Community Appreciation Day at DCC

On May 20th DeKalb Chiropractic Center had a Community Appreciation Day. This event was organized by my sister-in-law, Amy, as a way to thank our community for their support. Companies from around the area donated prizes, food, and services. Dr. Lee and Dr. Heath were offering free consultations and initial exams that day. We had a moonwalk for the kids provided by Mr. Moonwalk (Jon Paul Capito). We had acoustic guitarists playing as patients entered the office. Patients could enter a raffle to win some fun prizes. We had tons of organic, innate food set out for everyone to try... yummy meatballs (grass fed beef), raw cheeses, Texas caviar & chips, veggies to juice, fresh fruit, broccoli salad with oil, teas, Amy's special innate desserts. I was wonderful!

There was a pretty good turnout that day and we couldn't have asked for better weather.

Dr. Lee watching the kids enjoy the moonwalk.

Meatballs, broccoli salad, Texas caviar & chips.

Teas, fresh fruit, veggies to juice, Amy's desserts.

Cousins Parker and Kiefer enjoying their time at Community Appreciation Day.

Lauren Blythe having fun and eating some fresh watermelon.

Some pictures of the DCC staff...

Our Graduate, Krue!

Our big man, Kruser, graduated from preschool last week! He has spent three fun years at Creative Playschool and has met some really good friends and teachers. He is very excited to go to Kindergarten next year!

Krue's preschool program was adorable. They sang a whole slew of patriotic songs, had a cute slideshow while they changed into their graduation caps and gowns... and then each one was called up for their diploma.

Singing the patriotic songs.

Krue's Dr. Seuss class

Krue with his assistant teacher, Miss Ashley

(Krue got the biggest kick out of Miss Ashley! She made him laugh and he always had a "Miss Ashley Story" for me.)

Krue with his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Palumbo.

Krue proudly hugging his diploma.

Best Friends, Krue and Lauren.

Papa Sam and Grandma Beth came to watch Krue graduate.

So did Baba! Papa Joe couldn't make it that night.

(Very fitting that there is a bee in the picture.)

Kiefer was very proud of his big brother.

We love you, Krue! You are getting so big... you amaze us every day!

Last Day of Preschool

Last week the kids had their last day of preschool for the year. I took a picture of "the gang" because it will be the last time they will all be together in school for another three years. It was fun taking these guys to and from school... as chaotic as it sometimes got (hugs that lead into wrestling matches, an escape artist running down the hall, trying to keep everyone holding hands in the parking lot, strapping all four into their car seats with a pregnant belly) ... I will miss it for sure!

These guys are going to have so much fun playing out in the yard this summer. They are getting to a point where they can play on their own for long periods of time and Mel and I can sit and talk without interruption (now that I think about it, this won't last for very long... I've got a newborn coming.) Their favorite game to play is called "babies". Lauren is the mom, Krue is the dad, Kiefer is the big brother, and Graham is the baby. They could play this for hours! It is so cute to watch them act out stories and play make believe.

Eight Months Pregnant!

Here I am, pregnant at 34 weeks. Everything is going well and the baby is moving like crazy. Last night I swear he/she was doing flips and having taekwondo practice while I was trying to sleep. I can tell there has been a big growth spurt in this past week. Lee tries to grab the little feet because you can actually see them when he/she is kicking.

Believe it or not, I am very comfortable at this stage. It still feels like there is plenty of room for baby and I am super excited I have made it to 34 weeks. I am feeling more and more confident that I am going to carry full term.

Krue and Kiefer both think I am having a boy. Krue says he would be okay if it was a girl, too. Kiefer only wants a baby brother :) I still go back and forth on what gender I think the baby is. I have no clue! It will make it truly surprising the day the baby arrives. Can't wait to share our new "K" name and to see what this little super flipping, high kicking dude or dudette looks like.

Erin and Nicole Going to Prom!

Erin and Nicole Thiele are Krue and Kiefer's babysitters. They have been babysitting the boys for the past 2.5 years. They are wonderful and take great care of the boys. Erin is going to college in the fall so Nicole will be taking her spot as main sitter. We will miss Erin so much! She is like a member of the family. Nicole will be an awesome replacement though.

The girls had prom tonight so Krue, Kiefer and I drove down the road to Bridgewater Golf Course to get some pictures of them before they headed off.

Aren't they beautiful? And their dresses... very awesome! You should have seen them in person.

Erin, Jonathon Haggerty (Erin's prom date and Krue's soon-to-be tennis teacher!), Hayley (Erin's best friend) and Nicole.

Krue with his "princess" babysitters.
(Kiefer didn't feel like getting in the shots. Still a grumpy grump.)

Mac Daddy Krue!

What a Nasty Virus!

This past week I have been taking care of a really sick Kiefer. He had Fifths Disease! I noticed last Saturday night that Kiefer had a red, raised rash forming on his left upper arm. He woke up Sunday with a rash on both arms and a low grade temp... about 99.8. He was very lethargic and just wanted to lay in bed or on the couch. Throughout the day on Sunday the rash spread down his arms and to his hands. He threw up in the night on Sunday and was very itchy. Monday the rash spread to his legs and feet. Tuesday the rash spread to his butt and lower torso. It never reached his upper body or face... although his checks were pretty pink. He maintained a temp (99 or 100 degrees) for about 5 days and stayed on the couch for the majority of this time. He scratched his "itchies" so hard that he has scratch marks all over his body that have scabbed up. Some of them bled! Kiefer didn't have an appetite at all... but did a great job of drinking fluids. He lost some weight for sure.

Even today, Saturday, he still isn't himself. He is still weaker than normal and doesn't have much of an appetite. He also has swollen and achy joints... specifically his ankles and has a hard time walking. This is something that is common in older children and adults after getting over fifths disease. Don't know why Kiefer is having these symptoms... but I guess he had EVERY SINGLE OTHER SYMPTOM that goes along with Fifth's Disease. Why not this one? :( The achiness and swelling should go away in a week or two.

Poor guy! He is very whiny and wimpy at this point. I am still babying him because I know he is in some discomfort. I carry him a lot... which I won't be able to do as much in the next month. Please pray that Kiefer is back to his old self soon. And also that the rest of our family doesn't develop it. Fifths Disease can be pretty serious in pregnancy. Most adults are already immune to it because they have had it once in their life and didn't realize it. Yes, most kids breeze right through it with just a rash for a couple of days. Kiefer got it pretty bad!

Just want to say "Thank You" to my friend Melanie... who drove the kids all last week to school, kept Krue a little longer each day, and brought me beautiful flowers to brighten my week. What a great friend!

This picture was taken on the 4th day. His eyes were incredibly bloodshot!

This is what the rash looked like all over his arms, legs, and torso.

Kiefer's Library Storytime

For the entire school year I have been taking Kiefer to library storytime on Tuesday mornings. I did this for Krue and loved the special time with each of them. It is fun because Mel and Graham are in this storytime... along with a couple of my Bradley moms and their boys.

Kiefer had his storytime graduation a week ago and Lee came with us to help Kiefer celebrate.

Kiefer was so excited to have his Daddy there.

One of the activities they do every week is to take turns putting different colored kites up on a felt board while saying a poem. Kiefer was always a perfectionist when it came to this. He had to have his kite just right.

Another fun thing... blowing bubbles at the end!

Neal and Lee helping Graham and Kiefer blow bubbles.

Kiefer, receiving his diploma from Miss Amanda.

An attempt at a group shot :)

Fun snacks and drinks to celebrate!

This little boy at the end is one of my Bradley babies. Love him!

Mel, getting a shot of Kiefer and Graham.

Lee and Neal hanging out at the party.