Strep Throat

Rachael woke up this morning with a very sore throat & has complained about it for a few days.  I took her to her pediatrician's office, since she had the double ear infection & sinus' infection not long ago, I thought we should get it checked before our trip.  

Of course, her strep test comes back in 3 minutes rather than 10 minutes.  She has a very strong strain of strep, that has been resistant to some of the "normal" medications.  She has an allergy to penicilin so she normally has azithromyacin for any infection.  This time she got something much stronger, so hopefully by tomorrow night she will be feeling much better!  

Here is a picture of Rachael with her friend Ella from the Little Gym that her grandma just sent me...it's so cute, I had to share!  

Laundry & Packing

Today we did loads & loads of laundry.  I'm still not done, even after 6 loads!  We've got the suit cases out & we've also begun packing.  It is neat to see that Rachael is a planner like me.  She helped me make lists of what clothes & jammies we needed to bring, what we needed to bring as far as groceries. She wanted to plan everything.  I love that!


So, all our clothes for the trip are done & ready to go.  I just have to get the big suitcase out tomorrow.  Monday night we're staying at a separate hotel, because it's a bit cheaper & that night was kind of a last minute decision.  So, we're leaving right from preschool & heading North.  They have a restaurant in the hotel, but we'll be right down on Canal Street, so we might explore a bit & see the water.  So, for Monday night, we're just packing a small bag rather than hauling the big one in!


Tomorrow we're going to take a break from the packing & maybe go to the zoo, or the mall.  Rachael needs some track shoes & I want to get Daniel's feet measured so I'm sure he's in the rights size.  He never tells me!!!

Play Date at the Zoo

Yesterday was a SNOWY day, but we had a wonderful time at the zoo with Rachael's friend from school, Carson.  We met his mom, his little sister Charlie (Charlotte) & baby brother (7 months) Cullen there.  It was cold & very snowy, but so worth the trip.  We had so much fun & the zoo was not very busy since the weather wasn't good. It was really nice in the tropics were it was warm & bright.

 Daniel & Charlie checking out the sea horses

 Beautiful!!!

 Carson, Rachael & Daniel were able to get up close to the owl, Charlie was scared.

 Rachael, Charlie, Carson, Daniel in the Tropics

 Carson & Rachael checking out the warty pigs

All the kids in the cave below the fish & crocodiles!

We had so much fun & are just now getting ready for our trip next week.  We are heading up north to Duluth for the week!  We are staying at a nice hotel with a kitchen, a tv room & separate bedroom.  So, it will be nice to make meals in our room, rather than eating out all the time.  They also have a huge breakfast buffet with waffles...you know my kids will love that! We are going to the Lake Superior Zoo one day.  I've signed Rachael up to work with a Paleontologist on Wednesday, March 30, at the Duluth Children's Museum.  She really wants to be a Paleontologist, so it should be really cool for her to get to work along side one for a little bit.  We might also check out the Aquarium, but we've heard mixed reviews about whether it's worth the price of admission.  One day we're just going to explore, see the lift bridge, watch the big ships, go shopping. And one evening we are going to the Waterpark at a different hotel.  I'm sure we will be doing a lot of swimming at our hotel too.  It will be wonderful for the 3 of us to get away from everyone & everything for a little bit.  

Pictures have come back!

Today we had a wonderful time at cousin Billy's Boy Scout Pinewood Derby Car Race.  His was beautiful, with American flags on it.  Rachael, Daniel & Tommy ran around playing tag most of the time, but Daniel sure cheered LOUDLY for Billy.  Everyone around Daniel loved his enthusiasm.

I got the modeling pictures back today & I LOVE them.  Here are a few.

 What a handsome little guy!

 My beautiful butterfly princess

 My Sweet Angels

 She is so funny, I love her laugh!

 I think the fedora is too cute with the tie...he loved it!

Our Family 2011

Colleen & Uncle Squatty

The pictures are all messed up, sorry.  This is from the concert at Rachael's Preschool, Colleen & Uncle Squatty.  What fun they had!  

The picture to the left is of Rachael waiting for Auntie Becky & Uncle Nick to pick her up to go to the Mrs. Minnesota pageant.  Becky's Clinic does all the skin care for  the contestants so they got free tickets.  Rachael was very well behaved & had a wonderful time.  She got to eat at a fancy restaurant with Dr. Crutchfield & his staff too!  So fun!

Daniel rockin out at the concert  :)

jc penney's new spring portraits ad campaign!  watch newspaper ads for Rachael!

Modeling....

http://www.jcpportraits.com/portrait-possibilities.aspx?ft=ato&fv=Spring%20and%20Easter

The Kids are on the JC Penney Portraits page, in Spring/Easter along the left side.  Daniel has a yellow checked Ralph Lauren Shirt & hands on his cheeks, Rachael has a pink dress & sweater on the bottom left corner.


Tonight, we have a "concert" at Rachael's preschool.  The musical group is called "Colleen & Uncle Squatty."  Should be interesting!  Rachael & I are for sure going, and Daniel is still undecided if he wants to go.  Should be an hour long headache with kids dancing & singing....at least she will have fun!  Will take pictures & post tonight or tomorrow.

Very Exciting & Wonderful News!!!!

AUNTIE BECKY & UNCLE NICK 

ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Rachael & I got a call asking when we'd be home because Auntie B stopped by & wanted to say hi to Rachael.  We got home & Becky sat down to color with the kids.  Rachael made a rainbow & Becky's picture was a baby, that said YOUR NEW COUSIN!  

9/13/2011

We are very excited, Becky feels good & they heard the baby & the heart beat is strong!  YAY!