Spring Break Fun Day #1

I only had two days off for Spring Break - Thursday and Friday.  Our plan was to go to St. Louis and stay with friends and tour around for a few days, but since it is snowing in St. Louis, we decided it probably would not be the best time to go.  When we go, I want to be major tourists, which is not possible in snow.

Monday I worked a full 8 or 9 hour day and Tuesday I worked about a 13 hour day.  I knew month-end was going to be a rough time to take-off, but I had no choice when the kid's break was.  My scheduled time off was a half day on Wednesday, but that didn't got very well.  I took the kids to Happy Hour at Steak N Shake from 3-4 and then worked until church time.  Then I called all the guys I work for, gave them the updates on all their files and turned my e-mail/work phone off.

Today was the day of fun.  I had multiple travel days planned out, but I could convince Jason to take off and go with me, so I decide to stay local - and the day turned out great!

I like to torture the kids and not tell them what we are going to do.  Partially, because it is torture and partially because it leaves me the option to change my mind.

There is a new Jump Park in town that is full of trampolines.  It is crazy expensive for a one hour pass and they only allow a certain number of people, but it is Spring Break, and I was going for it!  When we parked the line was out the door, but we were almost an hour early for the noon hour.  I had signed all the waivers online for today, but it said no reservations left for noon, but for some reason, I was still going for it.  We got up to the counter and she logged in five kids and then yelled "Noon Slot if FULL".  We were the last ones in.  Everyone behind us had to wait another hour and they were not happy.  The kids were ecstatic by that and laughing at the grown woman behind acting like a 2-yr old because she didn't get in.

Here are pictures from this adventure:

 Here is Daegan in a Dodgeball match.  He was in there for awhile so Tavis decided to go in to target just him.  Then Tavis was just out in less than two minutes.

 Mac sitting in air!

 Tavis "on the wall"

 By the time our hour was up the kids were exhausted, but had had a wonderful time.  It was 1:00 and time for lunch.  I had packed a picnic, so we headed to the local park to eat lunch.

 It is always fun to be by the river.

 Of course we had to get closer to the water

so, they could throw rocks in the water....

Of course, we had to ride the Carousel

 And then we decided to walk the bridge.  I asked the kids to look at the water and I would take a picture.  Tavis wasn't so sure about looking over the rail at the water.  Ha!

 We were at the park for three hours burning energy, not to mention the Jump Park.  So, we ended all the fun with some ice cream.  And Mac approved!

 It was so nice to be off work and to just focus on being Fun Mom.  I didn't realize how much I missed it!

A Playdate with an "old" friend

The little boy that I use to babysit, David, came over today to play for the day since he was on Spring Break too.  Somehow, breakfast was the only picture I got.

When I asked him if he knew everyone's name, he shook his head "No, but I know Capps.  And my Mom know everyone else's names."  

A Unfair Game of Clue?

Spring Break has begun but since Mommy and Daddy still had to work today, we played a game of Clue after dinner.  Apparently, after the kids played this morning (the game is less than a month old), there was an argument and cards got thrown - I'll let you guess who threw the cards.

Daegan figured out what the answer was tonight, but Tavis and Jason were going for a different room because no on else had that card.  No one had that card.  Apparently, it is now missing....

So, if you play Clue at our house, it will never be the Ballroom.

National Down Syndrome Day!

Capps, Tavis and Mac supporting with wacky socks!

A Typical Crazy Schedule

This is our typical schedule these days:

Monday and Thursdays:

• Mommy and Daddy at work (always a very crazy day for Mommy)
• Kids in school 8-3
• Tavis soccer practice 3-5 (almost done sitting the bench for practices b/c of concussion)
• Daegan soccer practice 5:30-6:30, which Jason is also at to coach

Tuesdays

• Mommy and Daddy at work 
• Kids in school 8-3
• Tavis typically has a game from 4/4:30-6/6:30

Wednesdays

• Daddy at work, meets with new clients after work many times, Mommy works half days and works at school from 12:30-3:00
• Kids in school 9-3
• No sports!
• Church Family Meal 5:45-6:45
• Wednesday Class 7:00-8:00

Fridays

• Mommy and Daddy at work 
• Kids in school 8-3
• Tavis typically has a game from 4/4:30-6/6:30

Saturdays

• At some point Daegan will have a game, may be 10:00, may be 2:00??  And Jason will be coaching this game
• Errands - we never have groceries and I am fairly certain someone grows out of their jeans or shoes every week
• Daddy meets with new clients

Sunday

• Restful?

The back and forth running does get overwhelming and a little hectic.  It is helpful my sister lives on the same street and has a similar schedule so we can tag team often.  I love the sports, but it does add to the schedule!

