And that's the tooth!

It sucks that we too often can't say "yes. Thank you".

Cam lost a crown a few days ago on a tooth not scheduled to eject for at least a couple of years. Once we got him calm, it's time to call the dentist, who agreed we should come in right away.

But this is about the aftermath, and being a T1Dad.

The procedure itself seemed mildly uncomfortable (easy for me to say, it wasn't me in the chair). The doctor offered us a Popsicle. "What kind" I said.

How about some Tylenol? "Do you have ibuprofen?"

And this time of year there are endless treats, cookies and candy canes. Our best response becomes "do you have the box?"

But he was a tough little guy. If you're gonna play hockey you need to be able to handle a little oral work. He got his Advil and an Otter Pop, then we headed to school.

Yes, thank you.

That's not my iPod

Today marks the last Cross Country practice for most of the kids participating at Lincoln Heights Elementary, and other schools throughout District 81.  A very small portion will qualify for the all-city meet in a few weeks, and neither of our boys are likely to finish in the Top 10 - so this is it: one more practice before one last meet.

Cameron has run with his insulin pump this season, something we haven't done the past two years.  Before, we would hang onto it while he ran, but this year he seems to do better without the interruption of removing it.  We still have to monitor BGs, but basically he gets a snack & goes.

Hayden has been more invested this year, if only because one of his buddies joined the team.  They could both stand to listen more, but when it's time to run, it's good to have a training partner.

I think both boys seem to be having more fun with it this year.  They're (mostly) paying attention to their coach, and keeping moving, even when that means walking for a few minutes.  They're doing their best, having fun, and being part of the team - which was all that we've insisted.

Running a mile around a grade school playfield as as simple and straightforward as an athletic competition gets.  Two laps around the course as fast as you can.  But the strides they've taken this past month or so may give them some momentum to hopefully last the rest of their lives.  We couldn't be prouder.

Back on the horse

School started this week, and "so far so good".  Part of this includes fulfilling my self-imposed writing schedule, so here I go.  Spokane's JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes is barely 2 weeks away, and those three things tie together in this way: they each come with a fresh start, nice clean piece of paper.
Both of our boys had a huge season of growth this summer, and I will journal them here.  We're excited for what this school year brings, and - two days in - are thrilled this growth seems to be continuing.
It's amazing how hard returning to a routine can be once you've let it slide. And so, even when it boils down to a few sentences, like like this one. Thank you for your attention.

Pound Kitties



Coco

Our cats don't get along.  At all.  They can usually stomach being in the same room, but even then, really, only if Kim or I are there to protect them.


Ruby





We have two cats, Ruby and Coco.  They are both rescued from the SpokAnimal shelter, which may hint why they don't seek like-feline companionship. 


Ruby (Near a heater)



Coco (with Cameron)

At night, Ruby sleeps on the black swivel chair (or the bed), while Coco sleeps on the green chair (or the bed).  On the coldest nights, they might end up on the bed at the same time, but never together.  Coco likes to sleep on Kim's side - preferably between Kim and the edge for rapid escape, or maybe by her feet.  Ruby is always at the foot, but usually dead-center or on my side.

The once a year they like human interaction, they do it individually.  Coco will stake her claim with Kim (notice a pattern?), relegating Ruby to my lap, another random chair (but not Coco's chair).  Spring is here, so they're inside less, but it's unlikely we will see them sharing the backyard, or a sunbeam (or even working together to hunt birds).



Sure, I'll pose for you

It's kind of sad.  There are days where they're locked together either in the house, or specifically in the basement - and instead of consoling each other they just are miseralble separeately.  Or maybe they do this.


PS, I apologize for the delay.  It will absoluelty happen again.  TTFN

For your listening pleasure...

Mahna Mahna, through the years:
Here's the original 1969 version.

The 1976 Muppet Show version.

And the 2011 version from the movie The Muppets.

And here's one done by Animal.

I'm Actually Jealous

Just a little jealous.  Really, I am.



"Mucking it out" in the corner

Our first start-to-finish season as Spokane Chiefs Fans came to a rapid, emphatic close last night.  The boys were on the road against a very talented bunch from Tri-City, and not only pushed the series to 7 games, but led with 5 minutes to go.  Our team's MO all season had been to work hard and maximize opportunities - and it got them farther than anyone expected.

Cheeseball

Which is why it will be hard to say goodbye to this team.  By rule, all of the 20-year-old players and most of the 19s will not be back.  Steven Kuhn never missed a game in four years with the Chiefs.  Corey Baldwin anchored the defense (and provided the best clue to know if an announcer actually followed the team - the program lists his name as "Corbin" - if that's what the announcer reads, he's just here for the check).  Darren Kramer inspired a bobblehead that came with bobble gloves; how cool is that?







Yes, Angry Birds

This year taught our boys about being a fan, how trades work, how playoffs work, how to be in a rivalry without being rude.  And how to play Angry Birds while surrounded by 6000 screaming hockey fans.



Game On!

There were large, real tears last night when the horn sounded (after the green light came on).  Cam was devastated that there will be now more "puck drops in..." on the Chiefs' website until September.  "I just want to see one more game" he emphasized.  He didn't want it to be over.  I have no active memory of being a sports fan and being thoroughly crushed by the end of a season.  It probably happened, and I'd actually love to hear about it, but I don't recall it.  I was spoiled that my oldest sports memories are literally the Sonics losing game 7 to the Bullets in 1978, then winning the championship in 1979.  Back then we had three VHS tapes and I had recorded the final game until I erased it sometime that summer.  I remember watching it dozens of times all summer - man, I wish I still had that tape.


Puck drops in 5 months



here's Boomer!

I learned tons more about hockey this season than I had in my previous 39 years. Save for a dabble during the Pavel Bure/Vancouver Canucks years, when the league left ESPN, I didn't really go looking for it. As enjoyable as it is to watch on TV, nothing compares to being in the rink, seeing a player unchecked across the ice, who would certainly be off-camera in a televised game, anticipate a move by his linemate and come in for a goal.

Next season can't come soon enough for me!


Bobble GLOVES!



So Camp

Looking forward to the YLIN family retreat for families with diabetes.  This camp was definitely a high point of year one with T1D - and we've been looking forward to this year's retreat ever since.

It's comforting being in a room full of people in the same boat, having to count everything and stop before dining.  There will be a ton of "no idea how he/she got so high/low - we did everything exactly the same as the day before" stories.  It is these stories that turn our lives into Bg Whack-A-Mole - and even though every situation is unique, somebody is bound to have seen every situation we can come up with.

Thank you to all the friends and family at Hugo's for being such an invaluable sponsor of this event.