Party Harty!

Three Kikuchi girls, three parties, one fun day!



First up was Riley's class Christmas party that, as room mom, I was in charge of. We combined with the preschool class and had Christmas cookies while we read a story, made some seriously great teachers into snowmen, put together ornaments, made magic reindeer food and then played the dreidel game. Some really cute kids had a really good time and I am very relieved that all my planning paid off!








Then Riley and I were able to slip over to Keagan's party. They also had Christmas cookies, made their teachers into snowman, made reindeer food, played Santa musical chairs and made a reindeer craft.


Before those parties started I was so glad I was there for the Brill sing along! The entire school met in the gym to sing Christmas carols! It's a pretty awesome thing to hear over 750 students sing Jingle Bells, Feliz Navidad, others and especially Silent Night!





And then our final party of the day was our Ward Christmas party tonight. As the Relief Society (I'm the secretary) we were in charge of organizing it, and I'm thrilled that it really turned out great! We had a nice dinner, some good musical numbers and my very favorite was the nativity which the Primary children did an awesome job acting out! Keagan and Riley were both angels and were as cute as can be! And after the closing prayer Santa came! Riley was not having it at all, but Keagan was very happy to see the big man himself with her friend Lexi!











I tucked in two very tired and very happy party girls tonight way past their bed time. They partied hard and loved it. Now hopefully they sleep hard and love it too!

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Crazy Girls!

I probably shouldn't be solely in charge of supervising any children when I'm downright exhausted! Because ridiculous things happen with these little people when you're not on guard! Like this!


She was up there before I knew it! That crazy Addie Bean! Then there is Keagan just dying to be like her cousin. And thank heavens that at least Riley is safe!

That was after Riley gave her nightly hugs and kisses to Sa's blow up reindeer in front of the house, and Keagan buttered up Santa for presents! Oh these girls!





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Jammie Day!

Today was pajama day at school! The level of excitement at our house was intense!

Not only did they get to wear their jammies, but their slippers too! Then they got to watch "Polar Express," drink hot chocolate, have a snowball fight and receive jingle bell necklaces with all their friends! What a fantastic day! I'm kinda sad I stayed home to clean and wrap presents.

This morning Riley wasn't too thrilled about taking a picture. Can you tell?


But she didn't mind taking a picture on Monday when it was "tutus and ties" day!


Let's see how she does tomorrow which is "the grinch/wear green" day.

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Late Night Chats

After school I usually fire a million and one questions at Keagan to try to get details from her day. At that time I normally get a couple of tid bits, but not much.

But for some reason when that girl's head hits her pillow, she remembers everything she wants to tell me! And of course its always on the nights that my patience is completely gone and I'm exhausted that she really wants to talk. I always try to remind myself to really listen, to enjoy these conversations, to soak in this age and to start a pattern now of her being able to talk to me. Heavy eyes and all.

Sometimes I'm good at that and sometimes I'm not. Tonight I was good at it and this is what I got in return...

"Mom, can my lungs break apart?"

"Mom, when I sing at night time the stars really come out to meet me."

"Mom I feel so bad for the birds because they can't go into the fee-ater so they haven't even seen Frozen! They don't even know "Let it Go!" Mom!!"

I heard all about her friend Maya's boyfriend who...gasp...is a first grader!

And "what do you think I will dream about tonight?"

Those ten minutes of chatting with one of my favorite six year olds was priceless! There is nothing I wouldn't give to hear all about my Riley's day!! Hopefully one day the three of us will have late night chats all together.

That's just what I may dream about tonight!


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Seizure Sunday

Hate is a very strong word. But without any hesitation I can confidently say I HATE seizures!! Sweet Riley had one this morning. We had been on a good little streak of no seizures for awhile and then BAM! Always out of no where, with no rhyme or reason to it. I hate them!

After the horror, it takes a little while to recover and settle down. My poor baby!! And then my tired (but of course won't take a nap) and extremely grumpy girl tries to navigate the rest of a Sunday at home with a semi grumpy sister. For five minute spurts they played nicely together. But the rest of the day this nerves worn thin momma settled arguments, comforted cries and cleaned up huge messes. Good times!


So just in case I didn't make myself clear, if you weren't sure, I really hate seizures!!

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Be Merry!

Oh we definitely had the "Be Merry" part of Christmas down today! Even before 8am and after 8pm which is unusual for us!








Who hasn't turned your everyday 6 year old into a snowman and then toilet papered their living room bright and early?!

And then tonight we had a fantastic time at the French's caroling party! We went door to door for about an hour hitting 15 houses with the Frenchs, Blackhursts, Gorgueiros and some of the Sanfords. Keags was runnin at the front of the pack with cute Lucy Blackhurst and Riley was either ridding in the wagon with me or loving being carried by one of the girls, especially sweet Reagan. Then we gorged on Christmas cookies, hot coco and cider till WAY past our bed time! So much fun!!











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Baby Botox!

This girl was not too happy that I checked her out of school during a Christmas concert (Klein High Orchestra-go Bearkats) to go to the doctor!


But at least it was one of her favorite doctors, Dr Weschler, who is our Physical Medicine and Rehab Doc. During our hour and a half long appointment today we addressed a lot of issues...new braces, different leg lengths, hips, core strength, gross motor progress and lack of fine motor progress, therapy goals, drooling, tone, cerebral palsy, etc.. The big thing coming out of today is Dr Weschler would really like to try Botox injections on Riley. Yep! It's baby Botox people!

Under anesthetia they would inject small amounts of Botox in Riley's left wrist and each finger to relax them in hopes of her not holding them in such a tight fist so they could be more useful. Also in her left ankle so it could flex more and even in her salivary glands for the drooling. I need to think a lot more about this and do some research before I make this decision. But I have heard of wonderful benefits. We shall see.

This is Riley in protest of leaving our appointment! That's a first. But she really just wanted to stay and hit the handicap door open button more then the six times I already let her do it!


Then after school we busted out 4 dozen Christmas sugar cookies and had it all cleaned up even, in a little over an hour. I'm pretty much winning as a mom today!





And then we watched our very favorite house Christmas light show with Addie and Kellie and tucked in for a cousin sleepover.





Meanwhile that crazy Elmer was busy making a trapeze in the kitchen! Funny how our Elf on the Shelf only does extravagant things when one of my nieces is here!





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