Anyone got change for a quarter?

Once upon a time their was a little 5 year old boy. Once upon another time their was an innocent enough looking quarter laying around the house bothering no one. One day the little boy found the quarter laying aimlessly and bothering no one, on his parents desk. Soon the two were as one. Literally. My husband couldn't pinpoint the exact moment that Levi swallowed the quarter, but he said he heard a "gulp" sound right around CSI Miami. He asked Levi, " Levi, where is the quarter you had in your hand? I dunno!" he says. Phil and Levi go on a quarter hunt, leaving no pillow unturned. Again,Phil asks, "Levi, where is the quarter you had in your hand?" Finally, Levi confesses that he thinks somehow from some devine intervention it jumped down his throat and into his belly. I am snoozing away, no doubt dreaming of my last name being Onassis. Levi begs his daddy not to tell mommy. He says mommy would be so mad at him. He's even got a bag of tears he's throwing in there for prove of how mean of a mommy I really am. The next day, and right on schedule, Levi is happily doing is business in the bathroom. He asks me if I can come and talk to him about something very important. As I sit down in front of him, he bursts out his unfortunate news of how this evil quarter jumped down his throat and was now sitting aimlessly is his tummy now. And how he begged daddy not to tell me because I would getmad at him and I would surly take him out back and make him live in the doghouse for the winter. All I heard was quarter swallowed. As he continues with this elaborate scenerio of how this all happend. All I heard was quarter swallowed and daddy new I had the quarter. I leaned over and kissed his head and said "Mommy's not mad, just upset, your the one that will have to poop it out my son, but for now, mommy is going to call daddy, mmm k? I leave the room and as I turn back to look at Levi sitting on the potty, he's singing this little song and pushing his tummy, "Come out little quarter, come out and play! Awww it's a shame he won't have a daddy now to come out and play with him. Luck is on Phil's side because he doesn't answer his phone. I text to him, " Your son has pooped, and he said there's a quarter in there somewhere and that you let him have the quarter. The poop will still be in the potty when you get home from work, with a stick next to it for your convience". I spent the next hour searching everything on 5 year olds and swallowed quarters. They all say pretty much the same thing. 4 days, 2 weeks, but if it doesn't come out, then there's trouble. I didn't find any kids that went more than 4 weeks. I feel a little better. A little. Phil has been on poop patrol now for 6 days and still no sign of the quarter. Levi is no worse off and he is still bouncing around the house singing his little made up tune. When Wyatt was in the hospital and his Peditrician visited, we talked about how long it had been since we had seen him. Other than the usual yearly head to toe, no one has been sick. Since that one visit, we have seen him nearly every week for everyone of my boys. Asthma, earaches, and now quarters. Levi will go on Tuesday. Until then," Come out little quarter, come out and play!....

Fall is Here...

I loved summer. But fall is wonderful. I love the smell of outdoor fires, and the coolness of the air. I dislike fall for one reason only. My son's asthma. Once again, my middle son spent 4 days attached to oxygen, and hooked up to IV's. His ox levels were very low, and the doctors seem to think it may have been linked to the H1N1 flu virus. Of course it was.

He was a sick little kid. I spent the night on a hospital couch, holding his hand, and asking a million questions even at 4am. His nurses were great. Even almost 3 weeks later, he is still not 100% well. The good news is that all this took place 3 days before his birthday, and not on his birthday. We got to celebrate his 10 years with his family. Sadly, all the paintball plans were lost in translation. It was not a fun time but we survived.

His little brother was almost sick with fret the entire time his brother was in the hospital, and actually wanted to bring is sleeping bag to sleep right next to his brother. Of course there was no way that could happen. Levi slept with Wyatt's favorite toy, and even packed a toybag just for Wyatt with special surprises. It was a wonderful thing to see. He is in complete love with his older brother. I know when there is yelling and screaming at each other, and tears are streaming down cheeks, that the love is there. Wyatt's older brother was not as fretty, but at school wanted everyone to join him in praying for his brother. Wonderful.

We are a very close family. And I am so proud that my boys know that.

Halloween is another favorite fall event and this year we celebrated big. Levi was a Transformer, and Wyatt was a zombie. Cody didn't trick or treat but enjoyed doing his favorite Elvis impersonation. Mom went with us to trick or treat, and as we walked along and greeted my neighbors we couldn't help but laugh at Wyatt and his zombiness. Even his walk was spooky.

There's only so much candy one kid can get before even they get tired and bored. After two or three streets, we walked slowly back home. The boys dragging thier loot behind them. The best part is dumping the bags on the floor to see what they got. Mom and me got our fair pay with mini candy bars, and some other goodies! Levi made sure his candy did not get mixed with his brothers, three days later, yep, one bag. So now, we look foward to Thanksgiving. This one will be a little more special than any in the past. But that story is for another day.