Friday Randomness

Ciara took this shot of Áine last week. Excuse the hair-do.

Today is '50's day at Ciara's school. She also has a scarf tied around her pony tail. Not too bad for one day's notice.

The sick one :o(

The Swamp

Following the grand success of the mother-son trip to the rain forest last month, the latest request from Brendan was the swamp. Not living in the Florida Everglades nor being an outdoors-y sort of gal, I was hard pressed to come up with a place that would pass for a swamp.

I kept moving the yellow post-it note with the word "swamp" written on it around the calendar until it landed on today. Brendan had a rare day off school all by himself because of a teacher in-service. Now had I known I would have spent last night in a sleep lab with littlest sister I might have changed my mind, but there it was on the calendar calling to me as my smiling boy asked me for his "schedule" first thing this morning upon my arrival home at 5:45am.

I had a lovely time with Brendan as usual. Here are a few shots of our trip to the local swamp.

To sleep or not to sleep...

Last night Áine and Mom ventured off to the Valley -- Encino in particular -- for Áine's sleep study at the Moonlight Sleep Center. We arrived at 7:30pm for our 8:00pm appointment. Unfortunately after sitting outside in the chill for 30 minutes we went back to the van and planned to leave at 8:15pm if no one showed up. We call the clinic at 7:55pm and spoke to someone with the answering service who called the office for us and said she left a voicemail. Well, now wouldn't someone actually have to be there in order to take the call? Nonetheless at 8:09pm a car pulled up front and it was our technician for the night who had been told our appointment was at 9:00pm. He was most gracious and apologized for the error.

Áine who usually starts her night of no sleep around 7:00pm was very irritable while waiting, but as soon as she flung her body on the queen size Tempur-Pedic bed all for herself (Mom got the recliner), she was in heaven and scooted all over the thing while Mom and the technician talked about the procedure.

Áine was a trooper sitting in the chair for the 30 minute hook-up procedure and by the time her wee head hit the pillow she was sobbing and finally drifted off the sleep about 10:27pm. She woke up about 11:30pm. I think she drifted back to sleep about 12:45am/1:00am only to awaken at 1:30am. Then drifted off at some point only to awaken for the day at 3:30am. She was disconnected from the wires and we were sent home at 5:00am with a spring in Áine'step. We should have the results in about a week.

Exhausted and seizing.

Fighting the good fight to stay awake.

The next morning at dawn.

The Jogger 2010

Ciara jogged/walked 24 laps in today's Jog-a-Thon.

Thank you to everyone who sponsored her and helped her reach her goal!

Thank you to: Nana, Uncle Barry and Aunt Gerrie, Aunt Eliz, Brian & Judy, Auntie Ro, Stephanie, Mary, Becky, and Sheila!

A Girls' Afternoon

What better way is there to spend a rainy April afternoon than hanging out at speech therapy with Amy and Silvie? (Amy's on the right.)

A Saturday Adventure

Ciara went to Eaton Canyon for the first time this weekend with Aunt Elizabeth, Erin, and Eileen aka "Little". She had a great time and is eager to return.

Little!

More Easter Week 2010

The big kids in a redux of last year.

Checking the view of the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach.

Calling it a day.