The Griswolds visit the ER

Braden was two and a half years old before his introduction to the Emergency Room. Mason beat him by over a year and a half. Our Sunday morning started off with breakfast as usual, only this morning we thought Mason might like to try some eggs. Little did we know that eggs are one of the foods that are off-limits until your child is at least two. Needless to say, he had an awful allergic reaction that scared Mom, Dad and Big Brother and prompted the trip to the Mt. Carmel ER.

By the time we arrived, after doing 75 down Rouse Street, poor Mason's face was all red and broken out with hives. Our primary concern was, of course, that his throat would swell and that it would affect his breathing. The ER crew did a great job and quickly got our little guy some medicine that reduced the swelling and we were back home in about an hour.

We made the most of our time at the ER, though. After securing a coloring book and colors, Braden and Mason colored all over a bedsheet that we (and our insurance company) now proudly own. Braden found, and later killed, a resident roly-poly. And there were several high-tech medical gadgets that Mason attempted to consume. A very productive hour, indeed.

We were warned the symptoms may return a little today as the Benadryl wears off, so we'll be keeping watch. But just wanted to update everyone on our excitement and to make sure any of you that might be caring for little ones know what we did not...no eggs! Hope that's the most exciting part of our day.

- Posted by Blake

Soccer Pictures

Braden was so sweet to share his soccer ball with Mason.

This was Mason's first visit to the soccer games. The first two have been too late and a little cool.


Mason finally got to watch Braden play soccer on Wednesday! We haven't taken him yet because it's been a little cool and the games were starting at 6:30 and that would have completely thrown his routine off! The babysitter was worth every dime. This week they took the posed pictures after the game. They were nice and sweaty for their shots, except the one little girl on our team, Sadie, she didn't have a hair out of place, and she's on of the best players! Our dear Sabrina snapped this pic as he was posing for the photographer.

Guy Weekend 2009

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you Blake, Pop and Tyler for taking on these two monkeys for an overnight trip in Springdale. Momma had a wonderful weekend of retail therapy with the girls in Branson!!!!! Instead of St. Louis this year, Blake took the boys, yes both boys, to meet his Dad and Tyler in Springdale and go to a Naturals game. Mid afternoon on Saturday I gave Blake a call and he was walking Mason around the NW Arkansas Mall hoping the stroller ride would lull him to sleep. No luck. I was so worried about the rest of his day if Mason didn't nap, but Blake said he was a trooper. They didn't get to stay for the entire game, which started around 7, but they made it through the first inning, and Braden stayed with Tyler for the rest, or at least until 10 p.m.

A man with experience, just give the older one a cookie and put him in a headlock!

I'm sure Uncle Tyler begged to use the Shrek ring next.

The crew at the Naturals stadium in Springdale.

Braden and the mascot, I think his name is Strike.

"What did Mason just do on my leg?"

Shout outs

Mason erased part of "love" which Braden needed to fix. See below!

To Blake's cousin Haley in Qulin, MO. We LOVE YOU and hope you're feeling better! (Also see Haley here)


To our friend Hunter
Keep your eye out for the next Duck Stamp...Congratulations Hunter on winning first prize in the Arkansas Junior Duck Stamp Competition!! I received this email from his very proud mom, Leslie, this morning. "We’re very proud of him, he’s pretty proud himself! We go next Saturday to Little Rock , for the award ceremony. He’s hoping for a big fat check."


To our Soccer Dad
Our good friends, and teammates, Austin & Jackson also have a blog that their dedicated mother keeps up with. They gave an awesome shout out of appreciation to Coach Benson. Not only has he coached them in soccer but also last year in T-ball. Blake is the poster dad for patience, even if he doesn't think so!

Comparison

Here are a few comparison pics of Braden & Mason around the same age. . . .

Easter Weekend Marathon

This post actually is going backwards starting with last night! As I was showing Mason the pics on the fridge, we came to Braden with his undies on his head at Christmas in 07, and he decided to reenact it. I had to get the picture because I know he will appreciate it when he's 16.


Braden shared his egg coloring supplies with our buddy Will. I only boiled 1 dozen so they got 6 a piece. They could have colored them all day, but with the cold rain there's no way were going to get to hunt them. Braden likes boiled eggs, so it was fun for him to peel one for dinner.

Mason & Daddy after the egg hunting festivities on Saturday.

Braden & Will at the mega egg hunt on Saturday. The paper reported around 1200 people were present.

Mason was nice and cozy in the stroller. Braden was nice enough to show off his eggs.

Easter baskets arrived at the Benson house on Saturday instead of Sunday, so we could have them for the hunt.

Mason gives a whole new meaning to "bed head"

Soccer Dad!

Once again, it's time for soccer and Blake has taken on the head (only) coach position!

Here the kids are practicing kicking the ball into the goal

Braden did excellent as the goalie and even scored once!

Trial Run

Today one of our very good friends, Leah, organized an Easter Egg hunt at our good friend & neighbor, Will's house. I wasn't sure if we would make it, I had forgotten about dentist appointments for Braden & Mason at 4. But amazingly we were out the door by 4:30 and arrived "just in time!" Of course I never let Braden know what we were missing, so as we pulled in the driveway I said "oh look, Braden all of your friends are at Will's, let's go see what is going on!"

The whole gang! Mattie, Logan, Ethan & Gracie, (green shirt) Zach, Braden & Will in front

The love of sisters! Mattie & Gracie

Braden is so proud of his found eggs, and his snazzy "Cars" bucket that Ann & Becki brought him in Branson.

Braden was so sweet to divvy up his eggs with Mason since he didn't get to find any!

A few of my "transplant" freinds! These are some of the ladies in our book club and they are all from "somewhere else" Me, Leah (has lived everywhere), Suzie (CA), Silvia (Paraguay), Jill (Denver), Joanna (KC)

Ahh, Mason, wanting his Momma!

New friend Dillon, he's 6 months old.

Hmmm, that binky looks awful yummy!

Dillon's big brother, Zach

Braden did a great job finding eggs!