Random Tid Bits

1. Isaak's teacher taught his class how to do Sudoku puzzles. He's been attached to this book of puzzles the first 1/2 of the break. I wish I would have known. I would have gotten him more books like this for Christmas.





2. Do you remember my co-worker that makes me clean and hide things? I blogged about her here. She hasn't made me move the student's folders yet this school year. Either she A) Gave up. or B) Hasn't found them.
   
   
   
   
   
   She has made me clean. The day I had to leave early for Mica's surgery she came into my office asking if I'd have time to sweep the first year classroom? I agreed, but thought it was WAY SILLY considering that I just swept the concrete floors the last day of the student's being here. I swept well! I went over to sweep, and got maybe 4 command strips in a full dust pan. I made sure to show her all that dirt I had.
   
   
3. I get songs in my head that just won't leave. The latest one is the Dirty Dancing song, One look at you and I can't disguise I've got hungry eyes... This visual came to mind, so I made it happen...





4. I'm ready for the weekend. Are you? 


5. Mica seems to be healing up from his surgery. He hardly complains about it. I have to ask to see his scar to make sure it's not infected. It's just on his lower stomach. 

WW: All Dressed Up for Christmas Eve {Linky}

It's been busy around the Apel house. Between Christmas events, a New Years Dance Party, and Mica needing a hernia surgery we've been swamped. How has your holiday break been?

Meet Hernia

We got Mica into surgery as soon as possible after we learned that he had a Unilateral Inguinal Hernia without obstruction or gangrene.

A) We wanted him in because I had already hit my deductible. Might as well add to hit the family one. Yikes!

B) We didn't want obstruction or gangrene to happen.

C) It wasn't going to go away on its own. He had it at least a few years.

D) He'd have some recovery time before school started back up.

Travis took the boys to the doctor, and the pre-op appointment. I love the boy's doctor, but I am annoyed that he didn't look into there being a hernia before at his last appointment. At least we caught it before obstruction or gangrene happened!

I took much of Friday off to be with Mica for surgery.

The boys used to beg me to go to Children's Hospital. It was a big deal when we went. I never would let them go because I sure as heck didn't want them to pick up anything at the hospital. We really only went when one our our own kids had to go, or when my nephew Emerson was in the hospital.

Mica's sure showing his age because he wasn't stoked about the lobby of the hospital like he always was before. They even had a party going on with snacks and costumes, and Mica wanted nothing to do with it.

We had to be there 2 hours before the surgery time.

He didn't complain about being hungry at all. Surgery was at 1:30, and he hadn't had anything to eat, since 6:30 the night before.

The most pain he had was the IV being poked into him.

He laid there reading a book called Ugly, which is kind of like Wonder only less emotional (according to Mica).

I didn't see him for a little over an hour.

The nurses were cracking up over the stuff the was saying!

He dreamed about Jen and Pat talking about Mine Craft, which I happen to call Mine Crap. He wised he dreamed about kissing a girl. 

He was freaking out about not having boxers or pants on. 

He kept covering up his head to look at his incision; even thought it was covered up.

He went to the bathroom, but came back apologizing to the nurses and me because he forgot he was supposed to sit, and not stand to pee. 

Then when he was handed his bear, which they give everyone he named him, "Hernia Man". He said he had to name him that because Isaak got one and named him, "Stitches" when he was younger. I'm just glad he didn't name him "Nut Job" because that's what Mica and Travis kept inappropriately calling his procedure. 

Meet Hernia Man:

We got home safe and sound. Mica asked if he could take his hospital band off. I messed with him and said, "No! You have to leave that on until you're all better. That's how they track you!" I think he believed me for a minute. 

He's done really well! Kind of looked peeked. No fever, rashes, and just a little muscle pain. I only had to give him 1 big pain pill. His surgery strips fell off. He kind of panicked with that. I told him that the nurse said that may happen. 

He only has to miss 2 weeks of activity. That's 1 week of gym participation. 

What kinds of surgeries have you had? I had 2 C-Sections and the nose surgery. The nose surgery was far worse than the C-Sections. 

