A Viral Epidemic

Our happy, healthy family has been infected by a virus.

Not much of a detour in the big scheme of life but when you’re deep in the trenches of burning fevers, hacking coughs, perpetual runny noses and miserable, crying, not sleeping children it can be dark and gloomy – I entered the space where I believe every cough could be my child’s last breath; I diagnose red chapped lips and dry skin as severe dehydration requiring immediate medical attention; hoarse voices and loss of appetite have me offering unlimited suckers just to sooth a dry a throat and ensure they aren’t delusional – the day my kids turn down a sucker I know it’s time to call 911; lethargy prompts me to call the doctor (for the 3rd time that day) because my kids never sit still; low grade fevers send me scouring for Tylenol and swearing at a faulty thermometer that won’t report anything higher than 94.3. For a split moment I almost believe this low temperature might be accurate and this surely signals their little bodies are shutting down and slowly dying. This infirmary is not a safe place for me… my children will undoubtedly survive this bug but my sanity has taken a serious beating and I’m beginning to wonder if it will ever bounce back to reality.

I’ve been in this sickbay for weeks. It started with Riley. To be honest Riley was easy. Riley doesn’t complain. He sleeps for hours. He can take massive doses of Advil or Sudafed or even a sleeping pill if he desperately needed it. Riley didn’t even miss any school or football despite his horrible congestion. He’s a trooper – even vomiting in his mouth during warm-ups, only to swallow it all and keep going so he could play in a game. (Too much information??)

I panicked when I developed a minor cough that lasted only a day or two. As much as I offer up my body as a substitute when my kids are sick, the thought of Mom sick sounds panic alarms – I am the caretaker and who will coddle my sick, crying babes if I am bedridden? I’m sure we’d figure it out and Roger would be a fabulous substitute but I dread the idea of not being there when my kids need me the most.

All my fear was unsubstantiated… I remained healthy. Thankfully I was spared for now. Just as Riley was on the mend Hope began to show signs that she was indeed coming down with the bug. A week of missed school, hoards of Tylenol, countless movies and lots of rest – Hope was finally feeling better.

On the day Hope returned to school, when I eventually made my reappearance at work, Nico succumbed to the virus. We emptied our stock pile of Tylenol, spent another entire week at home, coddled a miserable babe, and rented every Spider Man and Super Man movie we could find to distract Nico from his misery and bide our time while on the road to recovery.

Did we have the swine flu? Maybe… maybe not… our Dr’s office stopped testing so we may never know. The low grade fevers and mild symptoms have the expert’s speculating that it may have been another bug. I have to wonder… if this was not the swine flu how bad could the swine flu be? I often wondered if we’d all survive.

Of course, none of my kids got this bug at the same time… we had to drag it out for weeks. The symptoms became more severe with each child – or perhaps it was just their reaction the suffering that made each case less bearable. Either way, I can only hope it was indeed the swine flu…

The kids have regained their cantankerous personalities – no worse for the wear! To think I was in absolute anguish, begging for our normal to return just a day or two ago…

It feels great to be back to normal!

Hope’s Nutcracker Debut

Our determined Hope has landed herself a sweet little part in the Nutcracker play to be put on by high school students at Riley’s high school this December. Hope is exceptionally excited to be in a clown in this production. I got a sneak preview today… I was invited in to the classroom and told I had to see this.

The children selected to be clowns all danced around performing their parts to perfection. I was mildly surprised but extremely delighted to see how well these young children had already mastered the show.

But there was more… the part I had to see.

While all the other clowns danced off the stage I watched in awe as Hope flawlessly performed her own little solo. Hope is tugging on Clara while being scolded (you all know the part). Hope releases her grip on Clara, taunts her a bit then impeccably completes four cartwheels across the stage as she makes her exit.

Seriously adorable!!!

October Happenings

Check out our October Happenings on Shutterfly... (just a teaser: more Homecoming pics are included)...

Click here to view - Enjoy!

Homecoming!!!

Oh, what a treat to live vicariously through my teenager. The big day arrived… I was full of nerves, eager anticipation, and on a desperate final attempt to bring home just the right pair of shoes (shoes for Riley that is – I am always on the perpetual, never ending search for the perfect shoes for ME but that’s another post).

