Kindergarten Enrichment Program

Currier was accepted into the Kindergarten Enrichment Program and by "accepted" I mean I wrote a check to the school and begged them to take him.  It's just a little camp that gets the preschoolers ready for their first day of kindergarten which is right around the corner—August 16th.   

After completing his first day, I treated him to a Happy Meal at McDonald's and we finally tried the glorious Rolo McFlurry.  We deserved it. 

Friday Favorites—Botox

This is pretty personal so of course I want to shout it from the mountain tops— BOTOX® changed my life! Several months ago I was at the dermatologist being treated for some skin irritations (even more personal which I’ll tell you about later!) when I happened to mention that I was a “wicked” sweaty person. I explained that I sweat so profusely from my armpits (especially my right) that I’ve been known to tape paper towels under my arms in order to wear certain clothes. My dermatologist diagnosed me as having hyperhidrosis (excessive sweatiness!) and submitted a form to my insurance company requesting full coverage of BOTOX® to stop the sweating. Similar to the way it removes wrinkles (and causes that surprised look!) BOTOX® paralyzes nerve endings and inactivates sweat glands. Who knew? My insurance company accepted the claim and I’m sweat free for free and it has been life changing!

911- From Preschool to Prison

Yesterday Currier was over the neighbors house playing with their 6-year-old twins and the three of them thought it would be a good idea to call 911.  Not once but 20 TIMES!  Currier is punished for two weeks.  No games, toys, TV, bike rides or dessert.  We also made him write this letter to the Mount Pleasant Police Department apologizing for wasting their valuable resources.  He will hand deliver this tomorrow.  The child is barely out of preschool and already a felon!   

Craig's 40th Birthday Bash

For Craig's 40th Birthday, his wife Lauren rented this monstrous house on the Isle of Palms for Memorial Day Weekend and they invited all their friends to come spend the weekend.   

It was an action packed weekend full of delicious food, great company, lots of booze, a couple fights and many laughs.  Happy 40th Craig.  Thanks for the memories. 

Preschool Graduation

On Friday Currier graduated from the Starfish Academy preschool.  He's all registered for kindergarten and starts this new chapter on August 16th. 

Way to go, Currier!

Bottles and Brushes Part VI

Tonight all the girls from East Shore Athletic Club got together to celebrate our good friend, Ella Gamba.  Ella is leaving us in a few weeks to move to Wisconsin.  Ella is one the most talented, gorgeous, funniest and kindest friends I've ever had.  I'll miss her dearly.  I'll especially miss our runs (thanks for always pushing me, Ella) and her wit.  

We all brought an appetizer and loads of booze to share while we painted Four Trees with Reflection.

It was one of the best classes I've been to at Bottles and Brushes.  I'm going to miss my sweet Russian friend, Ella.  Best of luck on your new adventure.  Da sveedaneeya. 

May The Force Be With You

For Currier's birthday, he requested a Star Wars theme.  My co-worker, Laura, made these adorable invitations.  Talented she is. 

To save money, I made all the food, cupcakes and gift bags myself.  Tired I am. 

We blew up the jumpy castle/waterslide and gave all the kids noodles to use as lightsabers.  I was worried that this might be the worst idea I've ever had but it turned out to be one of the best!  Awesome I am.    

Part of the Jedi training was to nail Darth Vader (AKA the birthday boy) with water balloons.  This was a HUGE hit with the kids.  Funny it was.

Over 30 kids came to celebrate Currier's special day.  Lucky he is. 

The Darth Vader pinata caused a stampede.  Crazy it was. 

Currier got a ridiculous amount of gifts.  Thankful he is.  

Dear Five-Year-Old Currier,

Wasn’t it just yesterday that you were pulled into the world screaming, slippery, and wriggling while I laid there exhausted, terrified, and paralyzed. I’ve replayed your birth in my head so many times. After 48 hours of labor, I was delirious when they finally cut you out of me. They held you to my face, I yelped, “I love you” and then I collapsed into a deep sleep. I was dreaming of the beach when the nurse woke me to feed you by placing your warm tiny body on my chest.  I come back to that memory often, your eyes staring at me, the two of us meeting for the first time. I remember feeling like I’ve known you forever.

