I took Apple to the pediatrician yesterday morning for a strep test. It was negative. She was playing and acting normal, just complaining of a sore throat. She asked if she could go to school, so I told her if the strep test was negative, she could go back to school. I, and the doctor too, attributed the sore throat to a cold virus.
Two hours after dropping her off, I was called to come pick her up. She was really puny and complaining still about her throat. We went straight home. She started complaining about being cold even though she was bundled under a blanket. Sure enough, she was running a fever.
So, I started her on some Children's Motrin. She refused to eat dinner and just wanted to lay around all evening. By 'lay around', I mean she pretty much wanted to lay on top of me! So clingy.
I called the pediatrician to see what he thought. Was he sure it wasn't strep? He said that he did send off for the 24 hour culture, but he still felt like this was a virus.
She went to bed around 8:00 and fell right asleep. She woke herself up coughing around 10 and her fever was up to 103 and she still had Motrin in her. She was miserable and crying and in so much pain with her throat. I gave her more Motrin even though it was too early to do so and Hubby and I started thinking about taking her to the ER.
We decided (with the advice of my mom) to call the pediatrician again. He reassured us that she was ok and gave us the warning signs that would indicate an immediate trip to the ER... not being able to swallow her saliva, not feeling a little better after taking Motrin/Tylenol, having difficulty breathing, etc. She wasn't experiencing any of that, so we felt a little bit better... a little bit.
During the night, her fever started going down. The Motrin was keeping it at 102 or below. (whew!) This morning, she smiled at me! :) That's always a good sign. She still has a low grade fever and she says her throat still hurts when she swallows, but she did eat breakfast. Hopefully, we are over the worst of it.
Last night was probably the most scared I've been and Apple has been through a lot in her short little life. I've never seen her in so much pain before and I've never been afraid that Motrin couldn't bring down her fever. I really hope she continues getting better and doesn't have a repeat of last night...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Busy, Busy and more Busy
I think I need about 24 more hours in my day. I may actually feel like I accomplish all I need to.
Work is really crazy for me these days. We were told a couple of weeks ago that we were going to have to rewrite an application for our sales force. And, it has be done and in production by Jan 23. That gives us 3 months. The original application took over 9 months. Nothing like a rushed deadline, right? So, I feel like I barely have time to breath at work.
I did, however, have a terrific weekend last weekend. Apple had two birthday parties on Saturday which my hubby took her to so I could stay home. (wasn't that sweet?) I have been redecorating Apple's room since March. (Yes, I'm slow.) We painted her room and bought her new furniture. I made her valances for her windows. And, finally, last weekend, I got around to making her duvet cover. I've also got the fabric cut and ready for her pillow shams. I have to go buy some cording to make the piping for the shams. I ran out. Maybe, if I can find the cording, I will have it all finished this weekend and I can be completely done with redecorating her room.
Then, it will be time for MY room!! Fun Fun!!
On Sunday, we had our annual Halloween parade on our street. It was cute, but chaotic. Apple got upset b/c someone cut in line in front of her. This resulted in her crying during the entire parade. It kinda ruined the whole thing for us, but whatever.
This week, we had our last Monday night swimming lesson Monday night. In a couple of weeks, she'll be having lessons on Wednesday afternoons. Yesterday afternoon we went to K's house again for a play date. Today, we are at home b/c Apple seems to have a bad cold. She has complained alot about her throat hurting on Monday. She seemed fine yesterday, but woke up in the middle of the night complaining again. So, I'm going to take her in to be tested for strep, but I think it will be negative. We'll see. Better safe than sorry, right? Then, of course, Friday is the big day. In the morning, her school is having a Halloween parade. Then, the evening will be filled with trick or treating. (which reminds me, I need to get more candy...)
Saturday morning, we are taking Apple to the Symphony series for children in the morning. It will be Halloween music and the kids can wear their Halloween costumes. In the afternoon, I'm going to a scrapbooking event. Sunday, Apple is invited to another birthday party!!!
So, like I said, busy busy busy times.
Work is really crazy for me these days. We were told a couple of weeks ago that we were going to have to rewrite an application for our sales force. And, it has be done and in production by Jan 23. That gives us 3 months. The original application took over 9 months. Nothing like a rushed deadline, right? So, I feel like I barely have time to breath at work.
