What a 4 year old can do in 5 minutes

Jacob was obviously home sick today after last night and this morning. I finally crawled into bed as Luke's alarm was going off this morning. He is working 10 hour days and couldn't take today off without "messing up" his "crews" schedules. SO.....I was home with Jacob.

I attempted to do some work from home. I was on an important phone call when Jake kept coming up asking me questions. I agreed to let him "look" at the camera so I could finish my phone call. I went into the bedroom and locked the door and then locked the door to the bathroom in case he decided to "pound" on the bedroom door.

Once I was off the phone I noticed Jacob taking pictures in his bedroom. It came quite apparent that he had been taking a lot of pictures. It has been interesting to see things through "Jacobs eyes." What is important to him and how creative he was in completing the pictures. Below is just a "glimpse" of what Jacob did for that "5 minutes."

Mr. Pig
"The Vaporizer"

The kitchen play set....Taking a picture through the "microwave". Very innovative!

His keyboard and an identity separate from Ben. He loves Mrs. Supernois his piano teacher.

Trooper his "pal."

What would a "photo shoot" be without a picture of yourself!

Transformer stickers that he stuck on his window. He loves Transformers!

Part of his drum set. He likes the drum sticks the best.

Ben's room as he walked down the hall. It is fun to see things from his eye level. Wow! That's where that flashlight went (under Ben's bed)!?!

This is Jake's "special bear" he got after surgery. He earned this bear after seeing "Dr. Tandoc." Poor Baby!!!

This is Jake talking Trooper into posing for the picture. He really loves him. We will all love him more after tomorrow when he goes in for a bath and trim.

Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired

About every 3 weeks Ben has been getting strep throat and Monday was his "time" to get it again. Ben went to the Dr. and had a "nasty" sinus infection and strep. So, back to Walgreens for more medicine, etc. While we were at the clinic the CNP asked about my test results from 2/20/09. I told her I was thankful that none of the tests were positive for "bad stuff" but basically Dr. M can't figure out why my WBC is still so low. Dr. M decided that my first thought about my "allergies" being the culprit was probably accurate. So I got the name of the allergist and got set up for allergy testing next Tuesday. Further, it only took 3 days but got Ben's tonsillectomy scheduled for 3/17/09 in Wichita. Luke is doing better but we are still going back and forth to different Doc's for his 6 months check ups. His work is hard and his body is ready for a change. He is doing amazing considering all he has been though in the last few months.

So with all of that being said, Jake has been the only one that has been pretty healthy in the family until today........... :) He kept saying his stomach hurt this afternoon but really thought he was having side effects of eating too much cheese. Well, finally we took care of some business and I told them to load up. I literally pulled out of the driveway and turned left (on the very short Q.Drive) and he said he thought he was going to throw up. I pulled over, got him out of the car and he puked in the street. I was thankful I didn't get it on me and that he put his "fireman" boots on because they were easy to clean! When Jake was getting sick in the street our neighbors were walking by with their two dogs and someone else drove by and got to see more than I am sure they wanted to see.......It's not everyday you get to witness something like that!
Once the chaos was over and we were back in the car, Luke came driving home from work, carefully straddling the puddle in the road! It has been quite ugly around here tonight. Jacob finally fell asleep but I don't know how long that will last.

The joys of having young children and all the viruses they share with their family!

Cookies

Luke is the "baker" in our house. In passing I stated cookies sounded really good. I got done giving Jacob a bath and what do you know.............the smell of cookies.................chocolate chip and peanut butter are his specialities...............

Getting ready to go into the oven!

Mmmmmm..............the smell of freshly baked cookies......

No dad...........you can't get those in Thailand!

Cookies and milk anyone?????

For Ben not liking messes he sure is making one!

Cookies make us happy! What a great way to end a week and start another....

Too Busy!

This last week has been super busy.................I didn't even get one 10 minute nap this weekend! I will try to get pictures and comments posted tomorrow night when I am not so sleepy! :)

February 15, 2009

The boys really got into Valentines Day this year. Saturday we hung out as a family rather than Luke and I heading off to dinner by ourselves. Luke and I didn't need the extra calories and didn't want to spend a fortune on eating out, baby sitter, etc. So we stayed home.......

On Sunday, Luke wasn't feeling well and had been down with a migraine most of the day. Late that afternoon the boys told Luke and I to come downstairs. Both Ben and Jake will take our hands and say "close your eyes still, close your eyes still, close your eyes still" until we get to the surprise. We went downstairs and all of their toys were picked up and pillows and blankets were on the couch, etc. Jake and Ben picked up their rooms, living room and kitchen. It was great! Finally, they announced they were having our "wedding supper". They wanted the candles on the stove lit and placed on the table. It was all very thoughtful. The boys even helped with dishes (not sure if I can use "help" in that sentence) but they tried. Jake was soaked and was down to his "chonies" by the end of dishes.

