The missing tooth

Ammon's tooth was hanging by a thread for about a week. He really wanted it to fall out at school so he could get put on some special list and get a little container for his tooth, but wouldn't pull it out. We finally threatened that if he didn't do it the next day, we would pin him down and pull out the tooth. So the next day when I picked him up, he says, "Mom, there's good news and bad news. The good news is, I lost my tooth at school. The bad news is, I LOST my tooth at school!" Oh dear. The special container didn't stay closed at recess. So I told him that maybe if he wrote the tooth fairt a letter and explained what happened, she might be able to find his tooth and would still give him the money. So he wrote this letter:
It says, "Dear Tooth Fairy, My tooth fell out, but I lost it on the playground at Columbia Heights school. You can keep this tooth case." I guess the tooth fairy was feeling generous because he got his 50 cents.

It's a miracle

It's weeks before Halloween, and I have already had the kids costumes all ready for this year for a couple of weeks (in September!) It will probably never happen again. The costumes in the picture are from last year, by the way. I haven't gotten pictures of this year's yet.

A little catching up

I feel like I've fallen off the blogging bandwagon lately.  Maybe it's that nothing exciting is going on, or just that I'm  not keeping up with it all right now.  I'm tired of feeling behind.  And then there are distractions such as the book I'm reading-- "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer.  That's kept me up a few late nights so I'm tired, too.

Anyway, not a lot of interest has happened around here.  I guess that's a good thing.   Sissy had a renal ultrasound and it was all normal.  We have taken her off the antibiotics to see how she does. So far so good.  We've been drinking a lot of cranberry juice.  

Ammon had his first sleepover!  His friends that live a few houses down wanted him to come over to sleep in their tree fort.  We said no because we don't even know the kids parents.  But we allowed them to sleep here in the tent in the back yard.   It was a bit crazy, but they had a lot of fun.  He is doing great in school-- the only hitch we've had is the PE teacher calling us because he wouldn't do curl-ups.  He doesn't like to lay on his back and look up at the high ceiling (he's got a bit of agorophobia.)  Sissy is loving every minute of preschool.  It's working out great for Julie and I to trade off babies as well so we can have a couple hours kid-free to get some things done, or take a nap.  I will be able to post some pictures of my bathroom soon-- I've been working on the baseboards.  

It's been a good weekend so far.  While we listened to conference today, Russell transformed this IKEA table:                                           

 into this (so we can use it with the benches he also finished:)

My silly Boy

Gardening Glory

Our gardening this year has been a lot of fun, and a lot of work. We decided to get a plot at the community gardens. I know, it doesn't look like much. Weed control there has been tough. But we have had a TON of beans and peas and green stuff. Our tomatoes are finally starting to ripen, and we have a few squash growing. We will also soon have tons of tomatillos and peppers.

Our corn is pretty funny. It's the first time we've grown corn, and apparently we didn't prep the soil enough. Our plants are about 3 feet high, and the fully ripe cobs are about 4 inches long. Looks like we've invented a mini-corn. Perfect size for little fingers! We also grew a giant beet. I took a picture of Sissy holding it, but somehow the picture didn't save, and we've eaten it already. It was softball size, and pink and white on the inside. Yum.

I think we have eaten more dinners of just pure fresh vegetables this summer than we ever have before. So good and so healthy! If we're around this area next year, our garden will be even better because we'll know what the plot needs.

Sissy is off to preschool!

Sissy had her first day of preschool today. She looks so grown up to me in this picture! She did great. She was very excited and had no problem being left there. I think the only problem will be that it is not often enough-- 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. Anyway, she has had a couple of bad UTI's this summer and we are in the process of trying to figure out why. The problem is that they want her to have a voiding cystogram. I know what this involves, having done it many times on cats and dogs. And I have heard several stories now about how traumatic it is for little girls. They want to know if she has reflux. I don't know what they would do for it if they found out she does have it- but I think the answer is wait and see if she grows out of it. If that's the case, then why bother.

Ammon's off to 1st Grade!

My Ammon started first grade! He did great the first 2 days. It's a little weird to have him gone all day. Sissy clings to me more than normal because he's not there to play with, and BJ just bothers her all the time. It will be good for her to start preschool tomorrow! She is very excited. 2 days a week may not be enough for her!