Our Poor Little Man!

Poor Makai has had a rash for the past 3 weeks.  Actually, today starts the 4th week.  It started on his behind and now is all over his body.  I took him to the doctor after a week and a half and she thought it could be Pityriasis Rosea, a virus, but after more research I think he has Fifths Disease. 

It is worst at night.  this is while I was getting him ready for bed.  He also looks awful just after a bath. 

His sad little face.  He is being a trooper. (oh, and for the record, I did clean his face before putting him to bed.)

Just a good picture of what he's having to put up with. 

I think it's fifth disease because he's also complaining about joint pain.  His knees and ankles seem to be bothering him.  However, two days ago he was riding his bike again and loving it, so he's on the mend.  I can't wait to see him healthy again. 
Doing research on this rash has been humbling and we are so thankful for the health our children have been blessed with.  Each day we have healthy kids is a blessing because any day that could be taken away.  This life is a gift.  I'm really coming to appreciate that reality. 
Love you bud!! 

Empathy

When the younger boys got home today from school Kyle looked a little upset.  I asked him what happened and he burst into tears saying he was upset with himself for pushing Kory into the mud on the way home from school.  Kory was over it.  In his tears I told him I was glad he felt bad because it wasn't a nice thing to do, but that Kory had forgiven him and now he needed to forgive himself.

Later I found Kory making Kyle a bird puppet to cheer him up.  I also found Trey making some sort of a fort.  I know he was making it for himself, but he was enjoying saying it was for Kyle--to make him feel better.   Then Trey said, " mom, you know why I am making this for Kyle?  I am trying to show him empathy!"  I burst out laughing.  How great! I asked him where he learned about empathy.  He said they are learning about it at school.  Pretty awesome.

  I sure love these boys.

Shangri-la

So, this month has been a busy month!  With the start of the new year we got a new start in a new home.  This was and exciting move as this home is about double the size of our last home.  We are settling in slowly, but surely and it felt like home very quickly.

Trey, chillin in the front room.  He loves to hang out by the fire.  I'm excited to decorate the little cove on top of him.  I think the tv is suppose to go up there, but we have it in the basement.  I wanted a tv free zone in the house.   

Makai enjoying the other half of the front room. 

My huge wall that I had no idea what do with.  I had to laugh that the piano blends into the wall.  I do love the color though so I probably won't change it! There is also a black FAMILY sign on the wall that you can't see in the picture.  I'm thinking of painting it so it stands out more, but that will come with time.

With the new house came a new school for the younger boys.  Trey now has a strange schedule, but has 2 days off a week.  Him and Makai are enjoying some time together again.  Makai's face is NEVER clean, no matter how hard I try, but he's happy--so that's gotta count for something!

My favorite part of the house is the kitchen.  I spend so much time in the kitchen preparing food, it's nice to at least like it!:)

And I had to add a picture of Makai's room.  I was worried that he wouldn't like having a room to himself, but he loves it.  From day one he had no problem at all sleeping by himself.  He even told me, "Mom, I love my new room!!"  Oh, and speaking of Makai--he is officially potty trained.  He decided to potty train the week we were moving.  He's doing great and seems so grown up now.

 

  All, is well.  We are almost done with the basement and then I'll post pictures of it.  We love our new home.  Thanks dad!!

Kyle-10

Yesterday Kyle turned the big 10!  I would say I can't believe he is 10, but I actually can.  He's seemed 10 to me for a while, but maybe that's because he's such a big boy.  His feet are as big as mine, and he weights over 100lbs.  He can easily eat more than me.  Buying clothes for him is no easy task because he has thighs like a football player.  I have to say I love him so much.  He is so kind and thoughtful.  His sweet personality is a blessing in our home.  He is always so grateful for food I make.  He comes home from school and thanks me for the lunch I made him and usually after dinner he's the one that says, "Mom, thanks so much for dinner."  He had a nice birthday and told me about 20 times how wonderful it was. 

He had the idea of going bowling, so we did.  It was pretty fun.  Of course maybe because I won!:)  He chose to go to Nordy's for dinner as that was fun and good.  Then we came home and he got some magnets from Mammy and Grandpop and the game Monopoly with a private lesson to at the Archery place here in town.  He's excited about that.  For his birthday we wanted Lemon Meringue Pie.  It was tasty. 

We love you Kyle. 

Thoughtful Boys

 

Monday Morning I woke up to this sweet gift from the Kyle, Kory and Trey.  I was really impressed by their kindness.  I loved every bite...even the bites I shared with Makai and Trey!  What made me most excited was they even gave me a napkin with a knife and fork.  Thanks boys! 

Yoda

For Christmas we got the boys a Star Wars craft book.  The boys used it today to make a Yoda.  It actually turned out pretty awesome.

It was pretty fun to see Kyle with a needle and thread.  He loves craft projects like this one. 

The finished product.  No too bad for an afternoon project.

Oh, what do you do in the Wintertime...

How do you keep 5 little boys happy during winter break?  Keep them busy!!  Yesterday we went sledding but we went a little to late, so it got cold fast.  After half an hour Makai and Trey were both crying because their hands were cold.  Today we went a little earlier, stayed for several hours and had a blast!! 

This picture cracked us all up because of Kyle's face.  He really was having fun!

Tyler was Makai's protector!  Makai loved going down with him.

Kory and Kyle...crash and burn!  Luckily the ice is right there for them!

Trey was only willing to go down with me at first.  Finally, I promised him hot chocolate if he went down with Tyler and he agreed.