Here is a picture of my two little helpers....

February 13, 2009 part 2

I have a great opportunity on Wednesday's and Friday's getting a petite little GIRL back and forth to preschool with Jacob. She is tiny and weighs less than what Jacob and Ben weighed when they were two (seriously I am not kidding)! She is so outgoing and I love the conversations she and Jacob have in the car. She uses so many CUTE words that aren't in our vocabulary at the Schmidt household. For example, precious, sweet, beautiful, lovely, etc. and more I can't remember because we don't use them (so I forgot)! Oh yes and she talks a lot about hand washing. My boys don't believe in hand washing because they CAN'T see the germs.

She and Jacob talk about her dogs, Chico and Beanie, and how she was so sad when Beanie (I think died). Jacob just came out and said he loved his dog Trooper but his dad doesn't like Trooper. Jacob told Neva that his dad was mean to Trooper because he was "stinky."

On Friday we picked her up at her babysitters house and headed to school. As we turned on Kansas Avenue she said "Jacob, your mom drives fast. The police are going to catch her and put her in jail." It was all I could do not to bust out laughing. It was like I wasn't even in the car during the conversation about my "fast driving." I didn't think I was driving that crazy, but we will see if I get any phone calls from her mom!

February 13, 2009

I finally learned how to post other websites on my blog! It has only taken me 2 months! Thanks Shannon for your help today!

Luke worked last night and has been home sleeping since 5:00 PM. I couldn't find any "kid appropriate" movies so we went to the basketball game tonight. I drank two cups of coffee to stay awake and obviously it is still working!

Also, check out Cora's website to see some fun and crafty "gift ideas". All proceeds go to build "Cora's playground" at Grace Community Church in Newton.

February 12, 2009

I am feeling rather lazy but I don't want to forget this............SO, I have "cut and pasted" from an email I got from Ben's teacher, Mrs. Kirtley. I am glad she shared this with me but I will not be telling one of my co-workers who runs the "Drug Free Youth Coalition"..... :)

Mrs Kirtley wrote, "I just had to tell you this b/c I thought it was funny! Today in Math we were looking at our big book. It was a rabbit that was at tea party. We were talking about what we saw in the picture. Ben raised his hand and said, "Beard." So I was looking for a beard. Couldn't find it...so I asked him to show me. He pointed to some bottles that were in a box and said, "You know, beard. You can drink it!" Got it! I couldn't help but smile. Then of course I had other kids chime in and say, my mom and dad drink beer. Then Ben said, "My dad drinks it, but it makes my mom throw up!"

What I (mom) am thankful DIDN'T come out of his mouth at school;
-Anything to do with Whiskey....
-The "dirt" dad has in his teeth or Uncle Louie's "spit bottle"
-Or, how he already had his first "beard" at a K-State football game when he was 2. That is why you never send your son to a game without mom.......the bad thing is someone even took a picture of him pouring it down the front of his shirt...............hmmmm! :)

Both boys are having Valentines Day parties at school tomorrow. I will try to make sure all the Valentine's get to school with them unlike a few years ago with Ben. Tomorrow since they will be all hyped up, maybe the grandparents will want them for a "few" hours.... Wishful thinking I know!

February 9, 2009

I wish I had a picture but honestly I don't want to go through all the "hoops" to get the picture....Maybe tomorrow..........

But on with another story with the characters being none other than..................
You guessed it, Ben and Jake............Luke and I would have very boring lives if the boys weren't a part of it!!! I don't know how this all transpired because our "eye witnesses" aren't giving the same account each time they tell the story. Plus, I don't think they have learned the words they want to express..

I am on a "NO CLUTTER" mission. I can't handle one more piece of "snow" from snowflakes and just all the "stuff" that I guess only wives and moms can find a place for. Right now nothing is safe in this house if it hasn't been used for 24 hours(or less)...... I was throwing stuff away in the bathroom and sitting there thinking "please boys just play nicely a few more minutes." I have to a lot to get ready before Shana L. comes to clean for me tomorrow. About that time I heard Jake scream "Dad come down here quick" and Ben was crying. Jake screamed again and my heart fell the second time as both Luke and I are almost sprinting to the basement.

