Where One Journey Ends, a New One Begins...

Today is our last day in Rochester. The moving truck pulled out yesterday, Grandma and Grandpa Higham flew out with the boys yesterday, and today I turned in our apartment keys. Tears fall freely the last few days, and I'm not even trying to stop them. I am so sad to leave behind this part of our lives; we have been blessed with so many wonderful experiences and friendships in the past six years. I knew two years ago this day would come and we would once again have to pick up and move; leaving behind so many friends- some of the closest we've ever made- but that never makes it any easier. It's been a great journey and we have all grown in ways we never imagined. I am thankful for the times we've had and lessons we've learned. Just as a part of us will always be in Seattle, now a part of us will always be in Rochester as well.
As soon as Jordan finishes work today (he graduated last Friday, but had to work yesterday and today- silly I know!) we too will head out to begin our new journey. We look forward to our new lives in South Eastern Idaho. Jordan and the boys are so very excited to live there and I'm working on it. I don't deny that it will be nice to live by family; I know that we are supposed to come home. Sometimes change comes hard for me though. I am excited for the road trip Jordan and I are about to take- across the nation with no children! It was a blast two years ago when we came out here, and I expect no less on the way back. We hope to arrive in Idaho early next week refreshed and ready to jump into the next journey. So here's an advance thanks to all our family who will be taking care of the boys for this next week- THANK YOU!

Garbage Plate

The name alone makes you wonder. It took me almost 1.5 years to build the courage to try it. Food should not touch- especially macaroni salad, cubed potoatoes, a cheeseburger patty, meat gravy, and ketchup! But, that's just what a garbage plate is; a picnic on a plate. And it's awesome!
We love Nick Tahoes. Back in the Depression era, this man wanted to provide the locals with a lot of food for a little money. A garbage plate is what he came up with and it is still a local favorite. Lots of places make them, but I won't eat them from anywhere else. We've had quite a few visitors the last few weeks, and it's been very amusing to watch the different re-actions. We missed it when my sister was here, so here's a picture for her and everyone else to enjoy. I'm already working on the recipe, so it won't be another completely lost NY treasure.

Changes

Ahh, the power of a girl. The boys willingly traded in light sabers and bikes for curling irons, blow dryers, and brushes.

Miss Halle came to stay with us this weekend, and the boys got a lesson in doll beauty.

It's been wiggly for a couple of weeks now, but on Saturday, Hunter finally finished the job!

Side note: Jordan took Hunter into the clinic for x-rays to make sure all was well with his mouth about the third day the tooth was loose. Hunter is not quite 4 1/2, which is pretty young to loose a tooth, but the secondary teeth are ready, so no concerns.

And finally...Swim party season has begun. By 7:30 in the morning the boys are begging to be outside, and our "backyard" is prime water party ground. It's going to be a great final few weeks here!

Papular Urticaria or Chicken Pox?

I sold one of the boys' beds last weekend, so they are sleeping on their mattresses on the floor. Last Monday, Henry woke up with what I thought was a bug bite right at the base of his spine. As the day progressed, I noticed there were now three or four little bites there and quite a few around his neck line. So I washed all his bedding, vaccumed the floor, and didn't think about it again. Tuesday, he was the whiniest little guy ever. His tummy was pretty sad all day and just before bed, he had a little fever. Then the thought hit me- "What if he has chicken pox?" He got the vericella vaccine just over two years ago, but I've heard it could happen. Wednesday I called his pediatrician and in we went. Her words to me. "It could be chicken pox or it could be papular urticaria. I can't say for sure one way or the other." In English- It could be chicken pox or he could be having a super sensitive reaction to a bug bite. Um, thanks- that's what I said when I walked in the door. So she told us to treat it somewhat like chicken pox, but she wouldn't give us an official diagnosis of such. As the days have gone on, more spots have come and they all follow the traditional pattern, so I am taking a mother's liberty and diagnosing him myself. He has chicken pox! He was pretty sad to miss nursery today (we only went to church long enough for Hunter to give his very first talk in primary-which he rocked!) but other than that he's fine. The spots on his face are from playing in the mud Wednesday afternoon. He's a little ichy, but he's doing fine. There are more spots on his back, but these are the only pictures he'd let me take.

Picnic Table 1, Hunter 0

While playing Jedi-
Watch out for the picnic table one must.

Nothing of Consequence

I find February and March to be a bit like the third quarter of a basketball game: it just kind of drags on with little excitement. Thankfully the Strong Memorial Museum of Play is always like the last minute of a really close game- a whirlwind of excitement!

The boys love to "fly" this airplane. With a million kids and only two chairs, getting to be the pilot or co-pilot are coveted positions.

In honor of Mr. Potato Heads induction to the Toy Hall of Fame, an entire section of the Museum is currently focused on Mr. Potato Head. My boys loved "driving" the Safari Jeep.

Henry's Mr. Potato Head had have a purse. He was so proud of himself for finding all the parts and pieces by himself.

Hunter's was a little more traditional.

And when it's too cold to leave the house, Dad and his boys are fine tuning their old school race car skills.

So nothing much of consequence to blog about, but I'm tired of seeing Henry's birthday blog every time I log on to enjoy the excitement of everyone elses Feb/March. It will be April soon though, and then our lives will pick up in pace and excitement. So until it does, we will continue to be thankful for a great museum. And a great dad.

Finally 3!

Henry has not liked still being two when Hunter gets to be four, so he's been waiting for weeks to turn three. Jordan had some out of town business, so we actually postponed Henry's birthday a few days (you can still get away with things like that when your child doesn't fully understand the calendar). But yesterday was the day! And in Henry's world, you can do or have anything when you're three. Pizza and games at Chucky Cheese for me- because I'm three! A CARS cake it had to be- because I'm three.

Daddy said the candle would taste yummy. I didn't know he was just teasing me- I am only three.

Henry has grown and learned so much in the past year that it astounds me. He is my handsome prince and I love that he loves with reckless abandon; he gives loves and kisses like nobodies business. He may look/act exactly like his daddy, but at heart he is his Mama's boy! We're so proud of our little one- Happy Birthday Henry.