School Supplies

Riley's "Bumblebee" Autobot

Yesterday (Riley and my birthday) was rather low key. I had been painting the master bedroom and my back had started to feel pulled. Because of the fumes from painting, we camped out in the living on our camping mats and I didn't get much sleep. However, I took Riley out for breakfast at Mom's Kitchen where I had breakfast with Susie on Monday. He had a big pancake with the smiley face. We also had a nap. Kari came over and we went to get a ice cream cone (an upside down cone that is a clown with a hat) for his birthday. He also got a big "Bumblebee" robot from his grandfather is California through the mail. So, despite the tonsils being taken out, he has had a good birthday. And so have I. It seems mine will last way into September this year.

I am painting the bedroom "Herbal Mist" a pastel green on three walls, and painting the head wall a darker green. It also had to match the green in the bathroom which has a little blue in it. My hope is to finish the painting this weekend. I went to a few places to see what valance I could buy for the windows and I haven't found anything I like yet. I am also thinking about if I would like to put up a border on the walls, but I would have to find the right one too. I guess a little online research is called for.

Riley and I today went to the store to buy the school supplies they will need to go to school with on Tuesday. There is quite the list... but in this case there are two lists. Brady goes to "Child Find" so he has one too. All but the clue sticks were found. I packed their backpacks with all of it. Thank God Riley is a strong kid. :-)

Happy Birthday to Riley and Me!

To US!

Last night Dave did a little family BBQ for me. It was the only time that the whole family could get together since Aaron is going over to his grandmother's house on Friday. Her birthday is on Saturday.

Darylynn told us about the Baby TV channel website. I was playing around on that website and came up with this little clip for Riley for today:

http://www.babytvchannel.com/mybabyclip/play_babyclip.php?p0x=194&p0y=113&p1x=158&p1y=175&p2x=60&p2y=175&p3x=21&p3y=141&p4x=14&p4y=72&p5x=54&p5y=19&p6x=129&p6y=17&p7x=179&p7y=38&imgx=-335&imgy=-86&scl=100&rot=0&path=121992989171983.jpg&ba=5&bd=undefined&bn=Riley&redirect=true

I don't know how we will spend the day today. One idea is to go to the movies, Riley and I. It is in the 60s and expected to rain. I was born on a day when it was 104 degrees... I have been told it was the hottest day of the year. Most of my life, August 29th has been a warm or hot day, but I guess not this August 29th. I thought it might be a good day to go to the movies. One tradition that I have each year, is to go outside when the sun is setting and thank God for another year. I have been doing that every year that I can remember since I was young.

I have been working on starting a new place to post my blogs on blogger. But I am not going there yet. I have been learning how to change my background or layout. On one of the You Tube tutorials I learned about a website that has free backgrounds so I created this blog to learn on named "Living Between the Lines". I personally am surprised that I got that far.

Have a great day!

The Amazing Riley

Riley with his flowers sent from Great Grandma Shirley!

Just two days ago Riley had is tonsils out, and to be honest, he has been remarkable. His roughest time was waking up in the recovery room. After twenty minutes, he was doing well and has been doing better each minute that passes. Yesterday I couldn't keep him quiet or keep him from being as "bouncy" as he usually is. It is just amazing. In my day, kids were in the hospital for days. He has a sore throat but he never complains. I ask him and he tells me that it is sore. He has been hungry and has drank everything that I give him. I have to hide the pain killer meds in his apple juice. He is horrible about taking medicine.

Tonight he will get to see his kindergarten room and teacher at an open house. When we found out about the open house, I thought that he wouldn't be able to go, but after what I have seen these past two days, he will be alright to go for a little while. Below is a close up of the flowers that my mother sent. Mom, you always ask me what the florist has done, and here you can see them yourself. I told Riley he couldn't play with the truck but that he could keep it all his life in his room, office or den. He was happy just knowing it was his to keep.

Let's Talk...

Another Dan-nah?

Most of you may have a name that others may have such as Susan, Judy, Cindy, Amy etc However, my name is unusual. I have probably only met less than 5 people in my entire life (and we know that has been a number of years now) that have the same name as I do. I actually like my name because of it being unusual. My mom spelled my name "DANA" when I was born but changed the pronunciation. It was spelled like that into my early forties. I would be called "Dane - ah" most of the time. Sometimes I wouldn't correct it and then later people would say "why didn't you correct me?" Well, it would sometimes get tiring. So, I thought I would add another "N" to my name. After all, VANNA WHITE, everyone gets her name correct. I thought that I could follow suit. Then there is HANNA like in HANNA MONTANA. OK, so I thought this would help and it does a little... now if there is a mistake (50% of the time) it is because they will call me DONNA.

