Camano Island State Park

We spent 3 days up at a cabin at Camano Island State Park with Grandma and Papa H, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Pat's family and Aunt Anna and Uncle Scott's family.  We got there ahead of everyone so we got the cabin all set up and headed down to the beach.  Immediately after getting there Carson fell and skinned his knee so then it was difficult to get him to do much of anything.  Of course Kayda slipped shortly thereafter and skinned her ankle.  It doesn't make for a very fun time around the saltwater.  

 Dillon was determined to play in the water... Until he touched it the first time and then he wasn't so inclined.  He didn't realize just how could it was!

 They had a great time finding all the tiny crabs, most were smaller than quarters.

 Of course, you can't be on a rock covered beach without throwing them.  Dillon, Kayda and even Carson worked on their rock skipping skills with Daddy.

 At this point Carson is pouting because his knee hurt and he wanted to go back to the cabin.  Look at that lip!!!

 A couple of hours later the cousins started to arrive.   We headed over to Cama Beach State Park to hang out with the extended family.
The boys got a kick out of Chase's hat popping off when Carson tried to squeeze in for the picture.

 Dillon was photobombing Kayda and Ella.  Kayda was pretty aggravated.

 These girls are the best of friends, despite only seeing each other every few weekends now. We have gotten into the habit of letting Aunt Sarah know when we're headed up to Grandma and Papa H's house.  That way they can spend time together.  Ella will often call to ask if Kayda is coming up.  Even calling Grandma at times in the hopes we'll be up there.

 You can't find a big driftwood log without returning it to the water!

 Carson spend a good portion of the first day collecting skipping rocks and pretty rocks in his pockets.  At one point he had so many rocks in his pockets that his pants started falling down.  That's when he decided to start collecting them in the drink pocket on his chair.

 Kayda has really come to love playing any kind of board or card game.  She was delighted to play with Ella.

 And was overjoyed to play phase 10 with Aileena, Ella, Grandma and Nathan!  I was so pleased to see the older cousins join in! They were really great about hanging out with all the younger ones.

 There was a giant chess board down from the cabins.  The kids spent more time there than even out on the beach.

 The second day was windy and cold.  It wasn't so bad by our cabin up in the trees but down on the water it was COLD!  Daddy got chilled so he decided to take a nap in the car when we got back to our cabin after a trip down to the beach.

 It was cold enough that we decided to have a fire and midday smores.  The kids thought that was quite a treat considering they're usually reserved for bed time!

 Dillon was having a pretty emotional day on Friday.  He didn't want anything to do with anyone because he felt like her was being left out.  He was feeling very sensitive and his cousins were all off exploring Stanwood.  He couldn't handle being looked at or talked to so he flipped his sweatshirt around backwards and covered his face.  Of course we kept talking to him!

 Friday they also had a Toy boat building workshop so we were able to go down there.  The used old hand-cranked drills to put in the masts.  Then there were all kinds of other goodies to use: bottle caps, corks, fabric, string, glue, nails, Popsicle sticks etc.  They had a great time building them, even wanting to put them in the water.  We figured all their hard work would be ruined so we kept them from doing that.  The waves from the wind were a little too intense for toy boats.

 Carson would only take this picture with his boat after I told him it was the only way Grandma and Papa G would be able to see his boat.  So he agreed, but specifically told me it would be with one eye.

 While we were hanging out at our cabin a bald eagle flew into a tree right next to our camp.  The kids had a hard time spotting it in the trees.  After maybe 10 minutes.  The sound of its wings was incredible.  That's when the kids finally got a good look at it.  It's hard to miss when you can hear and see it maybe 30 ft from you!

 Little miss Eliza is our youngest neice, or for the kids cousin.  We didn't get to hold her much for fear of getting her sick.

 Carson and Brett spent a LOT of time together on this trip.  Carson has now decided that Brett is his best friend and that we need to live closer to him.  But sorry, no way are we moving up to that city.  I would love to be even smaller than where we are now!

We were able to get the younger cousins to agree to a picture.  Since I know they are going to grow and might not remember what each of them look like.... We have Mikey, Dillon, Chase and Brett in back.  Then Ella, Kayda, Carson, Eliza and Peyton in front. 

