Mystery Solved

So I finally took Gideon to the Drs. There was no real reason, he wasn't fussy, he had no fever, everything he did was normal except he wasn't sleeping more than one to three hours. Finally I determined he had to have an ear infection. I was actually hoping because it would solve the big mystery. Turned out he does have an infection in his left ear.

Saturday he literally slept all day. Turned out I wasn't the only one sleep deprived.

Sleep

Early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise. I've always been a bit of a night owl but the times in my life when I have followed this have truly been the most productive. It's been six months since I first started itching. Six months of serious sleep deprivation. Last night Gideon didn't go to sleep until 2:30. Todd is really good and lets me sleep in, the boys get themselves ready for school. I however, am so ready to go to bed early and wake up early!!!! I have never been this tired for this long. It's funny how life teaches you little lessons. I understand the value of that little saying so much better now. It's a good thing Gideon is #7. My patients has grown with each one and I have managed to lose it only 3 times, and even those time were pretty tame. Mostly I just let him cry until I got over it. Usually I can still smile and kiss him. Sleep however has become quite precious.

Fist in Mouth

Gideon is funny he doesn't suck on any particular finger. So sometimes he has his thumb, sometimes his whole fist and the other day he fell asleep with his thumb and two fingers.

Man like voices

Interesting things happen when your kids get older. Dallin and Hunters voice have both pretty much changed and Dallin now sounds a lot like his dad. A little while ago my sister called while I was in the shower and Dallin answered. She asked if she could talk to me and Dallin said that I was in the shower. She responded something like this. Well what are you waiting for shouldn't you be in their with her? Dallin was like, Uh Aunt Ingela this is Dallin. Of course Ingela lost it and was still laughing when I managed to call her back. So callers beware!

Accidental Tradition

When Dallin was in first grade the school sent home a note that the kids were to build leprechaun traps and then bring them to school on St. Patricks day. Usually when the kids were at lunch or recess the leprechauns would trash the room and spring the traps. We spent a lot of time on those traps the first few years the boys were in school prior to us moving here. This new school doesn't do that and I have been pleasantly surprised with the way it has evolved into us making traps here at home. The boys do all the work rigging all sorts of booby traps. Everything from sticky tape so they get stuck on it to trip lines. Every year the leprechauns leave notes stating what they thought of the traps.

I have really grown to love this tradition. Each boy gets so creative. Mason spent probably two or three hours making his room a serious trap. He even whispered to us how it was supposed to work so that the leprechauns wouldn't hear. The traps were so good this year that they wouldn't even attempt to go in the traps and get the bait for fear they wouldn't get out.

One of my favorite times of the year. Spring!! Here are the reasons I love it!

1. The anticipation that comes from waiting all winter.

2. The plants and animals all seem to just come alive with renewed energy and excitement.

3. It means I get to spend my days outside.

4. Its the time to plant new plants.

5. I get to start preparing my vegetable garden.

6. My children play outside more.

7. Winter cold is gone.

8. Days at the park begin.

The list could go on but Alaina just asked to go to the park and little brother is awake so off we go.

Better pictures of turtles

This is for Aunt Heidi who said she loves turtles. Hopefully you can see them a little better in this picture. They are on the log directly in the middle of the picture. The log was full of them.

Boy to Young Man

Dallin's first shave. Todd was on top of things and remembered to take pictures.

Gavin and Alaina's Birthday

Sunday Gavin, Alaina and I celebrated are birthday with the Hogman clan. This is my little girl who is surrounded by so many boys. Gavin's gift was the storm trooper gear, Alaina's was the snow white dress of course and as soon as she got the chance she combined the two.

Gavin currently loves lego's and he spent about a 1/2 hr. that night putting them together.

Alaina also got this adorable bear that sneezes and coughs and carried it around for days.
Alaina's cousins surrounding her and making sure she knows how everything goes.

I'm Baaack

So I don't know what my problem has been in posting, just procrastinating I guess. This was Gideon a little over a week ago in Florida the day he went to Disney World. Only kid in the Kestner household to go to a Disney Park. Too bad he won't remember any of it.

Pelicans perched on an old pier. No matter the day or the time you could always see them here.
View from the back porch of the house I stayed in. The back of the house was mostly windows as well so I would just sit and read and occasionally glance up and look at the beautiful scenery.
A picture taken at manatee springs. Yes I did get to see manatees and there is no way they were mistaken for mermaids. Even a love sick sailors couldn't possibly go as far as to see a beautiful women from a manatee. I also got to see a crocodile. Notice the turtles on the log.