The TV had fallen off the entertainment center and was resting on a heavy duty plastic racetrack that also turns into a table. The TV was still on (not broken) and Ben and Jake were screaming that the TV fell on Ben's head. Mind you this is one BIG......HEAVY....OLD TV. We still can't tell if Ben got his head pinned between the entertainment center or the race track. Both sides of Ben's face and ears were red and we know something happened. He wanted 2 ice packs and Jake went upstairs and got them for Ben. Ben was yelling he didn't want to go the emergency room and get a shot....
I just looked at him and based on the "crime scene" wondered why he wasn't crushed........After the initial chaos we came upstairs and talked and Ben was still very scared. We agreed that saying a prayer and thanking God for protecting him was in order. In addition, he must have one strong guardian angel because Luke and I had a hard time hoisting the TV back on the entertainment center. I went downstairs a few minutes later and Jacob had tears in his eyes and said he didn't want Ben to get hurt. Then Ben wanted Jacob upstairs because he didn't want the same thing to happen to his brother. Despite all the wrestling, punching, pushing, fighting, kicking, biting (whatever) they really are best friends and that makes my "heart happy."

February 8, 2009 part 2

Sunday Afternoon................. Perfect for a NAP!

The boys were tired.......

Aren't they precious when they are asleep?

I know they are "angels" most of the time (ha ha) but their halo's really shine when they are fast asleep. They are "keepers."

February 8, 2009

Cora Paige went to be with Jesus today..............

I mentioned Cora Paige a few weeks ago in my blog. She had stage 4 cancer once it was detected.
Please pray for her parents as they are such a sweet couple. Our hearts break for them.....

Luke and I can relate to that long car ride home from the hospital without your baby, trying to plan a funeral when you are weary and a quiet house once everyone has gone home.....Please continue to lift their spirits in prayer.

Here is their blog if you want to read more http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

February 4, 2009

Last night as I was getting ready to go to "Mom to Mom" (at our church) while Ben was looking in the Mirror at his tooth. I reached down to get my makeup and Ben yelled "My tooth is out!" He was soooooo excited and I was too. I wasn't home to get any pictures but I didn't want to forget the occasion!

Ben woke up at 5:50 AM wondering if the tooth fairy "came by." In case you were curious.....one baby tooth is running about $1.00 these days. Ben had a very long day because he had "Sparks" tonight. Once Ben got home from Awana's he was EXHAUSTED! I didn't even attempt a picture because mom was tired too. I will try to get some pictures posted this weekend.

Jacob was upset the tooth fairy didn't arrive BUT his Grandpa Ted came through for him today! Jacob received a package with a K-State stocking cap (since Ben wouldn't share his). Jacob was crying last week because Ben got to wear the K-state stocking cap for a whole week. Jacob told Ben "I'm going to call grandpa and tell him you aren't sharing!" That is exactly what Jake did with a little help from his mom! Jacob is normally so "giving" that he just can't relate to Ben when he doesn't share.....hmmmm the differences between birth orders......

Our church has been overwhelmed with a lot of very very sick people. I almost feel bad asking for prayers but will do it anyway. We had a good report from Luke's Dr this week but his back is hurting more and more. I just ask that we lift Luke up and pray that his body continues to heal, give us knowledge on what to do to help him and "peace of mind." His burdens are many and more than I can comprehend. Pray for me so that I might be able to help Luke and our family during the next few weeks of "limbo" (as I am starting to get "run down" again) and I feel like I can hardly take care of myself. "This too shall pass" as my grandma said!

February 2, 2009

Here is a picture of Luke after he baked bread in December. It was the only picture I could find on this computer, of just HIM! We heard awesome news today. None of the spots on his lungs have grown and Dr. Claiborne said he would see him next year! Fantastic news for us today!

Jacob started piano lessons two weeks ago with Mrs. Supernois! What a great name for a piano teacher. She is the nicest lady and so gentle with Jacob. I have been so proud of Jacob during the lessons because he is such a good listener for her.

Because Jacob was learning so quickly we decided to get him a keyboard to practice on. He is so adorable standing there having the "white boy head bop!" He still has a sweet voice as he sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." I will get him on video when he doesn't know it!

Ben still has his "wobbly tooth". I thought I would get one more picture of all his "baby teeth." Really......I am quite surprised his tooth is still holding on (to what I am not sure). Yes I love my "baby", and I know you can't see them but there are horns on his head. He is ALL boy!

February 1, 2009

I have been trying to post pictures and now something is not working correctly...... I have no idea what I did wrong or what setting I changed...I guess more tomorrow, I am going to bed! :)