Dentist report

No cavities for Dennis, Deniska, or myself! We brush our teeth!! Nikolai has a few cavities but the dentist said they were in his baby teeth and he would be losing them before long so he was not going to fill them. I really appreciate him not doing unnecessary procedures. I am not sure that another dentist would have done the same thing. Now, if we could only get Nikolai to brush his teeth like he is suppose to, we would be set! The other day I caught him putting just a tiny little drop (about the size of a pinhead) of toothpaste on his brush. Now I make him show me the toothpaste to make sure it's enough to do the job.

We're off to see the dentist

This morning we all have a dental appointment.  Deniska is anxious to show his new tooth coming in.  I think I might have a cavity, I hope not.  I thought I would share a picture of Deniska decorating the Christmas tree.  I'll show you the finished tree later - when I get that new camera!

December 21st -really?!!

I cannot believe it is already December 21st.  I would like to tell you why I have not posted in such a long time.  I honestly can't point to any one reason.  Just busy, busy, busy!  We celebrated Deniska's 9th birthday on December 13th.  He requested brownies instead of a traditional cake.  Who am I to argue with the birthday boy?  So, brownies it was!

He is such a sweet child.  He has not felt well in the past week or so.  He has a terrible cough but no other symptoms, so I have not taken him to the doctor.  He has a 9 year old check-up the first of the year.  He got a brand new bicycle for his birthday.  It's orange, like everything else since he is Clemson Tiger fan!

This past Friday, the boys had their Christmas program at school.  It's the first year that they have asked us to come or even told us about the program!  The whole program was wonderful but I must admit that this class was the best!  (Spoken like a proud Mama!)  I made pictures but they turned out blurry.  I really, really need a new camera - (Dennis, are you reading this?!?!  It's not too late for a Christmas present!) 

We put up the Christmas trees this past Friday and Saturday.  They are both beautiful.  The boys decorated the big tree in the living room all by themselves.  Lots of ornaments on the very bottom branches and not so many up high.  Still, it is lovely and I wouldn't change a thing about it at all!  We have a smaller tree in the master bedroom filled with handmade ornaments from the boys and dear friends of mine.  This is the tree I love since so much love went into each ornament.  When my camera battery gets recharged I will take a picture of it and post on here.  I really need a new camera!

In the morning, we all go to the dentist for teeth cleaning starting at 7:30 AM!  What a way to start the day!  I could take pictures of that too if I only had a decent camera!  OK, I will stop with the camera envy!

Deniska's Motorcycles

This past Friday, Deniska celebrated his birthday at school with his classmates. His birthday is not until Sunday. Anyway, neither of my boys are big cupcake fans. I think because I am not a big cupcake maker fan. I find cupcakes rather a pain to make. Silly, I know. I just can never get that batter in those cups without spilling some and they all end up different sizes. That may not bother many people, but it really irritates me! Anyway, I decided to make these candy motorcycles for Deniska to give to all of his classmates. My friend Gail and I ended up making 25 of these little motorcycles. My high school students (the boys at least) thought they were way cool! No higher praise was needed!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday
chicken and rice soup

Tuesday
Ham steak, biscuits, eggs, cheese, grits

Wednesday
I work late this night, I will have to think about this one! Something in a crock pot or Firehouse!!

Thursday

Meatball Calzones and Salad (didn't get around to making this last week)

Friday
Egg salad sandwiches

Saturday
Spaghetti and garlic bread

Ice skating

Dennis took the boys to see Christmas lights last night after church. The folks has an ice skating rink in which the boys really wanted to skate. They had never been ice skating before. It must be in their blood, since both of them took to it naturally and really enjoyed the time spent there. Dennis took these pictures with his cell phone to share with me. I was home with the stomach flu (the sickest I think I have ever been!)

Only Nikolai would ice skate in a tie! And why did Dennis let Deniska wear jeans to church???

Oh, my achy, breaky FOOT!

It's official. I have a fractured bone in my foot requiring a cast for the next few months. I broke this bone in my foot about 3 weeks ago and today was the first day I have had time to go to the doctor. He x-rayed my foot in 3 different positions and found the fracture. So, now I have the lovely new footwear. This is also my Christmas present since it will eat up the rest of our budget. Sorry Dennis, it's your Christmas present too!

Doctor's orders were to stay off my feet and rest. Hmm, this is not the season to stay off my feet and rest. Wonder if we could postpone Christmas for a few months, I don't think so!!

I must say that after he put the cast on, my foot has felt the best it has in weeks. It does cut down on the pain. This is a really painful experience. So, I would really appreciate your prayers for a quick healing and patience for my family as I recuperate!!

