After a Long Week – The Weekend

The weekend is finally here! It has been a crazy week.

Monday, I took the kids to get their pictures taken in their Halloween costumes. Our photographer, Beth, once again got some great shots in our 15 minute mini-session. Ella is going as Rapunzel this year.

Andrew is going out as Spiderman.

The pictures came out so good.

Tuesday, Ella woke up with a fever. It was crazy high. She slept most of the day and eventually, Sam took her to urgent care. Strep Throat and tonsil stones. She was miserable.

My brother came up Tuesday night and Wednesday they were going to stop by our house, but I told them it was better if I came to him. So Sam stayed with Ella and Andrew came with me. They were staying at an Air B&B near us. It was a brief visit because I had to work that day.

On Thursday, Ella was feeling a little better, but not 100%. Sam had to take Andrew to Occupational Therapy, so Ella and I stayed home. I was trying to fold laundry and get stuff done, but she called to me and asked me to snuggle with her on the couch.

You don’t say “no” to snuggles! She is so funny though. At one point, she faced me and put her arms around me. As she hugged me, she said, “I just love you, daddy!” She held me for like 5 minutes. I was thinking about just how amazing this was. She made me feel so special. It was amazing. Then, suddenly, she let go and said, “Ok, that’s enough hugging for one day, dad!” Hilarious!!

We got a Halloween Tonie for their Tonie Box and it plays all kinds of Halloween songs. They have been watching Halloween episodes of Miss Rachel, Paw Patrol, Bubble Guppies, and such. The Ghostbusters theme song is on that Tonie (and in the Miss Rachel show). I did a spit take with my coffee when out of the blue from the couch, she says, “Dad. Who you gonna call?” Immediately followed by her screaming, “Ghostbusters!”

She was actually making up lyrics to it in her room the other day “There’s a tree outside. Outside my house. Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! It was complete nonsense and I loved every minute of it.

Daisy, our new puppy, is slowly but surely getting better about going to the bathroom outside. I’m not looking forward to standing outside in the rain and snow with her this winter waiting for her to go! On a funny note, I think she thinks she is going trick or treating with the kids this year….

The kids did a Trunk or Treat this evening and got a bunch of candy. They have the list of candies that fall under the “daddy tax” rule.

Tomorrow, we are heading out for a Halloween Train Ride with my friend Margaret and her family. I am SO looking forward to it. It should be a blast.

Have a great weekend!!

A Now a Word From Keith

I was listening to an audio book in the car on my way to work today and a word was used that made me chuckle. I knew I had heard it before. I knew it was an archaic word. I just couldn’t remember where I had heard it.

Popinjay

I kept thinking about that word. Where had I heard it before. The more I thought about it, I eventually remembered the sentence I heard it in.

“It’s your move, Popinjay.”

It drove me crazy. So I looked it up when I got to work.

Popinjay (POP-in-jey) Noun: (1) A vain or conceited person, especially one who dresses or behaves extravagantly. (2) A person given to vain, pretentious displays and empty chatter; coxcomb; fop. (3) A strutting supercilious person. (4) A woodpecker, especially the green woodpecker. (5) The figure of a parrot usually fixed on a pole and used as a target in archery and gun shooting. (6) An actual parrot.

When I read the definition, I thought more. Then I did a search on Google. As I typed in, “It’s your move, Popinjay” before the results showed up, I had it.

In History of the World Part 1, Mel Brooks is the Louis the 16th of France and he is playing chess with real people as the pieces. He says to his opponent, “It’s your move, Popinjay” and as in any Mel Brooks film, chaos ensues.

I love those funny old words. I think we should bring this one back. Feel free to use it throughout your day.

Grade School Readers

When I moved to a new school in 1976, I was introduced to the Houghton Mifflin Readers Series. These were a series of books that featured poems, stories, excerpts of famous books, and more. It was the book series that we used throughout elementary (and maybe Jr. High).

Each grade had its own book for that grade level. In some cases, there might be a group of students whose reading skills were a higher (or lower) level than the class. Those students would meet together separately. I only remember this (and this book series) because I remember being at the back of the room with another kid and we read from the Rewards book while the rest of the class had a different one. I hope that was because I read at the higher level!

