Coloring eggs.

I love coloring eggs the night before Easter. We usually boil many dozen of eggs just so that everyone has plenty of eggs to experiment with and color! This year, the boys did a great job and it went really fast! Here a a few pics!




BTW, that's a world map on our wall in the kitchen behind C. I am not very good at Geography so I put the map up on the wall so I could see it all the time. I also refer to it with the boys when we talk about other countries so that they see it all in perspective (and hopefully won't end up like me!)

Our trip to Mt. Leconte Lodge

We went to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park last week and hiked up Alum Cave Trail to the top. We started hiking up the mountain to the lodge at 8:30am last Monday morning. It was a nice cool morning and we knew we had a long day ahead to hike up the 5.5 miles to get there. We had previously hiked on trails in Arkansas and were a little experienced with the easy trails that were rocky or semi-dangerous. We weren’t sure exactly what to expect except what I had read on the lodge site forum (what to bring, how to prepare etc.) Of course, they suggested lots of walking, especially up stairs etc. Since I had injured my knees (one, then the other) within the last six months, I didn’t do that but I knew I was could be careful in order to do it. I put on knee braces and used two hiking poles.


This is us at the beginning of our hike.


The first two miles were absolutely beautiful (we walked mostly beside a creek) and it was easy even though it was all uphill (not too steep.)




We stopped for lunch for about a half an hour and ended up making it to the lodge at 3:30pm! Initially, we thought C would get in the baby backpack carrier but he wanted to walk so we let him. Hubby walked next to him practically the entire time (helping him up each step or around the next dangerous curve) and the really bonded. As it turned out, C walked six hours (yes, 6!) and we carried him the last hour up to the top. We realized that the last mile was the most dangerous (there were cables to hold so you wouldn’t slip down the side or misstep/slide off) so it worked out very well!





We stayed in a lodge which had three bedrooms. We had one of the bedrooms which included a double bunk bed and a twin bed. C and I shared the twin bed and my brother and nephew took one of the bunks and Hubby and S took the top one. Each cabin or lodge had a porch with rocking chairs. There was no electricity and no showers. Water was available and there were toilets. They provided meals and we stayed two nights. They also had the option of endless wine at dinner (for one hour.)




During the night, there was a storm (wind, rain) and then the second day, it snowed/sleeted all day! Of course, us Texans were SO happy! We played in it and walked around a long time! We took lots of pics (thinking that it’d quit snowing at any time) and there ended up getting about 4 inches throughout the day.





This is the lodge where we stayed.



This is all of us in front of the dining room on the second day.



This is the view from our front porch (Gatlinburg in distance.)



On the third day, we hiked back down. It took us five and a half hours. Most people probably go down faster but we walk at 3 year old speed, lol! I carried C down the first two and a half hours in the backpack and he walked the rest of the way.





On one part of the trail, it was really scary. There really was no trail, you had to hold on to the cable because the rocks were angled down (and it and most of the trails were bluffs with no bottom in sight.)



From the other side.



The view from there.



A section of the trail (see how narrow it is!)



There were cool footbridges too.







We’re really sore right now, lol! The kids were absolutely great! S carried a pack 90% of the time (except for the last little bit to the top) and stayed right with us. C was a trooper!! My brother/nephew like to go fast and had to wait for all of us and I was like the tortoise….slow and steady! Such an awesome place...I loved that I shared it with my family and my brother (and nephew.) Definitely the most physically challenging thing I have ever done! It was such a great experience!!!

School Carnival

My kiddo's school carnival was held today. It was really hot and I should have put sunscreen on all of us! My toddler and I drank three bottles of water and he wolfed down a bowl of ice cream while my kindergartener ran around most of the time. The favorite things to do are to crunch confetti eggs on people's heads and squeeze invisible ink on others.

I was attacked by killer bees!

Sounds like the name of a movie, huh? But seriously, we were at my SIL's this past weekend. She lives in South Texas. Every morning, we go for a walk with her (and BIL's) 5 dogs on the road next to their house. The dogs like to run around, chase bunnies (once in a while if they see them....they don't catch them) or check out stuff as we walk.