My first outing for Homecoming shoes left me empty handed because Riley’s desired pair of shoes was a mere $148. And my attempt to find some cheaper knock-offs was obviously unsuccessful. The second trip I found a perfect substitute but a teenage mind was deeply unsatisfied with my selection (most likely because I picked them out). So my third and final attempt became a desperate excursion to simply find a cheap pair of shoes, in black, with laces, in size 10 that a picky teenager would wear despite his vocal dislike.

The third trip was a success! No, Riley did not like the shoes but he had no choice at this point but to wear them… I consider that a success.

The clothes were much simpler to secure. A quick trip through Macy’s and Riley picked the first black shirt and pants he saw. I had to bribe him to at least try them on before purchasing.

Boys are so nonchalant about prepping for these grandiose events (unless it comes to shoes apparently).

At precisely 4:24 I interrupted a guitar hero solo and asked the boys when they wanted to leave. “4:20”, they replied. Obviously they weren’t in a big hurry. They took their time getting dressed – playing XBOX between each article of clothing they donned.

I insisted Riley whiten his teeth earlier in the day and with the boys finally dressed (I was happily snapping away with the camera annoying the heck out of them!) we tied Jake’s tie, encouraged them to refresh their deodorant, sprayed them with cologne, handed the boys a pack of gum (in lieu of demanding they brush their teeth) and piled them in the car.

The plan was to meet up at Marie’s house where about 5 or 6 girls would meet up with a group of boys and they would make their way to PF Changs for dinner and head off to the dance.

I got such a kick out of their paltry efforts to prepare for the dance. It took them no more than 4 and ½ minutes to get ready for the dance. In my scurry to find shoes I encountered hundreds of teenage girls at the mall with their hair all done up sitting anxiously at the make-up counters in the department stores finalizing their day long journey to prepare for the big dance. The boy’s preparations seemed almost inadequate in comparison.

The weren’t nervous at all. I think… no… I know, I was definitely more nervous and certainly more excited than the boys.

We couldn’t find Marie’s house so I dropped the boys off at Nico’s who offered to take them along. At Nico’s we encountered more Moms with cameras but I was already past my quota so I bid them good bye, wished them luck, reminded them to chew a piece of gum after dinner and left feeling all giddy just thinking about the memories they were about to construct on this adventure.

Riley looked like a GQ model. I can’t wait until the next dance!

Here is a sneak peak of Homecoming night. Check back soon for a link to Shutterfly where I will post more on the preparations.

Bumped

Passion, persistence, and perseverance… all embodied deep within my baby girl’s heart and soul. Hope’s comfortable world at Bright Horizons, the only routine she has ever known, ceased to exist when she made her kindergarten debut this Fall. We all embarked on this new journey full of hope and anticipation but I cannot deny I was nervous – Hope would be leaving a world she owned, a playground she ruled and teachers that were smitten. Hope’s days would require her to make multiple transitions, pair her with children almost twice her age, and erase the comfort and security that has, for so long, been her sanctuary.

Would she get lost in the shuffle of multiple institutions and many daily transitions, or disgruntled with her new teachers who might (sigh) find her only average when she came from a place where she was deemed a superstar, or frustrated by her new friends who might not find her mesmerizing and esteem to match her every move and grant her dramatic demands?

These worst case scenario fears were highly unfounded – as it turns out Hope has discovered her passion in dance and gymnastics. She is persistent in her pursuit to keep up and surpass those with years of experience and she perseveres through long days with tireless effort and countless hours of extra practice.

She commenced on this journey with stamina, energy and a positive attitude – ready to take on the world. After all, as Hope will remind you, she is now five and ready to make her debut in the “real world” of kindergartners. Hope’s enthusiasm for dance and her fervor for gymnastics have already solicited much attention, appreciation and acceptance from teachers and (to Hope’s delight and my reassurance) she has repeatedly been “bumped” up.

Hope began taking pre-ballet with 5 and 6 year olds but it was clearly evident to the instructor that Hope was ready for more. She was immediately bumped up to ballet with 6-8 year olds and is already hard at work perfecting her upcoming performance in the Nutcracker ballet, performed at Southridge high school.