I wish I could find the picture I saw on a Facebook group that prompted this blog, but I was unsuccessful. However, there is a site that talks about this set of reading books and I was thrilled to see photos of the other covers. Just looking at them took me back to elementary school.

Serendipity was the highest level, if memory serves me correctly.

I don’t recall reading Rainbows or signposts, but my brother brought Rainbows home when he was in 1st grade (I think).

Seeing that horse with a hat on took me right back to second grade. I remember when Dan and I were at that back table reading to our teacher. It’s funny how you remember those things.

While it is neat to see the covers of these books, I would love to actually hold one in my hand and flip through them again.

Any Carlson Knights remember these? Do you remember certain text books from when you were in elementary school?

Tune Tuesday: When I Fall In Love

I realize that I have spent a lot of time writing about books lately. I also realized that it has been a while since I posted a song for Tune Tuesday. I heard one on the way into work today that remains one of my favorites.

When I Fall In Love

The song itself was written by Victor Young (who wrote the music) and Edward Heyman (who wrote the lyrics) in 1952. It was first recorded by the lovely Jeri Southern. Victor Young and his orchestra accompanied her on her version.

Doris Day’s version became the movie theme from One Minute to Zero (also 1952) and became the first “hit” version.

I was most familiar with Nat King Cole’s Version of the song. He released it on Capitol Records and his vocal is amazing. That version was the love theme for the 1957 movie Istanbul. Nat’s daughter Natalie recorded it twice – in 1987 and in 1996, the later version being a duet with her father.

It is a song that has been recorded by just about everyone. Celine Dion, Michael Buble’ Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Mathis, Etta James, Rick Astley, and Donny Osmond are just a few of the many who have recorded the song. The song itself stands out as an amazing piece of music, and I can’t think of a bad version of it. However, the version I want to feature today comes from the early 60’s.

In 1961, the song was recorded by The Letterman. These guys were one of the most popular vocal groups of their day. The group was formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the late 50’s. Anyone who reads my blog knows that I love good harmony, and their music features amazing harmony and beautiful arrangements. They were an unknown group of guys until they signed with Capitol Records in 1961. At the time the group members were Jim Pike, Tony Butala, and Bob Engemann. Their first single for Capitol was a song that is forever connected with Frank Sinatra – “The Way You Look Tonight.” Their version of the song went to #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, they struck gold and a top 10 record with their follow-up single – “When I Fall in Love.” Their version went to #7 on the Billboard hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Easy Listening Chart in late 1962.

Give this beautiful arrangement a listen and enjoy one of the classic love songs!

When I fall in love, it will be forever
Or I’ll never fall in love

In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it’s begun
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

When I give my heart, it will be completely
Or I’ll never give my heart

And the moment I can feel that
You feel that way too
Is when I fall in love
When I fall in love with you

The group’s members have changed over the years, but as far as I know, they still tour together. As a bonus, check out this clip from a talk show where each of them sing their part and then put it all together. It’s kind of neat to hear.

Man’s Best Friend

The above text is how it started. My wife saw some puppies for sale and she texted me to ask if we could get one. Those of you who follow this blog know that not too long ago, we took in a dog on a temporary basis to see if she would be a good fit. She bit one of the kids and my sister in law took her in.

Both Sam and I said we’d wait until the kids got a little older before getting another dog. When she called to ask about puppies I told her that I would have to think about it. A few minutes later, Ella video chatted with me asking to get a puppy.

You already know what happened. We built the fence around the yard so the pup could run (and poop) around. The puppy (who Ella named Daisy) came to her new home on Friday. I’m not going to lie, I’m loving it.

We had dogs growing up and I forgot how fun they are, especially puppies. I also forgot how you really have to watch where you are walking, because there are plenty of accidents with puppies! However, we she jumps up on your lap and snoozes on you, it makes it all worth it.

The kids have plenty of toys that need to be picked up so that Daisy won’t chew on them. We have to make sure that the shoes are put away, too. Daisy loves to go into Ella’s room and grab her stuffed animals to play with. The other night she had been playing with one and then fell asleep. Picture perfect pose:

Tonight she went over to my in-laws house. They have a golden retriever. They hit it off pretty well.

