The 4th, Birthdays, Surgery, General Chaos

The 4th of July and smores.

At Sea World for Maddie's birthday.

As Ava and I wait for the Manta roller coaster.

A little attitude.

All aboard!

We celebrated Lilah's birthday on Maddie's birthday because two days later. . .

We checked in for surgery.

Two days post-op.

Hey, they keep this hospital pretty chilly.

I'll take spaghetti anywhere I can get it.

We're free! Checked out 3 days post-op.

And had a little celebration for Lilah's birthday because. . .

She was well enough to enjoy it.

What We've Been Doing This Week

We went to Urban Jungle.

Maddie and Ava were old enough to rock climb.

Ava loved it.

Maddie, too.

But Ava really loved it.

And would like to do it again sometime, for real.

Sea World. Ava wanted to ride by herself,

but Lilah had to ride with Mommy.

It rained on us,

but we were still smiling.

Today we went to the park--July 4th Eve.

They weren't happy about leaving, but still had a little love for Mommy.

Especially when she accidentally closed her bottom in the automatic door.

We also did a lot of swimming, packed a mini shopping spree into one day--Maddie's birthday present--that girl can shop. Glad I also taught her to save and give and hunt down a good deal. Tomorrow it's BBQ and Sunday, Maddie's birthday, we will fit in an outing and ribs.

Hookie

Today was one doctor visit too many--only one today, because my sweet babe has a sinus infection just 12 days before surgery--but 7 doctor visits in two weeks. . .

And my little girl has had enough. . .lots of questions about why does she have to take the gross-tasting medicine, why does she have to go to the doctor so much, why does she have to have surgery. . .she wanted, needed to get away from it all (don't we all sometimes?). . .and so we did.

And my girl found joy in the simple things, as children should. . .

. . .in seashells and sand between her toes. . .

And we didn't leave until she was smiling again, though I know those questions are still in there, my answers not good enough because right now no answer is.

Kindergarten Graduation!

Her face in the crowd.

The hand-off was quick.

Then onto the cookie social.

Lilah with her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Shinsky (whom we love).

Sisters forever.

With Nana.

With Mommy.

Balloons and shoes:)

Home but still celebrating (after lunch at Soup Plantation at her request).

Candy

On Wednesday I took my youngest to children's hospital for several appointments. She's having surgery soon and needed to be cleared for that. We received some very good news--the repair she needs for a secondary SN is expected to be a lot less complicated than originally thought; the complication with the Contegra implant -- scar tissue build up where it is stitched to her lungs -- healed itself! We are very grateful for all of this and more. . .

We have a rule about candy in my family. The kids must cut it in half, and smaller if need be. When we're on the road, we bite it in half and keep only half in our mouths at a time. Well, we were called in by the nurse for our cardiology appointment just as Lilah was putting a mento in her mouth. We made it as far as the hall, outside the exam room, with me holding her hand the whole way, when I realized she was in distress. Two doctors, a nurse, a PA, the Hiemlich, which wasn't at first working, and a code blue before that candy tumbled out into my hand. I am still shaking, two days later. My daughter clung to me for hours afterward and initiates conversations with me, expressing her fears about it.

Someone at work was surprised that we still cut the candy down to smaller pieces--Lilah will be 6 in a few weeks. Yes, we do. We were distracted Wednesday. We cut it down for my 8 year old, too, and sometimes for my 12 year old. And I hope you will, too. Three years ago the doctors in that hospital saved my daughter's life with what seemed like ease considering the severity of her condition, and on Wednesday I watched them struggle to do it again.

                                      

 Life is a lot sweeter than candy.

An Early Birthday Party

 I let my July babies have birthday parties with friends before the end of the school year. This was Lilah's turn for her birthday at Build-A-Bear. First, she thought she wanted a Minion.

 But the Elsa Bear looked pretty good, too.

 And that's what she chose, along with best bud Kylieann.

 Her sisters were into it, too.

 And I think everyone had a good time.

 Jolie was a little late, but all smiles.

 Then it was outside for cupcakes and juice. Lilah likes the icing best.

 Later we went to the beach for a little fun in the sand.

A Very Busy Week

Sweet and sassy.
Ava is a great gardener and really enjoys it. She's also a pretty cool cowgirl, but wanted very much to walk to her classroom without Mommy, but I insisted. She did a great job in her dance performance with her class.

And up next, some very fashionable members of the audience: