Under the Sycamores--Rattlesnake!

Every year, my family and attend this wonderful event put on by the OC parks and Laguna Canyon Foundation.  Local snake researcher Steve Bledsoe of the Southwest Field Herping Associates, gave a fabulous presentation of live rattlesnakes, Gopher Snakes, Rosy Boas, and California Kingsnakes.  Now I will confess to you that I am not a fan of snakes (I mean isn't that how labor pains were birthed???**pun intended), but this was an event that I could not pass up!  My kids loved the snake related activites and of course they loved feeling the REAL, LIVE snakes!!!  

Here's Lilly Bear inspecting the craft table!

She's always had a thing for eyes...as soon as she saw that she could glue the eyes on her snake, she was in!!

Even little man was captivated by all of the snakiness!!! :)

The kids had a wonderful time and this event is held every year with a different theme!  Last year it was "Meet the Monarchs" which was a butterfly theme.  My kids talk about these events all year and I love watching them connect with God's magnificent creation of nature!  

XO
~Nicole

Summer Xtreme!

Every year my kids have attended a summer program known as Summer Xtreme.  It is basically a super extreme version of VBS that gets kids hearts on the right track for Jesus.  It is for eight hours over a course of three days.  The itinerary includes, going to the movies (this year it was Despicable Me 2), going to the Knott's Berry Farm water park attraction Soak City, and going to "Boomer's" (another family fun entertainment park).  Both my kids have gone the last two years, and this year marks the 3rd!!!  This year, my 3 year old went and although I debated on whether or not to let her go, however she did fantastic!

I love this program.  I am so thankful that there are outreach programs like this that are ministering to the hearts of children.  Yes, I know the foundation for that is found in the home, but this annual experience is one that my children will NEVER forget! :)

XO


Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Busy Bees

Finally yesterday it happened!  It's been summer for awhile and yesterday (I think), was the hottest day yet.  Or at least it felt like it.  So I decided there was no other option than to head to the pool.  I tried to convince my older three children to swim in our own pool while my youngest slept so I could clean and maybe work on my blog set-up; but they were unconvinced!  And why should they be???  It's at our community pool they run into the random faces of the school year and unfamiliar pool toys :).

So, we headed out.  What seemed to be quite an enjoyable pool trip came to a halt when my 20-month old son got stung by a bee.

Yes a bee.

None of my kids have ever been stung.   So, this was a situation of unknown protocol to me.  I had heard that people can actually die from bee stings; however, I resisted the urge to pack them all up in the car at lightning speed and drive straight to the emergency room.

"Remain calm", is what part of me was saying.  So I did.  I googled "bee sting" and was reading a couple of helpful things.  I did read about the possible allergic reactions which scared me more, so I decided to just call the pediatrician.  Here are your helpful bee sting tips via SOCPA!

Remove bee stinger immediately.
Some people believe you should leave it in; however you should remove the stinger.  I manually pulled the stinger out of my son's thumb. :(

It is not really the first bee sting they worry about with allergic reactions, rather the second one.
So, if your child has gotten stung by a bee for the first time, refrain from full-blown worry.  She didn't really explain why probably because timing was key; but this was calming to hear.

Watch for any swelling (especially around the face) or difficulty breathing.  
If either of these occurs, seek medical attention immediately because these are signs of allergic reaction(s).

Administer ice to the bee sting.  

Give Benadryl and Tylenol as needed for itching and pain.  

Watch very closely in the next 12 hours.  

Because of Bee Bop's age (20 months & name given to him by his siblings;),  I did NOT give any Benadryl.  The itching didn't seem to be too bad and as our family headed to the park to watch a beautiful sunset, the bee sting memory became all too faint.

Happy Independence Day!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful safe and Happy Independence Day!  We are going to "brave the beach" and as I speak; Mr. Wonderful and the mini's are setting up a spot.  We've had to do that for the past two years; arrive super early to get a spot.  I am looking forward to a walk to Whole Foods for my fav's (blog post soon on that!) and letting my kids play on the newly remodeled park on the beach!  Pics to come!!!!  What are your plans for celebrating America today?  I'd love to hear!!!

XOXO