Tina Hennigar recently posted a series of 3 blog entries (“Oh Brothers” is the name of her blog) where she explained her 30 new things in 30 days. It was fantastic. I was thrilled to help her out with one of her 30 things and it gave me an opportunity to chat about some of our ideas, experiences and life events of late. We didn’t actually discuss all this during her facial treatment but when she booked it and we had a visit. She ended her last entry challenging others to try just 10 things in 10 days. I love her reason for doing this and the way she approached it but I’ve been there… not within the 30 days but I’ve done the new things… I even started a career at 40ish that was new to me! I’ve tried the roller coasters with the teenage son and sat in front row of concerts I shouldn’t have been at (Rap? Really?). So although there are more things I should and would love to try, I feel no urgency to get on that right now…

Which brings me to my version of trying new things!

I’ll be trying 10 new things in 10 days with my 2 newest children. There is so much they haven’t experienced that I know this will be easy. Oh but wait… We’re doing it on a road trip! That’s right, you read it correctly, we are taking the not quite 4 & 5 year old kids on a road trip. We will do new things every day. You’ll have to keep reading to find out what we do and where we go.

I confessed to Corey(Papa) this past week that I don’t really love Mother’s Day. It has often meant a work day for him while everyone else has a great day off to spend as a family. So this year we did things a little different – I know it’s hard to believe we’d be “different” but it’s true!

Trey was counting down the days until Mudder’s Day as if it was Christmas and he was planning to make me breakfast with o’s.
Dija was composing a new song all week about “Muthoo’s Day” that was a little predictable but still made me smile.

I have decided that I won’t work Saturday’s so that we have one day of the week as a family with no school or jobs calling someone away. Well this Saturday I was just a little surprised to hear that Corey had funeral duties…well I’m not letting that get in the way of our fun. “OK kids lets get ready because we’re going to work with Papa.” I got my comfy old navy walking pants with some sneakers and dressed the kids cozy and took rubber boots just in case. No time to pack snacks we have a funeral to get to on time.
We drove in to the cemetery, kids in tow, as if it was a normal Saturday morning activity. I sat in the van with kids while Papa went and did his work. It really wasn’t long and the conversation with the kids made the time fly. When Papa finished his work we drove through Charleston and recognized the lady standing by the Community Fire Hall… “Hey are they serving a breakfast in there?” Now that was good timing. We all agreed it was a good plan to go in and have breakfast. Our kids are rather friendly and chatted it up as they enjoyed breakfast out. They were the only kids there right then but that didn’t seem to bother them.
We hit the road again and headed down to Port Medway just kind of roaming with no specific destination. Have you heard of Long Cove? Well I had heard of it but had no idea where it really was. It was a fun adventure with the kids, stopping along the way to jump on rocks along the shore and find cool things on the beach. The kids love watching the ocean so this was a perfect place to meander. Hearing Trey say, “wait for it… wait for it… wait for it…” as the big wave was building, was one of the best moments of the day for me. I couldn’t figure out if he was imitating Papa or Justin at this point but I loved it.
We promised to find a beach with sand next… off to Beach Meadows. Dija immediately dove into the sand as if she was in her bikini. Summer is going to be fun! We managed to have a little walk on the sand before the rain started.
We were home planning barbeque for supper when the phone rang. Justin and Turdturd are back in town and are coming for supper. I agreed to feed them if they bring Emery along for a visit.

It was a full fun day before Mother’s Day even started! Morning came and Trey delivered my coffee in bed and then Papa cooked me an omelette before he disappeared for a very long day of work. I’m glad we did our family activities on Saturday! I don’t really want to be special just one day of the year anyway – I want to be loved, respected and treated like a queen every day. Most of the time that’s the way it is. It’s great being Queen but even better being “da Mudder.”

Nobody likes having sick kids so I don’t think I need to tell you that I had a couple of weeks that were less than enjoyable. Well just to be different I thought I’d put a positive spin on my sick kids experience.

1. They were sick together. I was getting up once every hour to the sound of “Neenee I need a tissue” but then I’d wipe two noses. They were laying in bed feeling miserable and talking about it together. I’d then check fevers that seemed to keep coming and going. It was easy having them both sick in one room.

2. I’d take both kids to the emergency department at the same time to have oxygen levels check – they have both had chest infections in the past so I want to stay on top of that and hit them with drugs when necessary.

3. If I need time off work it makes sense to do it all at once…. Work will wait.

4. The house became really quiet. Almost a vacation, without the sleep or really good meals or going anywhere… ok, forget the vacation part. It was quiet.

Then after a few days Dija was all of a sudden normal again and the quiet part was over when she was around.

