Mama Gorilla and Baby Kimani

We LOVE going to the zoo and go as much as possible. Over the last couple years, we have had the priveledge of watching a little baby gorilla grow up. Her name is Kimani and she's so sweet... we saw her as a tiny baby and now she is a curious "toddler"... the exhibit has been totally renovated and there are more places to get up close to the gorillas. Here are Kevin and Ryan checking out mama and baby!

Mama


Baby Kimani

A Playdate with Connor

Kevin and Ryan love playing with Connor! We try to get together once a week usually at Child's Play in Weymouth. The boys have so much fun together, I finally remembered to bring my camera the last time we got together and just had to share the pictures - they are too cute!

Kevin and his *beloved* hippopotamus (No, not a hippo - it's a HIPPOPOTAMUS! Well according to Kevin it is!)... or as Kevin would say "Mine" hippopotamus!


Ryan's getting some shopping done!


Connor and Ryan... does Connor have the most gorgeous blue eyes you have ever seen or what!


Kevin and Connor riding the train! Good times, good times!

Faith Restored

OK, so Phil and Chris got voted out tonight thus disproving my American Idol conspiracy theory and I'm glad! We are down to the final 4 - who will be the next American Idol... and what did you think of Blake's rendition of "You Give Love A Bad Name"?

My American Idol Prediction

Last night when I watched American Idol - I pressed the Tivo "info" button and a short description of the show came up including the names of the contestants. However, it only listed FOUR of them. Coincidence? After tonight's reveal, there will be four left. Will it be the four mentioned on the "info" section of Tivo? Is this show really live? If so, Phil and Jordin will be going home. Time to go watch... so glad we have Tivo so I can fast forward through all the commercials!

Half right... half wrong?

Well, I do think the description part of this quiz is an accurate
description of me... the sandwich part couldn't me more wrong. I am
totally not into ham or turkey sandwiches and my mortal enemy is totally not the grilled cheese sandwich (gasp!)... In fact, my favorites are more like Norma's (www.notnormajean.blogspot.com)... peanut butter and jelly & grilled cheese!

You Are a Ham Sandwich

You are quiet, understated, and a great comfort to all of your friends. Over time, you have proven yourself as loyal and steadfast. And you are by no means boring. You do well in any situation - from fancy to laid back. Your best friend: The Turkey Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

I'm Lavender

You Are Lavender

You are a sweet person with a very soft personality. People become easily entranced with you. They seem to glow around you. You have a quiet energy that can keep you active late into the night. Even if you aren't the life of the party, you definitely keep the party going.

What Color Purple Are You?

Bring on the Peanut Butter!

OK, it's official ~ Kevin's no longer allergic to peanut butter! He had his "food challenge" on Wednesday. (That's where they fed him peanut butter in the allergist's office.) And I'm happy to say he passed with flying colors! They started out with a 1/4 of a teaspoon and gradually increased the portions until he had a total of 4 doses. We waited 15 minutes after each spoonful... Kevin was asking for more peanut butter on a purple spoon... he likes it, he likes it! This is going to be so much easier! Not to mention that it's one of my favorite foods! Peanut butter and banana sandwiches, here I come!

"Make Cheese"

Does anyone know what this means besides the obvious? My 3 year olds have been saying it... "Mom, can you make cheese while I'm sleeping?" or they'll come to the door of their bedroom and say "MAKE CHEESE", shut the door and run back to their beds giggling. Anyone got the 411 on making cheese or are they just plain ole silly?

$75.00 Popsicle

OK, call me a nervous Nellie but last night after we got home from
Kevin's appointment... I was concerned about Kevin... granted he was
due for anebulizer treatment and a dose of Tylenol... but the poor kid
was burning up, very itchy and having a difficult time breathing. I
kept thinking about hissats being 85 and even though they came up to
97, that was right after a treatment and what if they dropped down
again while he was sleeping? He was so miserable and not sleeping even
though he had taken a Benedryl for the itching so I decided I would take
him to the emergency room for a chest x-ray and then he'd be there if
he needed an IV or oxygen... so off we went. We arrived at midnight,
they did his x-ray pretty quickly but we didn't see the doctor til
after 3:00 am. Apparently no one is in x-ray past midnight that can
read the x-rays so we had to wait for an ER doctor to read them... in
the meantime, they gave him apopsicle, the doctor came in and said the x-ray looked fine and sent us on our way! So it's not pneumonia... we'll keep doing the nebs every 4 hours and he has 4 days left of Zithromax... I felt kind of silly paying $75.00 for the ER co-pay after paying $25.00 for the office visit plus $20.00 for prescriptions but better safe than sorry is my motto!

