Going to the eye doc without insurance!

It has been a year since I have taken the boys to the eye doctor. I didn't have a name of a guy yet, so I kept putting it off. I finally asked my good mommy friend who has a 3rd grader (good friend of both boys) in glasses where she takes her two kiddos. She laughed and told me Wal-Mart. This was perfect. It was $60 for the visit--we don't have eye insurance--and the doctor was friendly, thorough and patient with the boys. It was awesome.

Zachman had -.75 in one eye and -.5 in the other as of March last year when we went to the eye doctor in Kansas. We bought frames and sun glass clips for over $300! I was shocked at the sticker price.

To my surprise--and it shouldn't have been with my old soul kid who has been squinting for weeks-- one eye is now -2.5 and the other -2.75. WOW. Doctor Tom asked if he had had a growth spurt and I said he has gone from a size 4 shoe in December to a size 7! He said this explained the drastic eye change and said not to be alarmed as this could/can happen to anyone.

Epic Fail Mom!!!

We ordered new glasses--frames starting at $9! WOW. Zachman picked out one pair and claimed this was the one and refused to try anything else on. I had to admit (in my head) they were perfect, but thought he should at least try another pair on. Nope. He was good.

The visit, the new frames, the new lens with one year 100% coverage was only $167 WITH TAX. Holy cow. I was thrilled.

We go back in a few weeks to have J-Bird checked out too as he is claiming horrible headaches the last few weeks. I think it is summeritis, but I better make sure as I don't want to epic-ally fail twice!

Book Review: Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

Bookshelf Blurb: After a panic attack lands Soloman in the outdoor school fountain scantily clad, he turns into an acrophobia who won't leave his house. Three years later, Lisa, a former classmate decides she is going to cure Soloman's mental illness because her life (or at least her future) depends on it! Lisa, her boyfriend, Clark, and Soloman learn how friendship can evolve when one, or all, of them demonstrate highly illogical behavior.

America's Review:

Mental illness can be diagnosed and pills can be given to help cure the ailments of many people, but in some cases, like that of Soloman's, no form of pill or therapy can cure the panic attacks, the self-inflicted injuries or the depression. Soloman needed solitude because he suffered from Highly Illogical Behavior and no matter what therapy and pills are prescribed, he will no longer attend school, he will not leave his house, he does not need friends and lastly he does not need the outside world. He is content living within his house, going to school online and playing video games for the rest of eternity. His parents, at a loss for Soloman's self inflected illness, but having no other options, concede he can stay home fearing they will never be alone again as their one and only child will never leave the house; he suffers from acrophobia.

Lisa, a highly motivated Junior, is looking for her escape from Upland, CA. When the perfect opportunity comes along she seizes it regardless of who she has to hurt in order to achieve her goal. Her opportunity is Soloman, a boy who went crazy three years ago in Middle School, and as she soon discovers, has never left his house since that day. Through her own Highly Illogical Behavior decides she is going to find Soloman, correct him of his ailments and use these discoveries for her college entrance exam essay. Thanks to his Highly Illogical Behavior her essay will shine above all others and she will win the full ride scholarship to college.

The reader cannot help but laugh at the ridiculous behavior of the two protagonists in the new book by John Corey Whaley. The depth to both characters in their longing to accept themselves beyond what they are is typical of most upper classman in high school. They cannot wait to grow up and get out of the town where they have grown up, but the prospect of change, the unknown and being forced to grow up is also overwhelming. A Rite of Passage book for the normal, the mental and the parents who also struggle with their child leaving.

In the Classroom:

 The dreaded college application---it is the time of year for every Junior when they have to start thinking about where they want to go, what they want to be when they grow up--and the worst question: how can we afford either of these? Have your students write practice college exam essays and share them with one another then have them edit each other's papers giving appropriate feedback.

Zach's Birthday Party at SimCave, Louisville, KY

An amazing party was had by all people last Saturday at SimCave. This was the best deal going--a party room, a room with 11 big screen tvs and a server where all 11 people can play PC Minecraft for two hours! The Groupon was introduced to me via Zach's friend who had her party here back in March. This was a fabulous place for gamers to unite! Since the birthday back in March, Zach has been invited to 4 parties here. The Groupon included pizza and soda too. I only had to show up with a cake and ice cream. Who can beat that?

Zachman invited 10 people. I figured for SURE not everyone would come. Heck! It is May there is a million and one things going on. Boy was I mistaken. Every single one of the kids came--including the five girls he invited.

