They did a great job assisting us in the carving.
The results were great.
We had to put them out with our pumpkin snowman which was inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas book.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Pumpkin Carving
I decided to let the boys carve the pumpkins we got in the morning at Craven farms. I figured we will be carving pumpkins all month long, so there was no reason to wait until we were closer to Halloween.
They did a great job assisting us in the carving.
The results were great.
We had to put them out with our pumpkin snowman which was inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas book.
They did a great job assisting us in the carving.
The results were great.
We had to put them out with our pumpkin snowman which was inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas book.
Craven Pumpkin Farm
This year I really wanted to take the boys to my favorite pumpkin farm, Craven. Nate was still unable to walk over long distances, so he stayed at home, and Auntie Dani accompanied us. The farm is located in Snohomish and is quite a drive for us. The boys did a great job on the drive and were very excited to go to a pumpkin patch. I love this farm because they have many activities to pick from: hayride, pumpkin launchers, pumpkin patch, corn maze, pumpkin dioramas and my favorite- fresh pumpkin doughnuts with cream cheese frosting.
We got there and decided to walk through the diorama area with the petting zoo first. The boys were really interested in the animals and not so interested in the dioramas. We then went into the corn maze. Magnus had his sling tucked in under his coat and wanted to walk by himself. At the start of the maze he tripped, fell and was unable to catch himself. He cried a bit but was willing to go on. After we had been in the maze about 10 minutes they both lost interest and so we backtracked our way out.
We then did the pumpkin launchers. It was difficult for Magnus to maneuver with one hand, but he did ok. Ragnar really enjoyed it and launched his fairly far with Auntie's help.
By this time the tractor hayride was going. We climbed in and sat right at the front, behind the tractor. Both boys were in awe of it. The hayride goes through a different part of the corn maze then you see in the walking maze. They both liked it and it was a lot of fun watching their amazement at the pumpkin scenes place throughout the maze.
We decided to skip the pumpkin patch due to Magnus' difficulty walking. Instead, we let the boys pick pumpkins from the giant piles of them at the front of the farm near the check-out. I also posed the boys in the giant wagon full of pumpkins. Magnus did not like that at all. Ragnar really enjoyed it and posed.
The boys also liked all of the wheelbarrows. They tried pushing one and we put them in one for pictures.
Then it was time for the best part- the doughnuts! We each had a pumpkin doughnut with cream cheese frosting. They were AMAZING! We also bought one to take home to Papa.
I loved sharing my favorite pumpkin farm with my boys.
We got there and decided to walk through the diorama area with the petting zoo first. The boys were really interested in the animals and not so interested in the dioramas. We then went into the corn maze. Magnus had his sling tucked in under his coat and wanted to walk by himself. At the start of the maze he tripped, fell and was unable to catch himself. He cried a bit but was willing to go on. After we had been in the maze about 10 minutes they both lost interest and so we backtracked our way out.
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| Magnus & Auntie post-fall |
We then did the pumpkin launchers. It was difficult for Magnus to maneuver with one hand, but he did ok. Ragnar really enjoyed it and launched his fairly far with Auntie's help.
By this time the tractor hayride was going. We climbed in and sat right at the front, behind the tractor. Both boys were in awe of it. The hayride goes through a different part of the corn maze then you see in the walking maze. They both liked it and it was a lot of fun watching their amazement at the pumpkin scenes place throughout the maze.
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| Getting settled on the hay wagon |
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| Ragnar & Magnus had to sit right by the tractor |
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| Magnus watching the big wheels on the tractor |
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| Ragnar spent most of the hay ride this way- with his forehead pressed against the wood to watch the tractor pull us |
We decided to skip the pumpkin patch due to Magnus' difficulty walking. Instead, we let the boys pick pumpkins from the giant piles of them at the front of the farm near the check-out. I also posed the boys in the giant wagon full of pumpkins. Magnus did not like that at all. Ragnar really enjoyed it and posed.
The boys also liked all of the wheelbarrows. They tried pushing one and we put them in one for pictures.
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| Ragnar -posing, Magnus - oblivious |
Then it was time for the best part- the doughnuts! We each had a pumpkin doughnut with cream cheese frosting. They were AMAZING! We also bought one to take home to Papa.
I loved sharing my favorite pumpkin farm with my boys.
Museum of Flight
We have a trip to Utah coming up and Ragnar has been telling us he is afraid to go on the airplane. Gramsie suggested we try going to the Museum of Flight and check out some airplanes to help ease the fear.
It was a quick drive over to the museum and we were the first ones in the door. The boys enjoyed walking around and seeing the airplanes, but it was hard for them to understand they couldn't touch everything. There is a kid's area there that we played in for a bit that did have some hands-on exhibits.
While we were in the kid's area a group of middle school students saw us walk by. They girls all cooed and ahhed at Magnus' hair and sling. A few approached us and in broken English asked if they could take pictures with my boys. I thought it was an odd request but knew that if I said "no" they would go ahead with pictures on the sly anyway. I said "yes" and they began posing with them in groups. Ragnar didn't pose at all, but Magnus TOTALLY got into it and was making faces. The girls kept saying "so pale! so curly!" It was an odd experience.
