E-I-E-I-OOOOOOOOO

We headed to the Farm Park on Saturday morning for Breakfast With Old MacDonald. Ironically, as we were checking in, Old Mac was standing at the desk and when he heard our last name, he asked if we were related to Larry. Yep. Sure. That is Bill's cousin. Turns old Old Mac and Larry used to play together as kids (Bill adds: "you'd think that, for the money, we'd have breakfast with New MacDonald").

Old MacDonald AKA Bill Keener

We had breakfast in the cafe while Old MacDonald played his guitar and we did sing-a-longs. After breakfast, we loaded onto the wagon and took a tour of the farm park.

We explored a little on our own after the program was over. These kids got close to our kids. I call the one on the left "goatweiller". I've never seen a goat with markings so similar to a rot.

One tried to eat the bow off of Reagan's pants. She told him NO.


Nolan also gave his best cock-a-doodle-do when we walked by the hen house. He also enjoyed the sheep.

Sunday morning, we hit our usual spot for breakfast and then Reagan and I went to visit Grammy. She missed yesterdays visit after the farmpark since she was snoozing in the car with Daddy. She wore her new backpack (thanks to the Target $1 aisle!) and then proceeded to pull out her toys one by one and name them. Bee, ball, car. Everyone was very impressed.

Bill has figured out some of Nolan-speak. "What's that?" He says it all the time. He will walk up and hold up an object and say "wasat?" He must just be testing us to see if we know! LOL.

This is Nolan's newest favorite, red currants.

The Plane, The Plane

We went to the airshow at Lost Nation Airport this weekend with Uncle Sam & Aunt Deb. It is a small show, but we figured this was a good start for Reagan and Nolan. They won't appreciate the bigger show for a couple of years, but they both show an interest in airplanes (especially Reagan) so we figured they would enjoy it. And we were right!

Houston, We Have A Problem!

Bill, Sam, Reagan, and Nolan had fun exploring. Here is the link to all the pictures I took, just in case you are a plane geek or just want to see some more of my illustrious photos! LOL



Under The Yankee Lady......Bet, not too many can say that!



Checking out the cargo plane



Watching a cool yellow plane land with Aunt Deb


These are two of my new favorite photos. They just capture their personalities and how much they love each other.

Wet & Wild

We met Lori, Sarah, & Matt at the spray park today. Spray parks are a blast (literally & figuratively). This one is fenced in so it was so nice to let Reagan and Nolan run free.
Reagan can say "BALL" so she made it clear what she was playing with. She also ran around with her tongue out so she could catch some water.



The have no fear of the water and had a great time. Nolan seemed to be signing the word "more" as he ran around all the water jets. I'm so glad we got them in the water at a young age.



Running around the spray park was hard work so the kids fell asleep on the way to visit Grammy.


Later in the evening we walked to the library. The kids need to get used to holding our hand when we walk near busy roads so it was a slow go. While we were there we saw one of my former co-workers from back in my library days. She was talking to Reagan and she told her that she hoped she liked coming to the library. Reagan answered her (no prompting from me) " I like coming." The librarian looked at me and said "Well that is some vocabulary for a 14 month old." My daughter, the linguist.

Nolan's appointment on Wednesday was kind of a let down. We waiting for the doctor for 20 minutes and he spent probably 90 seconds in the room with us. Shook our hands, looked at Nolan and said "I give him a 10!"

At this point, 6 months post-op, he usually orders a CT scan if there is any cause for concern. He doens't feel the need for one, unless we do. The less radiation he is exposed to the better. I already feel guilty about the scan he had in November. We have to see him again in 6 months. I sense it will be more of the same. All in all, good news, but we already knew he was doing so well. When I took him in June for his neck surgery, they couldn't believe that the little guy had his skull cracked open just 5 months before. There is no sign of a scar.

On tap for the weekend: Airshow, Breakfast with Old MacDonald, seeing Aunt Jane, (hopefully) more spray park!

'Til Tuesday

Found out today that mom will be at rehab until at least Tuesday. She was pretty down today, but that is to be expected after surgery. If you are thinking of visiting her there, please do. It is easy to find. Just call or email me and I will give you directions. The best time to visit is afternoon/evening. Mornings seem to be busy with physical therapy, but then there is a lull. She always tells me that visitors make the time go faster, and while she and Rose have a good time most of the time, they have their down moments too. And for heavens sake, don't tell her I posted this because she would probably be mad about it. I just can't expect two 14 month old to want to sit in their stoller for hours and visit so it is hard for me to spend a lot of time there.

Update (Medical and Otherwise)

My mom is doing really well at rehab. She walked several feet yesterday (with the assistance of a walker), but she is up and moving. She joked yesterday that she wasn't going home since she liked being waited on for meals and such, but I know she can't wait to get back to her own house and bed. Although the kids visited yesterday and they really liked Grammy's bed since they could wrestle around and not fall out because of the railing.

Nolan's final appointment at the ENT went well yesterday. We don't need to go back unless we feel there is something to be seen about. We have to be careful to apply sunscreen to the scar area over the next couple of years so it doesn't develop a darker pigment. The hope is that it will just blend in with the lines on his neck and become invisible. One more appt tomorrow and we are off the hook! I know Nolan is not going to like getting the after pictures taken since they make him lie down and hold his head still, but we need the after shots.

Nolan is beginning to speak a little more also. Guess he figures Reagan does enough of that for both of them so why should he exert the energy. He does like Sesame Street and really likes the Elmo segment (who wouldn't that little bugger is so cute!). He had his Elmo doll yesterday and I told him to say "Elmo." His response "Melmo."

Sunday we all went swimming at Uncle Sam & Aunt Deb's pool. It was a little chilly, but Reagan and Nolan enjoyed floating around for a while. I'm sure after a couple of 90 degree days that we are having right now, it will be plenty warm in there!

They also got some up close time with Ginger. Nolan doesn't seem phased by her, but Reagan seems to have a love-hate relationship. She seems to love her, but as soon as she barks or makes a sudden move, Reagan gets frightened. I'm sure she will get used to it though. They are around cats all day and they don't do either of those things! Well, Jeepy (Reagan's current fave) does move suddenly when she sees Reagan coming! LOL

Ginger, the wonder dog

Saturday, Which Felt Like Sunday

We had a few people over for dinner last night. Awesome, awesome food. Bill smoked some meats, there was cheesy corn, coleslaw, cheesy bread, broccoli salad, cheesy potatoes, and homemade steamed dumplings. Did I mention lots of cheese?!

For dessert there was homemade ice cream.....not one, but two flavors to go with strawberry cheesecake and lemon supreme pie.

John cutting the meat, not the cheese!

Nancy's homemade steamed dumplings with zingy dipping sauce.
There was also a lot of wine. And captain. Yes, after the week I've had I called upon the captain. Little did I know so many others share my love of the captain!

We got up early this morning and hit The Deck (no, not literally) for breakfast. Reagan cleaned up almost a full size pancake and then we headed to see.......GRAMMY!

We got out of the car and when Nolan saw her, I swear he said "Grandma!" Reagan squealed and screamed. I'm sure that made Grammy feel a little better. She was crying a little yesterday because she was missing them.

What is on tap for us this week...... more visits with Grammy, 2 doctor visits for Nolan-- check up at the ENT and the final visit with the plastic surgeon to take the after pictures of his head, maybe story time at the lakefront if I can find someone to go with me (2-3pm Thursday....any takers?!), Friday airshow at Lost Nation Airport (Bill and Uncle Sam are looking forward to exploring the planes with Reagan and Nolan--kind of like seeing them for the first time when you see them through a child's eyes), Saturday is breakfast with Old MacDonald at the Farmpark. ..... hopefully lots of swimming mixed in, maybe a visit to a splash park or two. Who knows....it is summer and the possibilities are endless :) If only Mommy's pocketbook and energy had that same characteristic.

The Dynamic Duo

My mom and her friend both got kicked out of the hospital and into the rehab center today. They are sharing a room again, so I'm sure trouble will ensue! Seriously, I think it is awesome that they have each other. When my mom starts to get down Rose picks her right back up. Her new # is 440-946-0257. The kids didn't turn in stellar behavior at the 4th of July get-together we went to last night. They skipped their afternoon nap and I didn't realize the time. We got into the car at 7:45pm and bedtime is usually 7pm. Guess they can't be perfect all the time. They are getting much more independent and Reagan is extremely strong-willed. Some new behaviors we are all learning to deal with! This too shall pass :)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To Rehab We Go

Well, for a moment yesterday it looked like they were going to send my mom HOME on Saturday because the two places she picked to do rehab in were full. Lady luck was on our side and she (and her friend) were able to get in the rehab center, Fairmount, at Breckenridge in Willoughby! They will move on Saturday afternoon.

Fairmount Health Center of Breckenridge Village
36855 Ridge Rd
Willoughby, OH 44094
Phone: (440) 942-4342

She is doing well today. She walked several steps around her room and has been allowed to sit up in a chair for a bit. They have taken away her button to self-dose her pain meds and no has to ask for it. She said she misses her little button friend.

She is aware that rehab will be the best place for her for the upcoming week. Her friend, Connie, works in the beauty shop and I have taken the kids there to visit. It is a very nice, clean place. I think her healing will benefit tremendously by having PT's to work with her more often than an at-home health person right off the bat.

Wishing you all a Happy and Safe 4th of July. It is hard to believe we are not having our annual blowout, but with all the construction still going on at the house and the uncertainty of my moms progress it was just not possible this year. Plus we haven't arranged with the city to have the fireworks shot off near our house so we can see them. Ah, the one thing I miss about the Euclid house!

Let The 4th of July Festivities Begin

Here are the outfits the kids are wearing today. We were supposed to go to a party tonight in Chardon where you could see the fireworks from our friends front yard, but we found out that just got postponed :( Guess we will just go out to dinner instead and find other fireworks.

Uncle Bob and Aunt Chris sent these up for Reagan and Nolan. Good thing since we decided to not get the Old Navy tee's this year!