Poor Kev

Kevin's been under the weather for the last week or so... he was having a hard time breathing tonight and was actually asking me to take him to the doctor... good thing I did because he has an ear infection and his sat levels were 85... that's pretty low... they did a nebulizer treatment in the office and it came up to 97 so they felt confident enough to send us home... no x-ray so we don't know if it's pneumonia but the NP didn't think so; she thought he just sounded very wheezy... so we'll be doing nebs every 4 hours and he's doing a round of Zithromax for the ear infection... I'll be interested in how he does with it, the first time he took it way back when for his first ear infection, it did nothing... so we'll see... We go back to the doctor Friday night for a re-check. Keep little Kev in your prayers that he'll be feeling better soon.

What City Do You Belong In?

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Two Down... One To Go

Kevin's blood work for his peanut allergy was negative!!!! Next step is an "oral challenge" where they actually feed him peanut butter at the allergist's office. If that goes well, we are home free! That would be SO awesome! To not have to worry about Epi-pens and anaphylactic reactions... and to be able to have peanut butter in the house would be so SWEET! Wish us luck - our appointment is on April 25th at 8:30!

"But They Are Thirsty, Mom"

Kevin and Ryan's reply when asked why they were pouring Sprite into the fish bowl.

$4.99 versus $2.79

My kids love a cereal made by Quaker Oats called "Oatmeal Squares"... it's quite yummy! At Stop & Shop, it's $4.99... I spied it at Target today for $2.79 - what's that all about?

Greetings!

Need a greeting card? Tired of the cards at the store? Looking for something fresh, creative and handmade? Well, I've got the place for you! My sister in law, Kelly, has started a handmade card and invitation business and she's quite good at it! :o) If you have a special event coming up and need some invites, give her a call. She also sells cards in lots of 10 for $20 which is cheaper than the store anyway! Here is the link to her website:

I can't get the link to work so if anyone can help me - let me know! Here's the address anyway...

http://handmadecdsandinv.blogspot.com/

Go Diego Go!

Last Saturday we made the journey downtown to see Go Diego Go at the Boston Opera House. I purchased the tickets a very long time ago... Even though I purchased them during the "presale" which required a password (it was GROWL, very tricky indeed!).. we had just about the worst seats in the house. We were in the next to last row in the highest balcony us in the theatre. There was a big column behind so no seats behind us but there was another row to the side of the column. We didn't tell the kids where we were going until we go there ~ and they were very surprised! The show was pretty cute and the kids had a great time! We let them choose one toy each... Kevin and Ryan opted for the crazy light up flashlight toys and Eddie went with the very fashionable Diego vest. Good choices. All in a all a fun filled day! The kids love any chance they get to ride the T! Good times, good times. In the lobby, they were taking free pictures of the kids with a big Diego sign... I figured for sure it was a scam somehow but it wasn't as bad as I thought. It's sponsored by some insurance company so when you go to claim your picture online, you have to answer a little survey. When it came time for us to have our picture taken, Kevin wanted to "be" Diego and originally Eddie was Diego so that's why Kevin is crying... Enjoy!

NEGATIVE

I can't remember the last time the word "negative" meant something positive... but today Kevin got his annual allergy scratch test and his peanut testing was NEGATIVE! That's not the final answer YET but it's a good sign! Last year when he had his scratch test, it was hugely positive... our next step is to do blood work... and if that is negative, we'll go in for an "oral challenge"... that's when they actually feed him peanut butter in the office (just a teeny tiny bit, like a quarter of a teaspoon) and see what happens... knowing that medical attention is at the ready if need be. I hope that it truly is negative!

On the other hand, he's extremely allergic to cats which we knew... and also allergic to oak trees, birch trees and a group of trees called "trees 2".... and dust & dust mites... so we need to clean out his room, cover his mattress, box spring and pillow... remove stuffed animals and books... and maybe use an air filter. He'll start on Claritin and if that doesn't work, we'll try Allegra and if that doesn't work, Zyrtec (which he's had before)....

I'll keep ya posted on the blood results!
~Dawn

Sweet Dreams

I'm Out of Here

I'm off to the aiport soon and the cruise leaves tomorrow so I'll see you when I get back - on March 12th!

Butt Butt Toilet

OK so I guess this is life with three boys... but (pun intended) they think anything and everything to do with using the bathroom is the most hilarious thing EVER and have taken to calling each other "butt butt toilet" and many other variations of all things potty related.

Well, tomorrow is my cruise! Wahoo! At least it'll be a little break from all the potty talk!