was 5.5 mos.) Here's to more teeth and LESS nursing!

Chase's Baptism

Chase's Baptism Day- Aug. 16, 2008

Chase and Dad

Michael, Scott, Grandpa, Chase, Dad, Spencer and Steven

Chase and Kaden

Thanks to all the Cousins for coming to Chase's Baptism.

Grandma, Grandpa and Chase

GREAT Grandma Mag and Chase

WE LOVE YOU CHASE!

Sat., August 16-- Today Chase was baptized.  I am so proud of him!  He is such a good boy and a great big brother.  I could not have asked for a better kid.  He looked very handsome all dressed up and we had such a nice day.   Brian did a great job and looked very handsome as well.  His baptism was at 11am and we had all of our family there.  Grandpa and Grandma, Grandma Mag, Scott Heywood Family, Steve Heywood Family, Sheri Huber Family, Spencer, Emily, Sam, Figueroa's, Foster's, Bro. Campos, Debbie Hassell, Scott and Owen Brenay, and the Connole's (Chase's Primary teachers).  Grandma and Spencer gave the talks-- great job--- thanks Spencer for having Chase spit in the chapel!  Sorry to all those who experienced the slight irreverance of the Heywood family! LOL  After the baptism we went to Serrano's for lunch.  It was so yummy and they accomodated all 35 of us! Again more irreverance-- at one point we were missing about 5 of the kids and found them at the bar watching the Olympics.  Lots of laughs, 100 Shirley Temples, Fried Ice Cream, Pop Rocks, and 2 hours later we left Serrano's!  I am sure they were happy to see us leave.  I have such a great, fun family and I am so glad that they were there to share the day with us!

She Did It!

Well, it's official... Lauren is walking!  I can't believe it.  She is only 9 mos. and thinks she should just walk now.  She stands herself up (not holding on to anything) and takes about 5 steps, falls, gets back up and so on.....  Chase walked at 9 mos as well but Hayden and Blake did not walk until they were 1.  I thought for sure that Lauren may not walk until she was maybe 3.  I hold her all day and take her everywhere with me.  Her floor time is very limited due to her being in my arms.  And, my sisters little boy who is 4 weeks older than Lauren and never wants anyone to hold him (he always wants to be on the ground doing something) has no interest in walking.  I think they just come with their own timelines of when they do things.  She is so fun to watch but at the same time it is so sad because she is just growing up too fast.  Now she just needs to work on getting some teeth!

My Guilty Pleasure!

 So, now that the older two kids are in school we have a new routine for the day.  Part of that rountine is not as much cleaning and not as many trips to the kitchen (both of which I am enjoying).  Well, another thing that has changed in our routine is that Blake has started taking a nap.  He has not napped for months.  But, around 1pm everyday I go to find him because I have not seen him in a while and sure enough he is asleep.  This has now turned into my new guilty pleasure.  Lauren is always awake at this time so we go to kitchen and dish up a big bowl of gelato for her and myself!  Our friends had a Gelato shop and I stocked up ($40 worth) on my two favorites- cookies and cream and watermelon.  Then, we go upstairs and listen to music (thanks to Shannon Birman's blog and the Gift for Gavin blog)!  We eat our gelato and dance to the music.  Lauren is so cute when she hears the music --- she sings and moves her head and whole body at times to the rhythm.  She bounces up and down and laughs.  It cracks her up to watch me dance--- because I am sure that it looks very funny!  This is my favorite part of the day!  I love one on one time with my kids and this time with Lauren is so fun!

Lunch with Kristen and Amy

On Tues., July29th-- Kristen, Amy and I got together for lunch at Kristen's house.  Kristen, Amy and I were all friends in High School and went away to college for our first year together, came home for the second year together and have stayed in touch ever since.  Kristen has 4 cute kids- John, Matthew, Megan and Shea.  Meagan and Blake are only about 6 weeks apart and they played so well together.  Blake kept telling me how he thought Megan was cute.  Shea and Lauren are only about 4.5 months apart.  (Megan looks just like Darla on the Little Rascals only with blond hair).  Amy has the cutest little guy, Ryder.  He just turned a year and is so sweet.  He kept hugging her and trying to pick her up and would get so frusterated because he couldn't.  Lauren was a great sport and I am sure she loved all the attention.  It is crazy to think that we have been out of school for 16 years!  We are so old.  It was great to get together and I can't wait to do it again!

Lauren is 9 months!

Lauren turned 9 mos. on July 26th.  I can't believe it.  My little baby is getting so big.  She crawls everywhere and pulls herself up on everything and lets go.  She is not walking yet but, I think she will be very soon.  She still has NO teeth (which is fine with me-- still nursing).  She LOVES to nurse and thanks to that she goes everywhere with me.  I really don't mind it though (most of the time).  Getting my hair done is a little tricky and it would be nice to go to a restaurant with just Brian and I but other than that I really enjoy my little sidekick!  She is a very sweet baby who loves to snuggle and just be anywhere that I am.  She shakes her head back and forth everytime we play music and she has the best laugh.  It cracks me up everytime she laughs.  She loves to play with Hayden and has missed her so much since Hayden started school.  She loves to play with toys and take baths.  She loves any kind of food-- especially veggies.  Fruits are not her favorite but she will eat them.  She loves popsicles and suckers and cheetos (I know... but, when you are trying to make dinner, what do you do?)  She still does not sleep through the night but I blame myself for that one.  I can't let her cry and I bring her into my bed.  (This is a huge issue for me and now I still have a 5 yr old in my bed.)  I can't help it, I love to snuggle them.  Lauren has been such a great addition to our family and I am so grateful that she is here and happy and healthy!  We love you sooooo much Lauren.

Who knew one little pill could cause so much damage?

On Monday, July 28th-- Brittny (my cousin) took a Vitamin C pill.  After she swallowed it she realized that it did not go down and was stuck in her throat.  She kept trying to get it to go down but nothing worked.  Finally, her own saliva was not going down and she was spitting it out in a cup.  After 10 HOURS--(I can't believe she waited that long) she went to Banner Baywood Emergency room.  When she got there they told her they did not have a doctor on call for that and they gave her a room and a sleeping pill.  It knocked her out until the next morning.  When the doctor came in they told her she would have to go in to surgery.  Very minor , just put a tube down and get it out.  Well, when the doctor got in there he realized that basically the vitamin C pill had basically turned into the consistency of cement.  He had to scrape it out.  During surgery he punctured a hole in her esophagus!!!  They took her by ambulance to Good Sam in Phoenix!  She is still in the hospital and when I talked to her yesterday she said they did the test on her to see if the hole had closed up but, that they would not have the results until late last night.  If the hole is closed up then she can finally eat (she has not eaten since Sun. night!)  If the hole is not closed up they will have to give her a feeding tube.  Not to mention that when they tried giving her IV's her veins kept blowing (she has very small veins) so they had to do a pic line.  She said she feels fine other than being sooo hungry.  And the worst part.... she has to share a room.  I would hate that!  At least she has her own TV but still.  Hopefully the hole has closed up and she will get to go home soon- to her own room.