Croup

Last week Grace caught a cold. She wasn't stuffed up, but had a cough that just got worse and worse. Wednesday night was rough, with Grace coughing so hard she was having a hard time catching her breath and started throwing up. We cranked the shower in the bathroom and hung out there in the steam for a bit. Her cough and breathing settled and she went back to sleep; I slept in her bed with her and she was awake several times from coughing. Brian took her to the doctor on Thursday and we were told she had croup. She got a puffer and an anti-inflammatory med. She did great with the puffer and was really good about drinking the medicine, even though she said it tasted awful (which I'm sure it did, based on the smell).
She is doing much better now, and for the past couple days has only been coughing if she pushes herself too hard or is running and jumping around for too long.  I'm glad she had just a mild bout of croup, because I know people whose kids get it really bad and have had to make many trips to the ER in the middle of the night. It was still rough and I hated hearing her cough so bad throughout the night!
Now I have the cold and it better clear up soon! There is nothing worse than having a bad cold in the summer!

Sisters & Best Buds

For the most part, the girls get along really well. Of course they get on each others nerves sometimes and have been known to yell, hit, and push each other, but most days they are the best of friends. Yesterday was one of those days were they got along well all day and were so lovey with each other; they wanted to be near each other all day. So sweet.

Happy Father's Day!

Brian was supposed to play ball on Sunday morning but the game was cancelled due to the rain, so he got to sleep in for Father's Day after all! We had Zilla and Bampers over for supper and had some nice bbq'd steaks, roasted potatoes, and ceaser salad. I told Brian I would do most of the work but that it would be better for everyone if he did the bbq'ing. Supper was delicious, and Zilla brought a cake that said "#1 Dad" on it so we sang Happy Father's Day to Brian and Bampers, to the tune of Happy Birthday.

The girls have the most kind, loving, fun, patient Dad who loves them so much! They are also lucky to have two wonderful grandfathers. I predicted that Bampers would tear up reading the card I gave him and I was right! I am so thankful to have such a great Dad, and an awesome husband who is an amazing Dad to our girls. Happy Father's Day!

Playground Clean-Up

Gracie and I picked up the litter at the playground yesterday. We talked about the importance of not littering and she was quite proud of the big bag of garbage we picked up.

We did some puddle jumping too!

Gardening Update

We planted the rest of our veggies earlier this week. Cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, squash and pumpkins, along with the beans we already planted. Everything is looking well so far, but we're not sure how well the cucumbers will do... the leaves are looking a little yellow already. We had the same problem with cucumbers last year and ended up planting different ones later in June which ended up doing pretty good.

I really like this picture of Brian. Too bad Grace has her eyes closed!

And our beans are starting to pop through the soil!

Wordless Wednesday (More Fake Sleeping)

Even Lennan is getting in on the action lately! 

Fake Sleeping

My siblings and I (and a few close friends) like to fake sleep. I'm not exactly sure when it started, but I think it was when I was living in the 3 bedroom apartment with Mary and Jon. We would always pretend to be sleeping when Jon got home from work and always had a good laugh. We still find it funny, I guess because it's so corny and pointless.

Anyway, Grace has enjoyed fake sleeping from a very young age. Anna is even getting in on the action these days! Lately Grace has been doing it all on her own if someone is coming over, I don't even have to suggest it (which is funny to me in itself). She also loves to just lay down on the ground when we're outside and pretend to sleep, then Anna or myself will go tickle her to wake her up. 

Last weekend at the ball field I heard "Mommy, come wake me up!" and looked over to see this: 

I got Anna to go tickle her and wake her up and I love the series of photos that came out of it. It looks like Anna is roughing up her big sister!

Gardening 2014

We've been itching to get our garden started but have had frost warnings right up until last week! We planted our beans anyway but still have our starter plants inside. We had success last year with tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers so we're doing those again this year along with the beans, squash, and pumpkins. We're really hoping that the pumpkins do well so the girls and their friends can pick pumpkins this fall and have a pumpkin carving party! 

Grace loves helping in the garden - digging, planting, watering. Anna doesn't like to get too dirty but loves using the watering can. 

Our garden is pretty ghetto, but it's functional! Maybe we'll figure out a spot for a permanent garden in the next year or two. 

Last Ballet Class

Grace had her last ballet class last night. She had fun and enjoyed going every week, but she says she likes Tumblebugs better. They had a little recital last night and it was so cute! Grace sort of followed along with the instructor, but she mostly just wanted to wave her ribbon around.

Wildlife Park

We went to the Wildlife Park last week and had such a great day! Grace was so excited to see all of the animals. Anna and Lennan weren't quite as into it, of course, but had a great time. No whining, no tears, everyone was happy = a successful trip! 

We saw a peacock as soon as we got there. The peacocks wander around all over the place so the whole time we were there we were talking about how we hoped to see one of the peacocks show his feathers. It took us a couple hours to walk through the park and when we got back to the information center, just as we were about to leave, one of the peacocks decided to show off! 

And we're off!

A peacock was the first thing we saw. We were hoping to see one open up his feathers!

Anna and Lennan looking pretty cranky. They had fun, I swear!

Daddy and Grace checking out some animals

Some aggressive birds wanted our snacks!

Keeping our distance from the geese

Saw another peacock but he didn't open his feathers

Otters!

The bears were sleeping

Coming to the end of the park

Just as we were about to leave, this happened! Beautiful!

Grace was so excited, she yelled "You did it, peacock! Good job!"

He walked around in circles for a minute. Grace laughed and said "Stop showing us your bum!"

I tried to get her to go a little closer to take a picture but she wasn't having it. 

We had lunch then spent some time at the playground before heading home

Lennan slightly amused

Sisters

One tired little girl