We noticed one dog having a bee or two flying around it stinging it. Then another. My kindergartener, (S), and I stopped and froze (what we usually do if bees start flying around us.) My hubby (DH) and my toddler, (C,) (who I put in his backpack carrier on DH's back just a couple minutes earlier...he had been walking next to me) were behind us a little bit. Fortunately, when he saw what was happening, he stopped and very slowly started backing up in a straight line without moving anything else. From a distance, DH said he saw a the swarm like a fog come up from the culvert and fly into us. I saw my BIL (who is 68) start waving his hat around his head. Then I noticed S right next to me and his neck and shoulders had at least 15 bees all over them. He started screaming. Then as SIL started swatting, I felt them all over me. It was surreal and it wasn't making sense, it took a second or two before we started to run. We all started running (as S is still screaming) toward the house which was about 400 or 500 feet away...they have a long driveway out in the middle of the country.)

At one point, I overextended myself as I was knocking the bees off of S's back (and fell cutting my knee, elbow and hand (tearing my capris,) which I didn't realize until much later.) I jumped back up and started running again. The bees continued to sting me...mostly my head. It seemed with all of us, that they stung the head area mostly (face, shoulders, neck and head.) I only had a few stings on my back and my entire head seemed like it was on fire. They were all in my hair and I couldn't get them out...I just kept hearing that awful buzzing sound. It was a traumatic experience and extremely scary for all of us. They were so aggressive and bit us the whole time they chased us!!

When we got to the house, we just went inside (the bees had chased us all the way there and were still stinging us.) Once inside, I think the communication was cut off between them and the rest of the swarm/queen and they stopped. Either that or they didn't like the air conditioning. They seemed to stop stinging and go to the window to try to get out. We killed about 50 - 100 bees that were attached to the dogs and us when we came inside. I think it could have been SO much worse if there were only one of us rather than 9 targets (dogs and people.) S continued to scream (which made it so stressful.) It took a while to get the last bee out of my hair! We took benedryl and advil immediately. SIL went in her vehicle right afterwards to go pick up DH and C. By that time, they had continued to back up backwards far away from the incident. When they got in the truck, there were still bees on her that she had missed that they killed. As they passed by the culvert area, my sunglasses were on the road (where I had falled) and DH said there were about 50 bees still swarming them. The bees followed their vehicle as well back to the house. They sat in the truck about 5 minutes before running into the house.

S had about 5-9 bites just on one ear and the bites were indistinguishable from each other (as were mine) since there were so many. My entire head under my hair felt like it were on fire! Later, I saw (from the mirror) some red bite areas where I was bitten on my neck and back) and didn't even feel them. I gave him a cold compress to put on S's ear (and put on Spongebob to try to distract him.) Even though I had kids benedryl and ibuprofen, I gave S an adult benedryl and one adult advil. We called the Sheriff's Dpt (who said they didn't really do 'bees' but offered to send out an ambulance.) We said we'd call back if we needed them. DH is a EMS and we watched S carefully. After about two hours, we were feeling better....didn't hurt as bad. That night, it hurt just to put my head on a pillow and took a long time to go to sleep. Now, a couple days later, SIL and I still have a few bites each that are still swollen and itchy. SIL will be calling around today to see if there is anybody we need to notify etc. She was thinking that kids who are stung multiple times can become more prone to allergic reactions later if stung again so I'll call his pediatrician later to explain/ask, just in case.

Here is a pic of one bee dying on the kitchen counter (BIL sprayed it with wasp spray.) They look just like honey bees, maybe a little smaller.


