Happy 4th of July!

We've celebrated all week long it seems! We enjoyed the Helena fireworks with great friends this weekend, shot of our own fireworks Monday night (with the Scoggins) while Daddy was off, and then we visited JNN to see Daddy and enjoy some good BBQ on Wednesday. JNN was rocking that day - Paul was a tired man when he got home.

Graham loves the fireworks, Catherine was unsure about them...

Everyone celebrated the parachute fireworks

Happy 4th Rob!

Graham picks the next fireworks to be lit. (Daddy did the lighting)

Rob is surprised!

We love sparklers!

Rob's Eye - Update

Rob got a very good report from the doctor! All healed!

Dr. Anderson hopes this is an isolated incident. We have a few things to look for, however, to ensure this isn't an allergy or sleep issue.

Rob is thrilled to not have his eye ointment anymore. Thrilled!

Rob's Eye

Robert and Graham wish to share with you the picture from the "super cool glow-in-thar-dark" eye exam yesterday.

We took a picture so Rob could see. He was really left out of the excitement, even though he was the center of attention. Poor kiddo, he couldn't see the cool stuff because he was the cool stuff. In this picture, you see the black light at the bottom. The green is his eye. If it was green, it was torn tissue.

Rob Says "Eye, Matey!"

You know, if its abnormal, we probably have experienced it. Admittedly, we've been overdue for an adventure into the bizarre... we are all caught up now!

Rob has a torn eye ball. His eye lid stuck to his eye in his sleep and when he woke up, opening his eye tore the tissue of his eye. He has a tear that is like the equator around the earth, and some places are deeper than others. Its not a comfy condition. It requires an ointment, and yes, an eye patch at night. Devastating Rob, the eye patch does not look like a pirate. He really wanted a "tie around the head black eye patch." Last night he said what he has is "Not Cool, Mama!"

Here's the story...

Thursday morning, Rob woke up and adamantly declared, "My eye hurts." He rubbed that left eye, and we inspected... nothing. Rob very rarely complains of anything at all, so this has our attention. Maybe a headache? Maybe allergies? Maybe a sinus infection? (No runny nose, no puss, nothing that indicates infection. Hmmm.) Ibuprofen, allergy medicine and a kiss given, and we proceed to "watch."

Over and over we hear, "My eye hurts bad." He's turning out lights, staying in dark rooms, and finally lays down for a 3 hour nap. We leaned toward a headache, but nonetheless Googled symptoms and called the pediatrician's nurse. After he woke up in worse pain, we are off to the pediatrician.

Making us feel better a lot better about our perplexed worry, the sweet and wonderful pediatrician who squeezed us into her schedule scratched her head as much as we did. She was incredible. Incredible! She sat and talked to Big Rob, asking him to explain what exactly hurts and turned off the lights so he was more comfortable. After a few minutes, she tells me she's leaning toward a migraine, but wants to look to see if there is anything in his eye. Yes, preschoolers can have migraines!

Now we begin the first of many "awesomely cool" eye exams. After putting an orange dye into Rob's eye, the doc turns on a black light for an exam. This has greatly increased the cool factor of the day for Graham, Rob and Nick. She explains that anything that lights green is a tear. Well, there's a lot of green... Rob is diagnosed with a corneal abrasion and sent to our opthamologist.

Off to Montevallo to see our beloved Dr. Anderson, who, again, squeezes us in. Much to the delight of Graham, Nick and Parker, Dr. Anderson talks motorcycles, orcas eating great white sharks, and he lets all three boys look into Rob's eyes. Rob has great vision, but something is definitely wrong with his eye. After, again, the orange eye dye, we get to look into sweet Rob's eyes with a lot of different colored lights. This time, we discover its a little worse than a corneal abrasion...

I'm sorry, I didn't catch the official medical name for the diagnosis, nor doI believe I could even try to spell it correctly. By 4:30 yesterday I reached overload and when he was describing what happened my head was swirling with more questions, compromising my listening skills. In summary, Rob may have a dry eye issue which could be caused by a multitude of things: allergies, nature, swimming in the pool... that will be determined after we get this healed. In his sleep Wednesday, his eye dried out and his eye lid stuck to his eye. When he woke, as I described before, opening his eyes literally ripped his eyeball tissue. This can be heal on its on, but in some cases requires surgery to repair. We have an ointment that must be applied to the eye 4 times a day, and Rob despises it. He sleeps in an eye patch, which he ripped off in his sleep last night within about 30 minutes. We go back Tuesday to see how its healing. No water on the face, no swimming, and minimal sweating until then. Tears can help. We aren't purposefully making him cry, but we are getting plenty of tears when we apply ointment.

You haven't lived until you've tried to put a ribbon of ointment in a oversized and overly strong 3 year old's eye and tried to tape a pressure eye patch to his eye. Thus far, Mama has a chipped tooth, numerous claw marks, two bruises and a poked eye. The kid is scrappy; he doesn't go without a fight!

