Seby Rides!

Seby showed me a surprise today - he learned how to ride a bike while I was in Akron!


He tricked me and said "I think I"ll go try riding my bike in the back yard"


Oh my gosh I said when I watched him take off, look at you, you are doing it!


He smirked and said "Well I learned yesterday"


That is how Cody learned to ride, one day. Cody took him out the alley and around the corner three times this afternoon. It was amazing.

A little trip to Akron

Mom was released Monday and brought out in her hospital-policy wheelchair, me tagging along with the oxygen. The lady that took us out was so sweet. She was a perfect example of the kind of attention and care mom received in the hospital. She held my arm firm and said "don't you let your mamma slip away from you." She told us about losing her mamma to a blood clot in her leg. She passed away at age 67 i think? The lady had moved away to Atlanta and kept coming back every year to visit her mamma. She kept saying "i'm moving back here to be closer to you," but didn't. She moved back and four months later her mother passed. You know I really understood that message just from having mom be in the hospital (first time EVER besides having kids), but her message was very sweet and brought the message home even more. I think mom and I both wanted to bring her back to the hotel with us. Daddy don't get any funny ideas with this.

Mom's official diagnosis is Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism. She has 9 blood clots. Six in her lungs (one in each of the three lobes that make up the lungs) and two on something somewhere near her heart, the last one is in her leg. Mixed reports about her vericose veins having anything to do with this?

You'd think from a lot of the pics taken during her hospital stay, that Mom and the rest of us were having a grand old time. In a way I think we were. Glad that it was caught is a biggy.

Aunt Barbara it was too much fun hanging out with you, Aunt Margie thank you so much for letting my sister's and I use your house, your car, and your washer & dryer! Paul, Miriam & Juliana are staying there now, until Friday. Juliana is on a swim team so it has been great for her to get her swimming training in.

Aunt Betty & Uncle Dom, it was so great to spend a few visits with you two. Aunt Betty thank you so much for all your help with the house - leaving us treats to eat and drink made us feel so taken care of. It seemed the A/C was turned on yesterday, so thank you to whoever did that!

Beth Ann, thank you for bringing us Starbuck's treats, fruit & the newspaper on your way to work. AND stopping on your way after work to check on us. It was such fun to hang and chat with you.

Colleen it was so great to see you and your wonderful kids. Such nice kids, and Tina and your girls. I feel like I have found some long-lost relatives.


Paul pulled off getting some relatives together for a brunch at the Sheraton in Cuyahoga Falls. I sure wished my kids could of been there to meet some of their relatives. Of course I didn't bring any pics of the kids - I haven't had a print made for years I think. I guess I better put together a small photo album for my purse. What a bad mommy.


Aunt Pauline saw Paul Jr. having espressos and asked for one. Her daughter, Linda, was not at the table and I wondered if it was the right kind of drink for her. She was so cute about it. "I just wanted it because it is in a cute cup" Too funny. She took one tiny sip and gave it to Paul Jr.


This was a pic Daddy took a hot-air ballon he say on his way home from the hospital one day, or on the way to the hospital, I can't remember. I imagine him taking the pictures of it and wanting to go on one with Mom.


Liza the amazing Kaiser nurse. She could read Mom so fast. I was surprised they didn't work on her to move to California.


Daddy took us kids out to dinner the last night that Chrissy was in town. We also spent some quality time at Kinko's while Chrissy scanned the pages from a treasure she found at Aunt Marge's (really she was looking for sheets!). It was an old book (?) for the St. Bernard Branch Ladies Catholic Benevolent Association.


The last name entered into it is Mom's name at age 17. Here Mom is looking at the entry for her grandmother, entered in the 1800's. We also found an old newspaper clipping with an article called "Life begins at 70 How to stay young, though old in years" Mom was spunky just like Grandma Schaffler.


The article was about the journalist attending an affair to honor a dozen member's who'd passed the 70 year mark in age. Quotes from the article that reminded us of Nannie and of how we were observing Mom in the hospital: "And there was the grand old lady of them all - Barbara Schaffler, 93 come June 17. Everyone called her "grandma" and wanted to help her. But Mrs. Schaffler doesn't need any assistance." "When I left the party, I remarked to Mrs. Schaffler that I hoped I'd be seeing her next year. She shot right back, "You bet you will!""


