12 to 2:34

In November, Sam got pinned in 12 seconds by an amazing wrestler. (that's Sam in the yellow and brown)

Last Saturday, Sam had to wrestle him again at a middle school tournament. He got pinned in 59 seconds.

Yesterday, Sam wrestled him again at another middle school tournament. He got pinned in 2:34 seconds. (that's Sam in the royal blue)

I'd call that improvement.

I don't think I was any happier when he beat the other kids he wrestled than when he had done so well against this kid.

Last week, when Sam learned he had to wrestle this kid, he came and told me about it.

"You nervous?" I asked

"A little" he told me

"Just remember, Sam...you are a better wrestler now than you were in November, so just do better than you did last time."

AND HE DID. I can't tell you how proud I was of that boy. Again yesterday, he was determined to do even better. He had analyzed how this other kids wrestled, and what he would need to do to do better. And he did. That's fun to watch!!!

5 Years, not 5 Hours

Just yesterday morning, there was a tiny little puppy sitting behind us at Sam's wrestling tournament. The girls went ga-ga, loving this tiny little thing. I mentioned to Chris that a tiny dog like that would be fun to have...in about 5 years. Well, it wasn't five hours later that the boys brought home this little thing.

Welcome, Cruzer. {the new Chevy car with an r at the end}

It had slipped my mind that Nate had done a little trading with a patient for this pure-bred Irish Setter who wasn't quite ready at Christmas. He is cute, but I think I'll keep my feelings about this to myself for awhile.

It's not too hard to see how the kids feel about it though...He likes to sleep with Emma. And there has been more fighting in my house the last 24 hours that there has been in quite sometime.

{"He's mostly mine, right?""No, he's all of ours, but I'm taking care of him the most." "wawa"}

{"I want to hold him" "No, it's my turn" "I never get a turn and you always do"}

kind of like that

Update

We didn't go to the hospital. Henry's fever went down, but he was still sleepy and needy. He woke up yesterday with a rash all over his body, and he seemed to be much more cranky!!! He just cried and cried. I guess with his throat feeling better it was ok to cry and cry and cry. The Dr. said the rash was viral and an indication that the sickness was winding down. oh, this is yucky. Henry slept through the night again. {he's pretty good about that...better than Emma even} But woke up having thrown up in bed, and just wanted sprite and some cuddles...now he's asleep on me and the kids have missed their bus. I'm sooooo lucky to have great friends who bring me dinner and shuffle my kids...any takers on laundry??? {jk}

Can't do a post without a picture....

Happy Christmas Morning Faces

Henry's New Look

My sweet baby boy is so, so sick right now. Fever, sore throat, throwing up, yuckiness...all he has done all day for the last couple of days is sit on my lap or sleep. The doctor said it is tonsillitis. I'm starting to think she is wrong. If he is still fevered at 103-104ish tonight, we will be taking a trip to the hospital. He only wants me, and swats at anyone who touches him, or scowls at anyone who looks at him. {that's kind of funny} But I miss his giggles, his smiles, and his running around. I hope he will perk up quick.

Before the sickness struck, I got these great pictures of his new scowl. He gives it to anyone who tells him no...{he'll listen, but he'll stare ya down with a look to let you know of his disapproval}

What's funny is how quick he'll switch looks, too.

First, the scowl...

Then, a quick smile for the camera...

Then a silly little smile...

Followed by a "I'm trying to be mad at you, if you would please let me now" look...