Productive Daddy

I tell you what, Brian will make somebody a nice wife one of these days! Hee! Hee!! Hee!!! Seriously, we ended up keeping Jacob home and Brian took him in for his follow-up visit. He is all set to go to school tomorrow.

In between entertaining Jacob and running him to the doctor, Brian cleaned off his work-bench, fixed a wagon, did laundry, baked a cake, de-junked the junk drawer (I will NEVER find anything NOW), ran the dishwasher, ran to the grocery store and logged on and worked from home - well, you get the point. Can you say overachiever?!?!?

I am NOT complaining though. I appreciate all he did. What a guy!!

He's Baaacccckkkkk!

Jacob has pretty much driven me batty most of the day. He has talked non-stop and asked the same questions over and over. Yep, you got it - back to the ol' Jacob we know and love. The plan for tomorrow is to send him to school since he has been fever free all day. He may tucker out half-way through the day, and if that happens, then Brian will come home and stay with him.

Yuck!

So, I am in the office working, when Lizzie barges in screaming, "Jacob puked! Jacob puked!!" I jumped up, and screamed back at her, "WHERE?" As soon as I stepped into the living room, there is Jacob on the floor holding his hand and saying, "Here, in my hand!" Oh no!!! And that was not all, more came! I do NOT do vomit but Brian is working late tonight so I had no choice. We got through it somehow, but even now as I think about it, I get nauseous.

Sunday Trip to Convenient Care

I am just not used to seeing Jacob like this in the middle of the day! It breaks my heart. He is supposed to be running around, asking questions over and over, and generally driving me batty!

When we woke up this morning, he just wasn't feeling any better. His fever was up around 104 and his breathing was starting to sound wheezy. So, Brian took the other two to Sunday School and church and Jacob and I headed to the doctor.

Sure enough, he has bronchitis, and possibly some pneumonia. They did not do an x-ray to verify the pneumonia but since his temp has been so high, they decided to treat with antibiotics anyway.

They also put him on three nebulizer treatments a day. I was a little worried - when Zach took neb treatments with albuterol, he was bouncing off the walls. It made him so very hyper. I wasn't sure I could handle Jacob any more energetic than he already is. Well, we are lucky, it doesn't same to have that same side effect on Jake. But, he does have one of the common side effects - immediate vomiting! Oh yippee! Man, now I am wishing he was hyper!

Here he is taking his neb treatment. Can't you see the excitement just oozing from him? I think not!

I'll spare you any pictures of the aftermath! No, I didn't really take any!

Jacbo and I are home tomorrow and every day until his fever finally breaks.
Sub plans - ughhhh!!

Mahomet Magic Update

Zach's team, the Mahomet Magic, lost their first game by three points. I guess it was a pretty good game. According to Brian, Zach played very well. Brian could not get my camera to work, and was going to call me to ask what might be wrong when he realized he couldn't get a signal in the gym. Wanna bet that did not make him happy? Anyway no pics from today's game.

A funny "out of the mouths of babes" story: Tonight at dinner, Zach, Brian and I were discussing how people meet their spouses. Zach is often curious as to how Brian and I met, if we dated other people before, etc. It is hard for him to consider his old parents as young and dating. I said a lot of people meet their spouses at college. Brian agreed and Zach chimed in, "It's either there or eHarmony!"

"Charwette's Leb"

Since Jacob was sick and Zach was resting for his game today, we decided to have a "movie and snack night" on Friday night. After some yummy snacks, Lizzie chose the movie for the night - Charlotte's Web. Usually, she runs around and plays while the movie is on, but last night, she cuddled right up next to her daddy and watched the pig movie, or "Charwette's Leb," as she calls it. It was pretty sweet. Brian was loving that his little girl was cuddling with him. Of course, Jacob was laying on the other end of the couch and occasionally his foot would wander over and give Lizzie a nudge! I swear, even with a temp of 102, that kid loves to start a little fight. He would just smirk, bury his head under the blanket and giggle.


Brian and Zach are off to Zach's first game. Hope to have some news and pics to post later. I sent my camera with Brian, but I am afraid he will be so caught up in cheering and coaching from the sidelines, that he will forget to take some shots.

Afternoon Off

Jacob came home early from school today. He has a fever and says his legs and head are hurting. When I got there to pick him up, I began to thank my lucky stars that those were Jacob's only complaints. One of his classmates was sitting in the office throwing up in a trash can. Keep that kid AWAY from mine, thank you! Jacob went back to school with me and hung out in my office until Brian could pick him up. Hopefully this will be a short lived bug and he will bounce back soon!

On a different note, Zach's first basketball game is tomorrow. If Jacob isn't better, one of us will have to miss it. That is a bummer, and believe me Zach has already informed how badly that stinks for him!