DH felt helpless as he saw us getting stung when there was nothing he could do. We still don't know why he was behind us when it all started (neither of us could remember anything in particular happening that would make he and C be so far behind us) but were SO thankful they were. I called my brother to have him surf for info (because their house is at the bottom of a hill and they can't get internet..our cellphones don't work there either but they do have a landline) and one website said apparently, they can continue to sting anything within 1/4 mile for up to 24 hours after agitated. We think one of the dogs agitated them (the dogs always check out that area....either they weren't there before on previous walks or were already agitated when we got there.) We were incredibly lucky it wasn't worse...definitely provides a good story.

http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/sep/stories/kbees.html

Getting better -

It's been a week but we're finally on the upside of being sick. Never have we all been sick at once (the kiddos and I) but the good part of it was that none of us had an appetite so I didn't have to worry about food! The only sign of our sickness is my toddler's runny nose. And at the height of it all, I had strange hives/rashes all over. After considering all the possible allergens I could have gotten into (and the fact that benedryl wasn't working), I resorted to going to the doctor and getting a shot (to help it go away faster.) Luckily, today I haven't been itching as much (and it's almost completely gone.)

On one evening, the kids and I were all laying in bed feeling miserable. The boys fell asleep and looked precious so I snapped a shot.

My friend needs a hug

I have been accumulating airline miles for a free roundtrip for months. I was hoping to go visit my brother (and his family) in the west but within months, he was transferred (he is in the Navy) to a state where my airline won't fly...Hawaii! Of course, now I have to start saving to visit him there!! But in the meantime, I had aquired two trips that I needed to use up before they expired.

Needless to say, last week, I was thinking of options when my husband suggested that I fly to see my friend (whose seven months old baby was in the hospital and had been in the NICU for a few months.) I had met my friend in person about four or five years ago at a gathering of friends. Her and I have kids (the kindergarteners) who were born on the same day. We each have four kids as well. Even though we don't get a chance to meet up in person, we talk on the phone often or the internet (where we initially met.) Since my kiddo was out next week for spring break, I thought about the possibility of flying there with my kids and visiting to give her a break.

But, life has a way of making other plans. Instead of going to give her a break, I will be attending a memorial service for her baby. She now has three children as her fourth grew angel wings and flew to a better place. The baby's heart issues (that were discovered even before birth) weren't totally fixed even after several surgeries. I was the first person she told when she discovered she was pregnant with this baby. It wasn't a planned pregnancy and the father chose to move on...but she loved her little one from the beginning.

She mentioned bringing the baby's things home from the hospital afterwards and just laying the blanket in the crib (unwashed) so she could still smell her. I remember that feeling from after my mom's passing. I loved to go to my mom's closet and try to smell her long after she was gone. From the movie Hope Floats, a scene like that makes me cry every time.

So, my boys and I will fly in a couple days and stay for several days with her. It won't make everything better but I'll be there in case she needs a shoulder or an ear and mostly, to give her a hug.

Paying It Forward

My kiddo had a holiday from school on Monday (President's Day) so I decided to do something fun. I found a nature scavenger hunt list online and we went to a nearby state park hiking. We have been there in the past but usually to play at the playground only. We packed a backpack (with drinks), the list (and pencil to check off it items found or seen), a few snacks, diaper/wipes for the toddler and my camera.



The first trail we picked to hike ran along a creek and was interesting. It was a mile long and then the second trail (to return) was over a mile as well. It was, in hindsight, probably too long to walk as a first hike in a long time. My kindergartener enjoyed finding things on our list (and we put some in a bag we were carrying - those things that weren't part of the park like flowers etc. but like berries, leaves from the ground, bark from a tree, pinecone, to name a few.) Surprisingly, the toddler walked the first leg of the hike, a good mile, with no issues. It's at that point that I realized that I should have brought the baby backpack. I ended up carrying him most of the second mile back. But it wasn't too bad since we were walking so slow to begin with, lol!



