Football Concussion

Mack and Andrew got to play on the same football team this year.  Mack's age team was full and he was so light that he was able to play down.  Even after playing down he was one of the four lightest kids on the team.  Greg was assistant coach and the boys loved it - until one tackle during practice where Mack sustained a concussion that kept him out of school for 12 days.  His hit didn't seam that bad at the time but the ensuing headache and neck pain didn't ease after a good nights sleep.  I kept him home and figured he could take it easy and be fine in a day or two.  He didn't improve so I took him to a Doc and stopped all stimulation.  No light, no TV, no toys, nothing.  Just a dark room, alone; I told him he would learn what it meant to be bored.  After a day of that I gave into audio books to keep him from going crazy.  He listened to 40 hours of Harry Potter and at least 4 other books.  After a week in the dark and no improvement we sought other Doctors- it took a while but we finally ended up with a prescription and physical therapy.  Thankfully, the combo finally helped.  After more than two weeks gone he eased back into school with half days wearing a hat and sunglasses to protect his sensitive eyes.  It was a rough three weeks of worry and frustration but he is fully recovered now, although he still prefers to wear sunglasses to school.  He has always been a little sensitive to light and I think he just likes having the shades in bright room.  He looks pretty silly because the shades are the type that attach to your glasses and flip up and down.  Dorky, but functional, and he doesn't seam to care about dorky.  Nearly a month after his injury he was cleared for physical activity again.  It was so strange to him to be out of shape.  Luckily, football was over by then so we didn't have to address that issue.  I'm just hoping next year he doesn't want to play.  Maybe he could get a little more into soccer - that's safer...right?

Fun with my Littles

Just one week after school had been out Emily asked me, "Can they go back to school now?"  She loves the big kids but she likes her mom time even more.  This last month she has been thrilled to just hang out with mom and Lily again.  

 Early in the morning we love watching the ducks in our backyard.

I wrapped them up, called them burritos, and gobbled them up.  They wanted to do it over and over.

I love my job.

Arrow of Light

Mack receiving his Arrow of Light Award.  He earned the award right before we moved so we went back to Nampa for the presentation.  All done with Cub Scouts.

Yes, he is wearing football pads.  We came straight from practice.

Lily wanted in on the action.

First Day of School

I took a ton of pictures of the first day of school and was so proud of myself - then I realized the camera settings had been changed and most of them were blurry.  At least I tried.  

 7th Grade

 2nd Grade - loved that her teacher, Mrs. Kinley's, name was similar to her middle name, McKinley.

 Emmy is wishing she was in school but I'm not willing to giver her up.  Going to miss her next year.

 5th Grade

 4th Grade

Last Horrah Before School

The last day before school started I let the kids pick an activity.  So off to Wahooz for Lazer Tag, Mini Golf, and arcade.  Fun times.

Lily had a love/hate relationship with the Spiderman Ride.

New Looks for School

Nat got bangs..before

After.

Mack hadn't cut his hair for at least 7 months.  He loved his long hair, until football started.  He couldn't see through his hair when he put his helmet on.  Time for the hair to go.  Before...

 After.  I have to admit I was kind of sad to see the hair go.

 And my little Kate got glasses just in time for 2nd grade. She looks so cute but I'm always sad to see my kids get glasses so young.  However, I am so grateful they can see the board in class and see the small things in the world around them.  How sad to live in a blur.

Summer Fun

It wouldn't be summer if the kids didn't spend time at grandma and grandpas house with all the cousins. One cousin even had the glory of a birthday party complete with grandpa renting a jump house.  It was hard to get the kids to go home each night.

 Four Wheeler rides with Grandpa.

 It wouldn't be grandma's house without Schwans Ice Cream Novelties.

 Photo Bombers

The boys can't ever get enough soccer