Nolan loves the silly fork from his BBQ grill. Like father.....Like son. I have noticed in the last week that he is changing his look. I think he looks more like Bill now. I always thought he looked just like me. Poor kid ;-)

Reagan liked her new shirt a lot. So much so that it made her do her little foot-stomping dance.

Thanks G.U.B. & G.A.C!

Mom Update

I just talked to my mom. She is very sore. It is so hard to stay in that one position for so many hours. Hopefully PT will be coming by soon and the plan was to get her sitting up on the edge of the bed and possibly even taking a few steps. She sounds a lot more in pain today than she did yesterday. She and her friend are sharing a room, which is nice since I was helping her out yesterday as well in between visits from her sons. I'm a mommy of twins, I can handle two joint-replacements "moms" as well! LOL

There's A Difference?

Actual conversation that just took place in the hospital cafeteria between the woman (W) in front of me in line and the food service employee (FSE). W: Is the chicken chimichanga white or dark meat? FSE: Huh? W: Is the meat inside white or dark? FSE: It's chicken. W: Yes, but is it white or dark chicken meat? FSE: There's a difference? W: Um, yes. I don't eat dark meat. FSE: (pulls the menu sign off the counter) The sign says it is chicken. W: I'll have the roast beef. Wow. Oh well, she missed out. The chicken chimi was not that bad. On the other hand, the roast beef looked like shoe leather.

All Done

My moms doc came out about 11:25 with good news. All went as expected, no surprises. He anticpates she will be here for 3-4 days and then to rehab (if she is doing extremely well they will consider sending her directly home.) I should be able to see her in about an hour. Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

Tragically Hip

(not). (posted by Bill) Just got a call from Shel. Judy is in recovery, and all went well during surgery. Shell is going up to see her now. She should be in hospital for 3-4 days. While it may not get her ready for this year's Johnnnycake Jog , some time in rehab would do a world of good. Yeah, I know that people have said that about me and my white hoodlum friends as well, but that's another topic altogether...

Mom's Surgery

All the pre-surgery stuff went well and mom was on her way into the OR by 8:05am. Her friend, Rose, (if you went to TJ, she was a noon aide when my mom was there) is having a knee replacement today and they were side by side. They requested to share a room after surgery and several of the nurses mentioned that they were made aware that friends were having surgery on the same day and they were working to make that happen. That would be great if it worked out. Surgery should take about 3 hours, so I'll check in here when I can. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. My mom wasn't (outwardly) the nervous wreck she usually is!

Read a Snack, Eat A Story

Aunt Deb, Reagan, Nolan and I attended a story/craft hour at the Metroparks on Monday. We all had such a good time! It was way more than I expected and the kids got introduced to all kinds of new things and got to interact with other kids. They don't really seem to care much about other kids though. Maybe because they always have each other they just don't notice? Nolan did "borrow" another child's juice box though.

Here is Reagan and her cute little name tag with ants on it. She just wanted to go explore as soon as we got there.


They really enjoyed watching the turtle swim. Nolan tried to unplug his aquarium though. Oops.

They also had some tunnels like we have at home so they knew exactly what to do. Since the theme of our story time was trees these were supposed to represent the hollow log.


We circled around to meet Mr. Tree, a large puppet with eyes that opened. They did a little dance where they were trees and the grew tall and swayed in the wind and rain. Reagan LOVED it. She and Aunt Deb were oak trees swaying in the breeze.


Nolan did a little of the dance, but preferred to do his own thing. The instructor said before the activities started that it was better to let them wander instead of making them sit. It worked for Nolan, he kept circling back to see what was going on. He liked to walk right up to her to check things out.


After Mr. Tree went back to sleep. We had to pick up all the branches that blew down while we were dancing. They were fake pieces of wood and soft "sticks." Reagan was right in front putting pieces away!!! I was shocked. They don't seem to "get" the concept of clean up time at the end of the day at home. I guess they get it, just selectively! Nolan had to put all the "sticks" in his mouth first!

We went to the craft area and they gave us a construction paper tree stump, some things to glue on the stump that live on/in/under a tree, and a glue stick. You can guess where the glue stick went. Deb and I spread a little glue on the stump and they put their worms, frogs, and ants on the stump. These now hang proudly on our fridge!

Next was story and snack time. At this point, Deb and I were getting woozy from all the fun. That is were the blog title comes from. Deb tried to get Reagan to "read a snack" and I told Nolan it was time to "eat a story!" (Bill asks: "Are you sure you weren't using airplane glue?"). Anyway, we all sat down with some snacks and listen to a story. Well, Reagan sat very nicely and pointed at the mouse when the lady read about a mouse and followed along very well. She was really enjoying herself. Nolan walked around and ate his snack.
After stories we would have gone for a walk and looked for the animals we glued on the stumps, but it was raining too hard so we had play time with clay. This was the first time the kids have done this and they seemed to like it. I got the recipe for the clay they made since it is not harmful if ingested (which you know Nolan did).

We all left with big smiles on our tired faces. It was a really fun time. After seeing how well this program was run, I'm really looking forward to Breakfast with Old MacDonald at the Farm Park in a couple of weeks.

Here is my final shot taken through a decoration on the window.