I did, however, have a terrific weekend last weekend. Apple had two birthday parties on Saturday which my hubby took her to so I could stay home. (wasn't that sweet?) I have been redecorating Apple's room since March. (Yes, I'm slow.) We painted her room and bought her new furniture. I made her valances for her windows. And, finally, last weekend, I got around to making her duvet cover. I've also got the fabric cut and ready for her pillow shams. I have to go buy some cording to make the piping for the shams. I ran out. Maybe, if I can find the cording, I will have it all finished this weekend and I can be completely done with redecorating her room.
Then, it will be time for MY room!! Fun Fun!!
On Sunday, we had our annual Halloween parade on our street. It was cute, but chaotic. Apple got upset b/c someone cut in line in front of her. This resulted in her crying during the entire parade. It kinda ruined the whole thing for us, but whatever.
This week, we had our last Monday night swimming lesson Monday night. In a couple of weeks, she'll be having lessons on Wednesday afternoons. Yesterday afternoon we went to K's house again for a play date. Today, we are at home b/c Apple seems to have a bad cold. She has complained alot about her throat hurting on Monday. She seemed fine yesterday, but woke up in the middle of the night complaining again. So, I'm going to take her in to be tested for strep, but I think it will be negative. We'll see. Better safe than sorry, right? Then, of course, Friday is the big day. In the morning, her school is having a Halloween parade. Then, the evening will be filled with trick or treating. (which reminds me, I need to get more candy...)
Saturday morning, we are taking Apple to the Symphony series for children in the morning. It will be Halloween music and the kids can wear their Halloween costumes. In the afternoon, I'm going to a scrapbooking event. Sunday, Apple is invited to another birthday party!!!
So, like I said, busy busy busy times.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch
This morning, Apple and I met her class on their class field trip to a pumpkin patch at a local farm. To say it was a bit chaotic would be an understatement. There were so many children there on field trips from different schools, we could barely stay together.
Let me give you a play by play of the madness that ensued...
First, Apple and I arrive around 9:20am. The majority of her class was supposed to arrive around 9:30. There were some parents that elected to drive their own children on the field trip as I did. When we arrive, we were right behind another boy and his father from Apple's classroom. We 'checked in' with the folks at the concession stand and found out that we had to pay even though we were on a field trip with the school. (This was not mentioned to us beforehand... but thank goodness I stopped by the bank on the way...)
We pay and go in. To bide the time, Apple plays in the haymaze...
on the hay slide...
and on another slide they had set up. Around 10:00am, the majority of her class shows up through the gate. Off we went towards the hayride.
As I said, it was madness... there were kids everywhere and it took a while to wrangle all of Hayden's class into the back of the tractor for the hayride.
Now... Apple's school is a private school so there is no such thing as a bus. To go on field trips, the children ride with a responsible parent. This was taken from the email that the class mom sent out on Tuesday...
"If you are driving, you will receive a map and a packet of emergency information for each child in your car. If for some reason a child needs to ride back in a car different from which they came, the info packet must go with them. Also, please be sure to return the packet to the classroom when we get back.
The children that ride in your car are under your care during the field trip. When we are at the farm, stick together and watch them as if they were your own."
Can you see where this is going??
So, the class gets on the hayride and takes off. The hayride is easily 25 minutes long. As the hayride ends, the tractor is pulling back into it's starting position when I hear one of Apple's teachers gasp and say "Oh my goodness!!" As I look out of the tractor, I see a boy from Apple's class in the arms of the owner of the farm terrified and in tears. WE HAD LEFT THE CHILD BEHIND!!!
Ultimately, yes, it is the teacher's responsibility to count heads and make sure everyone is there. However, I can easily see how a mistake could have been made. The place was covered in kids... the parents usually bring along younger sibling so there are always more heads than normal... so, I can see how it happened. One of the parents asked, "Who was responsible for him?" And another mom spoke up and said, "It was me. I thought I saw him up front...""
UM!! HELLO!!!
That's just the beginning of the fun...
After the hayride, it was time to feed the animals. (right before the kids were supposed to eat snack... not a great idea in my mind) Luckily, Apple had read a sign that said "Don't feed the pigs." and it had a drawn picture of a hand that was bleeding. So, she was not interested at all in feeding the animals. WHOO HOO!!
Afterwards, the kids were off to wash their hands and feed their faces. At the picnic tables, where the kids were seated, there seemed to be more bees than expected. At one time, I counted 10 yellow jackets around the kids. Of course, the kids just swat at them, which I'm sure just pissed the bees off. So, I pulled Apple away and made her stand by me. Two seconds later, a kid got stung.
After snack, it was off to the pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin.
After that, Apple decided she had to pee. The only bathrooms? Port-a-johns...
