Highland Parade

The first weekend in August is the Highland Fling. the parade goes right past my parents’ house which is extremely convenient! Our whole family comes every year and the kids always have tons of fun.

Waiting for the parade to start.

Check out that popsicle in his mouth!

The night before the parade we were playing outside and Kaden’s loose tooth came out! I can’t believe he’s old enough to start losing his baby teeth…

After the parade my parents’ had a huge inflatable slide and a bounce house with a slide. Aaron was outside playing on them from 7 that morning until 8:30 that night when I finally made him come in. Even Kyla enjoyed it.

Brad going down the big slide:

My nephew, Darrian. These boys had way too much fun!

Kaden did not like the cold water, at all. He went down 3 times with Brad, and wouldn’t have anything to do with it until that evening when the water was turned off.

Kyla had a nice nap during all the fun. She fell asleep right after the parade and slept until 3 or 4.

Me and Brad. That water was ice cold!

Brad, Bob, Trevin, Chaden, Darrian… I think it was a bit too much for the slide to handle!

They got stuck!

My sister-in-law, Lora, enjoying the sun.

Sorry Lora!

It was a very small entrance to the bounce house…

I’m finding most of the pictures I took were of Brad… the kids weren’t too fond of the cold water, but after going down the slide a few times it really wasn’t too bad.

Aaron’s best friend for the day was Isabelle. She took him down the slides a lot! Thanks!

Asher flew over the side of the pool at the bottom of the slide.

Ouch!

Doug didn’t even flinch when his nap was interrupted by Chaden with water!

We also did some priming that day so we could get our walls painted.

Even after everyone left, the kids still enjoyed themselves.

Sorry about the picture overload. I left out A LOT! It was a fun day and the kids were exhausted by the end. I love days like that!

6 weeks, FINALLY!

In all honesty, these last 6 weeks have gone by fast, a lot faster than I expected. Kaden kept a pretty positive attitude throughout this experience and now we get to move on to a new obstacle. But it’s a good thing; progress. We took him in July 27th and they removed his leg cast.

Aaron was able to help remove the cast. It was so great and he was so excited to be a part of it.

Kaden was all smiles up until they took the bottom part of the cast out from under him. What an adjustment to go from having your limbs stuck in one place (for 6 weeks) to having no support at all. Personally, I’ve never had a broken bone. I don’t know what it feels like. He was so sore though. As a parent it’s so hard to watch your child go through things like that. It makes me think of our Heavenly Father and how he must feel. It also renews my gratitude that Heavenly Father was watching out for Kaden that day and spared him from so much. I definitely see the Lord’s hand in this and I am beyond thankful that it wasn’t anymore serious.

The doctor said it’s normal for kids to not start walking for a couple days after the removal, and that he’d just go at his own pace. We decided that we wanted to take him swimming so he could stretch his legs and move around without having to walk. It’s great physical therapy and my sister was kind enough to let us hang out at her pool. The kids had so much! They always love swimming! Kaden was feeling so good afterwards he even took a couple steps.

The next day, Thursday, we were outside half the day and he was walking around most of the time. I held his hands and gave him support.

Friday he didn’t walk quite as much, his legs were sore and tired from the day before, but when he did walk he did so much better. He didn’t lean on me as much and he actually kept his bottom over his knees instead of keeping it back behind. He never ceases to amaze me with how strong and determined he is. It all goes back to his birth, 6 weeks early (determined to get here fast!) and he didn’t need any oxygen, at all. He was healthy and strong. But, I digress.

He’s doing great now. He walks on his own cautiously, but he’s getting stronger and improving. I love that he gets so excited over the small things! He has to show everyone that he can climb his ladder to his bed now! When we were at church he had to show our neighbor that he can take some steps on his own. I’m so grateful for his wonderful attitude. It makes this challenge so much more bearable.

Arm cast removal!

I’m totally slow in posting this but I just got the pictures off Brad’s phone recently. Kaden’s arm cast was removed nearly a month ago. He freaked out a bit, and refused to move his arm at all. It was still tender, but mostly he was just afraid that it would hurt. Brad put him in the van and Kaden kept his arm up. He wouldn’t rest it and the muscles were getting tired so he started crying even more. It was terrible and I was scared of what was yet to come. He finally calmed down and was doing great the next day. Here are some pictures from the removal.

Before: (Check out the skull Uncle Doug drew on it!)

Using the saw to cut the cast…

Pulling it apart.

Aaron’s helping hand

After two days of summer, I was so ready for it to be over! Kaden had his cast removed last Wednesday. We went swimming that day and the following day. Too much sun for me! I was feeling sick on Friday and was complaining. Aaron jumped and said, “I have a job to do!” I asked him what it was and he replied, “Get something to make you feel better.” And he was off.

A minute later he came back carrying one of his favorite blankets, and he gave it to me, saying, “This will make your tummy feel better.”

He makes me smile with how compassionate he can be. He loves to share everything. His food, candy, drink, toys, everything. Sometimes to the point that it drives me crazy cause he’s constantly sticking things in my face trying to share! He has been so good with Kaden, helping him get toys and put things away. Hopefully he’ll stay this loving, caring, and compassionate!