Double Digits

Graham has turned 10!! Hard to believe it but he is now in the double digits. Graham's highlight so far has been the wrestling belt Grandma gave him, he liked it so much he went and bought a second one...he is having a wrestling themed party tonight...8 boys and Mike is in NFLD...God help me!

I sometimes get a little emotional on his birthday as I realize how easily this could have marked a solemn occassion...then I get over it and remember that he's happy and healthy (well, reasonably so :)) I had my "moment" this morning while I was talking to Josee on the phone. I was telling her that I had a hard time keeping it together while we sang him Happy Birthday at mom's last night. Well, enough of that.

Yesterday Graham had a double header, they won both their games...our canteen did well. Elysia even got up and helped out all day and I had a great day with her.

Mike is NFLD...he is in a cooking competition with all the different food service companies...he was the captain of his team. They took silver but more importantly they got the people's choice award...to me that means more because that's who they are trying to please in the long run...of course, I asked him if they were cash prizes...not so lucky!!

Elysia

It's been a busy few weeks...Elysia had her grade 8 prom and graduation. The night of the graduation it was humid and hot and you can imagine what that gym was like. Each student had to stand on the stage while someone said a blub about them...needless to say, Elysia did not enjoy this part, she was shaking. Next year it's off to Central Kings High School...my soul, where did the time go.

R.I.P. Sebastian

So poor little Sebastian met his demise. He was my yellow budgie bird that Mike gave me for Christmas one year...he was sunny side up in the cage this morning, sounds callous but I cried none the less. He was not feeling well the last little bit, they tend to get all puffy and sleepy when they are sick. Yesterday, Antoine (the white budgie) was not being very friendly to him, I think the instincts were kicking in. Bye little Sebastian, I know Mike in particular will miss your lovely squawking!!

Graham's Checkup

Yesterday Graham's cardiology visit went well. He does has some extra ventricular beats, more than last time, so they will do another exercise test to make sure his heart rate is speeding up and slowing down when it needs to. He can still continue with his sports. His heart function has not gone down any but it hasn't gone up, so he's still on the low side of that but he tolerates it well. His valve shows some calcification (hardening and narrowing) but no worse than last time. He explained that if they only have to replace the valve they can do that through a catheter in the leg if it's the whole root (which it may well be) then it's open heart. He said that we have at least a year before that but he cannot give exact numbers.and he needs to start wearing a medic alert where we are not always with him now. Graham said it was a little freaky to hear us talk with the dr about his surgery. It's funny because they ask all the questions to Graham now and you know him, he's more than willing to answer questions. He lists all his medications, talks about the heart beats, he's learning. I want him to always be comfortable when he talks to the dr so that he will continue to do it even when him mommy is not in the room (we don't talk about that day)

Elysia is thrilled to be coming with us to Dartmouth tonight for Graham's baseball game. It's just too long for her to be by herself, not that we don't trust her but we don't want to give her too long of a leash that she chokes herself on it. We remember what it's like to be that age (okay, maybe we think we remember that long ago). Bribed her with telling her she could take my laptop to watch a movie...

Off yesterday to take Graham to the dr, leaving today at 3 to go to the ballgame and then again tomorrow at 3 for Elysia's prom...these hours are great!!!!

Did I mention my husband Mike...he gets upset if I don't mention him...Mike, Mike, Mike!!!

Birthdays Birthdays Everywhere!!!!

My beautiful niece Sarah is 16 today...16...that's freaking me out!! She could actually drive a car now. Seems like only yesterday, Tracey and I were playing cards in the waiting room, greatly anticipating the arrival of our new niece or nephew. All through Josee's pregnancy, I had held firm that we were getting a girl and when Jeff came out, he looked at me and said "you better be happy"...of course, I was thrilled. She was the newest baby I had held at that point in my life. Tiny, wrinkly and screaming...and she looked perfect. Unfortunately for Sarah, I honed my baby handling skills on her. She's had a tough year, having surgery on her jaw and has come through showing her toughness...




My twin sisters, Vanessa and Patricia turn 10 today...that's double digits!! They are twins who are so different in appearance and personality. I called them bright and early this morning to wish them a Happy Birthday...they were excited to head off to school as the birthday girls. I wish they did not live so far away!!



Tonight I am heading to the Relay for Life in Kentville...it's an all night relay to raise money for cancer research. This year it has hit close to my heart, only 2 months ago, young Christopher Coady lost his battle with cancer...I bought a luminary in his memory. I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two but that's okay, I can handle that.



Tomorrow is Graham's second double header. I am running the canteen again...yes, that's right...walking all night and then running the canteen...sometimes I forget that I am not 18 anymore. I think Elysia told her grandmother she was going to sleep at a friend's house Sat night for safety. I think Mike and Graham may hide somewhere as well. Did I mention the forecast?? Rain until midnight tonight...just what this old girl needs-rain and cold!!



Mike and I went to see Russell Peters the other night. He's a comedian...he was funny. He was up for two hours and well worth it.

Life is a Whirlwind

Life seems to be a whirlwind lately...

Graham had baseball this weekend, his first double headed and their season opener...they lost but made a decent showing...Graham said it was his best day of baseball ever. He made some good plays, caught a few balls, pitched a little...

Elysia managed to squeak out of working the canteen. She spent the weekend in Halifax at her friend, Kaylee's house and was quite excited to see the girls. It's been two years but they are still as tight as ever. I'm sure there was some squealing and giggling going on.

I have volunteered to run the fund raiser canteen. A fair amount of work to set up but the on going part seems to be okay...between ticket sales on a small draw and the canteen, we sold over $400...couldn't believe it...BBQ was the big hit and those cursed ring pop candies (I hate them).

I have joined a book club...that's right, I am getting intellectual in my old age. I am reading the book Rockbound by Frank Parker Day. It's set on NS's South Shore...very different than my normal read but I am enjoying it. Took a while to get into and was a little hard at first because it is written the way the people on the island would be talking...not so good English...it's a very diverse group of ladies in the book club so our first discussion should be interesting...oh yeah, it's this Sunday after I do the Relay for Life on Friday night, and then run the canteen at baseball on Saturday. I told Josee if I fall asleep to just prop me up in the corner.

Mike had a great time at the Chef Master's competition in Toronto, I think it was a little more relaxing as a judge.