Cast

So, since I use this blog as my source for recording our family happenings, I decided I had to post about Hayden's cast.

It's been a source of discomfort and TIME recently.

 The 'temperary' cast that was put on in the E.R. was cast with the wrist straight, and above the elbow. I wasn't water proof, and for 2 weeks Hayden was anxiously anticipating the water proof cast.

We'd gone in twice for x-rays to make sure the wrist was healing properly, which it was.

SO, finally the day for the water proof cast came!

Yay!

Only the Dr. cast it like this!

This was a new doctor (the original one moved to California). He cast it, then quickly left the room before I had a chance to ask any questions! I talked to the PA, and he said "Well, that's how the doctor cast it, that's how he wants it."

It was very uncomfortable, and even painful for Hayden to have his wrist in this position. I called the office the next day and explained this to them. "Wait another day, if it's still painful, come in and have it re-cast.", they said.

So I did.

The next day we went back, explained that for the 2 weeks that the wrist was cast 'straight' and healing well, there was NO pain...now there is pain. Not to mention that Hayden can't even write, or eat with his wrist in that position.

He refused to re-cast it.

We went to a wrist specialist for a second opinion.

He agreed that it should of been cast straight. But, that it wasn't doing any damage to the wrist in that position. Hayden should be comfortable for the next 3 weeks though, and he said he would re-cast it.

Only problem....he didn't have a water proof cast.

Hayden decided that the discomfort was worth going to the pool.

So, 3 appointments later....we still have the same cast.

Good news: the wrist will heal fine, AND he can still swim!

I also now know which doctor NOT to see if we ever have a wrist injury again!

Father's Day

So, I get a big F for Father's Day.

I completely forgot.

Didn't do a single thing.

I didn't buy a card for Brian, or either of our fathers.

Didn't have the kids make anything.

No nice breakfast in bed.

Nothing.

In fact, we woke up late on Sunday for church, and were running crazy to get to church on time. It wasn't until we were in the chapel and I hear someone say "Are the kids singing for Father's Day?" that  I realized that I'd dropped the ball! Oops!

We did have a great day with our daddy though!

We went on a walk of his choice.

 He picked 'The Lion's Den', which is in the 'Daniel's' section of the Patapsco Valley State Park.

There is this little cave, called "The Lion's Den".

It was fun, and the kids brought flash lights to explore it.

 We carried on and walked further into the forest.

 We found toads, and a baby snapping turtle!

 These thing grow to be like 50 pounds! There is one in the lake by our house that the kids named "Big Mike", so it was fun to see and hold a baby one!

 It was a beautiful walk, in such a lush and pretty area!

 Of course we played "The 3 Billy Goats Gruff" by the bridge.

(We always do this when we come across a bridge-how can you not?)

Hayden was the troll this time.

"Who's trip trapping over my bridge?!"

He added a password that you had to know before you could get across.

So, Father's Day was great.

It came without packages, presents, or bags.

We just enjoyed our daddy's company, and had a wonderful time doing so!

Happy Father's Day Brian!

We love you so!

SWIM TEAM!

Ashlyn has been waiting a whole year to be on the summer swim team!

She desperately wanted to do it with Morgan last year, but she was only 3, and could just barely swim.

She took swimming lessons last fall/winter to improve her newly learned skill so that come summer time she could make it across the pool and join the team!

She is SO PROUD to be part of the team.

She does still have to stop and hold on the the rope halfway across the pool, but as long as she doesn't pull herself along the rope, she isn't disqualified, so she's good!

This past Saturday was the "Timed Trials" meet. We didn't race against another team, just swam to get their times for the start of the season.

 Ashlyn LOVED every minute of it!

 Last minute "You can do it!" speech.

READY...

 SET...

 GO!

 She did great! And was over the moon about her ribbon for participating!

Next Saturday....our first meet of the season!

 Morgan did great as well!

 Freestyle is her strongest stroke, and she came in with the best time for her age group on the team!

I love watching my girls swim!

Sailabration - Part 2

Saturday we took the rest of the family (plus 2 neighbor kids) to Baltimore to see the 'Sailabration' festivities, AND the Blue Angels!

 Our initial plan was to go to Ft. McHenry to see the show.

It was said to start at 1:00pm. We were running a bit late, and worried we wouldn't make it one time (with the parking and all). We past Federal Hill, and there was a parking spot RIGHT there, so we decided that would be just as good of a place, so we parked and ran up.

 We had a great view of the harbor, and the ships and all.

AND had a nice SHADY spot to wait for the show to start.

And wait is exactly what we did.

WAIT, and WAIT, and WAIT.

 After an hour and 15 minutes of waiting (and the kids rolling down the hill for entertainment), we decided to walk over to the harbor and see the ships.

And of course, that's exactly when the first plane flew by!

 So, we stopped and watched.

 The kids were loving it.

 The planes flew so low and fast, the whole ground shook as they past!

 Of course the highlight was seeing the Blue Angel's perform.

There stunts were great!

(I didn't take any more photos, just enjoyed the show!)

 We enjoyed our walk around the harbor, seeing all the festivities.

Another great day in Baltimore!

I really do enjoy living so close to this city, we always have a good time!

I enjoy the history of the area too, always something to see or do.

Happy 200th birthday Star Spangled Banner!

Sailabration! - Part 1 (Sailing on the Pride of Baltimore II)

 In case you didn't know...this year marked the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, 

and the song, The Star Spangles Banner (which was written right here in the Baltimore Harbor by Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment on Fort McHenry).

So, this past weekend, Baltimore hosted the "Star Spangled Sailabration" in commemoration of it.

There were 40 different ships (tall ships as well as military ships) that came into the Harbor for the event. As well as thousands of people!

 I got an email offering a special event for the celebration.

An opportunity so sail on the Pride of Baltimore II for an evening.

When I called there were only 4 tickets left.

Hayden had sailed on the same ship with Brian in the past.

Ronan wasn't interested.

The girls I wasn't offering to.

So, that left Brian, I, Morgan & Duncan.

It was a perfectly magical evening!

 The Pride of Baltimore II with her sails up.

 Flying the flag from 1812 (15 stars & 15 stripes).

 We boarded at 6:30pm, and set off for a beautiful sail.

 The weather was heavenly. 

The sky clear.

The company wonderful.

It was such a peaceful, relaxing night!

 They welcomed you to be part of 'the crew' if you so desired.

My crew definitely desired that!

 They helped to put down the sails, and turn them to the wind.

 Then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

We sailed for 2 1/2 hours total.

 At one point Duncan was looking for something to do.

I handed him my phone, and told him to take photos of parts of the ship that he found interesting.

 This is what he came back with.....

     

     

 

 

 

 

I think he did a great job of capturing the trip!

I might have to hire him for photo taking in the future!

When we were coming back into the harbor around 9:00pm, a lot of the tall ships were all lit up.

It was such a pretty sight!

Just a perfect, beautiful night in Baltimore Harbor!