Afterwards, we were famished and went to a diner place (Waffle House.) The kids love their waffles and I think their chili rocks! We drove about ten minutes to get there (and my toddler and I were still red as we always get that way when we get hot.) Oh, it was really hot (what happened to spring? it's already hot!) and our backs were sweaty too. We ordered our food and then talked until our food arrived. We sat in a booth right next to the counter where people were sitting and eating. I noticed there was a man close to us but never made eye contact but observed that he looked similar to a friend's husband (but clearly wasn't because he had less hair.) The kids and I talked about where we walked. I had my kindergartener trace the trails and I was showing my toddler letters on his cup of milk that he was drinking. Nothing unusual occurred, well, other than the kids were very well behaved probably because they were so tired that they had no energy to act up!

When it was time to leave, I asked the waitress for our check. She said nope. I was confused and said that I hadn't received it yet. She then said that a little bird had already paid for it. Totally confused now, I asked for more clarification. Apparently the guy sitting near us asked to pay for our meal. He left long before we finished (I didn't even see him leave) and with no explanation other than he wanted to pay for it. I was floored! Completely surprised by such a generous act of kindness. Of course, since it was a great feeling, I definitely need to pass it on to someone else in the near future!

This weekend -

This weekend has been fun! The weather is great (almost too hot - the air conditioner has definitely been on) and we've been outside a lot. Yesterday, we opened up a gift we received from my aunt (for the boys) at Christmas. It turned out to be a huge ball you can ride in (there was no description on the box but it looked big so I waited for decent weather to open it.) The neighbor kids came over and all the kids took a turn in it! Well, the toddler didn't but he did get inside and look around.



(in mid roll)




We also jumped on the trampoline. This is my neighbor jumping with my toddler. (Her kids were playing in the sand next to us.)


My toddler stayed on it a really long time!


Later on, I went to see a movie with a friend. We saw Unknown (with Liam Neeson) and I really loved it. I like those dramas with mysteries and adventure.

Bright and early this morning, my kindergartener said he was going outside hunting (with his plastic nerf gun.) He came back in a few minutes later and said that he didn't realize that we had raccoons around here. I asked about how he knew that and he insisted I follow him. When I did, he showed me the tree (and there was his tiny stuffed raccoon sitting on a limb.) It was precious! I ran back in to get my camera and by the time I returned, he had moved 'Ricky Raccoon' but was still in the tree. So, I snapped a pic.


At lunch, my kindergartener begged to go to a nearby Chinese buffet. I really don't like them (as I don't eat enough to cover the amount of money I spend there) but he asked so nicely. We went and he enjoyed two plates of crawfish. This is him sucking the head of a crawfish (he is finishing his second plate.)


After lunch, we returned home and I put my toddler down for a nap. Ten minutes later, I went to check on him. He had pulled all the sheets off of his mattress and looked like this when I saw him. Well, technically, I peeked through the crack of the door, saw what he was doing and came in with a camera. I have seen him do this before (but hadn't confronted him on it) so it was a good time to remind him what he was supposed to be doing in there. So, I closed the drapes, put the sheets back on and tucked him back into bed.


He slept a good three hours today (enough time for me to upload pictures, check my mail, and read the newspaper.) I even cleaned the kitchen and living room (I just love a clean house!)

The Kid's Kitchen -

The kitchen my kiddos got for Christmas has been a source of entertainment! Luckily, Santa got this heavy-duty kitchen (over 80 pounds) because it wouldn't fall down and seemed sturdy, according to the customer reviews on Amazon. It took about a couple hours to put together (and there were no words in the instructions...only pictures, which surprisingly proved to be very helpful.) When you take out the sink, you can fit in an average six year old!


Yes, the stove part is big! An average toddler will fit inside with the shelf removed and can pretend to be a turkey (even though they wear a frog costume.)


Naturally, I had to open the stove periodically and baste the huge turkey with my pretend butter (complete with sound effects and cup.)


Heavy and well put together, it easily holds lots of weight on the top as well! Little boys are so much fun!!! I haven't yet moved it out our living room, lol! It's convenient to watch them play while in this room so I just left it....I'll eventually move it.

computer woes

Well, technically, there aren't any more woes but last week, out of the blue, my mouse quit working. I went to the store and bought another...even the new one didn't work. So, I used my daughter's new wireless mouse (thinking it was a port issue) and even with that, nothing worked. Ugh! My port worked fine (with my cameras hooking up) but it was just a mouse thing!

