Woodland Park Zoo

From August 10, 2011


Back in early August I took the kids to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.  We have memberships to the zoo in Tacoma, so the kids have never been.  We were running errands north of us anyway so it seemed like a fun excursion

The kids had a lot of fun seeing animals they don't get to see at our zoo - hippos, lions, gorillas.  

These two were something else that day.  Full of energy and lots of laughs.

I spent a lot of time chasing.  At one time Selah was in the wagon waving and saying "hi" to all of the people in line waiting to get into the concert that was going on that night.

We ended our time at the zoo in the play area.

Climbing through turtles.

Exploring tunnels.

The zoo was fun.  We probably won't go again for a while, but the kids had a blast.

2011 - A Medical Review

I feel like the Arnold family spent a vast amount of time (and co-pays) at the doctor's office in 2011.  Here is the rundown.

January
*Selah gets nasty stomach bug and we get sent to the ER by our doctor because she is so little and concerned about dehydration
*Ephraim has low fever and can't move his neck.  Spend day at doctor's office ruling out meningitis.
*X-rays from doctor's office show large adenoids leading to ENT visit.
*Ephraim has diminished hearing as well.  Schedule surgery for adenoidectomy and ear tubes
*Selah has ear infection.  Get to go to doctor's twice since she refused to swallow any medicine
*Amy has nasty sinus infection

February
*Ephraim has surgery

April
*Ephraim needs a stitch in his mouth
*Get to call Poison control on Easter Sunday because Selah decided to try to taste the toilet cleaning gel in the toilet

June
*Spend 8 hours in urgent care/ER because Ephraim is unable to put any weight on his left leg.  Diagnosis: toxic synovitis in his knee.  He is able to walk a few days later.
*Have a slight scare while camping thinking Selah might be allergic to shrimp.

July
*Get to call Poison Control for Ephraim - he poured himself some children's Motrin.

August
*Selah gets to have 9 stitches in her left palm.  (3 internal, 6 external) after falling on a broken piece of glass

October
*Forrest has a subcutaneous cyst removed from his back
*Selah has allergy testing (and thankfully is negative!)

December
*Amy ends the year by having to go to the dentist over the holidays while in Oregon and learns she needs a root canal.

Here is to hoping that 2012 is a little less busy in the medical department for us!

Dinosaur hoodies and owls..

AKA.  The Christmas gifts my kids know they are getting.  The downside to me crafting in the dining room is that my kids see what I am making.

These cute owls are filled with rice and are heat pads.   Tutorial from justanotherhangup.blogspot.com

 Dinosaur hoodies.  I followed this tutorial.  I bought sweatshirts at Walmart and some cheap felt.  With Selah's I added interfacing to the top four and I didn't on Ephraim's.  I had a lot harder time sewing the felt on E's and I think it was too much fabric for my machine and I gave up on having it look nice after taking out the stitches 3x on the hood.  He's 3.  He won't care.

Hopefully they will act surprised on Christmas morning

He gets it

Today I took my kids to Costco - not an unusual trip around here.  In addition to our normal shopping, I had Ephraim chose a toy for him and Selah to donate to kids in need.  He and I talked a lot about how there are kids without families, and sometimes there are kids with families that cannot afford to buy new toys for Christmas.  Ephraim asked a lot of questions about how and why that could happen.  We talked about how blessed we are that his Daddy has a good job that allows us to buy new toys and allows me to stay home to play with him and Selah.  He chose a really cool helicopter that makes noise and a neat baby set that came with a bed and horse for Selah.  (He at first tried to chose the really cool motorized miniature snowmobile and then we had to talk about budgets and how Mommy and Daddy can't afford that toy for him or anybody).

After Costco we drove to the fire station to drop off our toys.  Both kids did really well and Ephraim enjoyed putting the helicopter in the big bin.  As we were walking back to the car he said "But Mommy?  Kids need families."  Yes they do bud, yes they do.

Jules

From November 11


One of my closest friends from High Schoo - Julie (or as I call her - Jules)  got married on 11/11/11.  It was so much fun for me to be able to be there on her special day.  Jules - you were a beautiful bride and I wish you and Dennis great happiness!

me and the bride.  All of the guests were in black and white, which was a lot of fun to see - and I got to buy a new dress.

Forrest and I.

Jules and her dad walking in.  I love all the rosettes on her dress.

Julie and Dennis.  Congrats!

A new view

When I woke up this morning and went downstairs, I saw this outside of my kitchen window.

During the wind storm last night this branch decided to make a new home next to our deck.

Forrest and don't need to go looking for a Christmas tree this year.  This branch is over 10 feet tall and should do nicely.  

I should add that there is not a single branch of any size anywhere else on our property.  

Wordless Wednesday

Sometimes I think she looks like a Fraggle.