Trey just didn’t get better. He was a pathetic sac of bones laying on the sofa far too long…. It all gets a little blurry in my memory here. I think I took him back to the hospital again because I knew he wasn’t improving… but without signs of infection there still wasn’t anything to do but to keep doing the same. Until the third visit after a fever of 103.8 and a lifeless little boy. His poor body just wasn’t functioning as it should at this point. Oh, now you’re looking for the positive that I promised….
5. I always hear people complaining about the Emergency Department. I appreciate the work that they do and the care that they give. I would not want their jobs.
The Tuesday afternoon that we went every room was filled and the waiting area was pretty busy as well. We still didn’t wait long and Trey was given excellent care. That was a long Tuesday but he was a great patient.
On Thursday night I made the announcement that if he didn’t improve overnight he was going back to the hospital in the morning to stay until he could eat, drink and oh… walk to the bathroom unassisted!
Friday morning he seemed to turn a corner and he got up and asked for breakfast. I held my breath but he improved steadily all day. He was back… but wait… he was different…

6. Trey recovered from his illness as a grown up almost 5 year old who wants to obey his parents and do whatever they ask of him. He responds the first time I speak to him and answers politely. He cleans his room up without being asked. He is calm and quiet around the house. He is no longer a crazy 4 year old. He matured while he laid on the sofa. I like this change.

I don’t know if the illness really had anything to do with the sudden changes or if it was just the timing. I wish I could have bottled the virus and sold it based on the changes I’ve seen. I’d start by giving it to Dija again because I’m struggling with her volume and her inability to listen. Perhaps she just needs to grow a year older to catch up.

7. It was great that when I finally gave in to the germs and needed my own sick day I could explain to the kids how I felt and they understood.

8. We’re all feeling fine now and Papa never did get sick – Yay!

Where to start? I’ve had some computer trouble that is still making it difficult for me to publish anything… can I manage without spell check? So I think I have that under control now but it’s been frustrating and not very motivating so I’ve done very little on this silly laptop. I’ll soon recycle this machine and it will become a video player for the kids to watch netflix because it can still do that much! If you wish to donate to my iPad fund go to www.neeneeneedsipad.com and make your donations today – ok that’s not a real link so please don’t try it. There is no such fund. This is simply the result of frustration feeding my sense of humour.
My next excuse… no, reason for no blog entries for so long is actually another blog topic that I’ll get to as I play catch up. If I’m ambitious I might post 2 this week. You’ll likely get to read about my sick kids soon. Rough couple of weeks.
Then they made me sick and I’ve been playing catch up since then.
Well I’m not really writing about my excuses or even apologies because I blog for me not you… although I appreciate people taking the time to read and even comments people make.
I often forget that there are “strangers” reading this blog. I’m referring to people I haven’t met – you aren’t strange. I’m reminded of this when people point it out to me in a public place when they realize who those adorable children are…”Hey, I read your blog!” Then after a moment of embarrassment I think it’s wonderful to meet them. I often do a quick “oh what did I write?” thought too.
On Good Friday we took the kids to Liverpool where they have an interesting church service. All the churches join together and walk from church to church and have a song and reading at each church. The kids thought it was great because the scenery kept changing and they knew there would be food at the last church. During the visit at the last church a lady approached me and said she heard Trey’s name and asked him if he had a sister Dija. She quickly figured out who they were and came to speak to me. She pointed out how long it had been since I blogged and I promised to get back at it. I also have a friend who has been on my case… gently holding me accountable… about meeting my own deadline to post some of the things I’ve been wanting to post. Well the day has come!
I’ll give you a taste of my Easter.
Trey started asking about chocolate the day he no longer felt sick. That gave him a week to ask and ask. “Neenee did you buy chocolate yet?” He was insistent that there is no bunny and I’d be hiding the eggs. I’m not certain why he decided that the adults hide eggs and that I’m not considered the Easter bunny. I didn’t think that was fair of him to make such accusations at the age of 4. I didn’t argue and I didn’t agree. The kids loved finding the eggs and didn’t really care who put candy in our house. Funny thing is they think they had found a gold mine. Most kids would fire the bunny for the tiny haul these kids got. I like to spoil them with my love and attention not with sugar!
Then we all went to Papa’s church where they kids were totally spoiled. We had a little brunch where they got to eat donuts and muffins. Then during the service Trey was included in a little presentation by the children. He hadn’t practised and had no idea he was going to take part until just moments before it began. He was amazing! He followed along and did what he was told to do with each scene. It wasn’t a speaking part but he had to enter, exit, and act a few things out. I was impressed and just a little surprised at how mature he seemed to be.
Dija sat with me and enjoyed the show. Just before it began she ran over and grabbed Papa’s hand and ordered him to come sit by Neenee. Then she announced that she wanted on Papa’s lap not mine because I’m the yuckiest… she hasn’t even experienced yucky yet!
The kids both came home with enough sugar to feed a small nation. They shared with Caitlyn and everyone was happy.

Next entry might come quicker than normal because I have a list!