We were able to sit inside an airplane and Ragnar and Magnus both enjoyed it. I'm hopeful that they will now be more prepared and excited for our trip.
It was a quick drive over to the museum and we were the first ones in the door. The boys enjoyed walking around and seeing the airplanes, but it was hard for them to understand they couldn't touch everything. There is a kid's area there that we played in for a bit that did have some hands-on exhibits.
While we were in the kid's area a group of middle school students saw us walk by. They girls all cooed and ahhed at Magnus' hair and sling. A few approached us and in broken English asked if they could take pictures with my boys. I thought it was an odd request but knew that if I said "no" they would go ahead with pictures on the sly anyway. I said "yes" and they began posing with them in groups. Ragnar didn't pose at all, but Magnus TOTALLY got into it and was making faces. The girls kept saying "so pale! so curly!" It was an odd experience.
We were able to sit inside an airplane and Ragnar and Magnus both enjoyed it. I'm hopeful that they will now be more prepared and excited for our trip.
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| Amazed by the giant black plane, just like the one in their "goodnight Seattle" book |
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| They really want to get in the cockpit |
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| Piloting a landing on the moon |
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| Flying a helicopter in the kid's area |
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Broken Clavicle
The morning after the ER visit, I made an appointment with the boys' pediatrician to check him. All night long Magnus kept waking up and crying in pain. We went in first thing in the morning to the Dr and she examined him. He acted the same as the night before. When no Dr or nurse were in the room he was crying and complaining about the pain. As soon as the Dr or nurse came in, he stopped, was quiet and stoic. She checked all over and didn't feel any breaks, but we did x-rays of his hand/wrist and elbow. Nothing looked abnormal in the x-rays. She sent us home but told me to watch him and come back if he wasn't doing better.
I brought him back two days later. He was still in pain and was carrying his arm differently. She watched him for a bit, did another exam and ordered x-rays of his shoulder and clavicle. He did great for his x-rays (once again) and as soon as they put them up on the light board I could see the clear break in his clavicle. Our Dr came in to tell us about the break and fit Magnus with a sling. She was SHOCKED that he didn't even flinch when she had examined him. She said that she has had very few patients as stoic as him and was surprised that he didn't even react when she pushed on his clavicle.
She suggested he wear the sling at night and throughout the day if it is bothering him. He has to refrain from "contact sports" (HAHAHA! He has a twin brother!) and then come back for a re-check in 6 weeks.
It's very disconcerting that the thing I was trying to avoid, the boys getting hurt/broken bones, by taking the side of the crib off happened anyway. Oh well....
I brought him back two days later. He was still in pain and was carrying his arm differently. She watched him for a bit, did another exam and ordered x-rays of his shoulder and clavicle. He did great for his x-rays (once again) and as soon as they put them up on the light board I could see the clear break in his clavicle. Our Dr came in to tell us about the break and fit Magnus with a sling. She was SHOCKED that he didn't even flinch when she had examined him. She said that she has had very few patients as stoic as him and was surprised that he didn't even react when she pushed on his clavicle.
She suggested he wear the sling at night and throughout the day if it is bothering him. He has to refrain from "contact sports" (HAHAHA! He has a twin brother!) and then come back for a re-check in 6 weeks.
It's very disconcerting that the thing I was trying to avoid, the boys getting hurt/broken bones, by taking the side of the crib off happened anyway. Oh well....
Namansdag Ragnar!
Today was Ragnar's name day. As with Magnus we had Ragnar pick what he wanted to do, choose his cake and then a little treat. He also wanted a mylar balloon. So, we went to the party store and got the balloon. He was excited that we were celebrating him. We went to the grocery store, and he picked out his cake and frosting and sprinkles. We made the cake that afternoon and Auntie came over for dinner.
Ragnar had a great time. Magnus enjoyed the cake but was still in pain from his fall out of bed.
ER Visit
Magnus fell out of his big-boy bed tonight. I was on the phone, and Nate went in and tried to calm him down, but he didn't calm down. We brought him out of the room, and he was crying and saying that his chin and arm hurt. I was worried and so I bundled him up and we headed to the ER.
He cried all of the way to the ER. He was upset that he wasn't in clothes, but his pajamas. He also didn't like that it was rainy and windy. Once at the ER the Dr examined him. Magnus was silent and stoic through the exam. The second the Dr left the room he started crying again. The Dr thinks that his arm is bruised but not broken. He basically treated me like an over-reacting first-time mom and sent us home.
Magnus was so tired when we got home that he fell asleep instantly with Nate sitting on the floor next to his bed and rubbing his back.
He cried all of the way to the ER. He was upset that he wasn't in clothes, but his pajamas. He also didn't like that it was rainy and windy. Once at the ER the Dr examined him. Magnus was silent and stoic through the exam. The second the Dr left the room he started crying again. The Dr thinks that his arm is bruised but not broken. He basically treated me like an over-reacting first-time mom and sent us home.