I buy Dell computers (because they've had great service if anything messed up with my previous purchases) and I have a Dell credit card (so I can pay them off usually without accumulating interest.) So after uninstalling and checking troubleshooting issues with no solution, I called Dell's service technicians.

Had I given the guy the correct computer tag number initially, it probably would have gone well. But, unfortunately since I have bought more than one, I didn't realize that the number that came up when I went to the website when they identified my service tag number that I should have actually checked the back of my laptop instead of assuming that number was the correct one. So... when the guy checked for issues, nothing came up. It wasn't until the end of our two hour call that I realized that I had given the poor guy the wrong number. Nevertheless, I had a really good experience and conversation with Surendra (from India) who was respectful (even when I asked a few times exactly what he wanted me to do), professional (knew what to do to troubleshoot my issues), and very courteous. While waiting for the computer to reboot over and over while installing and uninstalling software, I found out that he was 27, lived with his parents (his older sisters were married and have moved on) and he was still looking for the 'right one.'

I know that jokes are made about calling for service and there are people with thick accents helping (and to an extent, that was true) but I am so impressed that a guy in another country whose first language was not English could communicate with me to ask me to do things with my laptop to assist fixing it using technical computer terms. And after my issues were solved and he had access to my system, before logging off, he had chatted in the little box. As I thanked him for his patience with me, he wrote, "Thank you mam, it was my deauty." Perhaps he thought that it was his duty, but having been 'helped' by other people like with my phone/cable enough times with inefficient assistance, I can say that not everybody thinks the same way...I was incredibly satisfied! (btw, I also let Dell know this as well.)

Around here...

...we've been having a pretty good week! It's really cold (for us, that is) so we've been inside a lot. The kiddos have been getting along really well (although their room looks like a tornado just went through!) Even the big kiddo has been good! She's been back home since before Christmas. It's nice to have her around again. I even sent her to the grocery store the other day (with only needing a couple items but giving her the permission to get snacks.) She came back with a bunch of bags with nothing to eat, lol! There were definitely a lot of snacks (she and my kindergartener went together.) I pretended I were her and made a few comments as if I couldn't find anything I liked or asked if she got (some item she had no idea I wanted but didn't get.) She got the idea...it's different on the 'other' side!



I also had a birthday dinner with my former coworkers. We go out three times a year around each of our birthdays (and the other two pay for the meal.) It was a really great evening and I loved the conversation and company! It was M's birthday (the one on the right.) Of course, I'm in the middle!


My MIL had an issue (she was nonresponsive) so her ALF sent her to the ER. As it turned out, she wasn't having a stroke as they suspected but was dehydrated. After a few days in the hospital, we signed her up for hospice so that their doctors will decide in the future is she needs to return to the hospital for something like that (or treat her where she lives now.) While the initial fluids made her feel great...
(this is her clapping to my toddler)



...she eventually got disoriented. At one time, she asked if I were a woman or a girl. She normally thinks we are childhood friends (perhaps in grade school.) I told her that I am a woman but feel like a child sometimes and laughed. When she gets a little confused, I answer and then start talking about something else. Or if she is talking and I can't understand her (which is very common), I start talking about something else like what I did that day or had for lunch. She loves hearing me talk regardless of what I talk about.

Yesterday, with an upcoming winter blast and the expectation of some kind of winter slush/ice/snow, my kindergartener's school closed early. After I picked him up, he requested crabs. We went to a seafood restaurant where he proceeded to eat a half dozed bbq crabs! He patiently sat and cracked the legs/shells and pulled the meat out. My toddler and I were done long before he was so we sat and watched him eat the rest.


This was as close to a smile as I could get as he didn't want to slow down and smile long enough for me to get a picture. My toddler and I played "I Spy" while he finished to keep us preoccupied (it seemed more appropriate than what my toddler had been currently doing...crawling under the table.)


As it turned out, we got no snow... :(