In Search of the Perfect Musical

A few weekends ago was Addie's school musical - two shows on Sunday and the final show on Monday. Kinders and first graders don't audition but can participate if they want in a group song. Addie was one of a dozen first graders that sang Do Re Me. Super cute of course. She begged me to let her wear mascara too, a first even for this stage performer.  Next year, she is excited to try out for the musical. I'm thrilled she remains confident and at ease. Go Addie!

After the show with flowers from Cap and I.

Stung

Turns out Eliza is allergic to bee stings.

We were playing in our backyard when Eliza stepped on a bee. We have all been stung in our yard under the exact same conditions and it isn't fun.  We pulled out the stinger, gave her ice and she was fine.

Or so we thought. About an hour or so later Cap noticed her entire torso was covered in a red rash and her face was getting splotchy. We gave her some Benadryl and I went to wash out the bee sting area on her foot. That's when I realized her foot was hot, swollen and hard as a rock. Poor girl! It was the rock foot and the fact the hives we no where near the area of the bee sting (and knowing Xavier has severe allergies to other things) we ended up taking her to ER just in case it got worse. They gave her steroids which she will be on for 2 more days. Her foot is still a rock even this morning and she has to hobble to get around.

While the ER doctor was talking to me, he suddenly stopped and asked if I had Bell's Palsy. What??! Apparently, one of my eyelids doesn't blink as rapidly as my other eyelid. Thankfully, I don't have paralysis of half my face (as he tested by having me smile) but now I'm going to be super self-conscious of my lazy, droopy eyelid. It does explain why I often have one eye closed in photos!

But back to Eliza . . .

The nurse also told me with each bee sting her reaction could worsen and we don't want her to develop a reaction that would be anaphylactic. So, he said, "don't get stung!"  Our yard is a blanket of bees too so the new MO is to always have closed toe shoes on. I'm guessing Xavier is allergic too. He was stung for the first time but it isn't until the second or third sting that someone can tell if they are allergic. Eliza might be our second kid with her own epi-pen. Eliza was a very brave girl in the hospital, and I'm sure she is looking forward to being able to run around again.

Reid Park Zoo

I haven't finished with sharing our Tucson Adventures yet!

This is a little zoo but that's part of what makes it so great. It isn't overwhelming and you can get really close to the animals. Check out the tiger who was so close we could hear him pant and growl.  Plus the kids all got to feed carrot sticks to the purple-tongued giraffes and see baby elephants.

Two-headed tortoise




Petting Sydney the bearded dragon from Australia. Her sister, Adelaide, was in the tank.



Giraffe feeding.

Sleep-away Camp

This is a huge deal! Addie is spending 2 nights this weekend at an all-girls sleep away camp tucked into the hills in Griffith Park. She was super excited all week and bravely gave me a big hug before I said good-bye and off she went to play Simon Says with her fellow campers. She is with her friend Danika and then a classmate of Danika's happened to also be at camp. Addie was super exited to learn that this little girl was also a Harry Potter fan.

We are planning on sending her to a week of overnight camp at the same place over the summer but wanted to give it a trial run at their Spring Weekend Getaway. I'm sure she is going to love it but of course I worry and miss her. I snuck a note into her toiletry bag telling her we can't wait to hear all about the fun she had a reminding her to brush her teeth. When I pick her up on Sunday and she says she didn't see the note, I'll know she also never brushed her hair or teeth!

There has only been a handful of times since she was born that we have been apart overnight. Most of the time it's because Cap or I have been traveling for work and this time last year I got to go away for a girls weekend with Reid (reminds me I need to plan something for our 40th next year!). With the exception of a sleep-over at her friend Danika's house, all of those times I was the one leaving, looking forward to some precious time on my own. I can tell you it is much harder to be the one left behind. I miss my Addie! Eliza and Xavier however are reveling in the extra attention, Eliza especially who picked the Friday Night Movie herself.

I can't wait to hear tales of campfire songs, skits, arts and crafts, games and archery tomorrow.