That was it, last straw. I got Apple to tell the teacher we were leaving and would see them back at school. We left and headed directly to a McDonald's down the road.
What a morning!!
Apple had fun, which is the important part. But, I know two things for certain now..
# 1 - I could never hold it together if I had to be responsible for that many young children by myself. I truly respect all these teachers out there. It takes a special kind of person, for sure.
# 2 - I will NEVER send my child on a field trip without me or her dad. Apparently, you can't count on other parents to be 'responsible' for your child.
Let me give you a play by play of the madness that ensued...
First, Apple and I arrive around 9:20am. The majority of her class was supposed to arrive around 9:30. There were some parents that elected to drive their own children on the field trip as I did. When we arrive, we were right behind another boy and his father from Apple's classroom. We 'checked in' with the folks at the concession stand and found out that we had to pay even though we were on a field trip with the school. (This was not mentioned to us beforehand... but thank goodness I stopped by the bank on the way...)
We pay and go in. To bide the time, Apple plays in the haymaze...
on the hay slide...
and on another slide they had set up. Around 10:00am, the majority of her class shows up through the gate. Off we went towards the hayride.
As I said, it was madness... there were kids everywhere and it took a while to wrangle all of Hayden's class into the back of the tractor for the hayride.
Now... Apple's school is a private school so there is no such thing as a bus. To go on field trips, the children ride with a responsible parent. This was taken from the email that the class mom sent out on Tuesday...
"If you are driving, you will receive a map and a packet of emergency information for each child in your car. If for some reason a child needs to ride back in a car different from which they came, the info packet must go with them. Also, please be sure to return the packet to the classroom when we get back.
The children that ride in your car are under your care during the field trip. When we are at the farm, stick together and watch them as if they were your own."
Can you see where this is going??
So, the class gets on the hayride and takes off. The hayride is easily 25 minutes long. As the hayride ends, the tractor is pulling back into it's starting position when I hear one of Apple's teachers gasp and say "Oh my goodness!!" As I look out of the tractor, I see a boy from Apple's class in the arms of the owner of the farm terrified and in tears. WE HAD LEFT THE CHILD BEHIND!!!
Ultimately, yes, it is the teacher's responsibility to count heads and make sure everyone is there. However, I can easily see how a mistake could have been made. The place was covered in kids... the parents usually bring along younger sibling so there are always more heads than normal... so, I can see how it happened. One of the parents asked, "Who was responsible for him?" And another mom spoke up and said, "It was me. I thought I saw him up front...""
UM!! HELLO!!!
That's just the beginning of the fun...
After the hayride, it was time to feed the animals. (right before the kids were supposed to eat snack... not a great idea in my mind) Luckily, Apple had read a sign that said "Don't feed the pigs." and it had a drawn picture of a hand that was bleeding. So, she was not interested at all in feeding the animals. WHOO HOO!!
Afterwards, the kids were off to wash their hands and feed their faces. At the picnic tables, where the kids were seated, there seemed to be more bees than expected. At one time, I counted 10 yellow jackets around the kids. Of course, the kids just swat at them, which I'm sure just pissed the bees off. So, I pulled Apple away and made her stand by me. Two seconds later, a kid got stung.
After snack, it was off to the pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin.
After that, Apple decided she had to pee. The only bathrooms? Port-a-johns...
That was it, last straw. I got Apple to tell the teacher we were leaving and would see them back at school. We left and headed directly to a McDonald's down the road.
What a morning!!
Apple had fun, which is the important part. But, I know two things for certain now..
# 1 - I could never hold it together if I had to be responsible for that many young children by myself. I truly respect all these teachers out there. It takes a special kind of person, for sure.
# 2 - I will NEVER send my child on a field trip without me or her dad. Apparently, you can't count on other parents to be 'responsible' for your child.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Last Soccer Game of the Season
Last Saturday was our last soccer game for the fall. Apple did not score any goals, but she had a terrific save. Right when the ball was about a foot from going in the goal, she kicked it out!! Of course, she was running so fast at that point that she couldn't stop and ran full force into the soccer goal. OUCH!! She recovered after a few minutes and was very proud of her play.
Apple is in the green. Our opponent is in the blue. This girl that Apple was running after looked like she was about 10 years old. Apple kept up with her and gave her a good run for her money.
After the game (which we won 3 -2, by the way) we went to the coach's house for trophies and pizza!
Coach Mark, Apple, Coach Kevin
Apple is in the green. Our opponent is in the blue. This girl that Apple was running after looked like she was about 10 years old. Apple kept up with her and gave her a good run for her money.
