Caleb's New (Old) Bike

We pulled out the old training wheel bike and Caleb showed interest. The tire had a hole in it so it needed a new tire and tube.

I decided I would take care of this since it should be a relatively simple task right? (and Johns "honey do"this list is already long) Well,I was wrong about the simple part.

I go to Walmart. They have the tire size but not in stock right now. Target only carries the 12 inch and the 16 inch, not the 14 inch tires. Toys R Us only has the tube not the tire. So now it is 10:30 (I left at 8 AM) and I am mad we have not found a tire to fit and my 2 youngest have been dragged into the toy section of the store and have to have been told repeatedly that we are not here to buy toys, just a bike tire.

I find a bike store named Michael's Cycles and hooray they have 1 tire 14 inches and the tube! Only problem the store is next to McDonald's and it is now lunch time. Sorry, once again I get to be mean mom and say No.

I drive home the baby falls asleep - now I will get no nap out of him ARGHH. No problem I look back and Caleb is asleep too - but he hasn't peed since 8 am so you know what that means. sigh. (it is 12 30 at this point)

I get the garage open find the ratchet (is that the right tool?) that fits. I get the nuts/ bolts whatever they are, off both training wheels. I figure out how to get the back wheel off. I need a Philips screw driver for one part, a socket set for another and a wrench for yet another. No wonder john has so many tools. Goodness sake people!

I push, pull, and plead with the old tire to come off the wheel. Sucess! I get the new tube on and spend30 minutes trying to get the new tire on the wheel.

Now I know why mechanics swear so much. Jeepers! Ok finally I get that done. oh crap the air nozzle is no longer lined up with hole in the wheel for the nozzle. ok everyone still sleeping? Yup. Get the nozzle aligned.

Now how do these pieces go back together again?
Get the wheel back on.
Get the training wheels back on.
Chain falls off the pedals - AARRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

Take off training wheels, take off wheel cover, reinstall chain. Tighten nut/bolt (whatever that thing is). Kids still sleeping? Yup. Put wheel cover back on, training wheels back on. Put back back in van - drive to BP for air.

Kids wake up hungry and crying - too late now I have spent over an hour with this tire and it is going to get air and you will ride it!

Go to air pump. Put air hose up to nozzle - nozzle in tire is burried again ARGHHHH.

Run in store buy candy for kids. HA not kidding - go back to air nozzle.
Get crow bar from tire changing area in van. Pry tire over enough to stick nozzle back thru hole. Fill with air.
Put bike back in van.
Drive home feeling invincible. I am woman hear me roar!
Feed kids lunch at 2 pm.

Caleb's Hunger Strike

The vomits are over - everything has been washed and disinfected. We are back in business.

We walked to church because it was really nice outside. We have a big breakfast of pancakes and sausage and make it there by 8:30AM. A record for us.

On the way home, Caleb asks to go to the BP. We agree, but not for food, only a drink. The 3 blocks we walk to get there from church Caleb complains how he wants something to eat and drink. We say no, only a drink, we will get Gatorade. Each child picks a Gatorade.

We get to the checkout and Caleb starts crying. "I wanted something to eat!" After our mini-scene we get him out the door and I carry him all they way home crying about not getting anything to eat.

Still fuming when we get in the front door, he exclaims to me: "I am NOT going to eat any of our snacks or anything else until I go back to the BP!"

I am not concerned about this, annoyed yes, concerned no. Not this kid. There is NO WAY this kid will last on a hunger strike - not this one.

I call his bluff. (I just went to the store and have a TON of goodies) I pull out the snack bin. I bring it right over to him and start rifling thru.

"Fruit Snacks?"
"NO"
"Teddy Grahams?"
"NO"
"Rits Bits?"
"NO"
Macaroni and cheese crackers?"
"NO" Hesitated a little on that one
"Nutrigrain bar?"
"NO" arms crossed reiterate hunger strike intention.

Over walks David. He eye spies the bin.
"Hey, can I have some macaroni and cheese crackers?"
"SURE"
I tell you it wasn't 8 seconds and Caleb caves. Hunger strike over.

Vomit and More Vomit

I should have known better. A Chuck E Cheese day has now translated to a day of vomit. Caleb was first on Monday night. Until Wednesday afternoon he couldn't even keep 1 ounce of water or anything down. Since he hadn't kept anything down for 2 whole days, I took him in. ( my grandma called - Is it the Swine flu?) - No Grams - not the swine flu.

Same thing the Dr always says - virus - go home give him rest.

The longer I am a mom the more I wonder "why do we even go to the doctor?" These guys give you the wrong info half the time and the other half they tell you what mom already knew!

(I go because I have a grandma who will chew my ear off if I don't - truth be told)

Nathan has it now only he keeps swallowing his vomit. GROSS!

