Ben had his vision exam today. He needs glasses. Badly. His prescription is pretty strong, and his right eye is worse than his left, so we go back in 5 weeks to see if we will need to patch the eye. This all sounds so fun, don't you think?
We picked out some super cute glasses, and they will be here in about a week. I will post pictures then, so that you can all see how handsome (and grown up) he looks in them. I will say that they had frames that were perfectly round, just like Harry Potter. We did not get those. We got lenses with scratch guard, and I made sure there was some kind of warranty on the glasses. How on earth do I convince Ben that glasses are breakable and expensive, and we must be very careful with that particular combination? I have no idea.
So that is that, we will show you pictures when the new glasses arrive!
By the way- so much for memorizing the vision charts. It totally did not work!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Ben's stats
Ben had his 5-year check-up today, and it went pretty well. The drama leading up the appointment was not so fun (Ben does not like going to the doctor, and has been worrying about it for the past month), but we survived. And the shots he had been sooo worried about? He never even cried while they were giving them to him. Guess we should have done them first!
On to the stats- Ben is 41 inches and 38 pounds. He is shorter and lighter than the last time he was there. What? Did you read that right? Yup, you did. We are quite sure that he did not shrink, and assume that somewhere the measurement was off just a bit. Still, he is only on the 20th percentile for height. When he was a baby he was in the 75th percentile, the 50th as a toddler, and now the 20th. My poor little boy- he is just little. Grace is not much smaller than him- they actually can wear the same size clothes. And his weight is in the 30th percentile. This also went from the 75th to the 50th to the 30th. The really funny thing is that when he woke up on his birthday he said "I GREW!!!!!". He kept asking us how much he grew- he truly thought it was at least a foot. He has not even grown an inch. Uh-oh! We will not share this with him.
Ben also did not pass his vision test- he could not read any of the letters in one of the smaller lines, and his vision is 20/40. I guess this is not good in children, even though mine is like 20/120 and I squint just fine. Anyways, we get to visit the eye doctor. Yipee. We are hoping that this was a fluke, as Ben hates having anything on his face, and glasses will be a sensory nightmare. NIGHTMARE. Although, I have always thought that little kids with glasses were so cute. Just not mine. Only because glasses break. Easily.
So usually I end these posts with "great growing", but I think this one I will end with "Great job, my brave little boy." And now I will go and help Ben memorize a vision chart.
On to the stats- Ben is 41 inches and 38 pounds. He is shorter and lighter than the last time he was there. What? Did you read that right? Yup, you did. We are quite sure that he did not shrink, and assume that somewhere the measurement was off just a bit. Still, he is only on the 20th percentile for height. When he was a baby he was in the 75th percentile, the 50th as a toddler, and now the 20th. My poor little boy- he is just little. Grace is not much smaller than him- they actually can wear the same size clothes. And his weight is in the 30th percentile. This also went from the 75th to the 50th to the 30th. The really funny thing is that when he woke up on his birthday he said "I GREW!!!!!". He kept asking us how much he grew- he truly thought it was at least a foot. He has not even grown an inch. Uh-oh! We will not share this with him.
Ben also did not pass his vision test- he could not read any of the letters in one of the smaller lines, and his vision is 20/40. I guess this is not good in children, even though mine is like 20/120 and I squint just fine. Anyways, we get to visit the eye doctor. Yipee. We are hoping that this was a fluke, as Ben hates having anything on his face, and glasses will be a sensory nightmare. NIGHTMARE. Although, I have always thought that little kids with glasses were so cute. Just not mine. Only because glasses break. Easily.
So usually I end these posts with "great growing", but I think this one I will end with "Great job, my brave little boy." And now I will go and help Ben memorize a vision chart.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Ben's Party
Ok, so Ben turned 5 on Wednesday. You read the post, said Happy Birthday, and thought that was that, right? Oh, no. Turns out in our house we have birthweeks, not just birthdays:)
I told you about his actual birthday, about his dinner at McD's and his special new pet, Hammy. It was a fun day, and we all enjoyed celebrating Ben's birthday.
Then on Friday, I brought cupcakes to Ben's school so that he could celebrate with his friends. The cupcakes were Birthday Monsters, after the book by Sandra Boynton. Ben and his friends liked them, and Grace loved hers. I guess they tasted great, even with all of that bright green frosting. The ears and tongues (pink things hanging off of the cupcakes) were made from taffy, and the nose was a skittle. I felt a little guilty sending them to school!
Today was Ben's birthday party. He looooves Wall-e the robot, and wanted a Wall-e cake. Here is my take on the special earth cleaning robot:
What did my sweet boy say about his cake? "Well, it doesn't look EXACTLY like Wall-e, but I like it". Please remember it is cake. And rice krispy treats (head and neck). And licorice. And it took me 5 hours of forming, cutting, decorating, and yes, stressing. Rice krispy treats are heavy, and they melt if they get warm. I ended up putting on the finishing touches in the freezing cold porch, just so the rice krispy treats could form. And then the head started falling apart right before the blowing out of the candles. Fun!
Ultimately, I think that Ben loved his cake, and had a great party. He had so much fun, and got some great gifts. He got an electricity set, a pirate ship, Transformers, a gift card, some fun books, and a telescope. Wow! His guests certainly know what interests Ben!
The cake was chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate, and Ben loved it!
Here is Ben with his new telescope. He cannot wait for a clear night so he can look for special stars and planets.
Happy Birth(week)day Ben! We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I told you about his actual birthday, about his dinner at McD's and his special new pet, Hammy. It was a fun day, and we all enjoyed celebrating Ben's birthday.
Then on Friday, I brought cupcakes to Ben's school so that he could celebrate with his friends. The cupcakes were Birthday Monsters, after the book by Sandra Boynton. Ben and his friends liked them, and Grace loved hers. I guess they tasted great, even with all of that bright green frosting. The ears and tongues (pink things hanging off of the cupcakes) were made from taffy, and the nose was a skittle. I felt a little guilty sending them to school!
Today was Ben's birthday party. He looooves Wall-e the robot, and wanted a Wall-e cake. Here is my take on the special earth cleaning robot:
What did my sweet boy say about his cake? "Well, it doesn't look EXACTLY like Wall-e, but I like it". Please remember it is cake. And rice krispy treats (head and neck). And licorice. And it took me 5 hours of forming, cutting, decorating, and yes, stressing. Rice krispy treats are heavy, and they melt if they get warm. I ended up putting on the finishing touches in the freezing cold porch, just so the rice krispy treats could form. And then the head started falling apart right before the blowing out of the candles. Fun!
Ultimately, I think that Ben loved his cake, and had a great party. He had so much fun, and got some great gifts. He got an electricity set, a pirate ship, Transformers, a gift card, some fun books, and a telescope. Wow! His guests certainly know what interests Ben!
The cake was chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate, and Ben loved it! Here is Ben with his new telescope. He cannot wait for a clear night so he can look for special stars and planets.
Happy Birth(week)day Ben! We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Birthday Boy
Five certainly is a big number, a milestone of sorts. It is the age when a child starts kindergarten, they usually start reading and getting more academic interests, and they go from being a pre-schooler to being school-aged. It is a big step for a parent, as well. As a parent, we need to start letting go a bit more, sending our children for full days of school, sending them off with friends, and letting them explore a world separate from that of their parents and siblings.
Today, Ben is five. He is preparing for kindergarten in the fall. He is developing friendships that are teaching him other ways of life, and about different people and different thoughts and ideas. He is starting to let go just a little, looking out to the world, and wondering about the things he sees and hears.
Ben is inquisitive and always ready to learn something new, whether it be about science, electricity, or plumbing. He is starting to read, and learning new things about the world around him through the books we read together. Ben loves Wall-e, Handy Manny, and Bob the Builder, and loves everything about robots and rocket ships, trucks and pipes. Every afternoon Ben has computer time, where he (safely- thanks to Kidzui) explores the internet, finding more tidbits of information than you could even imagine.
Our Ben is so sweet and loving, and so full of life and ideas and knowledge, and he brings so much joy and love into our lives. He loves his sisters and his family, loves his grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins. He loves to be outside, exploring with his Dad or Grandpa, and he loves to be inside, playing with his sisters.
We are so proud of how far he has come, and are so excited to see where his future takes him!
For his birthday, Ben got a hamster. He loves hamsters, and they are not animals that need to be touched and held often (Ben does not like to touch animals very much. Except worms. What is that all about????!!!), but they are super fun to watch, and help to teach some responsibility.
The hamster is a panda bear, and her name? Why, Hammy of course! Named after Uncle Nate's beloved hamster. We were talking about names one day, and as soon as I said "Uncle Nate had a hamster named Hammy" the discussion was over, and we had a name.
