Directions for an Eric

When your infant has an ear infection, you can tell because they are extra fussy.  They might tug on their ear and they do not eat as much as normal.  They might wake up in the middle of the night and run a fever.  And a special cry accompanies these symptoms.


When your toddler has an ear infection, you can tell because they are extra cranky.  They might be able to tell you, "Owie,"  as they point to their ear.  They just want to drink juice.  They will come to your room at night.  And their special cry as turned to a special whine.  


For the infant, you might take the baby to the doctor.  You hold the baby cuddled close for comfort.  For the toddler, you might know better.  You might know that the doctor's antibiotic trick will help, but isn't completely necessary.  So pain relievers become helpful and plenty of liquids is okay. 


When your Eric has an ear infection, he tells you. He demands to go to the doctor.  He holds his throat and screams when you try to feed him.  Your Eric will scream and cry as much as the infant and whine as much as the toddler.    He will cry in his room, cry when you read to him, and cry when you hold him. He might refuse ear drops and he will also demand round the clock pain relievers. He will lay with his SpiderMan blanket on his SpiderMan couch in your kitchen.  He will look at you with icy blue eyes bulging from his face telling you that he is dying.  Don't believe him.  Give him some hot tea.  He will tell that drinking it is like walking the streets of gold in Heaven.  

Preschool Trips

Each month my friend Krisha sets up a special field trip for our little ones.  We are blessed with some time to focus on them.  Here are two trips that I actually remembered my camera for.  We visited Fort Matanzas and the Smith Family Farm.  For both of these trips I kept Alayna and Cailin out of school.  Nothing better then playing hookie for some fun and fresh air. 

The girls posed by the trees for me, which was quite a treat because they usually run from the camera.

Ella just can't help her ridiculous smile.  It's so forced that it's comical and predictable.

After hanging under the trees we were almost ready to board the ferry, but we just had to play with the sand.

I wish the ferry boat ride lasted longer.

Notice Ella's silly smile again. Sigh.  This is inside the fort.  The kids were able to see what it was like to live there.  They loved sitting  on top of the cannons.  Alayna and Cailin ventured to the tippy top of the fort.  Mommy stayed behind with Ella.  

Finally, Alayna and Kelten.  Just look at those eyes he has for her.  Heartbreaker in the making.

Smith Family Farm was such a sweet adventure.  We had visited a couple years back and were able to pick some vegetables from the farm and feed the cows.  This view of the cows is from the tractor ride.  Last time I met these cows my toe turned purple for about six months.  We didn't get out this time.  

The girls loving feeding the fish.  They grab handfuls of food and most of  it makes it into the pond.  

The girls were outnumbered on this trip.  So many boys were running and climbing on the tractors.  I had to force the girls to stand near one.  

Cousins, Brendan and Ben, were able to join in with us.  I think Brendan would make a great farmer.

Yay!  The girls climb up to ride the tractor around the farm.  I was proud of  Ella who usually clings to my leg.  It helped to have her older sisters to set the example of being brave.


We also took a trip to Uncle Dale's airplane where we learned how to fly.  It was amazing.  Next we are going to a gymnastics class.  Our Preschool Trips with family and friends are always a time to enjoy.