Spring Break 2008

This past week was our spring break....finally! I don't know about other parents, but the BEST part of spring break, beside sleeping in, was not having to make lunches everyday. I don't know why I hate it so much, but I get so tired of trying to get creative everyday and remain healthy. Blah! Usually we don't go anywhere on springbreak because I have this thing about massive crowds. But this year we went to Savannah, GA for 4 days. We actually stayed on Tybee Island in a rented cottage. It was a very beautiful cottage and huge. We didn't much like the beach there, it was kinda smelly and didn't really feel like a beach.....but we weren't there for that so it was fine by all. We had a great time roaming around Savannah for 3 days discovering the amazing history and seeing the gorgeous houses/buildings. We even went on a ghost tour, which of course resulted in me and 3 kids in a king sized bed that night. LOL! Cozy! Unfortunately Darcy couldn't join us, he had to work, like a bazillion hours, so we did miss him. We will have to go back soon and see more. Hope everyone had a restful springbreak.

House of pain

Well, leave it to the Price Crew to never be too far from an ER. It all started a few weeks back with Ethan. I picked him up from a friends house after an overnight when I noticed a large red bump on his forearm. When inquiring what it might be, he replied "I think it's a zit and it's been there for a few days." Well, after inspecting it and explaining to the monkey that zits don't happen on your forearms, I realized it was either a very large splinter or a bite of some sort. I did what they always tell you and circled it with a pen when we got home to be able to check the swelling. Sure enough, the next morning it was WAY outside the penned circle. His forearm was huge and very painful. We went to the doctor that day and sure enough, he was bit by a Brown Recluse spider. Fabulous! While I'm slightly freaking out, he's proud as a peacock with the knowledge that this will leave a scar. Boys!!! I won't give you all the gory details, but he was on very strong antibiotics and it eventually drained on its own. Thank goodness, otherwise that would have been it's own trauma. Let's just say I don't gross out easily, and even enjoy pus at times, (I'm in the medical field), but this was nasty!!! Brown recluse bites kill the flesh and let's just say, he can proudly display his scar. Thank God it was on his arm. And I am greatful it hasn't scarred him emotionally, because he is right back down in the creek where I am sure he encountered this mean arachnid.
Now for child injury #2! A little over a week ago, Syd was skateboarding down the "suicide hill" with a neighbor and her brother. Now, it's really not that bad of a hill, but it's not for wimps either. I would be more worried however, this hill has been in our lives for 5 years and my kids are very well acquainted with it. She had on a helmet and wrist guards, as I am a stickler for safety. However, she did not have on elbow pads! Yup, broke her right elbow! Poor kid, she took a hard fall. Now, we are quite aquainted with our orthopedic guy, so when he came into the exam room, the first thing out of his mouth was " What took you so long?" This is especially true for Syd. This is the 3rd time we've been to him for her. I did ask if we were nearing the limit when he has to call child protective services. He reassured me they can tell the difference between active (clutzy) kids and abused ones. Thank God!!!
So, I am officially burning this skateboard, as it is the same one that Sam fell off of 3 years ago almost to the exact date and broke her wrist. (Hence, why Syd had on wrist guards). I think I have learned........all kids must be bubble wrapped before playing outside.

What I will see when my life flashes before my eyes...

Its been a while since we've posted, but I came across another cool idea while surfing and thought I'd copy. So, sit back and have a gander at some of the things I expect will cross my mind in my final seconds:

1. Holding my first born (who's now almost all growed up). Staring into those eyes was mesmerizing.
2. Delivery of the second born. This child was trouble from the start, including coming out with a hangman's knot.
3. Many flashes of the third child. From sitting quietly in the kid seat, to the uncommon quips and spasmodic dance steps routinely used to this day. Not always endearing, but it is part of the charm.
4. Watching my beautiful wife come down the aisle. It was the start of something which has blessed my life more than I could ever say.
5. Watching cereal drip down my sister. Never was a beating SO worth it.
6. Playing catch with my Dad.
7. Learning to ride a bike. (Thanks sis)
8. Kids sporting events - soccer games, swim meets, gymnastics. At some point, each of them has done something in those venues that truly has made me proud.
9. Flashes of my kids growing up.
10. Jumping from a perfectly good airplane. Must blame my wife, since it was her idea. Maybe she was trying to get this list "jump" started, even back then...

So, in the end, I guess it shows that the most important pieces in my life are my family. Really, when you get down to it, that is the way it should be:

friends + family = LIFE

Sorry, ozone layer

Every evening while eating dinner, we have a family tradition of "best and worst parts of your day" At this time, we go around the table and state these. It helps us all keep in touch with each other etc.... The other night, it was the middle childs turn for this. Her best part "no homework" and worst part " I had the farts today!!!" Then the son pipes up and says he did too. At this point I begin giggling hysterically because I know the culprit immediately. I had sent Fiber One granola bars in their lunches. I knew this because I had the same problem from them and this is why I gave them to the kids, thinking they wouldn't affect them as they did myself. WRONG!!! Man, am I in trouble over that one. Methayne gas destroys the ozone layer.......SORRY OZONE LAYER!!! No more Fiber One bars in this house.

The more the merrier

This past weekend was fun. We had my hubbys dad and step mom in from MI from Friday to Monday A.M. Along with a surprise visit from my mom and step dad as well. You know how it is with kids.....when you have their friends over, it's easier. Well, it's the same way with out of town parents too!! :) tee hee! I just had to feed them and make multiple pitchers of margaritas. Seriously, we had a great time with everyone. Hubby and his dad got some golf in and Janet and I got some shopping in, so all was fun. The funniest part was that out of the 4 guest we had here, 3 of them were named Jan/Janet! Good grief, that was a tough one. Can you imagin? It was a nice visit all together. Lots of laughs. Love it when the parents partake in margaritas!!!