All in all, she is a welcome addition to the family and I think she loves the kids as much as they love her!

Book Recommendation: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

I mentioned this book a few days ago, and I finally finished it. I really enjoyed this one. It was such a unique mystery. I may have posted the Goodreads synopsis, but here it is again:

Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered at 11:00 p.m. There are eight days, and eight witnesses for you to inhabit. We will only let you escape once you tell us the name of the killer.

Understood? Then let’s begin . . .

Evelyn Hardcastle will die. Every day until Aiden Bishop can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others . . .

The most inventive debut of the year twists together a mystery of such unexpected creativity it will leave listeners guessing until the very last second.

The Amazon synopsis has a dead on description:

“Pop your favorite Agatha Christie whodunnit into a blender with a scoop of Downton Abbey, a dash of Quantum Leap, and a liberal sprinkling of Groundhog Day and you’ll get this unique murder mystery.” ―Harper’s Bazaar

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a breathlessly addictive mystery that follows one man’s race to find a killer, with an astonishing time-turning twist that means nothing and no one are quite what they seem.

Aiden Bishop knows the rules. Evelyn Hardcastle will die every day until he can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest at Blackheath Manor. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others. With a locked-room mystery that Agatha Christie would envy, Stuart Turton unfurls a breakneck novel of intrigue and suspense.

International bestselling author Stuart Turton delivers inventive twists in a thriller of such unexpected creativity it will leave readers guessing until the very last page.

I’ll cheat a bit and give you the Wikipedia plot, because it’s better than what I could write:

At the start of the book, the novel’s protagonist awakes in a forest, suffering from memory loss, and calling for someone named Anna. He doesn’t remember his own name. He finds his way to a manor, where his friends tell him that he is a doctor called Sebastian Bell who is attending a party thrown by the Hardcastles, the family of Blackheath Manor. After he falls asleep that night, however, he awakes to find himself in the body of the butler, and it is the morning of the previous day.

He learns that he has eight days, and eight different incarnations, to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle, which will take place at 11pm at the party that evening. He will only be allowed to leave Blackheath once he finds the killer. If he is unable to solve the mystery in the eight allocated days, the process will start again and he will awake again in the body of Sebastian Bell with his memory wiped. He also learns that there are two other people competing to find out the murderer, and that only one person will be permitted to leave Blackheath.

The book really does remind me of an Agatha Christie mystery. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the story and with each character you learn something new. You see the story from each of the “hosts” eyes and things aren’t always what they seem. The ending was something that took me by surprise and it had everything that a good mystery should have.

Kudos to Stuart Turton! I highly recommend this one.

Now It All Comes Together

We finally have a diagnosis for my son. With it, all the pieces began to fit together.

Friday, we took him down to the PMR (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) doctor. They deal with neurological and musculoskeletal issues. As he went over medical history with us, he watched Andrew as he walked around the room and climbed on chairs and such.

He then examined his legs, arms, and feet. He had him walk up and down the hallway, then took us to a little “gym.” There he had him walk up and down stairs. From all of this, he was able to tell us that his right leg muscles are tighter than the left, his facial muscles are weak, and he tends to lead with his left leg when climbing.

Putting together all the pieces (sleep apnea laryngomalacia, drooling, speech delay, choking and vomiting, and some slight seizure activity), he has been diagnosed with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy. This was something that our neurologist considered a possibility, so the diagnosis was not a complete surprise.

The PMR doctor wants an MRI, which we’ve already scheduled. He wants an overnight EEG, which we have also scheduled. He wants another barium swallow (he had one done as a baby), which we need to schedule. We also need some blood work and a hip X-ray. He also asked about genetic testing, which we already started and are waiting for results. He will be getting new braces to wear on his legs to help with toe walking and muscles. Lastly, he will be getting physical and occupational therapy two to three times a week.

The prognosis is a good one. The hope is that once the plan is in action, by the time he is five, he will hardly show any signs of the CP.

What made this whole thing really emotional is that we found out on the weekend of the first anniversary of my wife’s sister’s passing. You may recall that Grace had Cerebral Palsy and passed away at the young age of 10. The family went out to the cemetery today. My daughter said it was “Aunt Gracie’s Happy Jesus Birthday.”