Hope immediately sensed a disconnect between her 5 year old gymnastic counterparts and walked out of the class insisting her after school instructors sign her up for a different gymnastics class. Her demands were granted and she spent a mere 4 weeks practicing her skill with 6-8 year olds before it became unmistakably evident that Hope’s passion and persistence deemed her ready for level 2 gymnastics. A personalized letter of congratulations was mailed home making the move to this next level official.

Hope is not pressured to succeed in this new world. In fact, Hope predictably crumbles under any pressure I unassumingly assert upon her. She has simply found an activity that she desires to do well in and she spends so much of her time perfecting these talents. Hope has discovered a new passion that brings out a fervent desire to accomplish noteworthy goals, she is persistent in her efforts to succeed and be seen, and she perseveres despite her young age or her demanding new schedule – because this is Hope’s new world… and Hope has undoubtedly found her way, she is determined and she is motivated… particularly now that she has already been ‘bumped” up. She is, no doubt, up for the challenge!

I can’t wait for…

…Saturday night; Riley will head off to his first high school dance with a group of about 10 close friends – homecoming! We picked out great clothes – black slacks, a black button down shirt with a thin, faint white stripe, a black reversible belt and Colehaan loafers. This kid looks sharp!! I WILL have pictures… the agreement stated that I would purchase the clothing and provide the funds for a pre-dinner at PF Changs in return for a few (no less than 20) pictures. Stay tuned for more on this monumental event.

…Baby Finleigh to visit the Gronke’s. Please, please, please bring my sweet, adorable niece into our humble abode so we can cuddle and coddle your babe – and satisfy our newborn envy so we don’t have to go having another one of our own. We want to marvel at the miracle of a newborn and we need to be reminded of their constant demands for attention and all the work a baby requires. We’re all here… just waiting… with many open arms to cradle your babe and give you a few coveted moments of peace. Won’t you make it happen?

…Riley’s birthday; when the majority of the Yarbrough clan will convene to toast a teenager and catch up on lost time. We will eat, we will drink and we will be one big happy family. (I do that every day but it’s much more fun with company).

So much to look forward to…

What’s New?

Well, I’m enjoying high school all over again as I attend football games and prepare Riley for homecoming. I’m learning what it’s like (and how incredibly hard it is) to herd a classroom of 24 five year olds when I volunteer in Hope’s classroom. And I’m watching my baby grow up into such a little man who desperately tries to keep up with his older siblings.

I am absolutely delighted to be raising a teenager. The middle school years brought a fog of awkwardness – we watched our boy go through puberty and we toiled with the idea of new found freedoms while Riley adjusted to his changing body and altered emotions. Broader boundaries that came with ever changing rules to accommodate new situations defined our days. These years were not horribly difficult but they did alter our comfortable routines and found us questioning and redefining our parenting at every corner. (I could – and will someday – write an entire post on this imminent transition).

But for now we have come full circle. Riley has a great deal of freedom but he realizes that I still play an important role in his life. He looks to me for rides or to type up a paper and he periodically asks me for advice and occasionally divulges some juicy details about his high school life. Riley’s genuinely appreciative of the role that I play in his life right now and we both go to great lengths to keep this relationship thriving. The car rides to and from games with a car full of sweaty, smelly boys might be enough to send a sane person running for hiding but I cherish those moments when the boys are all pumped up and so willing to talk about games, girls, grades and life. I even sat through the Zombie Land movie with the boys and they were incredibly grateful for the gesture – of course, I realize they had to have a parent present at this R rated film but we all had a blast and they made certain I enjoyed myself, inviting me to sit with them, sharing their popcorn, offering up their iPods to bide my time and repeatedly thanking me.

I believe we understand each other – not that either of us pretend to know what it’s like to be in each other’s shoes but we respect each of our unique lives, we value our maturing relationship and we walk a fine line between parent and child, friend and confidant. I love these teenage years!

I can relate to my teenager – I know when to step in and when to leave well enough alone. But I cannot and will not even attempt to relate to a classroom full of five year olds. I have a new found respect for all kindergarten teachers who so willingly and patiently teach these rambunctious children how to read and write. When I volunteer for a mere 2 ½ hours I am exhausted and frazzled to say the least. My one and only 5 year old wears me down with her energy and persistent demands but the experience of volunteering and watching Hope master her introduction to public school is immensely satisfying.

