Not much time, but I had to post Charlie's comment while we were playing at the park yesterday. He was very dirty (nothing new). He looked at himself and said, "It's okay, Mom, I am washable!"

Grandma and Grandpa Williams are visiting for a few days, which means that the kids get spoiled and grandma finds things to clean that haven't been cleaned since the last time she was here. Charlie came into the kitchen and asked, "Grandma, did you paint the refrigerator?" "No, I cleaned it," said grandma. "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?" Charlie said in amazement. In my defense, I play first, then clean...

Today was Charlie's first day of "camp". He was thrilled about going, and puffed up his chest with pride. I thought he was getting a little nervous as we walked into the school building, but he didn't look back. I hung out in the classroom a little longer that I should have, and Charlie finally looked at me and said, "Mom, I am going to have fun!" He did. The camp lasted an hour, it was called "The Magic Toy Shop" and they did art activities, read stories and there were seven 3-5 year olds. He is looking forward to going back tomorrow.

First bath for Hershey: The kids were so excited to witness Hershey's first bath. He looked like a wet rat, the kids thought that was very funny. Hershey didn't think it was as funny, unfortunately.

Charlie loves his NEW Cars bike! (Thanks to Aunt Jen) He rides the bike up and down the block, looking very proud, and much too old! My baby is getting big. He even keeps puppy snacks in the pouch for when Hershey goes potty on our walks, very handy!

Hershey's new sleeping arrangements, a bit cozy, but he likes it. It didn't take long for him to outgrow this flowerpot, now he is in a larger bird bath, much roomier!

Good news. All the test results have come back normal for Nicholas. Emma couldn't make it through the MRI, so she will be going again in the early morning to be sedated. Poor thing, as soon as she got there, her tics kicked in full force, no imaging possible with that! She was very anxious, but felt bad that she had to go back another day. They did fine with the IVs, Nicholas passed out on the way to the room. I think this is the only characteristic he got from me, poor thing! I suppose his perfectionistic attitude and timely manner was from me as well... I am really looking forward to this testing being a thing of the past. We all have to be tested every five years (just the lungs). MRI of the brain only needs to be done once in childhood and once as an adult. We can certainly handle that!

I must add Luke's comment from earlier today: "Hey Mom, taking care of a puppy is WAY easier than I expected!" If he only knew how much work his mother has put into the "easy" puppy, he would rethink that statement!

I have to record the following before I start to think I am dreaming. All four kids are up in Emma's room playing "college". And they are geting along! Emma and Charlie have been into playing "school" lately, and I heard Charlie ask Emma if they could play "college" today. At this moment, Charlie is trying to convince Nicholas that he knows enough to be the teacher in college, and that Nicholas should be the kid. Of course, being the good big brother, Nicholas is learning from his little brother today!

Earlier today, Emma somehow convinced me that she could use her music practicing time to teach Charlie some music. That was a little more rocky. I stepped in and subtly encouraged her to teach him rhythms instead of a song, and that went much better. "Short Short Looooonnnnnnnng" is the phrase I heard for about 20 minutes.

Random pictures that define summer for the Wallischs! Going to Dars Double Scoop with friends, notice all the happy, messy smiles!






Tom got a hammock for Father's Day. As I expected, the kids LOVE it, especially Emma. Also as I predicted, Tom hasn't taken the time to even get in it yet. Poor thing works way too hard!

I keep forgetting to post a conversation I overheard Nicholas and Emma having. Emma was reciting a poem that she was creating in her mind, which can be very scary--never know what she is going to say... Anyway, I don't remember most of what she was saying, but I did catch that she was giving "new" names to everyone, for example, "Cool Charlie, Nincompoop Nicholas, Lucky Luke" When she got to Hershey, called him Fabulous Hershey. Nicholas paused and said in a disappointed way, "Emma, you just totally ruined the alliteration!" I love two things about this conversation. First of all, they are learning things at school and applying it in life. Secondly, my 9 and 10 year olds can have a real interaction without fighting, hitting or tattling! Doesn't happen very often, so I had to document it here!

Charlie enjoyed showing off his "war wounds"!

Today Charlie and I were at Children's Hospital for an MRI and an Echo to rule out any problems associated with the syndrome he and I (and Nicholas and Emma) have been diagnosed with. It is called HHT (hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia) and was what caused the minor stroke I had in August (almost a year ago!) I had a malformation in my lung, but there can be problems in the brain as well. Therefore, the kids who also tested positive for the syndrome need to have these tests to rule out malformations in their lungs and brains. Once the first tests are completed and these problems are ruled out, the syndrome is really not a big deal. If they happen to have the malformations in either place, there are repairs that can be done, but I would rather not think that far ahead!

Anyway, Charlie was such a trooper! I was a wreck before, worried about how he would react to the pokes and IVs and big machines. He did great. He was so calm that they only needed to sedate him for the MRI, he actually just laid on the table and watched the computer screen as the technician did the Echo. After about 15 minutes, he fell asleep until the test was over.

For the MRI, he needed to be sedated and that was not a fun experience for me. He was awake for about 10 seconds before the meds kicked in, and he just went limp. Yuck. Everything went okay, though, and the results should be back within a week. Nicholas and Emma are going through the same tests next Tuesday, I am guessing they will not be as cooperative!

Charlie had his hands down his pants/underwear and said to Tom, "I am putting my hands here because I have no pockets."