Colleen and son Patrick came for a visit. Paul, Miriam, Juliana & I went to visit her at her home one afternoon - can you believe it we didn't take one picture.


Juliana was very sweet to give Mom a mini-manicure and then she also combed her hair. It was very sweet.


It was amazing to watch all the visitors for Mom during her stay at Akron City Hospital. So many relatives that I should know better. Tina mentioned Christmas cards and I fear I have not sent one in many years. Hopefully I will get one out this year.

I think it helped Mom get better watching her kids waiting on her hand and foot.

Send Your Good Vibes to Akron, Ohio!

Here is a pic of my mom (Clip Clop) with the boys on our visit to San Felipe over spring break.

My mom is in the hospital in Akron, Ohio. She has some blood clots in her lungs and possibly around the heart.

Here is the description in an email from Christina:

"Her symptoms started yesterday when visiting her friend Carol at City Hospital - she was feeling short of breath after climbing the stairs. Then at 1am this morning, she was having trouble breathing - woke up dad. She started feeling better & went back to bed.

They called advice nurse in the morning - the advice nurse was not concerned and said to bring it up during her scheduled appt that day w/ the surgeorn who was to examine her leg. So they went to her 3:20pm appt at the Kaiser medical office.

They were telling the intake nurse about her breathing problem - this nurse went out, brought back 2 more nurses, they hooked her to an EKG and then called 911.

Fire fighters arrived. They got mom ready for transport and asked Dad if he'd follow in his own car. He asked if they were going lights & sirens, they said no - so he said, "sure, i'll follow in my car." Then he mentioned that his son-in-law was a firefighter in CA.

Everyone leaves, he goes out to his car, looks around for the ambulance and hears the sirens already fading in the distance. Apparently, they decided to go code 3 after all - not sure if it was because of Chet or not ;)

The EKG was clear. I'm not sure what the normal protocols are but again, she's to be on a heart monitor.

I'm not sure of the status of her leg - the Kaiser surgeon said he could come by the hospital to see her tomorrow morning."


Needless to say I'm sure it was a surprise to have such an emergency going on for her. She was just supposed to get her infection looked at.

My sister's think this is her way of telling us she wants more flowers, but just in case we are all coming out to see her. Chris, is flying there as we speak and I am flying out tomorrow morning. Our sister Kitty is flying in from Mexico the next day. Luckily my brother Paul was in a nearby state doing a job and was driving to surprise visit them when he got the call of her going into the hospital. He arrived yesterday and I'm sure has been a great support for Daddy. My younger brother's, Joe & John, are being kept up to date on her progress.

Her prognosis is good; it should take 5-7 days for the blood thinners to do their job on the clots and then she will go on blood thinners for at least 6 months for follow-up. These folks aren't used to needing to see doctors as much as they have needed to this year, I'm sure this is a real blow to their spirits and gypsy blood. My parents have come out to help me in many a medical issue - if not my own, then for one of my children. I just want to go and see Mom and hopefully support Daddy too. It was a good place for her to have a medical need - both my parents were born in Akron and have many relatives nearby. And she will just get to have more visitors.

Any good vibes you can send their/our way would be great.

Here is a pic of Papa and Cip Clop hanging in the hot springs they took us to in San Felipe. Hang in there Papa, reinforcements are on the way!



I must also add that Cody has walking pneumonia this week, the poor guy has had some rough time with his asthma these last few years. His doc had us do a CF test today and it was NEGATIVE, I had to wait to get those results before I could book my flight to go to Akron. If that came back positive it would of pushed me right over the edge. Whew!

Another Bar Mitzvah

These boys sure clean up well. It is time for another Bar Mitzvah. This time it is Sam Rosenstone's turn. Sam is a good friend of Cody and Graham's. We have had a very warm week here and they weren't too happy about having to put on long pants and long sleeve shirts, but seemed to enjoy being told how handsome they both look.

Ops

I just came across the program from Cody's graduation and I have the wrong lyrics for the song that the teachers sing. I put in earlier the old 70's version from Carole King or somebody like her ... her are the correct words, by Bill Staines:

Child of mine, you are the wildest wind
And the dearest dream I will ever know.
Love's lasting light shines out from deep
Within this father's heart as I watch you grow.

Child of mine you are the break of dawn
And the brightest star I will ever know.
Love's lasting light comes shining on and on
From this mother's heart as I watch you grow.