Despite everything, my wife is a rock. She is positive and keeps telling me, “We’ll get through this. I’m not worried.” On our drive home from the doctor, she could tell I was running through everything in my head. She knows when I’m distracted. I can’t help it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. She kept telling me to “get out of your head!”.

She was the one experiencing a bit more emotions than me, and she was still the one who kept a level head. I know she is right and everything will be ok. I’m thankful for a diagnosis. That gives us a plan of action. No more guess work – it’s there. Now we just tackle it head on.

My Anxiety Needed a Paint Shirt

Maybe you share this memory. At the beginning of my first 4 years of school, my dad would send me to school with an old shirt of his. It was usually an old dress shirt, but I want to say that one year it was an old T-shirt. This shirt became my “paint shirt” for the year. Any time we used paints, the paint shirt went on.

That being said, I want to briefly remind you of a time recently where “messy” play raised my anxiety level through the roof. That particular incident involved beans and noodles. Read about it here:

Macaroni and Beans!

It is interesting to re-read that now, since getting my ADHD diagnosis. They said that I do have some obsessive behaviors. Anyway, on to the payoff from the setups of this blog…

Today, the lady from Head Start was at the house. She brings various activities for the kids to do. She works on fine motor stuff, they have little projects to do, have a snack, and stuff like that.

Today, she said to the kids that they were going to paint. As soon as those words were out of her mouth, my anxiety began to rise. I really don’t understand why.

As a kid, I made a ton of messes! I played in mud, I rolled in dirt, and got stuff all over me. So why should it drive me crazy when my kids do stuff like that? The only thing I can think of is that I don’t want to clean up the mess, or I’m afraid they will ruin something. I really don’t know.

It started innocently enough. Ella and Andrew dipped their fingers in the paint jar and began making dots on the paper. Then they began to smear it on the paper. Then in a blink of an eye, Andrew had dumped the jar of paint on his paper and was smashing it all over the place!

Kids do this! They like this! They love making messes! This kind of thing should NOT be a surprise to me. However, it took my anxiety to the brink! I was literally almost shaking!

Sam and the Head Start teacher got a chuckle out of it. Sam knows this drives me crazy. It is the beans and macaroni incident all over again. I did everything in my power to stay in control or myself, but I must not of did that good a job, because Sam saw through me right away.

Midway through the project, both Sam and I went to separate sinks to wash hands and such. We did however, get some nice art work.

I wonder what the project will be next week…

Don’t Fence Me In

Ok, the picture is misleading. This post has nothing to do with the Roy Rogers movie. I should also say that it has nothing to do with the hit song by Bing Crosby. It’s just a fitting title for the backyard project.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, my father-in-law and I needed to put up a temporary fence to keep the puppy in. I even shared this fantastic drawing of our plan:

We put all the stakes in over the weekend and started stinging the fence today. For the most part, it all worked out nicely and should be perfect for the puppy.

Here is the fence that is the back of the area:

This went surprisingly well. We had to play with it a little to make sure it was nice and tight, but it looks pretty solid.

This is the small section by the concrete up against the porch:

This was the easiest part to do.

After we got this all set, my father-in-law said we’d work on the actual gate this weekend. We’re going to build it and attach it to the boards.

My father-in-law decided to come back later this afternoon, after I had left for work. He build the gate and began to put it up, but there was an issue – circled in yellow above.

Those stakes are in the ground, however, the gate is a bit too heavy and the stakes move. So tomorrow, I guess he his coming back over with a plan. I don’t ever worry with him. He always finds a way to make it work.

All in all, I’m happy with the way this looks and am excited for the pup to arrive!

A Swift Laugh

This was too funny NOT to share.

One of the video games that gamers look forward to every year is the new Madden NFL game. Every year, there is a different player that graces the cover of the game. To many, this is truly a place of honor. It’s sort of a “You know you’ve made it when you’re on the cover of Madden NFL” kind of thing.

Before I go one, let me say that the only reason that I know who Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs is because he is dating Taylor Swift. Taylor is literally everywhere already, and now we have to see her in all the football highlights. Honestly, in one set of Chiefs highlights, there were more shots of Taylor than of the game!

Someone shared this on Facebook and I laughed out loud.

Kudos to whoever did this.