Son Update

Just thought I'd update those that are following my son's headache issues. We've been to the neurologist who has recommended physical therapy, biofeedback therapy and an antihistamine to be given at night before bed. We visited an allergist who determined my son isn't allergic to any of the basic allergens. We've visited the optometrist who can find no ocular reason for his headaches.

So what's next? Robert's pediatrician is working on the referral for the therapists. I've got to take the antihistamine prescription in to be filled. From there we'll see if we can't find some cause (other than stress) that might be occurring. We're keeping log of when and how bad headaches are happening to see if we can find a common link. So far, nothing of note.

Wings over Marietta

This is my scrapblog from 2008's air show..

2010 Wings Over Atlanta Air Show

The last couple of years, we've been going with the Cub Scouts. This year, we're hoping some of our family will come in to town to join us. This is an excellent show, so if you get a chance I recommend going.

Dobbins announces performers for 2010 Wings Over Atlanta Air Show

Kids & Optometrists

It's always funny to watch my kids at the optometrist. It's pretty much a given that at some point in their lives, they'll get glasses. Both of them (for their own reasons) want them now instead of later. So, even if we only go for a regular check, they HAVE to try on the multitudes of glasses frames at the office. It's interesting to hear them state "I see BETTER now with these on.." even if it's just a plastic generic lens. Go figure. As of yet, no glasses for my kids, just the adventure of the office..

Service blanket

My daughter needs service hours for American Heritage Girls. We got this idea from the project she did a week or so ago. We got a blanket and made it 'prettier' to be donated to charity.

Pinewood Pics

The Webelos II were 'in charge' of the cars this morning at the Pack Pinewood Derby. It was a short race, so I only got a few pictures. But here are my boys that were there..

While they waited on results, siblings were allowed to race (if one was a non-scout).. my two watching their cars..

Pinewood Derby!

The race is tomorrow! Immediately followed by another basketball game. Anyway, here are the cars that we'll be racing..

Robert

Carolyn

Me..

Mine's actually too heavy to race, it'll just go in for show..

Next!

So, we've had two more doctor visits for my son and his headaches. Fortunately, the nausea and vomiting part have settled so that he hasn't had either in a month. We still don't know the exact cause. We visited the neurologist yesterday and the only 'result' is a prescription for periactin (antihistimine), recommended physical therapy for tight muscles and biofeedback. We took these results today to an allergist. He was tested for all the basic triggers and he reacts to NONE of them. Ugh. So, now I wait to see if Kaiser will cover the physical therapy or biofeedback. I have a feeling we're sunk there.

As a final step, we'll go back to the optometrist to see if he needs glasses. It doesn't explain the wake-up headaches, but it might help with some of the others. He didn't need them at his last exam, but maybe something has significantly changed with his latest growth spurt.

Otherwise, it's a monitoring thing. If they again start getting worse, we'll go back to the pediatrician and see what the next steps are. We have another follow-up with the neurologist in a couple of months.

Tellus Science Museum

This is what we did as a family outing for my birthday. We met my in-laws in Cartersville and spent the day at Tellus. Both of my kids (and the adults) had a lot of fun.

Yellow River Game Ranch $1 on MLK Day

It's supposed to stop raining today as well, which means a wet path but not a wet person. ;)

Yellow River Game Ranch $1 on MLK Day

Heritage Girls

My daughter participated in "making" no sew blankets with Heritage Girls Monday night. I caught these pics on my phone.

To Mission or not to Mission

My kids (particularly my daughter) need service hours for scouts. As a result, they've started going to church with a friend's children on Wednesday nights. They're participating in a program called "Kids on a Mission". It's an outreach program for kids to help other kids and groups. This past week my two were invited to participate in a mission program over spring break. They'll be headed to Alabama to a church to do a mini-bible school. My kids aren't sure about it for a couple of reasons. One - they're new to the program and it's an adjustment as it is. Two- it's sleep-away with non-family which they haven't done yet. So, we have a lot of thinking to do to make up our minds about whether or not to let them go.

School Next Year

I visited New Life Academy of Excellence on Wednesday this week. I have to admit I was impressed with what they have. They had several classes come out and 'show off' before we actually took the tour of the school. The kids are taught Mandarin Chinese 5 days a week. They take karate, art and music one day a week. They have recess every day. Except for the Mandarin and karate, it's very similar to most schools. It LOOKS very much like a private school and in fact they pride themselves on that fact. The kids seemed to be very proud of what they can do. This is a good thing.