The kids had a wonderful time and even now Carson keeps saying "Lets go back to that place next day"  He doesn't seem to like the word tomorrow!  He is ready to go on his next camping adventure, especially if his cousins are around.  None of them were happy to leave but we needed to be sure to be back for the flag football game.

Dillon to the Hospital

Dillon's flu started Thursday evening, we thought he was getting through it Sunday when he was able to keep some food down and his fever broke.  Unfortunately Sunday night he was still waking up frequently in pain.  Monday morning about 6 am he started screaming/crying telling us that his tummy hurt.  After almost 30 minutes not being able to soothe him we decided he needed to go to the ER.  He wanted mom so he and I packed up and headed out.  It worked out well that way, my fever was taking a break and Daddy was just beginning his.  

The pain would come in waves, one moment he was his normal self saying he wanted to go home, the next he was whimpering and clutching his stomach.  Fortunately it wasn't terribly busy there. The doctor came and and checked out his belly.  He was tender to the touch so they wanted to do some imaging.  They started with an ultrasound hoping to be able to see the appendix without exposing him to radiation.  That didn't work.  The next step was a CT.  To do that they have to have an IV.  He did not handle that well.  He was a trooper and held still but he screamed.  The nurse was very thorough with the tape so even when it was all in he would randomly start crying that is hurt because the tape was pinching him.  After a while he got it figured out.  They gave him some fluids since he'd been vomiting for so many days.  

The CT was quick and he was very brave.  When the results came back it was NOT his appendix!  Yay!  It is "Mesenteric Lymphadenitis".  Basically the lymph nodes in his abdomen and inflamed and tender.  There is no way to distinguish it from appendicitis without the imaging.  Unfortunately there isn't anything they can do.  They don't even prescribe pain medication because it can cause constipation and aggravate the condition.  He is mostly okay now.  Every once in a while it hurts him and he's down and out for a while.  He's going to try going to school tomorrow, it's a half day so I hope he can make it.  So glad it wasn't something more serious but I HATE seeing him in pain. 

We were there for 5 hours but at least they were able to give us some answers.  I love this sweet boy and I'm praying for a quick recovery.

A not so healthy Easter...

Easter this year was a tough holiday.  Starting Thursday evening Dillon had a fever, in the middle of the night it progressed to vomiting and by Friday morning he had a cough too.  He was sick through friday, through that night and was still throwing up Saturday.  So we put off egg coloring for as long as possible.  When he had a period were he was feeling a little better, and he said he wanted to do it, we did the coloring. 

 Having a sick little one definitely saps the fun out of it.  Kayda and Carson of course had fun dipping their eggs, we used the "neon" colors this year and they turned out a lot brighter which the kids all loved.  Dillon got to play supervisor and just told Daddy what he wanted done most of the time.  By Saturday night 4/5 of us had fevers.  Daddy was holding out.

 Sunday morning, Kayda was already sick, she has had a fever and a cough but it doesn't seem to do much more than make her sleepy. She was the first one up and ready for Easter.  Due to the boys being up off and on throughout the night we went ahead and let her start without them.

 The kids had to find the eggs with their first initial again which made it extra tough for Kayda.  The boys weren't there to narrow it down at all so she found many eggs that weren't hers and had to pass them by.

 Finally the boys woke up and wanted to come downstairs.  Dillon had been sick through the night again, waking up frequently.  He tried to come down once but was too dizzy so this was the second attempt.  Carson was up with hot and cold spells, and of course he was always running opposite whatever Mommy was experiencing at that time.  (It's really hard to take a hot shower with your freezing little one when you're having a hot flash)

 Despite being sick Carson didn't seem down at all.  He popped right up and was ready for egg hunting.  Later he took a couple short naps but most of his illness has been evident during the night with the extreme temperature issues.

 Dillon was trying to hard, wanting so badly to do his egg hunt but his body would just not cooperate.  We ended up pulling all his eggs and putting them in the fridge with the understanding that as soon as he felt well we would put them back where the Easter bunny had hidden them.  A few hours later and a couple false starts he was feeling well enough to do the hunt.  Then he was laying back down, still not feeling well.

We still haven't managed to have Easter dinner while we wait for everyone to feel well enough to eat it.  Despite the illness I think the kids enjoyed their Easter.