There is a road, and that road is all your own.
But we are here, you need not walk alone
To face, not fear, each coming new unkown
Is the way to lift your wings.

Child of mine, you are the sweetest song
And the greatest gift I will ever know.

Child of mine, where spirits fly above
There is but one that belongs to you
So let it grow, and it will thrive on love
For it is love that sees us through.

You have the hands that will open up the doors,
You have the hopes this world is waiting for,
You are my own, but you are so much more
You are tomorrow on the wing,
Child of mine.

So much sweeter than the version I put in earlier.

Graduation Party

Saturday night we co-hosted a graduation party for the graduates. The graduates are the 8th graders (Cody's class) and the four 9th graders. The first part of the party was at our friend Emily's house. There was the trampoline, fuseball, ping-pong, eating, and dancing to the DJ on the rented dance floor.

Emily has a daughter, Maddie in the 8th grade and a daughter Helen in Seby's class. She was going to be at the party so we just had to bring Seby & Zane along for the fun (Emily also has Jack, Maddie's twin brother, and sister Caroline - they attend a different school). Seby & Zane were quite excited because the plan had been to leave them at home with a sitter.

Here are Seby & Helen bouncing on the trampoline. In the pink shirt is Caleb, a close friend of Cody's. He has had a few sleepovers here and we are all quite fond of him. Seby & Zane adore Cody & Graham's friends, the ones that are never bothered by them rank high in my book.



The kids had the many different activities and just hanging out. The party was for the 8th & 9th grade graduates and the 7th graders. It is close group of kids and we just had to include everyone. Here are Cody & Graham hanging with some friends.



Seby was so excited to just be around these big kids, but to have them let him really hang with them was quite a treat. According to Seby (and backed up by Graham) he "kicked butt" playing ping-pong. Here he is playing with Nelle, who today I learned from her mother is going to marry Graham. I have yet to get more information from Graham about all this!



This group of kids were so great. We weren't sure how this big party was going to go, especially with bringing some younger kids along. But they all were so great with the younger guys. I love this pic of Seby playing fuseball with the BIG kids.



Zane was so eager to dance and was just thrilled beyond belief to have Tori (a 7th grader) dance with him. I was "chaperoning" the back of the house when I was told I just HAD to go up front to the dance floor to catch some pics of Zane and Tori dancing.



I guess I missed a great shot of the two of them "slow dancing" - Tori on her knees the whole time! Too cute. I told Zane that this was really Tori's party and to not demand all of her attention. Of course she insisted that he could dance as long as he wanted with her. Too sweet.



Here is Cody with his good friend Louis.



Louis has had many a sleepover and playdates at our house and somewhere along the line has been nicknamed "best friend" by Seby & Zane. Here are Seby, "best friend" Louis, Graham, Caleb & Cody hanging.



More hanging out by Nelle (or should I say future daughter-in-law?), Louis, Graham & Rosie.



After the party at Emily's the 7th graders were picked up by parents and we then brought all the 8th & 9th graders back to our house for a late "party" and sleepover. We "transported" them by bringing a carload at a time back to the house. By about 11pm we had them all here and had them watch the classic "Airplane" outside projected onto the carraige house wall. Luckily we were able to find enough chairs/benches/camping pads for them all the cozy up and watch the movie. After the movie they all made smores than off to bed!



Luckily I had "girl duty" in the house, they all passed out quite quickly. Slade had "boy duty" out in the carraige house - the boys were all up on the second floor with Slade sleeping on a couch on the first floor. I think they finally quieted down around 2:30am.



In the morning we made pancakes and more for a breakfast feast and more hanging. They were all so great together and it was really a treat to have the party for them. We had to "rope" off the newly laid sod with CAUTION tape, it had only been laid down a few days before. But luckily with all the pavers and the parking pad without any cars, there was plenty of room without the grass area.



We realize that we might just have to do this party again for Graham next year when he graduates the 8th grade, so it was a good training ground to see what it would be like. Luckily it was a truly great group of kids, due in a big part to their Montessori schooling, I just have to include the school's mission statement: "Lake Country School is an urban-based Montessori community whose purpose is to help children prepare themselves for life. We seek to mirror and embrace the rich diversity of the city. We foster independence, critical thinking, respect and responsibility to self, to others and to the earth." We look forward to many more years here in this wonderful community.