Here is Ben with his new hamster in her fun ball:
Today, Ben is five. He is preparing for kindergarten in the fall. He is developing friendships that are teaching him other ways of life, and about different people and different thoughts and ideas. He is starting to let go just a little, looking out to the world, and wondering about the things he sees and hears.
Ben is inquisitive and always ready to learn something new, whether it be about science, electricity, or plumbing. He is starting to read, and learning new things about the world around him through the books we read together. Ben loves Wall-e, Handy Manny, and Bob the Builder, and loves everything about robots and rocket ships, trucks and pipes. Every afternoon Ben has computer time, where he (safely- thanks to Kidzui) explores the internet, finding more tidbits of information than you could even imagine.
Our Ben is so sweet and loving, and so full of life and ideas and knowledge, and he brings so much joy and love into our lives. He loves his sisters and his family, loves his grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins. He loves to be outside, exploring with his Dad or Grandpa, and he loves to be inside, playing with his sisters.
We are so proud of how far he has come, and are so excited to see where his future takes him!For his birthday, Ben got a hamster. He loves hamsters, and they are not animals that need to be touched and held often (Ben does not like to touch animals very much. Except worms. What is that all about????!!!), but they are super fun to watch, and help to teach some responsibility.
The hamster is a panda bear, and her name? Why, Hammy of course! Named after Uncle Nate's beloved hamster. We were talking about names one day, and as soon as I said "Uncle Nate had a hamster named Hammy" the discussion was over, and we had a name.
Here is Ben with his new hamster in her fun ball:
This is the cage that we got for Hammy- they certainly have some neat cages for hamsters!
Tonight, we are going out for a birthday dinner at..... McDonald's of course! Is there any other place for a birthday dinner? Ben's good friend from school is coming with us, and he is very excited about that.
Saturday will be the big Wall-e party. Ben is so excited for his party. He calls today his "real birthday" and Saturday his "present opening birthday".
We love you, birthday boy!!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Catching Up
We've been busy and I thought that I would do some catching up-
Ben: is getting ready to turn 5, is staying busy in school, and has started Occupation Therapy at St. Scholastica. Yay for great student therapists and their knowledge of sensory therapy. We have great hopes that this will help us in some challenging areas. Ben loves Wall-e and electricity, and Handy Manny. He is going to miss his mom when he goes to kindergarten next year, and he is NEVER GOING TO COLLEGE. Unless I go with him, and considering that I will likely still be going to school in 13 years, it is a possibility!
Grace: has been very busy cooking and taking care of "our baby" Emma. Grace is a Sunbeam this year, and is doing well (if we can convince her that it will soon be singing time!). She loves Aunt Alli 'more than the sunset loves the house' and her very favorite book is "Pinkalicious". Have you read it? You should.
Emma: had a 9-month checkup and is doing very well. She weighs 18 pounds, 12 ounces, (50th percentile) and is 27.75 inches long (50th percentile). She is busy rolling around the house, getting in to EVERYTHING! Heaven help us!
Josh: Busy with work and EMT refresher and ambulance calls. Has been spending most of his free time alternating between shoveling large amounts of snow and warming up the cars for long periods of time, just to defrost the windows. We are not exactly fans of winter up here!
Me: school started, so I am busy trying to find time to study and do coursework, while still caring for the house and kids. It is balancing act, and my world often seems in danger of crashing around me. I have been able to keep that from happening, at least thus far.
We have been doing some various work around the house, trying to increase storage and organization, as we feel that we will be living in this house for a while- it just does not make sense to make any changes right now.
Winter has been long and hard around here, and we are counting the days until SPRING. Sadly, we will be counting for a looooong time still. Oh, my.
If you read this, long enough to reach this paragraph- thanks! If you did not, I understand. This is just for me to remember this time in our lives. (can you tell I am a bit shocked at the idea of having a 5 year old, and I am trying to remember the past 5 years? Well, I am.)
Ben: is getting ready to turn 5, is staying busy in school, and has started Occupation Therapy at St. Scholastica. Yay for great student therapists and their knowledge of sensory therapy. We have great hopes that this will help us in some challenging areas. Ben loves Wall-e and electricity, and Handy Manny. He is going to miss his mom when he goes to kindergarten next year, and he is NEVER GOING TO COLLEGE. Unless I go with him, and considering that I will likely still be going to school in 13 years, it is a possibility!