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| Magnus and Brip in the ER |
Magnus was so tired when we got home that he fell asleep instantly with Nate sitting on the floor next to his bed and rubbing his back.
Big Boy Beds
Ragnar has climbed up and fallen out of his crib once. That is one time to many! It scared me, scared him, but luckily, he didn't get hurt. I decided that we needed to take the sides off of their cribs and convert them into toddler beds.
It was easily done and both boys were super excited about it. They fell asleep fairly quickly and only fell out of bed a few times that night.
It was easily done and both boys were super excited about it. They fell asleep fairly quickly and only fell out of bed a few times that night.
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| Asleep in their beds |
Allergies
I've been concerned since the boys were about 10 months old that they may have some environmental allergies. However, it isn't recommended to test them until after they are 2 or so to see if they do have them as they can change and evolve over a lifetime and they change frequently in children.
This week I took each boy into the pediatric allergist one at a time to be tested. Based on my observations of them she opted to test for indoor allergies including dog. Ragnar did a great job and didn't even flinch when they poked him. His tests showed that he has an allergy to dogs.
Magnus visited a few days later and his tests showed that he has an allergy to dogs and dust mites.
This means that for the next few years we will take them in every 6 months to get them evaluated and see how the symptom management is going. We left with prescriptions for a steroid inhaler; nose drops and eye drops. She also recommended they take over-the-counter children's allergy medicine.
This week I took each boy into the pediatric allergist one at a time to be tested. Based on my observations of them she opted to test for indoor allergies including dog. Ragnar did a great job and didn't even flinch when they poked him. His tests showed that he has an allergy to dogs.
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| Ragnar's allergy test |
Magnus visited a few days later and his tests showed that he has an allergy to dogs and dust mites.
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| Magnus' allergy test |
This means that for the next few years we will take them in every 6 months to get them evaluated and see how the symptom management is going. We left with prescriptions for a steroid inhaler; nose drops and eye drops. She also recommended they take over-the-counter children's allergy medicine.
Little Gym
We enrolled the boys in Little Gym for another year. The hope is that once they are 3 and able to go into teacher/child class that they will be so comfortable with the teachers there, the location, the routines that it will go smoothly. For now, we are in a parent/child class. The teacher of our class is Robin the founder of the Little Gym. He runs his classes very differently than any I've been in before. He follows the lead of the kids and creates a curriculum on-the-go based on what they want to do that day. The boys love him and love the class.
Ragnar's BBQ
Ragnar loves social gatherings. About two days after the BBQ for Nate's birthday and July 4th he started asking when we would have our next party. He then progressed on from asking to planning.
He came up with guest lists, activities, food ideas and decoration plans. We decided to have an end-of-summer BBQ and let him plan it.
Ragnar invited family, friends and neighbors. He wanted the food to include watermelon, Auntie's pasta salad (with regular olives aka: kalamata olives), hot dogs and "maybe cupcakes." For decorations he really wanted balloons. Activities were to be the sand box, balls, "chasing friends" and the big tent.
We sent out an evite and many people responded that they could attend. The morning of the big day we took the boys to the party store to pick out balloons. Auntie Dani came by during nap to help me set up. Nate was still recovering from a fall at work earlier that week and had to take it easy during the set up and party.
Ragnar woke up from nap during the set up and was so excited to see all of the decorations and everything he hoped for falling into place. I had Dani take some pictures of him before everyone arrived.
The guests arrived and it was a fun time. The kids ran and played while the adults were able to eat and socialize. I think it was a huge success for Ragnar, and he is already planning his next event.
He came up with guest lists, activities, food ideas and decoration plans. We decided to have an end-of-summer BBQ and let him plan it.
Ragnar invited family, friends and neighbors. He wanted the food to include watermelon, Auntie's pasta salad (with regular olives aka: kalamata olives), hot dogs and "maybe cupcakes." For decorations he really wanted balloons. Activities were to be the sand box, balls, "chasing friends" and the big tent.
We sent out an evite and many people responded that they could attend. The morning of the big day we took the boys to the party store to pick out balloons. Auntie Dani came by during nap to help me set up. Nate was still recovering from a fall at work earlier that week and had to take it easy during the set up and party.
Ragnar woke up from nap during the set up and was so excited to see all of the decorations and everything he hoped for falling into place. I had Dani take some pictures of him before everyone arrived.
The guests arrived and it was a fun time. The kids ran and played while the adults were able to eat and socialize. I think it was a huge success for Ragnar, and he is already planning his next event.
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| Magnus enjoying a tomato |
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| Charles |
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| Henry and Elephant |
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| Ragnar, Ali, Magnus, Elise |
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| Ragnar, Greta, Elise, Trey, Owen, Jacob, Magnus, Ali |
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| Henry, Ragnar, Trey, Owen |
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| Henry, Magnus, Ali, Ragnar |
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