After the game (which we won 3 -2, by the way) we went to the coach's house for trophies and pizza!
Coach Mark, Apple, Coach Kevin
Potato Peelings
Did you know that you aren't supposed to put potato peelings down the garbage disposal? I didn't.
Consider this a public service announcement:
DON'T put potato peelings down your garbage disposal.
If you do, you could end up spending your Saturday evening like I did... taking apart all the plumbing under your kitchen sink to find the potato clog and unclog it!!
Tons of fun... lemme tell ya.
Consider this a public service announcement:
DON'T put potato peelings down your garbage disposal.
If you do, you could end up spending your Saturday evening like I did... taking apart all the plumbing under your kitchen sink to find the potato clog and unclog it!!
Tons of fun... lemme tell ya.
Monday, October 20, 2008
My Opinion of the State Fair
Going to the State Fair was something I really looked forward to. When I was in college, my roommates and I lived right down the street from where the state fair was held every year. And, every year, we'd go to the fair at least once, usually more. It was really enjoyable. My favorite parts were looking at the landscaping exhibits done by the local college's landscape architecture students, going through the Village of Yesteryear to see all the hand made crafts, trying new and different foods, and of course, seeing who grew the largest pumpkin. :)
For the past few years though, the fair has been rather unenjoyable for me. The crowds have been too thick. It seems very dirty. And, a total rip off, honestly. It's just expensive.
We went to the fair yesterday afternoon and it was MISERABLE. Totally MISERABLE. I told hubby that I would be happy if we never went back. The crowds were so thick that you couldn't even take a full step in front of you at any point in time. The lines for the rides (for Apple) were SOOOO long. We went to the fair with three ride books of tickets... we only used 6 tickets!! The lines were just unbearable and the ride operators moved like molasses. It was SO LOUD!!! We were only there for about three hours and I was so ready to go home. My head was splitting from all the noise and my nerves were on edge from all the people!!!
There were a few good moments:
-Apple got to try Dippin' Dots for the first time and LOVED them.
-Hubby got to try a new treat - cheesecake dipped in chocolate.
-I got my Maple cotton candy.
I didn't, however, get a caramel apple which is usually my favorite fair treat. They cost $4!!!
$4 for a caramel apple?!?!? Do you know how many carmel apples I can make at home for $4??? Definitely more than one.
Anyway... On to a brighter note... today is my Mom's Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! Love ya!!!
For the past few years though, the fair has been rather unenjoyable for me. The crowds have been too thick. It seems very dirty. And, a total rip off, honestly. It's just expensive.
We went to the fair yesterday afternoon and it was MISERABLE. Totally MISERABLE. I told hubby that I would be happy if we never went back. The crowds were so thick that you couldn't even take a full step in front of you at any point in time. The lines for the rides (for Apple) were SOOOO long. We went to the fair with three ride books of tickets... we only used 6 tickets!! The lines were just unbearable and the ride operators moved like molasses. It was SO LOUD!!! We were only there for about three hours and I was so ready to go home. My head was splitting from all the noise and my nerves were on edge from all the people!!!
There were a few good moments:
-Apple got to try Dippin' Dots for the first time and LOVED them.
-Hubby got to try a new treat - cheesecake dipped in chocolate.
-I got my Maple cotton candy.
I didn't, however, get a caramel apple which is usually my favorite fair treat. They cost $4!!!
$4 for a caramel apple?!?!? Do you know how many carmel apples I can make at home for $4??? Definitely more than one.
Anyway... On to a brighter note... today is my Mom's Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! Love ya!!!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Last night
Hubby went to a local college football game last night, so it was a girl's night for Apple and I.
After school, we were late for dance class. This time, I had left work early and was all excited about actually not having to rush to get to dance class. But, as I was walking through the school, one of Apple's teachers stopped us in the hallway and asked me if I'd like to see what Apple and her friend 'K' worked on that morning in her classroom. Of course, I couldn't pass up this opportunity, so we went into the classroom and the teacher and Apple proceeded to show me what they had done...
-------
K and Apple worked together yesterday on some science and math. For science, they did fish nomenclature. The teacher, Ms A, showed me the cards they used to learn the different parts of the fish. First, they read cards that were bound with rings that had pictures and descriptions of each part of the fish. Then, they looked through cards with only the picture of the fish on them. Each card was missing a particular part of the fish. They had to identify which part it was and double check themselves by referring back to the original cards and descriptions.
