What a Crazy Spring Break!

We have had a wonderfully crazy spring break! With only a few minor bumps along the way.

Friday Alex got out of school early and was excited to start his spring break! We had movie night and watched The Mummy 3. The boys loved the "White Monsters"!


Saturday we went to the Ostrich Festival, but first we went to Grandma & Grandpa Mortensen's for pizza and pop. Then the whole Mortensen clan was off. It was a whole lot of chaotic fun and mayhem! Including a rider falling off of one of the ostriches and then the ostrich fell on top of her! She had to be taken away in an ambulance.

Then we were off to the demolition derby. Topher LOVED it! Every time there was a "Crash" "Smunch" "Crunch" or "Bang". His arms would both go up over his head, he would start jumping up and down, and he would scream with pure excitement! "Yeah!" "WoooHoo!" It was so fun to just watch him.

While the kids went to the petting zoo with their cousins I went to meet my mom and dad so that they knew where we were. While we waited for the final round of the derby. The last round was quite a sight. Including one of the final three cars coming over the dirt barrier. It was exciting! LOL

The kids got to see a seal show, play on jumpers, and ride the rides at the carnival. We went at 1:00 and didn't leave until after 8:30! The kids were exhausted!

Sunday was full of family activities, Church, and family dinner.

When Monday morning rolled around we were off to the Zoo! With Grandma & Grandpa Hatch and Aunt Michelle and Carter. A whole day of fun in the sun!




Tuesday we went to the Arizona Museum of Natural History with our friends the Gaddie's. I completely forgot it was St. Patricks Day! So we did get to do any of our usual traditions.

Ellie Looking at Elvis!

Elvis!

Our feet compared to the size of a Dino!

A picture just for Grandma!

Tuesday night the kids had a blast at Grandma's Grandkids Night! They got to feed the ducks, roast hot dogs and make smores. They played the Wii and spent the night. Rich and I got to have a quite evening with just Ellie, she was to little to stay at Grandma's. It was nice to have some one on one time with her.

Peek a boo!

Sharing Ice Cream with daddy!

Wednesday Ellie and I went to the store before we went to get the big kids from Grandma's and after she tried to open a package of popcorn cakes using her teeth and hands. She sat on it and popped it open so she could get to the popcorn cakes. She is so SMART!

Since we didn't get to have our regular St. Patrick Day Tradition we had a Irish & Green Dinner on Thursday. Corned Beef with potatoes, carrots, & onion, and fried green tomates. The tomatoes were NASTY!

Thursday we had planned to go to the Arizona Science Center but Alex woke up sick to his stomach and not feeling well in general. So we had to scratch the trip to the ASC!

Go Baby! GO!!!!

Later that afternoon Topher and Dani were playing in the backyard, without their shoes, and Dani stepped on a nail! It was unreal! The nail was crooked and it came all the way out of the top by about 1/2 an inch! It was also connected to a 6 foot board! So after a slight panic moment, not being able to reach Rich because he left his phone at home that morning, and calling my mother in law for some moral support I found a pair of wire cutters and cut the top of the nail off. Then I had to put my foot on the board and use both hands to pull her toe off of the board. It was bad! After a lot of bleeding and a trip to the urgent care the Dr. said we could put stitches in it but he would rather leave it open so that it can drain and hopefully avoid an infection. NASTY! Poor little girl!

Friday we got ready for our first Movie Madness! We cleaned up the front lawn, got out the chairs, and moved the grill. April came down for the weekend. Just before guest started to arrive Rich called and said that the transmission on his car had gone out and he needed me to come and tow him home! LOL If its not one thing its another at our house! Our movie madness was a great success! The kids ended up watching 3 movies and we the adults played cards. I am considering making it a more regular thing!

Saturday morning Mom, April, and I went to Sam's Club, and Dunkin Doughnuts. We also went to Verizon to get mom a new phone since her old one was always hanging up on ME! Oh and there was the slight problem that the phone wouldn't charge!

Saturday night this how our evening started....................................

Tryin to smile though the pain!

April getting her tat!

Later we took the kids to the Drive~In to see "Race To Witch Mountain" & "Confessions Of A Shopaholic" They loved it! The Adults enjoyed it to, well what we saw of them anyway! There was a lot of "I'm thirsty" "I want a snack" etc... But still fun!

Mom & Ty

Topher loved the cotton Candy! He had a super little soar under his nose that bleed like no other! He had blood everywhere! Luckly the conssesion stand had a bandaid and that helped it stop bleeding! He looks like he has a mustash! It is a good thing it wasn't a barbie bandaid he never would have worn it!

They didn't want to go home! Alex was trying to pretend he was sleep and made Rich carry him to the car. Such a silly boy!

All in all a very EVENTFUL spring break!

Yesterday morning I was helping the kids clean their rooms, they were a disaster! Which is the norm around here. They never stay clean for long. Anyway Topher had an accident during the night and had left his dirty cloths on the floor. SO this is how the conversation went.......


Alex to Topher "Pick up your dirty underwear!"


Topher "No!"


Alex "Pick it up!"



Topher "No its gross! Mom can pick it up!"