I love the age you’re at now. You’re becoming more self-sufficient every day which makes life much easier for me. You dress yourself, get your own drinks and snacks, wipe your own ass (not very well as your underwear proves), buckle your seat belt and shower all on your own.  At the rate you’re learning things, I figure we can get you out of the house and on your own by the time you turn six.

Last week you had several seizures in the car on the way to school and then you lost consciousness. This was the first time anything like that has ever happened and of course it had to happen while your father was away for work. It happened very quickly but the thoughts that raced through my brain lasted forever and those thoughts knocked the wind out of me. I’m still trying to catch my breath. Don’t ever do that to me again!

You have changed so much since that morning five years ago when you spiraled into my life.  I have changed too.  You are growing into a fine young man and I'm a better person because of you.  My mind will forever be occupied with your well being.  I want you to be safe and healthy.  I want you to be happy, content and kind.  I want you to always feel my love.  Happy 5th Birthday Little Buddy!  You mean the world to me. 
All my love,
Mama

Strawberry Shortcake for Breakfast. Yes Please.

We picked so many strawberries yesterday that we'll be eating strawberry shortcake for breakfast, lunch and dinner all week. 

And whipped cream mustaches and goatees are always fun first thing in the morning.

Dinner Swim

Last night we packed up our dinner and ate poolside.  It was our first swim in our pool of many this season.  

Both kids are doing so good in the water.  I'm not anywhere close to the point of being able to sit and read a magazine while the kids swim but at least I'm not having as many mini heart attacks while they're in the water.  

Currier's FunDay

Given the week Currier had, I told him he could plan our whole Saturday—what ever he wanted to do!  We started with breakfast at Dunkin Donuts and scratch tickets at the gas station (won $20) and then headed to the Charleston Animal Society to play with the homeless dogs for a few hours. 

On our way home we stopped at the Boone Hall Plantation to pick strawberries followed by cartoons and a nap.  Now we're packing a picnic to eat at the pool and then we're going to end this fantastic day with fresh strawberry shortcake.  This kid knows how to plan a FunDay!

A Parent's Nightmare

Yesterday morning on the way to school, Currier asked me to turn around and go home because he needed to go to the bathroom. I asked how bad he had to go and when he didn’t answer I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw my worst nightmare—Currier’s head was tilted back, his eyes were rolled back into his head and he was convulsing. Seconds later he was slumped over unconscious and snoring. I slammed on brakes pulled over in the grass on Highway 17 and began shaking Currier, “WAKE UP! WAKE UP!” He woke, projectile vomited, lost control of his bowels and then the whole nightmare repeated itself.

Later in the ER I learned that he had Febrile seizures which is caused by a sudden spike in his temperature. It’s still a mystery what caused the fever since he tested negative for the most obvious illnesses. He’s fine now but I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.

Stories by Currier

"Once upon a time there was a poopy diaper and a Shirley Temple with extra cherries tap dancing in the living room when all of a sudden a shark jumped through the window and ate the poopy diaper and drank the Shirley Temple. The End." 

"A fart and a turtle are playing on the beach and the fart gets a sunburn and has to go in the water to cool off and a shark eats the fart. The End"

"Once upon a time there was an old mother named Coleen and she was sitting on the beach and heard a strange noise and thought "What the heck?" and she farted jelly beans. The End."

Mother's Day 2011

For Mother's Day, I got breakfast in bed, fresh tulips, handmade cards, popcorn (WTF?), a picnic lunch on the beach, a sun burn, lots of sandy kisses, a 2 hour nap with my dogs, a taco dinner, a ride for an ice cream, more hugs and kisses and a bedtime without any fussing.  It was a damn good day!  I am lucky indeed.