St Patty's Day

Some of my kids wore green to avoid getting pinched and some wore orange like good Protestants do.

Mac assured me he was covered both ways b/c the worm on his shirt was orange.  :)

Daegan's First Soccer Game

Daegan is playing soccer this Spring on a U12 team with school.  Practice is Mondays and Thursdays and games are on Saturday.  Jonathan Scott (a cousin) is the coach and Jason is the assistant coach.  So far - it has been fun!  For Daegan to ask to play soccer is a little bizzare, but we went with it - and Jason decided to help as a little extra time to hang out with Daegan.

Handing out jerseys right before the game!

 Warming Up

 Daegan #20

 Coach Brown behaved fairly well to the three female refs

 Our guys had never practiced a "wall" for a penalty kick...

We won 5-3!!!!!  Go Chargers!

Radio Time

I talked to our pediatrician today about Tavis and his concussion.  I needed him to tell me that the school was not being over-sensitive.  Sometimes I fault on the side of being "not paranoid" and I push too hard on the "suck it up" side.  I know this about myself and I think that is half the battle. I have not pushed Tavis, I know he has had a headache, but I have been frustrated for him and needed to know the best way to encourage him, especially since the school doctor has told me I cannot give him any pain medication.  Dr. E is on my side when it comes to some over-reacting in the medical world today and yet I feel he is cautious when he needs to be - and he knows me.

So, I called him.  Not sure why it took me five days to call him?  Again, part of the "suck it up"attitude.

I explained what happened to Tavis.  Explained his symptoms and how the week has gone and how he has progressed throughout the week.  Explained how the school doctor has handled things and how the trainer has handled things, etc.  Dr. E was surprised Tavis had been at school at all this week, but glad to hear the teachers were not making him use his iPad for class and glad to hear they were not requiring him to do homework.

He encouraged us to use the weekend ahead of us as 48 hours of rest.  No screen time, no major playtime, lots of hydration and LOTS OF REST.  And, he did say no medication was allowed until Tavis was cleared.  It stinks for Tavis because he is prone to migraines, but we will be using ice packs and rest!!

So, tonight, for entertainment, we went the old fashioned route.  We listened to The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe on CD, while sitting around in the kitchen.  That way, Tavis was not tempted to look at a screen, but still entertained and not bored.

I had asked the boys to hang out with Tavis so he didn't feel so secluded (he hates being alone, maybe a little like his Mama) and I noticed after I took this picture that Daegan was hanging out, but he is reading a totally different book....

A Call From The Trainer

As you can tell from a few previous posts, Tavis playing soccer has been a fun, big deal.  We have held our kids off from playing sports, but that does not mean that was my utmost desire.  I love sports.  And I have LOVED watching Tavis play.  He has such a heart for soccer and such a natural ability.

On Monday, I was sitting at my desk and my phone cell rang.  It was Bri.  Her number is programmed in my phone because her son is in class with Mac.  She is the the athletic trainer.  Tavis twisted his knee in the game Saturday and I assumed he must have been complaining and she was calling to report she had seen him.

Not the case.  She suspected he had a mild concussion.  He was standing on the field next to the goal post and a teammate rocketed the ball toward him and the ball hit him in the head (it was before practice and he was not looking) and his head hit the post.  His coach was standing right there and immediately took him to Bri.

So, here we are on day #4 and he still did not "pass" his test to be cleared to play.  I am so sad for him.  He only has eight games and he is going to miss two.   I want them to be cautious.  And I want them to be smart.  But it is frustrating.  He is prone to headaches and migraines and that does not help his evaluation.  When it happened he got a 34, day two a 17 and he is stuck on a 12 the past few evaluations.  He has to be in single digits to be cleared.  And we cannot give him pain meds for migraine until he is cleared.  We told him to be honest, don't try to "buck the system" just to play.

So, we wait for him to return to play....

Daegan's Birthday

Daegan MacLeod turned 11!!!  Because of our traveling Saturday, we pretended his birthday was on Friday.  He took treats for his class on Friday, I went and ate lunch with him on Friday and then we had Taco Bell for dinner and I made him a cake for our family celebration.

It is a Creeper Cake!

 Presents consisted of Legos, books and pocket knives

 And Clue - somehow our kids have never played that before? 

 Daniel and Heather were going to join us too, but had to cancel last minute (hope you guys are feeling better!).  It was a good celebration!!!! 

 Then we celebrated with the Caines' crew on Sunday.  After cake on Friday and cupcakes on Saturday, we opted for ice cream for the cake on Sunday - plus we ALWAYS get ice cream at Grandma's!

 ...and, another book....

...which I am sure he will have done by bedtime.