Celery boy

I went to town on Sunday and bought groceries for the week. While I was at the grocery store, I saw a huge bunch of celery. I don't always use celery right away but I had plans for it in my coming week with various dishes. Unbeknown to me, Deniska had been taking celery for his snack at lunch. That was OK, I still had plenty of celery - after all, this bunch was HUGE! Tonight, a mere 2 days later, he informs me that he has eaten all the celery and needed more. He said it was the best celery he has ever had. What? Isn't celery all the same? Apparently not! So, I suppose the next trip to the grocery store will find me buying more celery!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday
Taco Soup, corn chips, cheese, sour cream

Tuesday
Chicken tenders, rice, gravy, green beans

Wednesday
Meatball Calzones and Salad

Thursday
Ham steak, biscuits, eggs, cheese, grits

Friday
Shrimp, hushpuppies, slaw

Saturday
Tater Tot Casserole

Christmas Lights

Last night, after Mass, we rode over to the Roper Mountain Holiday Lights. All monies collected go to children’s charities and educational programs for the Upstate of SC. And, we are all about charities and education!! The boys really enjoyed the time spent there. They got a balloon animal/hat, cotton candy (which I NEVER let them have), and most importantly they got to stay up past their bedtime! I am sure they felt naughty about that one. But, having cotton candy (which their daddy bought for them) and a regular bedtime do not go hand in hand. It was a good time and one of our Christmas traditions.

Thankful

I am thankful for a good doctor and medicine. Deniska slept with me last night so I could keep an eye on him. I think he finally fell asleep after midnight. I did not sleep very much at all. This morning, Deniska told me, "It's a miracle! One dose of medicine and I'm cured!" He's so funny. I suspect he will try to sleep with me again tonight. That's OK too! I am very thankful that he is doing better.

And, I am thankful for Nicholas, who sleeps with me every night (on top of my face and pillow). He has been with me for 13 years. I hope he is with me for a long, long time!

Oh my throat!

Does this look like a child running a 100+ degree temp and was diagnosed with strep throat today? No, I say. But it is. Poor little Deniska quit eating yesterday morning. He said his throat hurt last night. Dennis and I knew it was strep throat. The child gets strep throat at a drop of a hat. A throat culture was done and sure enough, he has strep throat.

What are the symptoms of strep throat? The most common symptoms of strep throat are:
A sudden, severe sore throat. (No, he did not have that.)
Pain when you swallow. (No, he did not have that.)
Fever over 101F. (yes, he did have that)
Swollen tonsils and lymph nodes. (the doctor said it was slightly swollen on one side)
White or yellow spots on the back of a bright red throat. (the doctor said he did not have that)
You may also have a headache and belly pain. (he said his stomach felt funny)

Less common symptoms are a red skin rash, vomiting, not feeling hungry, and body aches. (no,no, yes, no)

So, we are hoping that we caught it in the early stages and the medicine will do the trick.

sniff, sniff

A new box of tissues, a swig of dayquil, anda comfy bed, all equals.......
a day home from work with a cold. Yuck!

Project post

The boys both had projects due at school this past week. I thought I would share these with you!

Deniska's Desert project looked a lot better when it went out the door Wednesday morning. He told me that he had given everyone on the bus one of the animals. One of his classmates told him there were too many animals. Deniska told him it was a family meeting and everyone came! Quick thinking on Deniska's part! He worked really hard on this project and did it all by himself (with a little help from Mom!)

Nikolai had a brown bag book report. He drew this picture all by himself! He's a good artist to just be 8 years old. He wants an art kit for Christmas and art lessons this summer.

I am proud of both boys!

This week

Monday - work

Tuesday - work

Wednesday - work

Thursday - work

Friday - work

Saturday - work

Sunday - REST!

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th and boy has it been a day! I'm so glad today and this week is over, not that I am wishing my life away.

My sweet husband bought me new tires for my car! It is such a delight to drive the car with new tires and no noise. My other tires made a sound (much like when you go over a bridge!) These tires came in very handy with all the rain Hurricane Ida decided to dump on us - 4 or 5 inches in one day. We actually had a bright, sunny day today.

Sunday Joy

"Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." ~3 John 4

I just had to snap a picture of my boys as we were headed out to church this morning. They looked so grown up and handsome in their Sunday clothes. They are growing up way too fast! Dennis and I are truly blessed.

My Son and Bennie Cunningham

Bennie Cunningham...Pittsburgh Steelers....my friend!

If you grew up in Oconee County in the 70s, you know Bennie Cunningham from high school football.

If you went to Clemson University in the mid-70s, you know Bennie Cunningham from college football.

If you are a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, you know Bennie Cunningham from 1976-1985 as he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And, you know he played in two Super Bowl victories in 1979 and 1980. (He wears his Super Bowl ring every day!)

If you work at West-Oak High School, you know Bennie Cunningham as your co-worker and friend who is the nicest person in the world.

And, if you are 8 years old, and your mom knows Bennie Cunningham personally, you can get your shirt signed for free!

And that is what heroes are made of! Thank you Bennie for making his day!!

He wore his shirt backwards for the rest of the day!

Like Father, Like Sons

My handsome husband when he was about the age of the boys. Are they all just the cutest boys you have ever seen?? The three great loves of my life!