Kayda and Dillon's First Flag Football Games

Kayda and Dillon are both playing a quick season of flag football this spring.  Kayda really wanted to play volleyball but there weren't enough people to sign up so she opted to play football with Dillon.  They "draft" the kids so Kayda and Dillon ended up on different teams.  Which is kind of hard considering they always play at the same time.  It was still fun to watch and the kids are really enjoying themselves.   Kayda's team is calling themselves the "red raptors" and Dillon's team is the "grey wolves".

Kayda's Character Award and Family Skate Night

Back in February I got an email from Kayda's teacher.  "Megan, Kayda is receiving an award today at the assembly.   Hope you can make it."  So Carson and I packed up and ran out the door, since I got it about 10 minutes before it was supposed to start.  We ran over and surprised Kayda.  She didn't know she was getting the award, she just thought that we were coming to see the assembly with her.  Carson got to sit with her during the assembly; which they both loved!

 Her award was for teamwork.  Her teacher chose her because Kayda is always the first to try to include people, always making sure people aren't left out, and because she's a leader and helper.  Kayda has told her teacher many times that "She just really likes helping people".

 Another day was the PTA skate night.  Daddy had an event he had to be at so I took the kids by myself.  The kids got to see all their friends and had a great time!  Carson especially loved his skating aid.  He kept telling me I should make him one for at home!

 Kayda and Dillon both participated in races.

They had such a good time that they are begging me to go again!  Excuse the blurry pictures, phone and a dim skating rink don't mix well!

Dillon's Cub Scouts Catch Up

I'm way behind with posts again.  So I'm combining two events into one post for scouts, even though they were a month apart...  First is his blue and gold banquet.  Dillon earned his bobcat patch, running with the pack, howling at the moon and germs alive.  

 I got a kick out of putting the paint on his face but within a few minutes he wanted it off because it was itchy!

The next event is much more recent.  He had his pinewood derby.  I've never done it, obviously, and it's been a long time for Daddy so we were learning together.  Daddy helped Dillon do all of the cutting and sanding, with Dillon doing most everything.  Daddy let him make it a little to thin because then we were desperately trying to make it heavier.

 Notice all the washers and screws?  It was so thin that there was no way to embed the weight so it got glued on top!

 There it is closest to us.  It definitely wasn't that fast but a lot of that was because the wood was warped so it kept pulling to the side.  Dillon still thought it was a great time and he got his derby patch.

 Of course we couldn't leave Kayda and Carson out so I got them each cheap little wood cars to paint.

Carson's Home Visit

Today Teacher Peggy came to do a home visit for preschool. Carson was so excited!  He waited by the front window and ran to the door as soon as she pulled up.  It is a huge comfort for me to see his relationship with her.   He was,  and still can be,  so shy.  So seeing him be so excited and animated with her was heartwarming.  They did a couple of alphabet puzzles, some sorting,  patterns and counting just to see where he's at.   She emphasized how much of a thinker he is.   He thinks it out carefully before doing it, such as when he builds with blocks.  Long story short... she adores him and he is a fantastic student.   He is advanced with his fine motor skills,  knows most of his letters,  counts to 25+ (though he needs to be a little more consistent with his teens).

He has been improving by leaps and bounds socially. To understand I need to describe him a little more.   When he started preschool last year it was mostly because he couldn't handle being away from family. If he didn't have Kayda or Dillon he wouldn't play with anyone,  staying glued to me or Daddy.  Being at school away from any of us caused MANY tears.   At the beginning of this year I had to stay at least 15 minutes before I could get it the door.  As the year went he was happier to go to school but he still would not say "hello" or "goodbye" instead he would just smile and tuck his face against my leg.  At the school's family style lunch he wouldn't ask for anything,  he wouldn't play with anyone unless they asked him... I think you get the idea.

Now he rides the bus to and from school,  he is greeting people and saying goodbye.   He plays with most of the kids instead of the one or two he is most comfortable with... it goes on.   She had two very specific examples for me:

At the family style lunch she heard him say "please pass the milk". No one did,  he said it again 2 more times,  nicely and slightly louder,  in the hope of being heard. She ended up going over to help him get their attention.  It is so wonderful that he is feeling comfortable enough that he will keep asking instead of just giving up and hiding away.

She also saw him walk up to a kid playing with a measuring tape.   Carson asked if he could have a turn and then patiently waited until the other child was done,  then went to play.   He NEVER would've initiated any interaction like that before.