The other night on the phone, speaking to the consulting nurse for Riley, she finished the call with "Just ask for me, my name is "Dan-nah"? "What is your name?", I followed with in a surprised tone in my voice. She repeated herself and I heard correctly. I said, "That is my name too." Now she sounded surprised and said that she hadn't known many DANNAs. I agreed. She said "What are you doing with my name?" I came back with "Maybe you have my name... how old are you?" Can you believe it? She said, "I'll be 52 this week." Surprised but quick I answered, "I turn 53 this week." She giggled and said "I am glad I am turning 52 and not 53". "Thanks", I said, realizing that I didn't win anything really by being one year older. I've just been DAN-NAH a little longer. BTW, her birthday is on Thursday and not Friday (which is my birthday). I would have really thought I was in the the Twilight Zone if she had said her birthday would be Friday. Still weird, huh?

So, what is the story on your name? How were you named?

Riley's Tonsils

Today is a short post because Riley will be having his tonsils out. We didn't get a call last evening like we were told we would to let us know what time to be at the medical clinic however I had made a call earlier to find out if he was on the list and he was. They told us we would get a call to let us know the timing. I guess we will be there as early as we can. This not knowing isn't making it easy on me. I will have plenty to say about not getting a call when I get the chance (like after the surgery).

I met with Susie at Mom's yesterday morning. We talked for two hours. I believe it was a better "so long" than the first one. It was still sad but I was a little better. I told her she couldn't get rid of me just by moving across the country.

I discovered that I didn't get the CD that I bought in my bag the other night (for Dave) and then discovered too that Dave got it for Father's Day from Aaron. So I called and explained the situation to Best Buy and they told me to come in and pick it up. So, while I was in that area I went to Target and got Riley some new PJs for the week and some new sheets for his bed.

We were taken to dinner tonight by Dee (Dave's mom) for our birthdays. I ate a salad, some potatoes and half of my prime rib. I decided to save the rest for later. It was really a fun time and helped me not think about this morning.

I have packed a book and some magazines to read and other things... Keep good thoughts and prayers for Riley today. Thanks

Update: Last night I called the consulting nurse at the clinic at about 10pm. I thought maybe she could look into when we were to bring in Riley. There is an interesting story about her that I will print tomorrow. She told me that we had to be there at 6:30 am. So Kari and I had to replan our plan. Anyway, Riley came through everything very well. It didn't take very long. Now days, the doctor told me that only less than a teaspoon of blood is lost in the operation. He came out of the surgery upset as he woke up but settled down very quickly. We were picking up his medicine by 10 am and heading home. He is now resting watching his "Transformer" DVDs. Thank you for all your prayers.

Is It Time For My Party?

That was the big question that Riley would have for us a few times a day the past few days. Sunday morning he woke up his mom asking "When is my party?" Above is Riley's joy filled face at his party... it finally came. Not soon enough.

The Mom's Sporting the masks

I woke up and made his cupcakes with a Transformer standing in the circle of cupcakes... ready to go for his party. I also put some frozen chicken with a bottle of salsa in the crock pot for us to make enchiladas after church (see, I am still very much a Southern Cali girl) Saturday Kari and I had set up the table with Transformer tablecloth, plates, napkins, face masks, party bags, and stickers. We filled the "monster" piñata with candy and toys, and hung the "pin the nose on the clown" poster. We got chips and soda, a few veggies (just to be healthy)... then we were good to go.

Riley blowing out his candles at his 5th Birthday Party

The boys were good about having a nap after church and when they woke up... it was time! Everything was ready... Jen brought over Alex and Renee brought over Christian. It was very good that we only had 3 five year old and 1 three year old. The house felt like there were ten kids with boys being boys. They started with watching a Transformers movie. Then they pinned the nose on the clown. After that we went out on the deck and Riley opened presents followed by singing "Happy Birthday to You" and blowing out candles on the cupcakes. Everyone had a cupcake and a soda. We then had the piñata for the boys. We didn't want anyone hurt, so we hung it on my hiking stick for them to punch one by one. Finally the toys and candy came out... but the "monster" is still in tack for another day. They went back inside to watch the movie again before heading home. Riley loved it. All on his own without anyone prompting him he said "Thank you for my party".

Above: Kari checking where her "clown nose" landed

Below: Riley opening up presents

This morning I am meeting Susie for breakfast at "Mom's Kitchen" and later we are being taken out for dinner with Dee (Dave's mom). She wants to take us out for a birthday dinner. We don't ever go hungry this week of our birthdays... that is for sure. I have been keeping to salads mostly when I can.

Kari will bring Riley over tonight after we get back so that we can take him into the medical center tomorrow morning for his tonsils to be taken out. It is hard on me to think about it but it will be best in the long run. I would feel terrible if he had to go in on an emergency because he couldn't breathe, like last Spring. With fall and winter coming on, they need to be taken care of so he will be alright. All I have to do is remember the long day we spent at the clinic when Riley couldn't breathe last April and it causes me to be strong for his going through the surgery.

Have a great week... I am at home this week and I'll be visiting your sites.

A Transformers Birthday Party!

It is a Transforers Birthday for Riley today!

We will go to church this morning and at 3 pm he will have his party. We bought all kinds of Transformers things; a blanket for when he has his tonsils out and for fall & winter, also a backpack with the famous "Bumblebee" transformer on it. Mom sent some money so we have her presents amongst these as well. I will have photos of this tomorrow.