Fun with Grama and Papa - Dallas Zoo

I'll be putting up a few posts this week with some highlights of our fun visit with my parents. It's been so fun to have them here. They are great guests - they watch the kids, they wash dishes, they vacuum floors, they cook dinner... Hey, maybe I shouldn't let them go home today!

Just a few from our trip to the Dallas Zoo.

This one seemed rather interested in what treats Dad might have for him. "That camera might be tasty!"

Jacob was growling at the crocodile statue!

Esther's Baptism Day

Esther's baptism was so special. We had so many friends and family attend to support us!

 We dress in white to symbolize purity. Daron, having the authority of the Priesthood, was the one who baptized her. It was a special experience to watch my young daughter make such a big decision on her own.

 Cute little brothers! Nathan actually gave the closing prayer during the services. I don't know if I cried more during the baptism or during his sweet prayer.

What a cute boy!  

Papa and Jacob

Esther's Birthday Party

Esther has been looking forward to her eighth birthday for many reasons. One of which was that she would finally get a friend birthday party!

Woodland fairies were quickly agreed upon and we went with red, green, and purple for the colors. My good friend Cecilia (my partner in crime for party planning) helped out to make this a fabulous event. Esther really enjoyed her special day with her friends - and brothers! And I really enjoyed creating it for her.

 The fairies tested out their wands by popping bubbles.

The little fairies playing "Fairy Queen May I?" 

 Nathan opted out of the wings and wand and was a knight instead.

Jacob strutting his stuff around the yard.

  Little toadstools made with tomatoes and cheese sticks.

Fairies enjoying their lunch!

Esther as Rosa Parks

Here is Esther's presentation she did for school on Rosa Parks to celebrate Black History month.

(I had to post it to YouTube because Blogger (grrr...) kept giving me problems about uploading a video. The quality has diminished but you still get the idea.)

Esther's Rosa Parks encore presentation at home

Bacon

The other night during dinner Daron was telling us about a radio show he'd heard on the way home. A newlywed type of game where they asked newlyweds questions about their spouse: "what's your wife's favorite song?" etc. 

So the kids started asking us questions about each other. At one point, Esther said, "Mom, what is Dad's favorite shape?"

I thought for a moment, sniggered, and replied by waving my hands in the air like the shape of a woman.

Esther raised a curious eyebrow. 

"Curvy," I explained. "Like Mommy."

"Oh!! I thought you were showing bacon!"

Esther's Baptism

Esther will be turning 8 in March. She has been looking forward to this for a very long time. In our faith, we believe that a person becomes accountable for their choices at the age of 8. Hence, baptism is not until that age. Esther has chosen to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints shortly after her birthday.

We will be sending out invitations via mail as I don't want to post the information on this blog. If you would like to come, please let me know and I'll give you more detailed information.

We took these pictures yesterday at the Dallas Temple. It was a little chilly and windy but they turned out cute.

ER Trip

Jacob's cold turned rather nasty on Thursday morning so I took him in to the pediatrician. I'm glad I did because he was diagnosed with bronchiolitis and he was struggling to breathe more than I realized. 

We did two nebulizer treatments at the office which helped him breathe easier. Unfortunately, a few hours later he was much worse which prompted a call to Daron to get home immediately and to a friend who dropped everything to come watch the big kids. 

Off we went to the ER at Children's Hospital in Dallas. What an insane 5 hours ensued! We did a lot of sitting. We told the same story to a myriad of nurses, doctors, and medical staff.

Poor Jacob hated that whole visit. Being all stuffed up, hardly able to breathe, they kept prodding him, checking his blood pressure and oxygen levels, and suctioning out his nose. He did enjoy the two green Popsicles and apple juice which ended up being his dinner. He wouldn't take the Popsicle out of his mouth until it was completely gone, only stopping to mumble "liscious!" around the drippy mess. Thank goodness for the iPad loaded with the movie Cars - and his favorite duck and blanket. 

They gave him a small dose of steroids right before we were discharged. Then off we went with a sleepy baby around 10:30. 

He slept really peacefully that night. And he's been doing much better ever since. I've been busy giving him warm baths, hot showers, suctioning out his nose, rubbing oils on his chest, and keeping him happy. 

What a weekend! I sure hope he gets over this soon.