Operation Healthy Balance

We had another great Halloween. We did our traditional wagon ride which resulted in record numbers; I think my last tally was 29 kids, 18 adults and 25 neighbourhood stops. It was our best year yet. The day before Halloween, Lara and Erin, our neighbours and cousins, came and helped decorate the infamous wagon.  It was so neat to let them think of ways to decorate and all the kids helped with the decor.  We had goblins, spiders, bats, lots of caution tape, and even orange lights.  The kids were a huge help and let me tell you it sure beats decorating by myself:)  Here is a picture of them when they were done. As soon as the boys got off the bus from school on Halloween, they put on their costumes and waited outside for our wagon guests to arrive.  I didn't even force them to eat supper....they were too excited anyways. We ended up having lots of newcomers for the wagon ride.  It was great to have such an enthusiastic turnout.  One person br...

The boys said goodbye to their buddy, Lucky the Hamster last week. Chase wanted to make a grave for Lucky so as I left for work I handed this task to "Daddy".  I think he did a wonderful job.

Allow me to recap July 1st, 2011. 0600 am-Wake up call by hubby.  Down cow at the barn.  After IV therapy she got up.  Definitely a bonus when they get up. 0700 am-Loaded boys in van and off to the local Canada Day Run 0730 am-Race registration for the boys 0800 am-All three boys ran in the 1K event.  They all managed to run the whole way and were quite pleased with themselves. 0830 am-After much deliberation and mild coaxing from my internal self and supportive friends, I registered for the 5K event. 0900 am-Started 5K race. 0929 am-Finished 5K race.  Yep that's right.  Achieved my goal of running a 5K race in under 30 minutes.  Unofficial time 29m20s.  Felt great! 1100 am-I was tired out from the early start and morning events so I thought we would go home, have lunch and then I could catch a nap. Other plans prevailed.... 0130 pm-Haying.  Larrin worked in the hay mow while I unloaded 3 loads of hay.  All three boys wer...

Karson was filled with pride when he arrived home from school.  Today was the day he finished his "marathon" and was congratulated with a t-shirt from his running coach at school.  He was tickled pink and beaming at his accomplishment. "Nice dimples" As mentioned before in a previous blog post, o ne of the teacher's at the school organized a running group.  Each child in the running group had a goal of completing a "marathon" by running one kilometre each day for 42 days.  Due to rainy weather it actually took longer than 42 days but nonetheless it was completed resulting in a kid filled with confidence and a huge sense of achievement. It should be noted that other kids initiated the marathon but stopped for whatever reason.  These kids were still verbally recognized for trying and encouraged to attempt the marathon again next year.   I am thankful for our little school and the great teachers and role models that are found there.  What a great...

As follow up to yesterday's blog post. 1) Umbrah the cow is better.  She is up and her left abomasum is no longer displaced thanks to two vet calls.  We had her recuperating outside for a bit but moved her back into the barn where the temperature is more tolerable for her.  She is eating and drinking so those are great signs. 2) Two day health promotion training is complete.  During mingling at lunch I learned that there is a permanent full-time position in Communicable Disease coming up.  A permanent job where I can accrue pension....wow.  Cross your fingers on that one;)  Turns out the job with the school team is not available just yet but that's okay. 3) Antibiotics were retrieved from pharmacy at 8pm last night.  Starting to feel better. 4) Boys baseball game was awesome.  All players hit the ball and we even had outs at first and second base.  Chase pitched and the team got 3 outs in 4 batters.  Karson learned to not sw...

It's definitely going to be "one of those days" where I am pulled in all different directions and many story lines are developing.  Here's a snapshot of what I have to look forward to for my Thursday. #1 Home-"Down Cow" Umbrah (Very Good 85 by the way) has hypocalcemia and a left displaced abomasum (Larrin and I's diagnosis).  Intravenous calcium and dextrose was given this morning at 530 am but she has yet to get up.  Her front leg muscles are twitching which makes me think she needs more calcium.  Intradermal calcium was given for slower absorption and hopefully she will get up but a message was left for our herd veterinarian because even if she does get up we will need him to fix the 'twisted stomach'.  This will be done at some point today. (note to self, call home and check on cow and Larrin) #2 Work-Skills for Health Promotion Workshop This 2-day workshop starts today at work and it would be very valuable to my public health career.  ...