In an effort to end this entry on a funny note, here is a great picture my mother in law sent me regarding the swine flu - which I REPEAT we do NOT have:

how it all started:

Nathan's Baby Teeth and a Trip to Chuck E Cheese

Nathan has 4 teeth to go before his baby teeth are complete. Well, they are all coming in at the same time. Poor kid. He is a drool/booger mess and to top it off he got a bloody nose today to boot. Poor guy tripped on the shoes and fell right on a buckle. If I even look at him funny, he knows I am comin' to wipe his nose. I can't imagine I would like that much either.

As I was working my nursery shift at church today, one of my former high school Sunday school students brought in his 2nd baby (a chubby bubba of a boy). It was so weird to sign him in and care for a baby of a former high school student. I felt so OLD - but indeed that crew of "kids" we taught are now in their mid to late 20's. (This particular student-turned-dad, we watched play high school basketball! - weird ) His son was just like my David as a baby. Huge head and super roly poly body and all smiles. It was a joy to have him in my arms.

While feeding this little one his bottle, I was thinking about Nathan getting his last 4 teeth and that indeed the baby stage is soon going to be distant memory. I smile at the thought that I will soon be the nursery worker who has no kids nursery age! The light at the end of the tunnel is not only visible it is getting brighter and bigger by the minute!

After church we went out to eat. We had 2 elderly couples approach us and tell us our kids were cute and well mannered. I know they were taking a moment to remember what it was like to eat out with their kids when they were little (the kids are probably Seniors themselves , judging by the age of the couples). I smiled and tried to just enjoy the moment with my three little men eating food that was prepared by someone else.

Then we did the ultimate mom of young kids activity. Chuck E Cheese. (we met cousins Zach and Samantha there) Caleb had 20 birthday tokens to burn and we weren't about to waste them. I smiled at the fact that David was old enough to be on his own and that Caleb was with dad and Nathan was with me. As I was helping Nathan play a game, I saw a couple walk by the mall window and peak in. They obviously were past the Chuck E Cheese stage of life. They smiled in at the crazy activity beyond the window.

Okay God. That was 3 times you whispered to me enjoy them now. They grow so fast. I am hearing you. These are the good ol' days and soon they will no longer be my little boys. They will be men.

Caleb Reads His 1st Book

I have been working with Caleb (and Olivia) on letter recognition and sounds for some time now. I decided to pull out the Hooked on Phonics CD game and play a few rounds of letter sounds with Caleb. He passed the 1st 3 games and I began to think - Maybe this kid could read the 1st Hooked on Phonics book!

I assure you he has never seen this book before. I had him sound it out 1 time before I grabbed the camcorder. I am amazed! He is 2 days past his 4th birthday!

more clips from the WI Dells

Here are are few of my favorite clips from the Dells trip- David and Caleb are just 2 months shy of being 4 years apart - so David is twice Caleb's age right now. David is no small boy but look at Caleb next to him. I tell you what, I keep telling David that he and Caleb are on the same team and that he better be nice to him because Caleb is going to be bigger than him someday. Looks like that day is coming up soon. Caleb is just like Grandpa Art - BUILT! The kid has pipes! Carrying him will be the death of my back - he is a brick! (funny 'cause we seriously considered naming him MASON!)

Now this one is funny - David and Naomi (no they did not share a bed for the vacation) - just watching a show together - Jon and Kate plus 8 as a matter of fact! - Naomi left when they changed the TV to the military channel and then Noah was in there instead.

Here is one of Nathan - he was fascinated with the fireplace.

Caleb Turns 4

My middle child is now 4. Sometimes it is hard to believe, sometimes not so hard to believe.

Our family went to the WI Dells and stayed in a 3 bed condo with good friends and had a great time. The kids each had a buddy and we had water park and arcade fun, good food and even some relaxation for us adults.

I wasn't awake at the exact 4 year mark of Caleb's birth this morning. (He was born at 1:11 AM on his due date) but I did have a brief moment to reflect on his birth. His birth was just the beginning of us finding out about Caleb. Caleb was born 22 minutes after we made it to hospital - a boy determined to make his desires accomplished in haste. He was our largest baby (9 lbs). He never cared to be rocked - he wanted you to lay him down in the crib and walk away. Mr. independent. (touch has never been his love language)

Now at 4, he is already the child that has made me laugh the most. The best stuff comes out of his mouth. He has a great sense of humor. Many of his greatest hits have been posted right here in this blog.

The best moment though was last night when the activity of a condo filled with people was bustling about us. He had finished his cake and I was wiping up his hands and mouth. I told him how thankful I was that God gave him to be my son for 4 whole years and that I loved him super much. Then he hugged me and gave me a kiss on my head and said "I know mom - I love you too." An unsolicited hug from him is a huge deal - but to have it added by his words of "I know" was a wonderful tribute to the last year I was able to spend with him. (no homeschooling brother - no nursing infant brother = more mom+Caleb time)

I am crying tears of joy as I post this - he is secure in the knowledge that he is indeed loved.

Thank you God for the privilege of being this little man's mom. May there be many many more birthday celebrations!

P.S. The cake was a volcano - just like from the rainforest cafe (see previous post)

Here is a clip: