Not boring Spring Break

Our long spring break has come to an end. The kids went back to school today. It was a whirlwind of a week(+ a couple days) with playdates, dr appointments, shuttling kids to and from basketball camp Mon-Wed, playing board/card games, and a quick trip to the beach. Oh, and Greg and I got to go see The Hunger Games at the Cinetopia theater (fancier, big, comfy chairs) with some friends, too, and that was fun!

Grant and his injuries added some stress to the week, though. His stitches weren't quite ready to come out when we went in last Monday, so we went back Wednesday. It was not a fun experience. Brian, Emily, and Russell stayed with the other three kids and Mom M. came with me (thank goodness!) to assist, and it took three of us to hold him while the doctor tried to get the stitches out.  Grant is one strong little guy, and one of the stitches was very difficult to get out. Sharp instruments right by the eye of a thrashing toddler make for a stressful situation. Grant struggled and cried so hard he broke blood vessels in his face and neck. I shed some tears before it was over, too.

Those weren't the only tears from me that day, though. That night after dinner we heard that awful I'm-hurt-really-bad cry from Grant again. The kids were on the computer in the office, and he was playing on the elliptical in there with them when he somehow managed to crush his big toe and split his toenail at the base.  Already worn out from our ordeal earlier in the day, I completely lost it, and entered into an ugly (and unhelpful), hysterical panic. Greg took care of screaming bloody Grant while I called the doctor yet again. I really didn't want to have to call them again, but I had to. We didn't have to take him in that night, though, just bandaged him up (not an easy task) and pumped him full of pain meds.
I took him in this morning, one week later, because it's still not looking so great and has still been hurting him. They put him on some antibiotics, as his toe is starting to show signs of infection, which according to the doctor is pretty common in crush-type injuries, despite our best efforts to keep it wrapped up. Hopefully, this will take care of it, and hopefully, we can go more than a week before the next accident! Crazy little man!

In the midst of the toe trauma, Greg took a day off, and we headed to the beach for a quick overnight trip this last Friday. We met up with Ryan and Michelle and their kids and Mom and Dad M. in Rockaway Beach. We had a great time, even with the cold, wet, windy, spring-time Oregon Coast. The kids didn't seem to notice the weather and loved every minute out there. They had a blast catching up and playing with their cousins they don't get to see as often anymore. Grant didn't sleep much that night (what's new?), but we were glad we were able to go. Thanks for a fun-filled 24 hours, guys!

This was on the way there (kids were up too late with a babysitter the night before when we went to our movie). On the way home, three of the four were sleeping, but I didn't get a photo.

Joel loved the water. He couldn't get enough of being out in it, even though it was freezing cold!

Kari and Ashlynn had fun together doing "big girl" things like making friendship bracelets and talking. They sure are growing up!

We put a plastic bag over Grant's sock with a rubberband, which kept his foot clean and dry, but he didn't last long on the beach because he kept trying to go in the water like the other kids. We had to take him back the house, and he was NOT happy about it.

Aubrey was a little obsessive about the collecting of sea shells. She didn't want to miss even one!

Grant with cousin Brennan.  They are only about 8 months apart and are going to be buddies when they grow up.