Mom "Your right it is gross! You don't want to pick it up, what makes you think that I want to pick it up?"



Topher "Because your the BRAVEST mom in the world!" I laughed all the way down the hall!



He picked it up! I may be the bravest mom in the world but he can clean up some of his own messes!




Earlier this week we had American Idol on in the other room and Anoop came on and sang his song. We could hear everything but we weren't watching it. After the song was over he was talking to Ryan Seacrest when.........

Alex looked at me and said "Is his name A boob?"

I said "No his name is Anoop!"

"Oh, A nude" Alex says.

Rich & I laughed so hard! Alex is a sharp kid but he just couldn't get that name out right! Sorry Anoop!

We have had a very eventful few weeks!

But I will fill you in as we go!

For my birthday, it was a Monday! WoooHooo! LOL not the best day for a birthday! Rich met me at Ty’s new Salon and took the kids after work so that I could get my hair done. Thanks TY!!!!! When I got home later that evening the kids had helped dad pick out an Ice-cream cake for me. It was late so they didn’t get to eat it any until the next night after dinner. I know... I am a MEAN MOM! Hee Hee!

Ellie having her Ice cream the next evening.

We took a Family picture before church on the 15th! The kids are so cute!

Monday morning, Presidents Day, we decided we needed to take Ellie to the Dr. she had two sores on her poor little bum that we were sure were MRSA, we have been fighting it since last July, this was her first go round with it. The Dr. said that they were too big, to infected, and that it would be to traumatizing to drain them in the office so he admitted her to the hospital. We went home packed a bag and waited for the phone call to go in. By 1:30 we were in the hospital, at 2:00 she had a room, and at about 6:45 they came to take her to Pre-Op. Ellie and I were there until late Wednesday afternoon.
This is her room!

After her IV was put in and daddy, her Favorite person, came!


Grandpa came and brought her a Monkey! Then Grandpa & Daddy gave her a blessing.
Me and my feet!
Just before Surgery!
Just after the "Persuasion Potion" She didn't even fuss when they took her from me and walked down a very long hall to the OR.
Rich and I waiting, we tried to keep out mind off of things by watching the bachelor, it didn't really work!

The next morning! She was feeling like herself again!

After her very first dressing change they took her to the toy closet and let her have her pick a toy.
She loves this little doll!

Her I.V. stopped working and had to be taken out. She didn't like being held down.

But she liked the bubbles!

All ready to go HOME!

We had a home health nurse who came to the house on Thursday and she got more green puss out of one of Ellie's incisions. But Friday it was looking better and I was lucky enough to get to go with Alex and his classmates to the Arizona Science Center for a field trip. Mom & Dad came down and stayed at the house with the other kids. The group I was “chaperoning” had a blast and it was nice to get to spend some special time with Alex.

My Crew!

PULL!!!!!

Ouch, a bed of nails no thanks!

One of the boys took this picture for me just before we got back on the bus!

Alex was so worn out that he could even keep his eyes open! He had earned the right to stay up as late as he wanted on Friday night but he played to hard on the Field Trip to last for long!

Saturday we spent a good majority of the morning cleaning and clearing out! We were determined to get rid of everything that could harbor the MRSA virus! All the extra stuffed animals, kids chairs, and even the throw pillows off my couch got put in trash bags and then put into the shed. A few months in the summer heat should kill just about anything!

All of the remaining stuffed creatures got washed. We washed walls and bed frames with bleach water, cleaned all the carpets, and took everything else we could put in boxes out of the house. Once it was cleaned then it came back in. This is still a work in progress!

Saturday afternoon rolled around, mom and dad had gone home, Rich and I went to change the dressing on Ellie's bum and found that the one sore was still full of puss and nasty green chunks. Sooooooooo we called the nurse and our Dr. office and after some good advice we decided not to wait to see if it cleared up and took her back to the Hospital.

Unfortunately we had to go thru the ER this time and it was 1:30 am before Ellie and I had a room. But miracle of all miracles, it was the exact same room we were in just a few days before. Which was actually nice, she had a good view which came in handy since she wasn’t able to leave the room, we didn’t have to give anyone new directions on how to find us, and Rich still had the telephone # to the room in his cell! We have to look at the positive right!

We were there until Tuesday morning before they decided to do surgery again, just on the one side and that one sore. So now she has three little ½ inch incisions’ on her bum that we have to keep packed, dressed, and covered. The packing is the hardest part for both Ellie and Mom. It is painful for her and I have to do it which makes it hard on my heart. But it is one of those evils that has to be done so that the incisions' heal from the inside out and heal properly.

We had to stay until Thursday afternoon, and we were so happy to be home. Since the other kids were still at Grandma’s and at a friends Ellie and I both had 3 hour naps in our own beds! It was the best nap ever! After 5 nights in a hospital chair nothing could compair!

I didn't have a camera but I did have my cell so when I get the pictures on the computer I will post them.

I have to post a special THANK YOU!!!! To my dear friend Staci and to my Mother and Father In~Law who took such good care of my kids and of me while I was in the hospital with Ellie! The kids were well taken care of, Rich didn’t have to cook a single meal, and we still have leftovers!

You are all WONDERFUL!!!

Thanks you & I love you!