The Slide

Last weekend we went with my dad's family to Fairmont Hotsprings Resort in the glorious state of Montana. It't been the hot spot for our family reunions for years. I remember going when I was younger. The pools were gloriously warm. The 90' waterslide TOTALLY rocked. The hotel was always an adventure for "exploring." Good times were had at Fairmont. This year was no exception. We had so much fun. We had a suite so my immediate family could all stay together. Alyssa and Evan had mixed feeling about that at times. For the most part, it was fabulous that they could run from room to room playing games, jumping on the beds with Grandpa, throwing their beach balls in the house. There was only one or two times when one of them wouldn't allow the other in to their "my" room. Funny kids. On Sunday we spent almost the entire day in the pool. We bought the all day slide pass and intended to get full use out of it. (Ya know, let's just slip in a little linky-link to the slide. Check that out. It's fabulous.)We take Alyssa to the top, geared up in her little hot pink life jacket. All the while she's saying she doesn't want to go, and all the while we're lying to her telling her she doesn't have to. (I know, crappy mom, don't judge me. Ok, you're judging me. Let me just say, that the slide empties in to like 4 feet of water, of which I am perfectly capable of standing straight up and lifting my daughter out of the water so she doesn't go under. Remember? Childhood vacation spot. It's been done before.) When it's our turn, she screams. Holy hannah does she scream. Then after a few seconds when she realizes we're just floating down a tube she says "www....eeee...." like maybe she's having fun! We get to the bottom, the whole fam is there cheering her on. No water splashes in her face, she doesn't go under, all is well. "Mommy! Let's go again!" We went again. And again. And again. That's why we love the Fairmont. From the second time to the last time down, everyone could hear when Alyssa was on the slide. Instead of shrieking in panic, we squeeled with joy. And it echoed, clear over to Grandma Sue on the patio, it echoed. Love that. They've redone the pools and slide since the last time we were there. The slide was completely refinished, but the same slide as I remember. And the bottom of the pool was refinished. Our little footsies didn't get roughed up while we were there. I think they must have added a few flights of stairs to get to the top of the slide, though. I don't remember being nearly so tired and out of breath getting to the top... we used to run up that thing. What were we thinking?

One Year

One year ago today I was sitting in a hospital waiting room, waiting for Tim and Kim to get out of surgery. Wondering, hoping, praying that all would go well. It was a horrible morning of waiting. But it was worth every second. Follow ups and labs - every 3 months Kidney function - 100% Medication - perfectly regulated Our life over the last year has been different in ways we didn't think it would be. We knew Tim would have more energy, but... I have a different husband! He's doing so well. He feels really REALLY good. He has more energy to play with Alyssa. He's happy. Kim is doing great too. We try to get together with her often so she doesn't have separation anxiety from being away from her kidney for too long. Kim - Thank you. Forever and ever and ever - thank you. Our life has been blessed 100 times over because of your tremendous selflessness. We love you for it. One year down - 99 more to go. Happy Anniversary

Non-Drowsy

Nothing is worse than not being able to sleep because you're coughing, right? Hate that. Poor Alyssa, coughing away in her bed last night for a couple of hours, it finally wakes her up enough to call for me. I go in, she's tossing, turning, coughing (I'm thinking she has allergies, but we may be taking a trip to the doc this afternoon) Normally when she's in the process of waking up, she's not extremely coherent and she may tend to slur her speech a bit. But it's cute, way cute. After about 5 minutes of trying to get her to sit up and drink some water, I just scooped her up, wrapped the little lady bug in her blankie and went to the kitchen to search out some cough medicine. Non-Drowsy Pedia-something cough medicine. Made especially for the little ones right? Right. All the while, Alyssa is coughing, whining, moaning and groaning. Eyes closed. Not really talking. Then of course we have the ear piercing scream when I sneak the medicine down by her cheek. She stops screaming. She swallowed the medicine without spewing it across the kitchen. She stops coughing. Eyes are closed. She's quiet. Then... "WELL HI!" Her bright blue eyes open wide. This exquisite smile shines across her beautiful face. She sits up, "Hi mommy, what was that medicine for? It tastes good! Why are I in your room? I love you mommy. I love you." Non-Drowsy. They ain't kiddin'!

Karlee's Pirate and Princess Party

I LOVE that Alyssa gave the pinata the stink eye. LOVE!

Evan wasn't too big on this year's theme. Even though he had the option of a stellar pirate costume. Themed parties just aren't his thing I guess.

One can not possibly have a princess party without a princess Belle cake.

Two year old's get gypped. For their first birthday everyone tells them to dive right in to that cake! Then comes birthday number two and everyone is all "don't touch! don't touch!" What the heck is that all about? I'd be mad too Kar!

What to do....

I'm at a loss.

I just can't think of anything I should do today.

I guess I could try to find Alyssa.

That could take up some time...

Any other suggestions for me?

Dear Memory Mixer

I love you. I do. I curse that cute little Stephanie just a little bit for introducing us, but I love her even more for it. MM - you have sucked up too much of my time tonight. Nearly 4 hours! (Which, let's be honest, isn't a drop in the bucket compared to how much time someone else I know played with you today) But 4 hours I'm sure that I could have spent doing laundry, dishes, cleaning Alyssa's room, going to the grocery store to buy milk, sleeping... the list could go on and on. I'm done with you. For now. Or tonight anyway. All my love.

The Many Faces of Alyssa

Never a dull moment with this girl.