But, Rob hasn't complained of eye pain this morning. We are still keeping the house dark, but we're making progress! Say a little prayer for the big guy!

Things they say...

Here's a gem from Rob.

(Mommy painted her nails with a chocolate brown color.)

Rob: "Mama, your nails are brown!"

Candice: "Yes."

Rob: "Mama, poop is brown."

Candice: "Yes."

Rob: "Mama, is that poop on your nails?"

Candice: "No, Rob. It's just brown polish."

(Rob raises his brow and cuts his eyes to the side in his mischievous glare...)

Rob: "Mama, are you sure that's not poop on your nails?"

Good morning, Rob!

In the early mornings, Mommy sips on coffee and works on school work on the patio. Frequently, she has a little buddy...

Summer is hard work!

Shhh... they are sleeping! Summer fun can be hard work!

Our first harvest

We picked our first vegetables from our garden for dinner! Rob loves the yellow squash, just because its yellow!

Rob picks and shows off our squash

"Look, Mama, its as big as my head!"

Fun times at Alabaster City Fest

Saturday was Alabaster City Fest, which means friends, music, inflatables and fun! Thanks to Jim N Nicks and their catering for the bands, Paul received some VIP passes which meant we had an awesome time! Several bands took the stage throughout the day, including Everclear and Lonestar. Ashley spent the day with us, and the kiddos never stopped! Noah G and his Granny Sharon (our friends from the Holy Spirit) joined up with us, and we jumped and slid in every single inflatable they had until the sun went down. Graham did the Bungie Bounce, giggling the whole time. When he jumped the highest, we could hear him scream, "Look, Mama, I'm touching space!" Rob played the Strong Man game and smashed the bell with no help, but his absolute favorite was the carnival swing - he never stopped smiling. With the wonderful kiddos and beautiful weather, it was a great day! Here are some of our pics to share:

Rob, Ashley and Graham waiting for the band

Ashley and Rob start a cow/bat fight

Rob loves the swings!

Noah G played in the inflatables with us.

Rob paused for one whole second in the jump house

Rob plays the Strong Man game! Yes, he hit the bell!

Graham is ready to fly!

Graham on the Bungie Bounce 

VBS at the Shore!

It was time to head to the beach! The first weekend of June was VBS at the Holy Spirit, and we went to the Rocky Point Lighthouse! It was a great weekend "at the shore" learning that God is our light, and learning ways to shine our light. We had several friends come and participate with us - we had a blast!

Candice lead the music, opening and closing ceremonies. Paul made a special appearance as Light Man and taught the kids how much fun it is to shine your light! Any man who is willing to be wrapped in rope light and dance around is a man who loves his kids. Paul/Light Man was a hit, and the kids reported he was their favorite part. Sunday morning, Candice led the kids while they lead the sermon and service music. We think it was the best VBS. Plus, it included "Amazing Grace," "This Little Light of Mine," and several Chris Rice songs - great music!

Graham, Ashley and Rob

Rob listened very attentively

Graham had a blast dancing

The kids played games and built lighthouses 

Graham shows off his Project with a Purpose Food Donation Bag

Rob takes his Food Donation Bag to the Giving Basket

Graham's Graduation

This May, Graham graduated from FUMCA Preschool. FUMCA held a very special night service with a dinner following. Graham had a wonderful, special evening, and was so thrilled his family was there to celebrate. Uncle Doss, Gran, Grandpa Glenn, Grammy, Papa, Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Adam were all there to celebrate with Graham. Off to Calera Elementary Kindergarten we go!

Graham and proud brother, Rob

Graham 

Graham receiving his diploma

Graham and graduates singing

FUMCA Spring Show

 This May the boys sang in the FUMCA Preschool Spring Program. They did some of their favorite songs (Jesus's Love Is Bubblin Over) as well as some new songs (Rocks Cry Out). It was Graham's last FUMCA show, but we had a sweet, wonderful time. The boys got pictures with their best buddies, and here are a few to share...

Rob and Roman, Best Buddies!

Graham and Ashley (on his right)

Rob, Graham, Nolan and Stephen

Fly Boys!

This weekend at the Shelby County Airport, the Ford Tri-motor Airplane is visiting. The boys went to check it out, and visited some other planes. When we walked around the Tri-motor, the pilot let us in the cockpit. We loved it! Rob says he will be a pilot someday! Graham says he will build airplanes for Rob to fly!

The Ford Tri-Motor

Boys in the cockpit

Gone Fishing

Little Fishermen

Off to find the right spot

Rob squealed with pride when he'd reel it in

Rob's happy fishing pose

Graham took Daddy's Dr. Pepper and enjoyed some quiet time. 

Graham sat and fished quietly and intently all morning.