Bella's Bad Week

I am not sure where Bella gets her personality. I certainly was never this determined as a child... Katie is babysitting Bella one day a week for one hour while I am across the street at work and Maddy is at dance. We all thought this would be a fine arrangement. I guess we forgot to ask Bella. I got a frantic call from Katie about 4:15 p.m. saying that Bella was VERY upset that Maddy had left for dance without her and she ran down the street crying as Maddy pulled away. Katie SWORE she heard Bella come home, but as Bella hated Katie at the moment she just let her be. BUT NOW SHE COULD NOT FIND HER. ANYWHERE. I freaked out a bit because I know Bella. If she wanted to follow Maddy badly enough she would. Well, she tried. Here are her feet to prove it.
When I came speeding into the driveway, Katie had just found Bella in the garage crying and COVERED in hives. Huge ones. When Bella gets nervous or is in contact with certain things she breaks out in hives, but I have never seen them this bad. SO... I totally freaked out.

This picture does not show the extent of the hives and their size. I could literally watch them pop out, I was sure her throat was swelling shut as she indicated that it felt like a brownie was stuck in there. I dosed her with Benadryl and gave her a cool bath which yielded zero results. I put the child in my car (I forgot to mention that I left work in a panic, only telling two people) and dashed off to my orthodontist - in my pajamas - for him to evaluate her.

Um, he is an orthodontist, not a pediatrician. Nobody at work has seen me in my pink and black heart splattered pajamas. Dr. Payne said I was a pain (not really...) and said to go back home and give the Benadryl time to kick in. I did, but it took almost 24 hours for those babies to disappear.

Only a day or two later, Bella was riding Maddy's skateboard down the front driveway on her stomach, when she hit a bump, fell on her head and the skateboard smashed into her two top front teeth. She was a bloody mess and would not let me even look at the damage, but I knew there was some.

She cried herself to sleep and this is the best shot I got of her teeth, and yes, one is pushed back and a bit crooked. I guess another trip to Dr. Payne is in order...
He said that my life and kid was crazy (not really), and that she would be fine, but very tender for a few days.

Well, Bella decided to quit eating to avoid any pain and she quickly got sick (ketotic hypoglycemia - childhood illness in which the child CANNOT go without food for extended periods of time or her little body shuts down) - She spent two days in bed vomiting, then acquired some virus that left her feverish and kicked off a 3 day asthma attack. I called the pediatrician this time. He prescribed steroids. NOT A GOOD IDEA. I got to meet and spend a lot of quality time with Angry Bella. Fun.

This is Bella the day after her skateboarding trick...

This is Bella a week later. Yes, I did have a small melt down with Pat's family because she was still not eating - not a thing - and her weight loss was freaking me out. Thank you to Granne Hanne and Aunt Tanja for bribing Bella with money and Polly Pockets, but the Ritz crackers did the trick!

Good Grief. Thank heavens this week is over. Maybe I have the Swine Flu to look forward to now...

Maddy is ACTIVELY engaged in ACTIVITIES

Well, it is official. Maddy is now a certified student with an activity card. Which means she would like to attend ALL activities where there is a discount given to those with a student ID. Maddy is a lot like her mother, she LOVES to have fun, so I can't bemoan the child, um I mean tween, the joy of discovering a very active social life.
BUT, it was a bit hard for me to drop my 6th grader off at the local high school football game. (Rocky Mountain High -don't you want to bust out in song?)
She called every half hour and spent her hard earned money on admittance, face painting and a T-shirt. I LOVE THIS GIRL.

My wish for you, Maddy, is that you enjoy every minute of your teenage years. I pray you don't get caught up in the things that will detract from your sparkling personality and I NEVER want you to have a boyfriend...
Have fun, GO GRIZZLIES!

It's Game Time!

Yes, we do love our Broncos. If you live any where near the Bronco Nation you know how much our boys are loved.
But due to the team's extreme popularity tickets are sometimes impossible to come by (or afford) - BUT, I was able to call in the Big Guns and between my dad and Uncle Richard, Kimm and I were given FABULOUS seats on the 50.
THANK YOU!!
-For those of you who are wondering why our hubbies weren't there, it was because mine was working (he cried when he found out I had tickets) and Chainey, well, Chainey wasn't invited.

Every home game I attend, I make a point to visit with the fans of the opposing team. I want to know how Boise is treating them and if they like our beautiful city. These guys were a "quack up" ha. ha. They were on ESPN a few times, so I feel like I know them.

This was one sad duck to begin with and as the night went on he just got uglier.

(Ugly Ducking - get it??)

Oregon's Air National Guard is stationed at Gowen Field so we were treated to an awesome flyover by two of each state's fighter planes.

We sat high up, but right over the 50 yard line and we could see things that those darn officials could not.

Our new, improved and expanded stadium still has a beautiful back drop.

We are on our feet!! Don't you love the coordinating colors of the fans, the fireworks and the Boise State Bronco Football Team playing their first game of the season on The Blue and against our new arch enemy OREGON. Doesn't get any better, football fans.

Sweet.