Grace: has been very busy cooking and taking care of "our baby" Emma. Grace is a Sunbeam this year, and is doing well (if we can convince her that it will soon be singing time!). She loves Aunt Alli 'more than the sunset loves the house' and her very favorite book is "Pinkalicious". Have you read it? You should.
Emma: had a 9-month checkup and is doing very well. She weighs 18 pounds, 12 ounces, (50th percentile) and is 27.75 inches long (50th percentile). She is busy rolling around the house, getting in to EVERYTHING! Heaven help us!
Josh: Busy with work and EMT refresher and ambulance calls. Has been spending most of his free time alternating between shoveling large amounts of snow and warming up the cars for long periods of time, just to defrost the windows. We are not exactly fans of winter up here!
Me: school started, so I am busy trying to find time to study and do coursework, while still caring for the house and kids. It is balancing act, and my world often seems in danger of crashing around me. I have been able to keep that from happening, at least thus far.
We have been doing some various work around the house, trying to increase storage and organization, as we feel that we will be living in this house for a while- it just does not make sense to make any changes right now.
Winter has been long and hard around here, and we are counting the days until SPRING. Sadly, we will be counting for a looooong time still. Oh, my.
If you read this, long enough to reach this paragraph- thanks! If you did not, I understand. This is just for me to remember this time in our lives. (can you tell I am a bit shocked at the idea of having a 5 year old, and I am trying to remember the past 5 years? Well, I am.)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A horse is a horse, of course...
... unless it's a cake!
This is the cake that I made today for Josh's sister's stepdaughter, Breanna. It was her birthday party, but she actually turned 9 on the 9th, so it was an extra-special birthday. She loves horses, so I spent some time on the internet, trying to find a cake that would be fun and not too difficult. Yeah, right!
The body is made of two 9x13 cakes, two 9 inch round cakes, and a bowl with cake mix in it. The head and ears are made of a great big rice krispy treat, with chocolate frosing all over the horse. There are flaws, things that I look at and think "that is just not right", but I think it turned out pretty well.
Breanna loved it, her friends liked it, and it tasted great. That makes it a great success, in my book!
This is the cake that I made today for Josh's sister's stepdaughter, Breanna. It was her birthday party, but she actually turned 9 on the 9th, so it was an extra-special birthday. She loves horses, so I spent some time on the internet, trying to find a cake that would be fun and not too difficult. Yeah, right!
The body is made of two 9x13 cakes, two 9 inch round cakes, and a bowl with cake mix in it. The head and ears are made of a great big rice krispy treat, with chocolate frosing all over the horse. There are flaws, things that I look at and think "that is just not right", but I think it turned out pretty well.
Breanna loved it, her friends liked it, and it tasted great. That makes it a great success, in my book!Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Nine months
Emma was born nine months ago today- or at 4:36 pm, to be exact. She has accomplished much in these past nine months, going from a helpless (not so) little baby to a baby who can move around the house, feed herself, and play with her brother and sister! Emma does not crawl, but has instead discovered that rolling and walking with her hands gives her all of the mobility that she needs.
Emma continues to love Ben and Grace very much, and they have been so good to her! They play with her, watch over her, and even read her books! She is lucky to have a big brother and a big sister, and they are lucky to have her!
Due to her newly found mobility, life in our house has gotten even crazier! My new favorite sayings are "where is Emma" and "what does Emma have"??? Oh, and "pick that up before your sister gets it!!!!". Fun, fun!
Emma loves to eat (food and toys, and anything else she can find), she loves to read books, play with her toys, and be with her family. She spends most of her days rolling around the floor, exploring the world around her. This is such a fun age, she learns and discovers more every day and it is so fun to watch!
Emma continues to love Ben and Grace very much, and they have been so good to her! They play with her, watch over her, and even read her books! She is lucky to have a big brother and a big sister, and they are lucky to have her!
Due to her newly found mobility, life in our house has gotten even crazier! My new favorite sayings are "where is Emma" and "what does Emma have"??? Oh, and "pick that up before your sister gets it!!!!". Fun, fun!
Emma loves to eat (food and toys, and anything else she can find), she loves to read books, play with her toys, and be with her family. She spends most of her days rolling around the floor, exploring the world around her. This is such a fun age, she learns and discovers more every day and it is so fun to watch!Love you Emma!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
