Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman

Yes, Spider Mania has hit our home full blast. The movie, Spiderman 3 is coming out next week, and to say that Dave is excited would be an understatement. Dave recently acquired an updated version of his spiderman costume so he was more than willing to put it on today to pose for some pictures. When I say more than willing, he got into the costume (not an easy task) 2x today for pictures.

The kids are very excited to have their very own spiderman. Especially Ethan. I think Ethan was even dreaming about spiderman because when he woke up from his nap, the first thing he said was, "Where's Spiderman?" Yes, he really does look up to his dear old dad. :)

Birthday Party!!!

Alicia and Emiliy had a combined birthday party today. We had it at a playground near the house. The girls invited some of their friends from school as well as their cousins. We had quite a good group of little munchkins running around. They had a great time runing around the playground! We even had a clown come, but some of the kids were a little scared of the clown. Most of the kiddos had fun playing games with the clown and had their faces painted. How Fun! We had a really good time with everyone. Thanks for coming and making Alicia & Emily's day special!

Riding Bikes

I took the kiddos bike riding today. Alicia had gotten a bigger bike for her birthday at the beginning of the month. Unfortunately, she was very nervous riding it on the sidewalks in front of our house without her training wheels. (With the road on one side and a hill on the other, it can be quite daunting for a six year old)

We also purchased a bike with training wheels for Emily. Alicia's old bike did not have training wheels, and a new bike wasn't much more than buying the actual training wheels. Emily of course, though excited about riding a new big girl bike was very nervous about riding it on the sidewalk as well.

We also got Ethan a tricycle yesterday. His physical therapist thought that riding a tricycle would really help Ethan gain some more strength in his legs. She thought it would also help with his balance, which he still struggles with. The only problem is that Ethan is not a big fan of anything that moves, at least with him on it. Dave and I were hoping that with a new tricycle as incentive it would would give Ethan a reason to try and ride. Well, it gave him a reason to push the tricycle around. He did actually ride on the tricycle for about 2 seconds. As long as he's having fun, right?

The kids had a good time riding around enjoying the fresh air and the excercise.

At the Playground

There was supposed to be 70% chance of rain today. So, when I woke up this morning to a bright sunny day I knew it couldn't last. It lasted til about 2pm though, and we got to go to the Mohnton Playground for a little while. Yeah!! It's supposed to rain for the next 3 days so I was glad to get the outside play time in while we still could!

Poor Ethan was so sad when we had to leave. He kept saying "Rain Rain go Away!!




Hi Alicia!!!







Ethan had fun posing for a picture!

First T-Ball Game

Alicia had her first t-ball game yesterday. Her team is the Red Sox. The family went to watch and root for her. Ethan wasn't feeling very well, so I wasn't able to stay the whole game, but Alicia did very well. Grandpa Swymer came to see her play and Emily enjoyed spending time on the sidelines with both him and Daddy. It was very hot out yesterday, but Alicia handled the heat like a champ!
Yeah Alicia!!!







"It's getting Hot out here!"









"Batter Up"







Alicia was #2 in the lineup!

Visiting the farm

About a year ago I decided to try and only buy meat for the family that has no antibiotics, hormones and that has been pasture fed. It can be a little expensive in the grocery stores, but it is better for you and tasted really good too.

Recently I checked out a website that listed some local farms that raise and sell pasture fed beef. It can be alot less expensive than the grocery stores, especially when you buy in bulk. I found one that was pretty close in Kutztown, so I decided to pack up the kids and set off to buy some meat.

The kids were very excited when I told them we were going to visit a farm. Alicia asked if it was a "real" farm. Since I don't know what a "fake" farm is, I assured her that it was indeed a "real" farm. On the way there I was hoping that the farm had all kinds of animals, and not just cows. Well, when we got there all we could see were cows. The girls were pretty disappointed, but Ethan didn't seem to fazed. I guess the cows were exciting enough for him. The lady who ran the farm told us that they also had sheep, but they had wandered away to another field.

Well, I made my purchases and we decided to get out of the van so that we could take some pictures. The girls seemed very happy with this decision. Even Ethan seemed to get even happier than he already was. The cows seemed to be very entertained with us, and they all lined up at the fence to check us out. I guess me yelling to the girls to be careful not to step in mud and Ethan throwing a tantrum when it was time to get back in the van can be very exciting in a cows mundane life.

That was our visit to the farm. We didn't stay very long, but seeing the cows seemed to make up for the drive. We even saw the sheep as we drove away. We made sure to stop and get a picture so they wouldn't feel left out. :)

No More Needles!!!

Ethan was discharged from occupational therapy today! Hoorah!!! He still will have a few more sessions of physical therapy, but he is doing very well. God has blessed us in healing Ethan so much! It's hard to even tell that he couldn't walk 2 1/2 weeks ago.

Ethan was supposed to have gone for bloodwork last week. After all that the poor kids been through I could not bear to take him. I kept putting it off. Making one excuse after another like... maybe Dave would like to take him (yeah, right) or he looks like he needs a nap, maybe later or I need a nap maybe later ( you get the picture) I just couldn't bring myself to subject the poor kid to more trauma. Even a needle. Well, finally today, after getting up the nerve, I took Ethan to the lab.

We got there and Ethan was as happy as could be. He was laughing at every little thing. Waving hi to all the people passing us by and generally seemed excited to be in this new strange and exciting building. Lets say I was beginning to feel a little bit guilty at this point. While in the waiting room Ethan drove his train all around and through the chairs laughing every time he crashed his train. He was a little loud, but probably to the other patient's chagrin I couldn't bear to ruin his fun.

