A family bonding weekend.

This was a pretty good weekend! On Friday, the kids and I went outside, did a bit of yard work, planted seeds in a green house and just had a nice day.

Saturday, Kaylee Malaika, Brenda (kaynes mom) and I went out and had a great girls day out! We went to Walmart to pick up a few things. I was happy as I found 3 pairs of jeans that fit me, and cost a total of $21.00 for all 3!! Kaylee was happy as she got a Dora laptop computer. She has been adamantly been asking for one of these for a few weeks now, how she knew there was one was beyond me!! Malaika got a new little toy for her carseat, and for Wyatt we picked him up some blocks...he loves these!!

After we were done shopping, we stopped and grabbed some lunch, and then off to a greenhouse. Brenda was on a mission to get some soil, look at plants, and I was on a hunt for some seeds. We were both successful! Grandma bought Kaylee a plant that she fell in love with, and even today she was still smelling her pretties!

While us girls were all out, Wyatt and Kayne had some boy bonding time...and from what I understand there was a lot of block building and I am sure some facebooking (not sure who is more addicted to facebook....Kayne or Wyatt)

Today was a bit more laid back day, I slept in (YAY for me). We made pancakes for lunch with the kids helping, and then later in the afternoon, Kaylee and I did some sewing, and you can read all about her sewing her first project here.

To end the day off, we had a pizza and movie night! What a wonderful weekend it has been :)

More answers, and new activities!

Malaika had a follow up appointment a couple of days ago, and I did get some more answers. It turns out that the doctor did not tell me right from the start that Malaika has a staph infection. The cream that he prescribed was a cortisone and an antibiotic cream. I knew there was more to it than just eczema, I had a suspicion of an infection. And I must say that even when I was at the stollery and asked directly if it could be an infection, the answer I was given was that if it was an infection she would be really sick as she has had it for 5 weeks. Not to happy about how the communication has been, but I listened to my gut instincts and finally had it comfirmed...infection. Now we continue with the cream, and when she is not flaring up, I can use a fragrance free moisturizer for her. YAY for getting to the bottom of it and now to get it to go away!

So, it is spring here. (Not that you can tell as it is snowing, windy and cold outside, gotta love Alberta weather). So, when it is nice outside, we have been outside enjoying the sunshine! We have already managed to get most of the spring yard work done, and today I covered the yard with some grass seed. Our yard REALLY needs it!!! My goal this year is for a green lush yard, rather than brown spots and weeds!

The kids have been so happy to be able to go out and run around, play with their toys, and swingset, and be free instead of couped up inside because of cold yucky weather! One thing we have started today, and will be doing this year is a garden (mainly in containers). Today, we planted seeds in a little greenhouse to get the seedlings growing. Then in May we can put them in the containers outside. We so far have planted peas, spaghetti squash, 3 kinds of tomatos, and lettus. Some of these should sprout in about a week or so. I think it will be fun to have the kids participate and learn about plants and gardens and then see their faces when things are ready to pick and eat fresh from the garden...yummy!

This weekend, I am hoping to get some one on one time with the kids. With Kaylee, I have picked up a fabric panel with Dora on it, and the panel will make a pillow. It will be an easy project that will not take long. But it will be a project that will mean a lot to my little girl, and it will be used, and she LOVES Dora! Oh it will be so much fun, we even get to go to the fabric store so we can get some batting to stuff the pillow!!

With Wyatt, not to sure what I will do, may go on a long walk with him and let him explore. That boy has so much energy that it will be nice to get him out of the house, tire him out while having some special time with mommy!

Malaika, well she gets mommy time every night so she is good for now!

I am so excited that spring is here and looking forward to and dreaming about this summer! It will have so many memories and experiences that will be cherished for many many years!

got a few more answers...

So I did take Malaika to the Stollery Children's Hospital to be looked at. Her skin was so irritated, her back, sides, stomach and legs all had red patches and bumps. Her elbows were very red, dry, warm and the skin was actually seeping. After waiting for over 2 hours to be seen, I finally got some information.

This doctors seems to agree with the pediatrician that it is eczema. He asked if there are any skin conditions in the family, and there is none. Then he asked if there is a history of asthma in the family and there is. Then he asked if there is a history of seasonal allergies in the family and that was a yes as well. Apparently, all 3 are related and sadly, Malaika has a nasty case of eczema.

So, for right now, she is to remain on the cortisone/antibiotic cream, and hopefully they will send us to a dermatologist where a skin biopsy can be done to confirm this.

Other than her skin bothering her, Malaika is doing well! She is holding her head up, almost rolling over, when on her tummy she is scooting forward. She is also smiling much more and coos lots! That is such a wonderful sound :)

Kaylee and Wyatt are both doing well. They are happy that the spring weather is here and likes to be back outside! Getting them to come in now is not so easy. We have had to deal with a few severe meltdowns...oh the hardships of being 2!

Today, we did about 90% of the spring yard clean up, then we built a little foot powered car for each of the kids to ride around in. We also had a BBQ...first time we have fired up our BBQ this year, and oh was dinner tasty!

Tomorrow, I think the kids and I will decorate some Easter eggs. We have never done this so I think that it is going to be a fun, crazy messy happy creative time! I will definitely have to post pictures of that!!