Cody Graduates 8th Grade!

I don't know why this pic came out this way, but it is the best one we have of Cody being honored by his peers for graduation.



The ceremony was this afternoon. It was too sweet. Two 7th graders write a few sentences to honor the graduates and they give them a small gift. The sweetest part of the ceremony is when ALL of the teachers from the school sing "Child of Mine" to them. For some of these students these are teachers that they have had since they were 3 years-old. It made me cry last year just catching a little of it. So, of course this year it was a kleenex moment.

I just had to include the lyrics:

Although you see the world different than me
Sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see
All the new colors and pictures you've designed
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

You don't need direction, you know which way to go
And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow
You're the one who taught me you don't have to look behind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Nobody's gonna kill your dreams
Or tell you how to live your life
There'll always be people to make it hard for a while
But you'll change their heads when they see you smile

The times you were born in may not have been the best
But you can make the times to come better than the rest
I know you will be honest if you can't always be kind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine,
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Some of the teachers had graduates this year as well, I asked some of them how hard it was to sing this year. They each said they just had to not look at their child.

Seby and Zane were moaning about how hungry they were during the long, hot ceremony - only to emerge and get cake first! Of course I was so happy not to have them hanging on me that I said "eat, eat whatever you want from the tables."

After the ceremony and reception the JH teachers take all the graduates out to a fancy restaurant for dinner.



What a joy it has been to have Cody at Lake Country and watch him grow into such a sweet boy/man. He also had his first day of driver's ed today - so a big day for him. He won't get his permit until he turns 15 in September, but Slade will break the rules and take him driving up at the lake house on the back roads.

The Yard Is Finished!

The yard is finished (except for those last few details)! The sod has been laid, the trees planted, flowers planted, herbs, vegies, and climbing vines. This is the first year I've ever used so many annuals. They sure do bring instant satisfaction. All done in time for the big graduation party tonight (well actually it is 2:20am and the party is over, but it is a sleepover so over unti they all wake up). I just saw Slade out in the carraige house (he is sleeping out there with all the boys) using a first aid kit on someone, well I can see who but I'm not going to name names.

Here is the newly finished and newly loved playhouse thingy. Seby and Zane started playing with it from the first planks being put down. They enjoy the finished version a ton more!



I'm too sleeping to finish this post, it will have to wait until tomorrow, and more details about the party/sleepover on a new posting (with pics!). Let's just say I'm glad I'm in the main house with the sleeping girls, rather than out in the carraige house with the still awake boys. Yikes.

Happy 13th Birthday Graham!!!

Happy Birthday dear Graham! Graham is off on the JH bike trip this week. He returns late in the afternoon (along with Cody). I think that he is very excited about turning 13 and becoming a teenager. I love this pic of of him, but I don't think he does. Oh well, my choice here. Graham is a very sweet kid, who still let's me hug him and kiss him - even in front of his peers. Of course now that he is a teenager that may all change.

The sod is here! The sod is here!

Yeah! The sod is here. What a difference the green makes. Now the two week wait for the roots to get growing.



Hopefully we will have a few more days of some on again/off again rain that we have been having. But not too much, we want our campers and bikers to stay dry!

Here it is finished

Papa's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Papa!

This pic was taken last year during our July 4th trip to the lake.
We love you Papa and are looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks!!!

An Only Child

Zane is an only child for the next three days. Cody & Graham took off this morning on the Junior High Bike Trip! They are gone for the rest of the week to ride across northern Minnesota. Sebastian took off with his class to go to the Land School for three days.


Here is Cody getting onto the bus, the kids were moving fast and I only got this one pic.


At least I was able to get a good pic of Graham when he got on. They have both been riding their bikes to school for the last month or so, at least whenever the weather is good. They were thrilled once when they were riding and got caught in a down pour. Hopefully there won't be many of those this week.


Sebastian was so excited about going to the Land School for his three day trip. He was very worried that he was going to miss his bus this morning, it was pretty funny. Every few minutes he would ask "is it time to go?"


Though Zane will miss his brothers very much, he is having some fun on the newly, partially finished play structure. Still we don't have the sod in, hopefully tomorrow.



You can see in this pic, besides my beautiful boy riding his razor - the new brick containers that were built last week. There are two of these that border the yard (soon to be covered with sod!!!) and our walk-way.