Finally it was our turn. The nurse called our number and Ethan skipped behind her excited to see the next new room. The nurse glanced over and asked if who was getting the bloodwork done. I could tell she was hoping I wouldn't say Ethan, but I did. I think I saw her gulp.

First, I have to say that thank goodness that kids are forgiving. Here I am, Ethan's mom. He knows that mommy is supposed to protect him, and I am forceably holding him down so that some strange lady (this time it took two strange ladies) to hold his arm and put a sharp needle into it. It doesn't make me feel like I should win the greatest mommy award, but at least Ethan still loves me. All it took was one lollipop to make him feel better. Of course, he wouldn't take it from the nurse, only from me. I am pretty sure he won't be as happy next time we go to the lab.

Whew, I am GLAD that is over. Now, I just have to sike myself up for next time. ;)

The weekends at our house are a little different than most. They actually seem to start on Saturday night rather than Friday night. Mostly because of Dave's work schedule. This weekend was nice and relaxing, something that I really needed.

Saturday evening we watched Happy Feet with the kids. Ethan even sat down for most of the movie. Alicia helped make brownies before hand so we had fun eating and watching. Thanks Alicia! This might sound strange, but I think my favorite thing about Saturday night was that we all went to bed around 10pm. Yes, Ethan is still in our bed, but he actually went to sleep before midnight, thank the Lord! I have been so tired from all these late nights.

Sunday I was able to get the girls up and out to church. It was very windy and rainy, but we made it there ok, except that we were soaking wet by the time we made it in. We were there though, and on time, (almost) which was very very good. The girls had a good time in Sunday School, I think that they really missed going over the past month and a half, and it was wonderful to be in the worship service after so long. It was so nice to see so many people that had been praying for Ethan and our family over the last few months.

Dave and I even went out to dinner last night, Thanks Jamie for watching the kiddos!!!!! You have no idea how nice it was just to have some lone time, and I have been craving a good steak for so long. Dave and I were able to have a nice date night which we havn't had in a long time. I think we really needed it too.

Whew! What a week. Is it really Friday already? I had to ask Dave this morning just to be sure. We are starting to get into the groove of things here. When I say starting, I mean, Alicia actually did not miss the bus for the first time this week. Yes, its been that kind of week.

I am not complaining though, at least Ethan and I are home. The only problem is that Ethan gets his 3rd dose of medication around 10 pm, and it makes him very hyper. Unfortunatly, by that time of night, I am to exhausted to really play with him, but he still keeps very busy. Last night I just went to bed and gave him to Dave. Dave is more of a night owl then I am. So this morning was a little easier. Hence, Alicia actually made the bus. :)

Ethan had therapy yesterday. His physical therapist was not there because she was sick, but his occupational therapist could not believe how much Ethan improved since last Wednesday. She doesn't think that she needs to see him anymore past his next Tuesday appointment. As far as physical therapy goes, Ethan is really improving with his walking and balance. Yesterday, I noticed that he was able to get up from a sitting position by himself. It was actually kind of funny to watch. He is such a determined little guy.

We are all starting to get over our colds. Ethan seems to be getting a little bit of a goopy eye which is how our colds started, so I am praying that he doesn't get sick too. I have been popping so many vitamin C's into the poor kid.

I am looking forward to this weekend. I want to go to church so bad. I feel as though I am going through withdrawl. We wern't able to make it the last couple of weeks because we were sick.
I am keeping my fingers crossed. :)

Alicia's Birthday!!!

Today was Alicia's birthday! She turned six years old. She is getting to be such a big girl! We celebrated by having Alicia's favorite dinner, taco salad. We then had cake and opened presents. Alicia got a bike for her birthday. She also got a couple games. Happy Birthday Alicia. We love you!!

One Cold Spring Day

The kids are on spring break. Unfortunatly, it feels more like winter than spring. But they are making the most of it as kids always do.

Alicia got a new bike for her birthday, which is tommorow, and she has been busy trying to learn how to ride a much bigger bike. She is doing good though.

Emily braved the cold to ride around on her princess scooter for a while. She then decided to start digging in the dirt and got very messy.

Ethan seems to be very happy to be walking again. He actually is doing very well and he enjoyed pushing his little car around outside. He told me rather quickly though that he was cold.

Hopefully it will warm up soon, however, it is supposed to snow tommorow. I thought the saying was April shower bring May flowers, not April snow showers bring May flowers.

Hello,

It has been too long since I last posted on this blog. So much has happened since last summer.

First of all I want to thank each one of you who prayed for our little Ethan in the last couple of months. God miracously saved our little guy and has blessed us with more time with him. Ethan is doing great. Actually better than great! By looking at him now you would never know that a month ago his heart was not working on it's own. He is back to his happy busy self. He is in therapy right now about two times a week. The only things he is having trouble with at this point is his walking and balance, but every day he is improving!

The girls are doing well too. Alicia is turning six this Saturday. My, how time flies. It seems like yesterday that Dave and I brought home our first bundle of joy! She is such a big girl and such a good helper to me. Alicia is excited about starting T-ball again next week. Of course she thinks she is getting a little to big for t-ball and would rather play baseball with the big kids.

Emily turned four in February. She is our little bundle of happiness! She is doing well in preschool and has lots of friends. She is always busy with projects that she likes to make for all her friends at school.

We are expecting another baby again in September. We are all excited. The girls are especially excited! Alicia wants a boy and Emily wants a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes like her! Today I stopped at Old Navy with the kids and Emily wanted me to by a dress for the new baby. She has her heart set I guess. :)

Thanks again for all of you who helped us out when Ethan was so sick. God has blessed us so much by surrounding us with such loving friends and family!