I heard that ESPN bashed on us quite a bit. I'd like to bash on them. We deserve a chance to play in a bigger conference. No, we wouldn't win every game but they would all be good ones.

Kimm keeps spying on her friend's son who is #54. He guards the quarterback, very important position...

Kimm yelled through our program all night. I just yelled. We were seated next to an elderly couple and about halfway through the game the gentleman asked me if we came to EVERY game. (He must have season tickets)

Kimm and I had a blast and killing some ducks made a great night even better.

GO BRONCOS!! Here's to a new team, a new season and a bowl game in January!

Bella's Bear

I usually have no idea that Bella has found my camera and used it to take pictures of everything from the floor, the door, TV, and her nose until I review the memory card before downloading. This picture of her new Build-a-Bear shows some serious talent. I may have a future blogger on my hands.

Oddities Found in the Thibadeau Home

As I was walking past our guest bathroom one afternoon, I finally stopped to notice the naked baby doll that has been in our bathtub for quite some time now. Strangely odd. Kinda' creepy. With my new heightened sense of awareness I decided to check out the rest of my home and see what other oddities I could find...
Now, this was found purely on accident. Little did I know I had a pretend baby in the downstairs bath and a real one in the upstairs bathroom sink. Curious, indeed.

Yep, that is our cat climbing the back screen door.

No, the cat did not get outside, she is on the inside of the blinds climbing I don't know where.

This is Patches trying to get out of who knows where.

This one startled me a bit. Katie with an Afro and seemingly no neck. ODD.

And, my favorite. Bella's dinner prepared by her father. (BTW, she ran away in horror, screaming "That is so GROSS! I HATE THAT!! DAD, YOU ARE SO MEAN!!)
Can you blame her?

Now, remember, this is just a few of my findings. Pat wearing his C-Pap machine at night while sleeping would be a great addition, but I think I shall refrain.

Don't I Have Enough Animals??

Patches/Puma now has almost complete unlimited access to the house. She has behaved quite well. I am trying not to have convulsions over the claw marks in my leather sectional. Trying is the operative word here. But, all in all, I have enjoyed our newest addition. I have moved Fred to the front porch to give him some fresh air and Butterscotch seems to have adjusted to life on her own, unattended in our backyard. Between my kiddos, hubby and the wildlife around my house I am content... So why do I offer to babysit the Westerberg Family dog, Boone? To make my children happy. That is the reason. That is all. He is a nice enough dog, but considering he hates Pat, is scared of all things and leaves large droppings in my backyard, I am not sure why I put myself through these "slumber parties". Poor Patches has been locked up in Maddy's room for so long we decided to let her out to see if she and Boone could tolerate each other.
Like I said, Boone is afraid of all things, including a kitten about the size of his foot. He thinks no one sees him hiding under the table.

Well, Puma found him - see her paw going in for the kill on the right side of the picture??

Between the large dog and the small cat, I would have to bet that the cat would win any match. We have always insisted she is part Puma...

The First Day

I have been dreading this day. I am usually so excited for school to begin, but this year is a bit different. Maddy will be attending middle school. Not safe, little elementary school, but big, scary middle school. I have a some anxiety about the whole situation. Maddy does not. She is ready. Locker combination is memorized, lunch picked out, friends to walk with, a pay as you go cell phone... I AM NOT READY. I will tell you why. Maddy does not look like a 6th grader. 8th grade boys had better stay away... Maddy is my first baby and I should not be old enough to have a middle schooler.

For every special occasion, we always take a picture under our front yard tree. The tree has grown, but so have my children. Maddy had to stoop to fit under it.

I really love that I did not embarrass my daughter by parking my car and in the middle of the road, jumping out to take this picture and yelling, "I love you!!" while tears ran down my face.

Now, on the other hand, I am very excited for Katie. She is going into 4th grade. This is a big deal. She no longer has big sister around to make all the decisions and she has already shown that she is ready to shine by herself. Katie has always amazed me with unflinching confidence in herself. She knows who she is and want she wants, now she gets to go for it all on her own. I can't wait to see what this year holds for her.

AND, she actually accommodated my picture taking. (She was looking cute and knew it)

She still looks so tiny on that bus.

I never knew how saying a short goodbye could break a Mother's heart.

I love you babies. (YES, babies.) Have fun, do your best, be yourself and always come home.
"I LOVE YOU!"

Last Splash...

The end of summer is approaching... fast. I know my kiddos have had some wonderful adventures this summer, thanks to family and friends - But as a family we have had just a few. Spending the day at the water park together was extremely refreshing..

Now, Ami can't complain that we didn't do anything with each other this summer. Look I have proof!!

Bella and Quincy

Reece...

and Baby Trey.

That's a good mom, I cant risk getting my hair or face wet - the mask would wash off!

It was a nice way to end the the summer. Plus, Roaring Springs is like going to The Fair. You get to see some very eccentric people.

And the best part - I actually got to see my husband for more than a few minutes.

I do not think I am ready to see Summer's end, only because I feel like I am still waiting for it to start. I have to keep reminding myself that I am not kid anymore and I don't have summers off!

(Next year I am wearing that swimsuit on a yacht, even if it kills me)