Riley and The Rash

Riley is a new found lover of peanut butter.  Just straight, put it on a paper plate so she can eat it with her finger, lover of peanut butter.

So after about 3 days of peanut butter at every meal, when she woke up with this mysterious rash. I thought the worst.

The rash started out on her leg and a little on her arms and back.

After a short visit to the doctor, we were told that it probably wasn't a peanut allergy, but they had no idea what it was from.

I was glad to hear it wasn't because of her new favorite food, but I really needed to know what it was from because I obviously did not want it to come back!

The rash went away, but it came back that evening with a vengeance!

Poor Riles.

She was so itchy.

I was a little nervous so I slept with her that night.  We did wake up around 3 am for another dose of Benadryl and some Cortizone cream.

Her rash came and went like that over a period of 3 days so I called an allergist so we could try and figure this deal out!

They did their test and we are happy to say that she is not allergic to any foods!

She is, on a scale of 1-4 with a 4 being highly allergic, allergic to cats, ragweed and a weed mix at a 4 and dogs and grass at a 2.

The doctor said she could still have a dog, but maybe a low dander breed would be best for her. She can still go to houses that have cats if we need to, but that she should take her medicine and try to keep her away from loving on the kitties.

They are also treating her for reflux.

She takes a pill every morning that has seemed to help cut down on her tummy aches and they said should help with her ear infections.

I know, it sounds strange, but he explained it to me in the office and it does make sense.

I can't explain it, but it sounded good!

We will see if it does help with the ear infections or not the next time she gets a cold.

Oh and the rash, he said that her rash was a result of a virus.

After all that, I made Cash and appointment with the allergist as well.

He is on 4 breathing treatments a day with 2 different allergy medicines and they said they could help me simplify that plan.

Turns out he is not allergic to anything!

He does have asthma.

They put him on a new inhaler with a chamber that only takes about 30 seconds to do versus the 6+ minutes/4 times a day that the breathing treatments took.

SO....after a few trips to the doctor and a McDonalds run to reward their bravery, we are all breathing better around here! 

Under the Sea

Kansas City has a new Aquarium so we decided to check it out!

The Sea Life Aquarium is all clean and new so that was nice.

If you do go, my advice would be to reserve your tickets online before you go.  You will save about $5 a ticket and they are a little pricey.

Also, to be aware of a few things.

1) The only bathrooms throughout the Aquarium are right near the entrance so if you have to use them, use them at the start of your visit.

2) When you near the end of the place, they have a play area.  I didn't know this, was slightly behind my kids and when I came around the corner they were all throwing their shoes off and heading for the play structure with a bunch of other little kids.

So of course I let them play for a little while, but then had to try and coax them all out of the ropes and tunnels to try to find their shoes so we could go eat.

Fun times.

3) They don't allow flash on your camera because it disturbs the sea life. 

4) If you can, try and go during the week or when it probably won't be too busy.  It isn't a huge place so it gets pretty crowded and there are a few areas where a crowd can really jam things up!

5) And finally, but most importantly, be ready to walk through the gift shop on your way out!

If I knew this, I could have prepared the kids that we could look at the all the expensive toys that would break 10 minutes after playing with them, but not purchase any.

We actually got out of there with 3 toys for only $18 and yes, one did break that very next day.

Oh, and the Aquarium gift shop is connected to the Lego land gift shop.  Keep in mind Lego land wasn't even open yet when we went, but their gift shop was!

Riley came running over with a $60 Lego set all because it included one little Lego horse.

She decided on a little seahorse cube that was actually pretty cute.

I am glad I took the kids to check it out, but probably wouldn't take them again unless they all of a sudden became avid aquatic lovers or something.

They did just open up Lego land which is connected to the aquarium so we will see if we decide to brave that new hot spot.

Here are some pictures of our adventure...the first with a flash!

Outside Crown Center where they had blue water in the fountains. 

We ended our day with lunch at Fritz's Train restaurant!

A fun, but pricey day!

Hello!!!!

So, my laptop that I have had since college finally died. 

I lost all my music which is a bummer, but I had just transferred most of my pictures and video so I am thankful for that.

Now, its time to catch up on the last couple months.

Me and the kids after Darin and I got home from our cruise.

It was fun to get away, but we missed these little guys!

Decided to dig up our dress up box.

The kids were excited and wore their get ups to the park which I will never do again.

Not the safest idea and Tripp would not take his off even with an extreme amount of bribes.

Next time I am just gonna have to get tough and not even allow it in the first place.

But, they did have fun!

Playing Angry Birds on my Ipad...their favorite of the moment.

Cash and Riley open an early Birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa.

We had an Easter Egg hunt in our backyard with some of our neighborhood friends.

Please note our "deck".

It has since been torn down and our new deck is in progress which we are very excited about!

Pics on that to come after it is finished!

A little egg dying out in the garage!

Starting our Easter Egg hunt on Easter morning.

The Easter Bunny hides clues in eggs that lead the kids to their baskets.

Finding a clue in the mailbox.

Riley would not put her horse or dog down for even a second.

She carried those things around the entire time.

Finding a clue in the fridge...

in the bathtub...

in the minivan...

and finally found our baskets in the laundry room!

That Easter Bunny had them running all over the place!

Drew blowing Grandpa kisses on Skype.

Well, Luke Skywalker and friends do have to get around after all!!

The boys and their box cars.

More to come!

We have a Birthday post, a visit to the aquarium and more!!!



Attempts at a photo for our Valentines Day card...