Scrimmage

Since this is the last practice before their first game, Zach's team scrimmaged and all the families were invited to stay. It was fun to watch. The lighting in that gym is terrible so it was hard to get good pictures. But, here he is shooting a free throw.

They also got their "shooting shirts" tonight. They all decided they would wear them to school tomorrow. They are pretty sharp looking! Notice his rosy cheeks? He was still pretty warm after running hard for two hours.

The best part, according to Zach? His name on the back!


It is so much fun to watch our kids as they find things they enjoy doing. Zach is loving basketball, and Brian is living vicariously through him. Me? I thought I knew a lot about basketball. At least I should since we spend so much time watching it! But, I was lost tonight listening to them review the press and the 3 on 2 and 2 on 1 drills. I think I'll stick to the spectating and leave the coaching to the dads!

Pride Cometh Before The Fall

I was so proud of myself this morning! Brian left early for a business meeting in Bloomington, Indiana so it was just me and the kiddos. I was on a mission to prove that I could get everybody up, ready and out the door by 7:20. We met that goal, and we were all still talking to each other which is awesome. I was feeling pretty full of myself - yes, I can do it too. I might have actually done some kind of dance down the hallway. Then, we all walked out to the garage, and I realized, that I can't get in!!! My garage key is in the lockbox for the realtors and Brian has his with him on the way to Indiana! Are you kidding me?!?!? Oh well, then I did the "poor me pity shuffle" back down the hall to call Brian and admit my defeat! Now we are sitting around waiting for the realtor to come let us in our garage. Yea. . .there is the doorbell. I think he is here!!!!

Ouch!

Lizzie loves "doing" my hair. Just recently she started "doing" her own. I have tried, to no avail, to tell her that she should use a brush and not a comb. Why? Well, check this out. Can you say ouch? She was not happy when I was trying to get it all untangled.

Whirlwind Weekend

Shew. . . we had quite a busy weekend. Friday afternoon we packed up and headed to northern Indiana. It was not a terrible trip, but one can only listen to Veggie Tales, Bob & Larry Sing the 70's for so long before they are ready to go nuts!

We were excited to see Brian's Uncle Tom from Alaska. We have not seen him in over six years. The boys loved him. They thought he was a big kid. We also got to visit with Brian's grandpa who we also had not seen in over six years. Here is Brian and the kids with his uncle and grandpa. Don't ever tell me that Paragi genes are not dominant!!

Here are four generations of Paragis. As Zach said today, "Man, four generations of Paragis all in one house is scary!" Lizzie thought all the "boys" were ok, but she spent most of her time coloring with her "Dodo."

So, Saturday night, we left the kids with the family and attended Brian's 20th class reunion. He said he actually had a pretty good time. He was not too excited about wearing this name tag though! I giggled every time I looked at it! And you know that you are giggling now too!

Brian had a good time catching up with old friends. He also won a door prize for the boy with the biggest hair in high school. The above picture does NOT do him justice. He had some lion mane hair going on! Ok, I can't believe this but we did not take any pictures at the reunion itself. Yes, I know we are losers.

While we were gone, the kids raked and played in the leaves. They had a great time and they should sleep real well again tonight!

On the way home tonight, we stopped to eat at Steak 'n Shake. When you watch Jacob eat you realize that it is a full contact sport during which he "experiences" his food. Check out his grilled cheese sandwich with french fry "attachments!" This kid is such a nut!!

Then as we neared home, there was a gorgeous sunset. This picture does not do it justice. It is as though God just painted the sky this evening. It reminded me that He is in control of everything and all we have and enjoy are simply blessings from Him.


As we got home, Brian told everyone at what time they would be going to bed. Zach tried to barter, and asked to stay up later. The conversation went something like this. . .

Zach: Come on just a little longer?
Brian: Nope, you are going to bed so your mom and I can sit together, watch tv and smooch.
Zach: (with major disgust) You have a bedroom you know!

Again, little blessings!

Home and Ready to Leave Again!

I made it back from my conference. As expected, I enjoyed the conference and learned a lot. The evening spent at IKEA and then dinner at Maggiano's was nice too! But, I digress. I about flipped out when I called home on Tuesday morning to see if everything was going ok. At 7:15 Brian answers and says that not only are things ok, but that everyone is up, dressed, feed, teeth brushed and ready to leave! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? How did he pull that off? Wonder what he bribed them with. Nobody is talking about it. Hmmm. . .ice cream, pizza, playstation time? One has to wonder!

We leave tomorrow after school to head to Brian's parent's house for a quick visit. We will visit his uncle and grandfather, both of which we haven't seen in six years as one lives in Alaska and the other upstate New York. Then we will hit Brian's 20th class reunion on Saturday night.

Hope to have some fun stories and pictures to post when we return!!