I spent my entire kindergarten year crying for my mommy and panicking whenever the daily routine went awry. Hope manages two schools and dance/gymnastics classes each day and is still ready to perform or argue until she gets her way each evening. I watch my baby girl try so hard to perfect her passions, whether is be singing, dancing, gymnastics or homework she is confident, determined and passionate. Hope inspires me to try harder, let go of my insecurities, and find my full potential. Hope’s discovery of a new talent, whether it is a new song or a new gymnastics or dance move, will send her into hours of countless practice until she masters the goal. Hope is relentless and despite my frustration when she can so easily master a yoga move after briefly viewing a magazine photo I am determined to find her persistence deep within me somewhere (after all, I did give birth to this girl) and obtain my own goals with perseverance. Hope is my inspiration!

While Hope succeeds in her new world Nico is finding his own way in this grown-up world. He has somewhat reluctantly deserted his binky and is still learning to sleep in a big boy bed all by himself at his delicate young age. I long for the day when he whispers good night and rolls over easily allowing slumber to overtake his tired body. It will happen all too soon – don’t wish it away too fast. Nico has found his voice and his will. He is determined to keep up in our chaotic life – demanding attention, adoring Riley and his friends, spending countless hours hanging out with the boys, and battling it out with Hope when a struggle arises. My little babe is independent and ferocious when he’s finding his way, but still loves to be cuddles and coddled and can turn on the charm and melts my heart with the simplest love – a bear hug and a kiss and he worms his way deep into my heart, where I grant his every desire and find myself wishing my babe could always stay this cute and cuddly – for I know this babe will grow up all too soon.

So I am simply enjoying these precious moments with all the happiness they bring. I am loving my life!

Calamity Jane Susan

I was simply strolling through Albertsons, contemplating my options for dinner when my brain and my body became two separate entities, each one disastrously confused without the appropriate direction from its necessary counterpart.

I started out carrying a basket stocked full of Gatorades but during this moment of undesirable brain stem failure I briefly remember the basket detaching from my grasp and begin a catastrophic ascent into the air while I, on the other hand, was heading rapidly towards the ground in what was bound to be a painful face plant. Despite the basket’s initial flight, it eventually made it’s own descent, falling just short my head (now firmly planted on the grocery store floor) sending Gatorades rolling down the aisle and producing an enormous thud that brought innocent bystanders to gawk at what initially summoned thoughts of an earthquake but turned out to be a women lying stomach down, flat on the ground, arms and legs spread wide, and Gatorades trickling out their last remaining contents as they rolled all around me.

While I lay on the floor in utter disbelief I was desperately trying to piece together the last few moments and figure out just exactly what went wrong. Horribly embarrassed by the growing audience I began to laugh hysterically and peeled my face from floor, stifling my desire to wince from my battered body and my bruised ego had me momentarily contemplating feigning a mini-stroke as an excuse for this less than graceful descent.

An Albertson’s employee was no doubt by my side in a matter of seconds (this whole episode is most likely captured on their security cameras) covering all the bases should I choose to sue them from any lasting injuries – I’m not sure you can sue for damage to the ego but if you could I would most certainly have an air tight case.

I giggled my way throughout the remainder of my shopping trip, hanging my head low, sidestepping anyone who may have seen my spastic fall, and carefully avoiding the aisle where a mass Gatorade clean-up was still underway. With just enough food to get me through the evening I was eager to make my exit and leave all my embarrassment behind.

Almost forgetting about my mishap I loaded my groceries onto the conveyor when I overheard the cashier mention something about giving wholesale prices on cases of wine. As I approached the register to pay I inquired about their discount on wine. But before the cashier could answer I heard the voice of my Albertson’s ambassador, who so quickly came to my rescue, “I am not so sure you should ever consume alcohol. I am frightened to think about what damage you would do after witnessing your face plant in aisle 7. I think you should focus on some basic balancing maneuvers before you add wine to the mix!”

I think I will steer clear of Albertsons for a while.

