The case of the missing Lego

When I thought of becoming a mother, I thought of the kisses, smiles, love. I never imagined some of the real life issues, I would face. Here's an example...

I was taking a nap this afternoon when Jackson came in and woke me up with these words "Mommy, I have a Lego in my nose!" 

Now, this was alarming for two reasons:

1. I didn't know what to do with a foreign object in Jackson's nose.

2. It was Jackson. Of my two kids, he is NOT the one I ever thought would put anything up his nose. It  goes against his personality! I would have believed it more if he had said, "Mommy, I put a lego up Philip's nose." But it was unusual that he attempted this feat on himself!

Anyways, I called the doctor and made an appointment to get it removed. I was a little worried about the Lego because not only was it stuck, it had caused his nose to start bleeding...oh, and the fact that the nurse's first question when I told her what was going on was "Can he still breathe?" I hadn't thought about blocked airways with a Lego, but I was thinking it now!

We got the doctor and the Lego was too high for them to remove. We had to head to the Children's Hospital Health Care down the road and have them remove it. Thankfully, Wesley was close by and came to distract Philip. I was able to be back there when they removed the piece. The actual removing did not bother him but the bright light they had to shine in his face did disturb him. 

The funniest part of the entire incident was when they showed him the Lego after it was removed and he replied, "Nope, that's not it. That's not the one I put up there!" 

The doctor did a double take and looked back in his nose to make sure there wasn't another one. There wasn't so we had to explain to Jackson that though it didn't look like the one he stuck up there, it was in fact, the missing Lego.

Now, every time he asks to play Legos at rest, I say, "You can, but what do we not do with Legos at rest?"

His reply "Put them up my nose!"

Jackson and Patches waiting on the doctor to remove the Lego

College Friend

Wesley and I had a friend in college, Kyle, who thanks to Facebook we learned was doing a residency rotation here in Atlanta.

Wesley contacted him and invited him to dinner. We haven't seen Kyle in over 10 years so it was so nice to catch up. In the past 7 years, he has married, had three boys, and moved 4 or 5 times for medical school. It's been a busy 7 years for him!!

Kyle will be in town for another month, and we are hoping to meet up with him again when his wife and three boys come down for a visit.

Even with a tall Daddy, both boys were amazed at Kyle's height! 

Pretty much this is what I remember most of Kyle and Wesley (just can't believe Wesley wasn't making a face too!)
They were ALWAYS cracking each other up!
Philip and Jackson were behind me when I took this picture and thought Mr. Kyle was hilarious for making this face! 

"Jello"

Jackson came in the week school started and asked if I would put some "Jello" in his hair. Once I figured out he meant, gel, I went to work "spiking" his hair. He was particular  about how he wanted his "Jello" - all over not just in the front.

Overheard this morning...

Philip: Daddy, Yous dogs barking? (Wesley has been teaching him funny sayings at night - It's quite cute!)

Wesley: Yes, my dogs are barking.

Philip: Yous work too hard!

Where are we going?

For those who don't speak "Philip"

Leanne: Philip, where are we going?
Philip: Jackson going to Kindergarten. (that's what he and Jackson call Jackson's Young 5s class)
Leanne: Where are you going?
Philip: YMCA

School Starts!

This week school started back!  Jackson is in a Kindergarten Readiness class 4 days a week, and Philip is in the 2s two days a week.

Jackson's first day was Monday. He is in Mrs. Bev's class with 3 other little friends. Mrs. Bev helped out with Jackson's 3 year old class and her twin sister, Mrs. Pam, was his teacher last year. So she is a familiar face for sure!

For the first two weeks of preschool, they ask us to bring the kids in. After that we can use the drop-off service. Jackson did great when I dropped him off. Actually, he did so good, I teared up a little when I got in the car realizing how much he is growing up. This time next year, instead of walking him into preschool, I will be putting him on a bus heading to Kindergarten! Ahh!!!

Today, was Philip's first day. His drop off wasn't as easy or smooth as Jackson's! He grabbed ahold of my leg and didn't want to let go. I stayed in the room for awhile until I was able to pry him off me for a second. I took advantage of this separation, and ran out of the room. Philip screamed but the director of the preschool was right outside the door and when I emerged, she rushed in to soothe him (She is familiar with Philip's first-day-of-school jitters).

I left with him in tears, but I know that he is in such good hands that he will be fine. He loves his teacher Mrs. Kathy as he was with her over the summer. I know he will have fun but it still is hard to leave him when I know at that brief drop-off moment he wants to stay behind with me!

My Valentine's Fortune Cookie

For Valentine's Day this year, Wesley took me out to lunch while the kids were in school. We went to P.F. Chang's in Alpharetta and enjoyed a delicious feast.  At the end of the meal, I was taken back by my fortune cookie prediction. It was a must-save one that I pulled out today.

February is the month we became pregnant. Though we didn't know it yet, our cookie not only knew Baby Bender #3 was on the way but also that it would be a girl!

2012 FVAOH

We just returned from Family Vacation with the Bender family. As always, it was a blast!!! Here are some pictures from the 4 day weekend:

Cumming Bender Photo

Philip in one of his favorite spots for the weekend - Grammy's lap with a book!

Philip in his other favorite spot - beside KD as he worked on the pool!

Swim Time!

Jackson was all about the chilly pool!
He loved playing Olympics - complete with diving in and freesytling it across the pool!

This year, Jackson was all about Wi-Fi Cafe (the hour each day the kids could bring out the electonics!) Macey was a real help during Wi-Fi and would help the younger ones with all the games!

This year, a marble run was added to the activities. I was not on board with this because I had no idea what a marble run was, but it turned out to be a HUGE hit! The kids loved it and the adults who built it (I can not take credit for any of it!) enjoyed putting it together.

Macey and Philip

The rain prevented us from going out on the boat, but Monday morning, we took a trip out to see the boat.

Trent and KD
Jackson, Cole and Luke
Grammy and Philip
Macey

Sunday night, we had KD tell the Ketchup Story. It was so much fun to watch the kids (and Jack!) get into the story!

"You've been eating too much ketchup!"

Lunch Time - Cole, Philip, Trent and Luke

Wesley's pizza

It's blurry but it was too cute not to include - they actually like each other so much they sleep right next to each other...

Or have Patches, Patches, and Dottie (or as Philip calls him Patches) in between them!

One night, Jackson got scared and asked me to sleep with him on the floor. I woke up the next morning and realized I had shared a bed with Philip, 3 Patcheses, a TON of cars, & Jackson! How did we all fit?

Thanks, Jack and Lynne, for a great weekend!!!!

Next year, we will be complete with Elizabeth joining us!!!

Falcons Training Camp

Wesley and Jackson were able to go to a day of the Falcons Training Camp this year. We did this several years ago, but have missed the past few years. I think both Jackson & Wesley enjoyed this year since Jackson was older.

Wesley was able to get two extra tickets so Tucker and Todd joined them as well. I believe out of all four of the boys, Todd enjoyed the day the most!

BFF - Tucker and Jackson

Maybe they will be back as players one day :-)

Wesley - what ever you do, don't put down your coffee!