Then, Ms. A had the original descriptions separated by lines of text... each were cut into an individual strip. So, for instance they had 5 strips of text from the original description:
Ex.: The dorsal fin is the top fin of
the fish. It helps the fish change
the direction it swims. And there
was more, but I can not remember
what it all said. :)
These strips were jumbled and they had to put them in the correct order. (teaching them paragraph structure and continuity) After they put them in the order they believed to be correct, they went back and checked themselves with the original cards and descriptions. Today they will be continuing this lesson with some other variation. I can't recall what it is.
Ms. A also said that they did some math work today. She explained that they are learning their addition facts and working on four digit addition that included 'carrying the one'. (at least that is how I learned it... the girls aren't learning it with that phrase) Ms. A showed me the tiles that they work with so that they know if they have 11 tiles with 1 on them, they need to replace 10, 1 tiles with 1, 10 tile. Same with tens... when they have 11 ten tiles, they need to replace 10, 10 tiles with 1, 100 tile!!! Same with hundreds too.
-------
To say I'm please with what they are doing is an understatement. I am THRILLED!!
So, after all that, we went to dance class. It was observation week at dance so the parents got to sit in the classroom and watch the class. Apple really really enjoys dancing and her teacher is wonderful!!
After dance, we stopped by the community center in our town to pick up tickets to the dance school's Holiday Cabaret. Every year, the dance school does a mini-recital where they sell tickets to raise money for the American Cancer Society. It's been really successful. This will be Apple's second time dancing in the Cabaret and she's very excited about it.
Finally, we settled down last night at the house with a pizza from Domino's and Apple and I played checkers til it was time to go to bed!! :)
This weekend we are going to try to work in the state fair sometime... I'm not sure how we are going to do that considering Saturday is Apple's last soccer game and award ceremony. Sunday I'm going with some neighbors to take a dear friend out for her birthday!! We've got to get to the fair sometime though....
After school, we were late for dance class. This time, I had left work early and was all excited about actually not having to rush to get to dance class. But, as I was walking through the school, one of Apple's teachers stopped us in the hallway and asked me if I'd like to see what Apple and her friend 'K' worked on that morning in her classroom. Of course, I couldn't pass up this opportunity, so we went into the classroom and the teacher and Apple proceeded to show me what they had done...
-------
K and Apple worked together yesterday on some science and math. For science, they did fish nomenclature. The teacher, Ms A, showed me the cards they used to learn the different parts of the fish. First, they read cards that were bound with rings that had pictures and descriptions of each part of the fish. Then, they looked through cards with only the picture of the fish on them. Each card was missing a particular part of the fish. They had to identify which part it was and double check themselves by referring back to the original cards and descriptions.
Then, Ms. A had the original descriptions separated by lines of text... each were cut into an individual strip. So, for instance they had 5 strips of text from the original description:
Ex.: The dorsal fin is the top fin of
the fish. It helps the fish change
the direction it swims. And there
was more, but I can not remember
what it all said. :)
These strips were jumbled and they had to put them in the correct order. (teaching them paragraph structure and continuity) After they put them in the order they believed to be correct, they went back and checked themselves with the original cards and descriptions. Today they will be continuing this lesson with some other variation. I can't recall what it is.
Ms. A also said that they did some math work today. She explained that they are learning their addition facts and working on four digit addition that included 'carrying the one'. (at least that is how I learned it... the girls aren't learning it with that phrase) Ms. A showed me the tiles that they work with so that they know if they have 11 tiles with 1 on them, they need to replace 10, 1 tiles with 1, 10 tile. Same with tens... when they have 11 ten tiles, they need to replace 10, 10 tiles with 1, 100 tile!!! Same with hundreds too.
-------
To say I'm please with what they are doing is an understatement. I am THRILLED!!
So, after all that, we went to dance class. It was observation week at dance so the parents got to sit in the classroom and watch the class. Apple really really enjoys dancing and her teacher is wonderful!!
After dance, we stopped by the community center in our town to pick up tickets to the dance school's Holiday Cabaret. Every year, the dance school does a mini-recital where they sell tickets to raise money for the American Cancer Society. It's been really successful. This will be Apple's second time dancing in the Cabaret and she's very excited about it.
Finally, we settled down last night at the house with a pizza from Domino's and Apple and I played checkers til it was time to go to bed!! :)
This weekend we are going to try to work in the state fair sometime... I'm not sure how we are going to do that considering Saturday is Apple's last soccer game and award ceremony. Sunday I'm going with some neighbors to take a dear friend out for her birthday!! We've got to get to the fair sometime though....
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