Now, don't think he likes girls at this point in his life---he doesn't yet. BUT he decided he wanted the original group of gamers who went to Belle's party to come to his party; hence, the five girls.

With this many kiddos invited I didn't leave a spot for his brother. Oops. My bad. Poor J-Bird had to just watch until they all starting taking pity on the poor kid and trading him out. He ended up getting gaming time and it was perfect. Most of the kids at the party were kids in the Excel classroom, so J-Bird knew everybody and everybody knew him!

It was a great day. I got to sit and visit with a really good Mommy friend.

We took 7 boys home with us for the evening for more pizza and more gaming. It was a dream come true birthday for my 11 year old gamer!

Freezing my A$$ off at soccer game!

 J-Bird is LOVING the game. I can't say I blame him because he is getting good. This was the best game of the season--AND of course because it is the 2nd to last game of the year. HA!

J-Bird was beaming as he walked off the field giving high 5s to all the parents.

It was 43 degrees. It is freakin' May. What is up with this? I'm so sick of freezing on the side lines, but to see his grin, made it 100% worth it!

Soccer try-outs are June 14 & 16. He is all in and his coach agrees! I am SO glad I already have the Honda Odyssey so I fit the role of "soccer MOM!"

Zach turns 11!

On May 26, 2016 Zachman will have a ceremony for completing his elementary school years. The parents were asked to send in two pictures to go in the slide show. This is the one we chose. This was a weekend in Valley Falls with the Grelinger family. Little man took his first steps in the park with cousin Addie encouraging him. You can see her in the background. It is always fun for me to go through the years and try to select which pictures to capture for each year of life. I'm so blessed with my babies and the moments I'm allowed to be with them. We will venture forth this upcoming Memorial Weekend to spend time in Valley Falls again sharing the joy of my oldest niece's graduation. They say time goes by too quickly, but when you are surviving parenthood, you don't realize it until your babies are going away to college. This is a bittersweet year, and one my Mama told me is the start of many, where my baby leaves elementary school and venture to middle school. And yes, they are correct. Time goes by too quickly.

Moments of Zachman being odd:
First haircut, first dentist appointment, first time having a friend party outside of the home, first, first, firsts. I share this as I needed to remind myself to slow down and each the firsts as they soon become the lasts.

Did not want Aunt Abbie to TOUCH his hair. Nana had to pin him down!

First time he got a shot and realized the Band-Aid was what caused so much pain! He kept yelling OFF! OFF! Mommy OFF!

Dying Easter Eggs with Addie & Sydney. Little did he know within 24 hours of this picture he would have a little baby brother. He had a horrible cough/cold at this point. This face was priceless! 

First time at the dentist. He did not want the napkin on. Once again he was telling her to please take this OFF. 

He was the ringbearer in Uncle Jake & Aunt Cristin's wedding. He had his cows and John Deere tractors with him at all times during these years. Thanks to Godfather Chad he still appreciates a John Deere Tractor.

This is the Cowboy phase of life. Still had the John Deere tractors, but now we wanted to wear boots 24/7. This is at St. Vincent De Paul with Mimi & Papa for Halloween. Zachman is 5 here.

Loving on Gabby. She is in SO many pictures. May she Rest In Peace.
Zachman is 6 here.

Zachman has is 6th birthday party at Cowtown.
This was the first party I paid someone to do the clean up for me. It was wonderful.

We are in Sturgis at a hotel. The boys have discovered we cannot stay at a hotel without a pool. Such Divas!

Isn't this just sweet? He is 8 years old here and is a natural swimmer.

I'm trying to train them to eat free food! 

Bored to death on a Field Trip where he is having to be social and out and about! HA!
This is 2nd grade at the Sedgwick County Zoo.

Here is the final picture for the 4th grade slide show. This is Zachman doing what he loves more than anything! I think this depicts him perfectly--in a swim suit and playing on his computer.

Happy Birthday Zachman!

Carmichael's Independent Bookstore Day, Louisville, KY

Story Time! Curious George and The Dump Truck

I do love my new job at the book store. On April 30, it was Indie Book Store Day across the nation. We made a million and one buttons to pass out FOR FREE and invited the community into the store. It was a fun day. Any time I get to wear a costume is a good day!

I drug the boys over to the store and I was glad as they were the only kids in the store. I drove 60 minutes to read a story to my kids. HA! Oh well. Prince Charming reminds me I am working at the store for fun, not for the money. And I do love the job, so it makes it worth it!