Party time is over!

First off, I want to say that I miss Amanda terribly! This past week has been spring break and she is spending it with her paternal grandmother in Miami. And although I speak to her daily, it's never the same. So, hurry up kid, your Mama needs you home, and no, not only to do the dishes and have you clean your room! I WANT KISSES AND HUGS!

Whew! I feel better now. So, as I just mentioned, it's been spring break here. Wow! It's been party time, but what a difference a child makes. I really only had about a month and a half of the 3 little ones home together before Kai started school. And back then, with all of Anna Grace's attachment issues, it truly wasn't a vacation.

This week was different. We've had lots of fun, with the exception of Anna Grace and AJ being on antibiotics for strep and running a fever, but it only lasted a couple of days. We've gone to the park almost daily, been outside lots (thank you Lord for the cold weather!), and have played new games and read what seems like a library full of books! There really is never a dull moment with a 2 year old and 2 three year olds.

Oh yeah...and how could I forget. My new camera! I ended up getting the Canon Rebel XTi. (Sorry, Aus!)

This is my first SLR camera and man, oh man, I'm lovin' it! We went to the park yesterday and I came home with over 400 pictures that I took. I even let Scott borrow it and he was quite impressed. Now I have to add to my list of things to do before I die, "Take a photography class".

Moving on to a huge milestone in Anna Grace's life and a bittersweet moment for her Mama. Anna Grace had her final Early Steps Intervention evaluation just a couple of weeks ago, and due to her speech (which is so borderline) she qualifies for preschool! We have an excellent preschool program here and she will be getting a half hour a week of speech and a half hour of OT. Neither of which she really, really needs, but she was so excited to be a "big girl" and go to school with Kai-Kai. They will be in the same classroom. Lord, help their teacher! heh! Anna Gracie, I am so proud of you. You've come such a long way, baby girl!

I pondered, prayed and gave a lot of thought as to whether or not I should start her now, or wait until the new school year in August. Selfish me wanted my baby girl to stay home, but I know how badly she wants to go and how much she'll enjoy it and truly shine from the educational program there. So, she will be starting school on Monday....this Monday. ::sniff:: Hence, the reason for the rush to get a new camera. (And yes, Charlotte, I know you said I could pick up an instamatic at the drugstore, but my heart really wanted this one! So, what a better excuse. :)

That means that as of next week, my days will be back to being extremely quiet, although I'm sure adventurous with just AJ at home. Part of me will be walking around moping cause I'm missing my baby girl and it seems like I've only had her for a few months (10 months today to be exact), but on the other hand, I will finally be able to enjoy that sweet baby boy that was handed to me as a newborn and really has not spent a whole lot of one-on-one time with his Mama. For that, I am immensely grateful and looking forward to it.

As he has gotten older, AJ has definitely become more of a Mama's boy. He loves snuggling, kisses and rough housing, but he is also unruly and can be pretty insubordinate at times. It is now his turn to get on the fast track of learning to listen and be more disciplined. It's gonna be so much easier now going out with just one baby instead of 2 or 3, so I have lots of plans for us, including going to the beach after we drop everyone off at school. Something I would never venture to do with all of them by myself, without Scott's help.

Lastly, I will close with a proud Mama moment. Tomorrow we will be driving to the east coast to cheer Amanda on. She has made it to the final rounds of the State Spelling-Bee! The winner of this round heads to Washington, D.C. Whatever the outcome, we are incredibly proud of her and are so very blessed to call her and each one of our kiddos, our children.

Above are a few of the pictures from our park trip yesterday. I hope you like them.

Guess who got a new camera?

Do you have a moment to SAVE the LIFE of a child?

Malaria is a disease caused by the blood parasite Plasmodium, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Infected humans experience flu-like symptoms that can result in coma and death. Malaria, from the Medieval Italian words mala aria or “bad air,” infects more than 500 million people a year and kills more than a million— one person dies about every 30 seconds. The disease is particularly devastating in Africa, where it is a leading killer of children. In addition to being home to the deadliest strain of malaria and the mosquito best equipped to transmit the disease, many areas in Africa lack the proper infrastructure and resources to fight back.

Each year, malaria afflicts approximately a half-billion people (roughly the population of the United States, Canada, and Mexico combined).

- Malaria kills more than a million people per year; 90 percent of those who die are African children.

- Every 30 seconds in Africa a child dies of malaria.

- Malaria incapacitates people, keeping countries poor. In addition to the health burden, malaria illness and death cost Africa about $12 billion per year.

- Studies show that use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission as much as 90% in areas with high coverage rates.

In commemoration of World Malaria Day, April 25, Nothing But Nets.net has created a fun, interactive and life saving game. They need they YOUR help to cover the continent of Africa with life-saving bed nets to prevent malaria. Please take a moment to play this silly game and a generous sponsor will send a bed net on your behalf. Spread the word....and save a life!

Click here to start playing "DELIVER THE NET" now! (please remember to register to receive your confirmation that a net is being sent on your behalf!)

Have fun and God bless you!


*FACT CHECKED BY THE US CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROLAND PREVENTION (CDC)

Short Note

I am so sorry that I have been a horrible blogger lately, but between strep, fevers and today a migraine that has rocked my world, I just couldn't drag myself on here.

I did want to say quickly that I am so very impressed with how well some of you know me. Your emails, which were quite accurate about what my prayers have been, were definitely on the right track. You guys crack me up!

I miss blogging and after I nap (hopefully my 3 munckins will cooperate) and wake up feeling better from my migraine, I'll catch up on the going ons at the Bombardier household. So check back soon.