This time when I took the boys to get their haircuts, I thought it would be a good lesson for them to have the responsibility of telling the hairdresser how to cut their hair.  While waiting I gave instructions to ask the hairdresser for "a number 3 on the sides and blend in the top".  Everyone agreed with rolling eyes as to say "yeah, whatever Mom". Chase got called first.  He politely stated "a number 3 on the sides and blend in the top".  I sat as the proud mother whose child is taking one more step towards independence (I know it is a stretch but that's how I felt).  He was so polite and respectful.  I love that about Chase. Karson then got called and repeated, "a number 3 on the sides and blend in the top".  Again I sat with pride and of course Karson was elated that he too had remembered my instructions and was able to pass them on by himself.  He looked at me for approval and I gave him a smile and a wink.  I love how Kar...

With Mother's Day around the corner the boys are busy making treasures at school to give to glorious me.  So here is the latest..... "Your the best mom I ever had" Okay seriously, I know what he means.  I told him that he is the best middle son that I ever had.  He said "I know".  Glad we cleared that up.

Among my menagerie of animals is a pair of muscovy ducks.  This spring the female started laying eggs in the chicken coop.  Once my hens saw this mound of eggs they couldn't help themselves but to "brood" on the nest.  It's very interesting how hens are mesmerized by these tiny oval creations; natural instincts and mother nature truly are remarkable.  The female duck began to lay eggs somewhere else so I decided to let the hen "adopt" the nest and just see what happened. Everyday I would gently kick the old hen off the eggs and collect any new chicken eggs that were laid.  Well today I went out and found this...... I tried to put the little creature back under the hen but she wanted no part of it and even started pecking the poor little thing.   I've heard that hens will go as far as kill deformed chicks so maybe this was also the hen's uncontrollable instinct. The duckling was probably only a few hours old and would die if left outside so obvi...

Most days it is difficult to allocate my time and attention to all three boys.  As a result some days "my baby" suffers from Third Child Syndrome. Mommy's busy helping Chase learn to lead his 4H calf. Chase and his 4H calf "Caramel" Mommy's busy trying to talk Louis, I mean Karson, out of keeping a boulder for his rock collection.  Then Mommy is busy washing the rock for Karson so he can add it to his collection. A new one for the "rock collection". Where's Arlen?  Uh oh. Third Child Syndrome Symptoms of Third Child Syndrome include 1) Shirt on backwards (did he go to school like that? not sure) 2) Furniture climbing 3) Laser beam eyes 4) Chocolate on face and 5) Christmas socks in April. No need to panic. Symptoms should subside after added attention from Mommy and extra cuddles at bedtime.  Remember, there is always a new day tomorrow and third child syndrome can't be all bad.  It can build personality and character.......

Let me start off by saying that I truly love my husband and three sons.  There is nothing in the world I love more than them but quite frankly they are driving me bonkers.  When I am having a busy day at home or when I come home from work, all I want is to relax in the comforts of my home but when I look around I see a big mess. We have rules for the boys, like hang your coats up, unpack your bookbags, put shoes on the mat, pick up laundry, etc but they never seem to do it.  So I ask them nicely once or twice, they ignore me, and then a switch turns on and I turn into another person.  My friends laugh because I usually start with sternly saying "alright" and then start barking orders.  I realize that yelling is not the answer and this is not "healthy" so if you have any suggestions please let me know. Here is a few examples of my plight..... I've also included what I would be happy with.  As you will see, I am not picky. Or am I? Shoes Coats An...

This post is long but bear with me.  I was on a parenting roller coaster this week; I went from feeling I failed as parent to thinking I was the greatest Mom ever.  As parents we want what is best for our children and we would do almost anything to ensure their happiness.  I've learned we have to be very careful in how we approach certain subjects with our children because the wrong message can be sent quite easily. My eldest son, Chase, is almost 9 years old.  The summer before he started grade one I noticed that his feet looked different than other kids his age.  Chase frequently complained of sore legs and always seemed to lag behind his friends walking or running.  Family members chalked up the sore legs to "growing pains" but with further research I decided there was something not quite right about the look of my son's feet.  Take a look for yourself. After seeking medical advice it was decided that his feet over-pronated and this could be cor...