Father's Day

We made Chuck these pancakes for his breakfast in bed.

Chuck's dad came over for dinner on Father's Day. Here are all the boys. 

Chuck & Carson

This recliner was one of Chuck's Father's Day gifts.

Carson's Engineering Camp

Carson went to the Rube Goldbergineering camp at ASU Polytechnic campus the first week of June.  They built elaborate contraptions that were designed to accomplish a simple task.  Their main task for the week was to blow up a balloon & pop it.  Carson's group was the final group in the chain reaction that actually had to inflate & pop the balloon.  They built a contraption that was able to complete the task!  Unfortunately, when all the parents came to watch the final product, the balloon refused to pop, but it was still a very impressive contraption that all the campers collaborated on.  Carson really enjoyed the camp--he loves building things. 

Cade's allergy testing

I took Cade to an allergist, and told him that the GI referred me because of Cade's reflux.  The allergist scoffed, and said that seasonal allergies cannot cause reflux.  When I explained what the GI said, the allergist said, well, seasonal allergies can have a secondary influence on reflux, but cannot cause them directly.  Whatever!!  It wasn't my idea.  Then the allergist asked how long Cade had had allergies, and what we had tried giving him to relieve them.  I told him it has been about 3 years, and we haven't tried much of anything yet.  He looked at me like I was crazy for not treating Cade's stuffy nose all this time.  I told him that our primary concern has been his reflux.  When he is having reflux so severe that throw up comes up into his mouth several times a day, a stuffy nose does not seem like a pressing concern.  They did the allergy skin test, and Cade is allergic to many, many things.  He is very allergic to grass and trees, and is also allergic to house dust, dogs, and cats.  No food allergies, which is good.  So the allergist gave Cade a prescription for Flonase, and he has been trying that for a month.  I think it seems to help, but it is hard to tell because his allergies (like his reflux) come and go.  So I'm not sure if the flonase is helping, or if he just doesn't have bad allergies and reflux right now.  But the fact that both his stuffy nose and reflux are much better right now is a good sign I guess.  Time will tell.  The allergist made me feel like the worst mother ever for not seeking help for Cade's stuffy/runny nose before now.  I have taken him to the pediatrician many times in the past 3 years, and only once did they seem concerned about his allergies.  If his pediatrician wasn't concerned about it, how am I supposed to know that I should be?  I have four kids, and a stuffy nose isn't a top concern.  Oh well--not all doctors have good bedside manners.  Some are rude and condescending.  I guess even the rude ones can write a prescription and make a diagnosis, so I'm glad I took Cade, and I'm glad to know all of the things that he is allergic to.  He was a trooper, and put up with all of the pricking really well.  He had lots of itchy welts on his back afterwards, but the allergist gave him an antihistamine on the way out of the office, so by the time he got home, he looked and felt much better. 

Cade's piano recital

Cade has been taking piano lessons from Melody Peterson for two years now. His latest recital was in May.

Cade's field trip

Cade's class took a field trip to the Tempe Center for the Arts to see the play "The Borrowers".  Then we went to Red Mountain Park for lunch.  The group I chaperoned included Cade's two best buddies at school: Benjamin & Hayden.  It was fun to hang out with Cade's 3rd grade class for a day.

The Best Summer Ever

This summer is flying by, and so far it has been the best summer ever!  I think the main thing that has made this summer so great is my state of mind and perspective.  Last summer, I was stressed, feeling down, and anxious.  The kids seemed to fight non-stop, and I felt miserable.  This summer, I feel mentally healthy and happy, the kids have gotten along great, and instead of dreading summer like I usually do, I have been so grateful to be able to be home with the kids every day.  Having a break from school, and having time to reconnect with my friends, and do fun stuff with the kids has been so great!  Spending time with my good friends has made me so happy.  I have had so many great conversations that help me to appreciate my life, and to be happy.  I have loved being able to do whatever the kids want to do.  Swimming, movies, play dates with friends...whatever they want.  Charlie has been busy with basketball the whole month of June.  Skyline has been doing summer camps and tournaments that have taken up a lot of his time and energy--which is great!  He loves basketball, and it gives him a positive outlet for his energy.  And he keeps growing like a weed!!  Charlie is 6'3" now.  I have always predicted that he'll end up 6'4"  (Chuck thinks 6'6"), so we'll see.  Charlie and Carson flew to FL this week to spend some time with my sister and their cousins.  Charlie will go to EFY with his cousin, Madeline, and Carson will hang out with the cousins, swimming, boating, and being spoiled rotten by my sister.  :)  They got there Tues night, and they have gone to amusement parks every day since then.  Wed: Magic Kingdom, Thurs: Islands of Adventure (they got to see the Harry Potter world and ride the Harry Potter ride there), and today Universal Studios. Dina knows how to show kids a good time!  They are lucky they have such a generous Aunt, huh?  She has 6 kids of her own, but she still manages to treat my kids like royalty when they visit.  :)  Anyway, then we are gearing up for a trip to New York.  My mom's summer home in the Catskill mountains is where I spent every summer of my childhood, so it is so great to be able to take my kids there (and get out of the heat!)  I just feel really grateful and happy for all the blessings in my life right now, and I guess I just wanted to share.  I usually hate summers, and feel envious of Chuck getting to go to work every day while I stay home cooped up with the kids, playing referee.  This summer, I feel sorry for Chuck, having to go to work every day while we get to stay home and have fun.  Funny how it's the same situation, but a change in perspective makes all the difference in the world!