In weighing it versus the other options I have for my son (and my daughter) next year, I've come up with very few cons. One is that my husband (or I) will have to drop off and pick up. Not a big deal. My husband actually made the comment that it might mean he'd do both and just come home at a decent time. A second con is that it has uniforms. Not surprising, I put this in the con section for cost of uniforms. The kids must get them from a specified place and are limited in choices. They also do not wear sneakers except on the days they have karate (which also requires a uniform). They wear nice black shoes.

They do have an after school program with options for the kids, including piano classes. They also provide early drop-off for those that have to have it. The school is limited in class sizes which means a lottery system for getting kids in. They are opening their 6th grade next year, so my son would move into a brand new grade level. I may go ahead and apply for the school when applications are accepted, just to see if we stand a chance of getting in. If not, then there are other options available.

To ME

Free Admission to Callaway Gardens in Jan. and Feb.

Found this and thought it was way cool. We'll have to find a family weekend to take advantage of it ourselves. Free Admission to Callaway Gardens in Jan. and Feb.

Boy Scouts

I officially filled out the paper work this week to transfer my son from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. It's a somewhat scary thing for me, but he's excited. So much so that he's signed up for his first 3 Advance-a-Ramas already. His first topic of choice for his first Merit Badge is electronics. For his second, he's looking at Reptiles and Amphibians. I forget what he'd selected for his third. It's all good, though.

He's going to start going to church on Wednesdays with a friend of his. The church has a mission group for kids that meets that night and it'll be a good way to get started on service hours. My daughter will go as well, but hers will count toward American Heritage Girls.

My son has also (at least for now) signed up for his first sleep-away camp. The troop will be going out to Skymont in TN this summer. He's signed up to go. He has until February to make a firm decision since that's when I make a down payment on it. For now, though, he's in.

As is usual for my son, he's taken a flying leap into what interests him. I'll give him a lot of support since once he's made a decision he sticks with it. As for me, I've been recruited to help the Troop as well. Amazingly (ha!) enough, I'm to be an advisor for the web site. There will be a boy webmaster, I'll just guide and help as needed. After all, it's a boy-run organization with adult guidance.

End of the Holidays

Fish Frustrations

My poor daughter. She has wanted her own fish tank for a while. We're on our third attempt. We set up one small tank and got her a beta. The beta lasted for about a month, so we tried again. The next fish didn't last much longer. After a while, we decided it might be the tank and got her a different tank, different set up. Again, her fish didn't last. We decided her tanks were cursed and passed it off to a family member for a non-fish purpose. I was later informed that the tank was cursed, they couldn't keep anything alive in it either.

So, I got her a GLASS 5 gallon tank, new lid and a penguin filter. We set it up, ran it for at least a week before getting her any fish. Made sure it was nicely balanced first. Got her two mollies (they're hardy fish, she should do fine with those). Within a week BOTH mollies were dead. From the appearance, the filter was just too strong for them. So.. my fault.

Went back to a smaller filter, a good one rated for smaller tanks. Again, we set it up and had it run for a week before getting her any fish. We went Saturday out to PetSmart and got her an Angelfish. The fish was basically dead by evening.

ARGH! I say... ARGH!

I'm not an inexperience fish tank owner. I had an 80 gallon freshwater tank for around 10 years. Very little problems with my tank, in face ended up with all of my fish out growing my tank, including the pleco I had. My son has a small 2 gallon tank that has been running for several years as well. He currently has a guppy that's been in it for a year. No problems there.

So why is it that my poor daughter can't keep a fish alive? What's the difference between her tank and the others we've had? I don't know. I honestly can't say what's different. I just know that it's driving me batty.

Arrow of Light

Today my Cub Scouts start working on their Arrow of Light displays. Hard to believe that almost 4 years ago I started working with my boys. True, of the ones I started with I only have 3 left, but I've added 5 more to the original 3 and should have 8 crossing over in February. This is a cool thing. They've worked hard and I've enjoyed it all the way. My son starts with his new troop tomorrow, getting in to Boy Scouts. Some days it's hard to believe he's gotten as old as he is, but with the new year brings new things and this is just one. Keep on Scouting, boys.

Cookies anyone?

My daughter for at least a while longer is still a Girl Scout. For that duration, she'll sell Girl Scout cookies. She'll also be shipping cookies to a soldier serving overseas for those that would like to order for that purpose instead. Boxes are still $3.50 each, there are 8 flavors including a new one "Thank you Berry Munch". Just drop me a note and I can send you the flyer or take your order.