Working at School

While they were showing our house this afternoon, the kids and I went to school to leave my sub plans and get everything ready for the week. Jacob and Zach loved the die cut machine. It was all good until they started fighting over who got to do it - why does everything have to end in a fight?

Jacob and Lizzie got my "big paper" out and were drawing and writing on it. That kept them busy for quite a while! And guess what. . .no fights!!!

The finished product? Well, I am not sure what it is, but they were pretty proud of it!

Zach spent some time playing a game on my student computer.

The kids love going into school after hours. They think it is so cool that they are the only ones there! They also like "playing school" in a real school. It is fun to watch them.

I may not post much this week as it is going to be crazy. I leave tomorrow and get back Wednesday evening. Then Zach has basketball on Thursday night and we leave for Fort Wayne on Friday after school. We are visiting Brian's family and attending his class reunion. So, when we return to Illinois on Sunday, I should have some fun pictures and stories to post.

Odds 'n Ends

Friday was "Pajama Day" for Lizzie at daycare. She was so excited to wear her "pj's!" She even wore her house shoes!
On Saturday, we did a lot of work outside. We got the pool all done for the season, cut down flowers, did some painting of trim, etc. Jacob loves to help with that kind of stuff, and Brian let him use the "choppers" to cut down some flowers! I was very nervous, but he did a great job!

Zach's newest Lego project is to rebuild some monsterly huge Star Wars ship - Imperial Star Destroyer. There were Legos all over that room! But, he and his daddy got it done.

Gotta run. . . they are coming to show the house! Pray that this is the person to buy it!!

Sub Plans!

I am attending a conference in Chicago this week. I leave early Tuesday morning and will be back late Wednesday evening. The conference itself, Implementing RtI, should be very good. However, the sub plans I have to leave are driving me crazy! I see ten groups of kids each day. So, I have to leave plans for twenty different groups in a two day period. Ughhh. . .

Then it dawned on me that Brian might need some "sub plans" of his own - you know, what each child likes in his lunch, where they will be after school, when they can get to school, etc . Brian is a very hands on dad and does a lot with the kids, but I take care of the school routine because I go there everyday too!

We would appreciate prayers of safe travel for me and sanity for Brian!

Back to writing my sub plans!

Fire Station Open House

Tonight, Zach had basketball pratice. So, we dropped him off and the rest of the family headed over to the fire station for their open house. Free hot dogs and drinks, fire engines, balloons, fire truck rides. . .who could ask for more?

Notice that Lizzie is wearing her boots! She wears them with everything right now!

Jacob enjoyed the old fire engine ride. Somehow, we convinced Brian to ride with Jake and three of his friends!

One of the best parts of the Fire Station Open House in a small town? Everyone was there! Jacob saw lots of friends from school. He was happy to see his buddy, Reid!

Principal's Office

Jacob made a trip to the principal's office today. Luckily, it was for "Good News!" When teachers catch students doing something that exhibits good character, they sometimes send them to the office to get congratulated by the principal. Jacob was pretty proud of himself. This is the second time this year he has been to the office for good news. Let's hope this is the only reason he ends up in the office this year!

Annual Pumpkin Painting

The kids had a good time last weekend painting their pumpkins. This is one tradition that we look forward to year after year. Jacob and Lizzie worked well together.

What is Zach working so hard on?



His masterpiece. He divided his pumpkin into four areas and painted each area to represent a favorite sports team. IU of course!

Followed by the Yankees and the Colts.



And last but not least, the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs!


The finished products certainly yielded some "interesting" looking pumpkins! But the kids all had a good time and that is all that matters, right?

Dawg Walk 2008

Each year our PTO sponsors a fundraiser called the Dawg Walk. Kids collect money and then we go to the local forest preserve for an afternoon of walking. This year our kindergarten through 5th graders collected almost $74,000!!!

The kids love going to walk. I was lucky because when I was walking with my morning kindergarten kids, I ran into Jacob!

Then in the afternoon, I ran into Zach's class!

After the walk, we gather in the Dawg Pound for some fun with the DJ. We did the Chicken Dance, the Hokey Pokey, the Macarena! What fun! Then, we played a game where he had to keep a ball in the air. Organized chaos at its best!

Zach's class was forming a "finish line" for the fifth graders to run through as they finished!

All in all, a fun day of celebrating. The nice thing is that I bet EVERYONE slept well that night!!

Technical Difficulties

I am having technical difficulties. I can not get my pictures to upload! I have some fun pics from our school's annual fundraiser, the Dawg Walk. Hopefully I can figure this all out and get them posted soon!

Toothpaste

We find toothpaste everywhere in this house. . .in the sink, on the counter, even on the floor. But this morning was a first. Jacob decided he needed to see what would happen if he put toothpaste in Lizzie's hair! We were just about to walk out the door when Lizzie walks down the hall with a blue "glob" in her hair! Oh well, just one more place to add the list!