I made a mental note to stick to shopping carts (there’s no way those wheels are going to leave the ground and a cart could quite possibly assist with my balance should my brain ever again decide to abandon my body).

I have to remember to ask my doctor about this malfunctioning brain stem that periodically sends me scrambling to regain my balance (and I am talking about flailing arms and floundering feet) where I inevitably end up precariously positioned in a face plant, sprawled out flat on the floor.

A Whole New World

How has Hope adjusted to kindergarten? Inquiring minds want to know…

Well, Hope has not yet assumed a role as principal. She has settled for the teacher’s assistant, for now.

Nor has she been summoned to the principlal's office. She has been eerily complacent in her role as super star student.

Hope listens very carefully to instructions, meticulously completes her assignments, asks 5 million clarify (or what if?) questions, and finds it her dutiful obligation to make sure every other child puts forth his/her best effort and she ensures each follows directions without fail.

She has a busy day, a schedule fit for a princess, and she has succeeded in this transition, finding her way, taking it all in stride, and actually loving the new found freedom that her kindergarten world entails.

Mornings begin at a new daycare where Hope attends private kindergarten. She is one of only 5 students and the shy girl who hid behind me for approximately 2.5 seconds is now leading the class, directing students, and passionately absorbing all the knew knowledge she is given.

The highlight of her day begins when she makes her way to director’s office to wait for her bus. Hope is bursting with stories and questions and has been known to dance and sing, performing for the director as they await her next journey. When the bus arrives her friends Brianna and Maddie (who attend a different morning daycare) greet Hope with hugs as if they were long lost friends reuniting after years of solitude. Together they make the trek to Nancy Ryles where they become Nancy Ryles Crocodiles. All the rules change, the teacher is new and they become only 1 of 24 students. This shift in the day doesn’t at all hinder Hope’s ambition to be seen and heard. In true super star style Hope entered Nancy Ryles something of a legend… to Hope’s delight she known all over the school as Riley’s sister. In the rare event that Hope is not introduced as Riley’s sister she makes certain to announce this famous relation which imminently eludes super star status. For now, she proudly wears this badge with honor!

Hope’s first real homework assignment finally arrived after years of pretending. Hope sat with Riley for years and pretended to do homework. With much anticipation Hope sat down to color in boxes of picture with words that started with the letter ‘M’. Quite quickly, and much to my horror, I realized I have two very different children who fall on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to academics. Instead of coloring the box with the moose Hope drew in some grass, added some clouds, brought out the sun, created a lake, perfected a rainbow and colored in the sky – meticulously, of course! After all this (and 45 minutes) we still had 20+ boxes to go. Even Riley commiserated with us as we watched Hope work up a masterpiece of art out of a simple homework assignment, and he proudly announced that he would have scribbled each box in under one second apiece – not really caring if he even completed the assignment correctly, coloring well outside of the lines, just simply working feverishly to be done with the dreaded homework. Hope requested a new piece of paper multiple times declaring that it wasn’t quite perfect.

Can there not be a happy medium?

After school, Hope joins the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who all take a van out to the Westside Dance Academy. More adventures ensue here where she takes ballet, gymnastics, tap/jazz and hip hop. This afterschool schedule took a bit of shuffling to get just right for Hope. Again, in true Hope fashion she was “bumped up” (a very popular term in Hope’s vocabulary now) to ballet for 6-8 year olds and gymnastics for 6-9 year olds. She was “bored” in her 5 year old classes and she is persistent that her rightful age of 5 will not hold her back from things much more advanced.

Only Hope would walk out of a gymnastics class after only two weeks and confidently announce to the teacher that she didn’t like the class… she learned how to do “all that stuff” years ago and was ready to be in “that” class. Yes, Hope insisted her after school care teachers sign her up for a different class where 6 -8 years olds were perfecting the bars, balancing on the beams and walking on their hands. So that is where Hope is today, determined to keep up and loving the challenge.

Of course, the dance/gymnastics academy made an exception for Hope. Who doesn’t make exceptions for Hope?

Hope continues to magically mesmerize teachers and students alike. Hope defines her own path, demands ample attention, puts forth 110% - it comes as no surprise that Hope loves this new world.