Christmas Photos

So I took my own photos of the kids this year. Kelly has always been a great photo subject. She has been posing since she was 18 months old. Evan however, could care less. So this is what I got.

Holiday Blues

I really hate it when my kids get sick. I feel so bad for them and wish that it would quickly run it's course. Not this time. Poor Evan has been dealing with the effects of his cold that started weeks ago. It started out with a runny nose then progressed into a cough with the snotty nose that doesn't stop running. I tried home remedies before finally taking him to the doctor. They diagnosed him with an ear infection in one, possible in the other and an Upper Respiratory infection in the chest. The doctor prescribed him Augmentin which he's taking 2 times a day. So last week I noticed that his lips had some white skin peeling on them. I wasn't too worried about it. Evan WAS still using a pacifier and I figured he'd been sucking it too much. But it all changed Sunday night. I got him out of the bath and noticed that his lips had these red bumps all over them and down inside the mouth. The white skin that I had seen earlier in the week was now inside the lips. I called the doctor's office that night and left a message for the on call doctor. In the meantime I checked the internet for possible causes. I found out that using the antibiotic Augmentin can cause Thrush. Once I talked to the doctor and decsribed what it looked like, he thought without seeing Evan, that it was possibly Thrush. He recommended that I bring him in the morning to the office to have him checked out. So Monday morning I was at the doctor's office where the bad news was confirmed. Evan has a case of Thrush. Possibly caused by the Augmentin he's taking for his ear infections. Unfortunately he still has to finish that medicine as well as now take another antibiotic for the Thrush. Even worse, Thrush is contagious if Evan were to swap pacifiers with another child. So I kept him home for 3 days from daycare per their request. So as of last night, Evan no longer has his paci and is still taking antibiotics. Hopefully everything clears up soon. Poor guy.

Holiday Santa Shop

Last week Kelly's school sent home a money envelope and a letter explaining that the school's PTA was holding a holiday Santa shop for the students. It was there for them to go shopping for their parents, siblings, grandparents and/or pets. I sent her yesterday with a $15.00 check in the envelope. The letter didn't explain how to designate how much and who she should be buying for. It listed mother, father, brother etc.. on the front and amount, but without seeing what they had to offer I couldn't pick for her to spend how much for each of us. I figured that they would have an adult or teacher help each child in deciding what to get. Or at least question if they're buying for their mommy or daddy?

So yesterday afternoon she was so excited to pull out her bag of goodies. She pulls out one dog bone ( we have 2 dogs) , 2 cat toys, a wiggly bird feather pen, a clip-on dolly, a 3" stuffed leopard, some lip gloss, a coin purse, and one of those slimy slingy things that you can get out of a quarter machine. She tells me, " look what I got mom". I tried to question her what she bought for mommy and daddy. Of course this upsets her and she drops to the floor and starts to cry.

This is not her fault. Why would they let a 5 year old pick out some junk?? So last night we made the best of it and picked who would get what for Christmas and rethinking how this will go next year. But I wasn't satisfied with that. So this morning, I questioned her teacher on who helps the kids pick out their "gifts". She said that the PTA is in there to help the students pick out stuff. OKAY, sure. I told her that Kelly came home with a bunch of "junk" for herself. She told me to go check it out for myself and I did.

Well. These items are like what you might find at Dollar Tree or online at Oriental Trading company. Not your best choices for gifts. Now there were some decent items like a #1 Grandma or #1 Grandpa pen. and #1 Dad coffee mug.

So I spoke with the ladies there this morning and told them of my dilemma. They were very understanding and I exchanged just a few of the items for some more appropriate gifts. I was a bit worried about doing this without Kelly there, but the woman I dealt with said that if Kelly waited until tomorrow there might not be any "good" gifts left. I'm sure this afternoon when I explain what I did Kelly won't be too upset. I did keep the clip-on doll just for her.

So a word of the wise. Next year, I'll know what to expect. Or maybe, I'll just take her to the Target or Walmart and she can pick out stuff there.

Saturday Fun

Evan hanging out with Grandpa and Daddy

Kelly playing on the Prowler Kelly I work every Saturday while my hubby has it off. He is the caregiver for the day. But this Saturday is different. He is doing a favor for my dad and the kids are hanging out with me. It hasn't been bad so far.