Doctor Time

I wanted to get the boys in to see their doctor before we switched insurance. Our new insurance sucks!

To be honest I thought about skipping their well check all together this year. There were a few things of concern, so I made an appointment the day after Christmas, and Travis took them in.

Little boys Big boys supporting their new headphones they got for Christmas:

I always find their stats to be interesting!

Mica

BMI: 18 - 50% 

Weight: 107 - 70%

Height: 5' 4" - 95%

We had Doctor Harrison check out Mica's moles. He's at that age where things like that pop up! All of them are ok. 

We learned that Mica did need surgery on a hernia! That post will come. It was an expensive 2017! I'm glad Mica got it taken care of though! His doctor said he needed surgery, and it could have messed up his bowels if we let it go.

Isaak

BMI: 15 - 16%
Weight: 72 - 63%
Height: 4' 10" - 95%

Doctor Harrison said we're doing all the right things with Isaak in regards to bed wetting. We limit drinks after 6:30, he goes to the bathroom before bed, and we take him to the bathroom at 10 or so before we go to bed. That prevents bed wetting 99% of the time.

Isaak did, or maybe still does have a cyst on the back of his neck. I told him, "Join the flipping club!" Travis, Isaak and Doctor Harrison tried to find Isaak's cyst, and poof it was gone, or moved. They couldn't find it. We just were pointing it out the night before to my mom. It would be nice if it magically disappeared! I wish the one on my forehead would do that!

They are both tall and skinny! Mica's filled out a bit more than Isaak. Mica's clothes go directly to Isaak. Isaak can wear them, but the pants are questionable. Isaak has trouble keeping a lot of pants up. He really is a stick! 

Travis' Mom has some tall brothers. My Dad is tall! My Mom is taller than I am. My projection will be that the boys will end up to be tall.

Apel Christmas

Christmas Eve is just as big of a deal as Christmas Day is for us. I hardly take photos. The lighting is crappy on Christmas Eve because it's so late. The lighting on Christmas Day is crappy because it's so early. - Thanks to Mica; he's my early to rise kid.

Christmas Eve:

We dress up to go to church. I have to be honest - we're not typical church goers. Then we go to my parent's house to eat soup, shrimp, cheese, crackers, and more. We open gifts after that.

While we were getting the food on the table the boys played their instruments. I thought at first, Oh God help us! Someone is going to get annoyed they are playing. My Grandpa and Aunt Becky loved it. They don't get to hear them play at school. Mica plays the trumpet, Isaak plays the violin, and my nephew Evan plays the flute.

It does seem like emotions run high during Christmas time. Someone gets pissed off at something. That night seemed like it worked well.

The food was great like always!

My big gift was a genealogy kit, which I still need to read over. Both boys got a big Lego gift. Travis got some cargo pants he's wanted.

We got home about 9:30.

Christmas Morning:

I heard coffee being made at 4:30. It was Mica. He was sitting on the love seat reading a book my sister got him the night before. I said, "Go back to bed! It's too early to be up!" He said, "I can't sleep." You'd think with not believing in Santa that he'd be ok with staying in bed. He's always been the first to be up on holidays and weekends. We have a rule that he has to make coffee before he does anything else. Ha!

He did go back to bed, but not to sleep.

I messed up an item in one of their stockings. One got something the other was to get. I'm pretty sure Isaak doesn't believe now, but he pretends he does. 

Mica's Stocking: Heat Holder Socks,  gloves, a fidget spinner, a couple other fidget toys

Isaak's Stocking: Heat Holder Socks, a leather wallet, a gold harmonica, a fidget spinner, a couple other fidget toys, and a few sewing cards he thought were a joke 

I thought he'd enjoy the sewing cards.

Isaak did grump a lot when he found out he didn't get a drone. My goal wasn't to mess up his Christmas. He felt like I was trying to. 

 Travis loved this manly apron I got him:

We ate cinnamon rolls my mom makes us every year.

We went to my Aunt's house for Christmas Day.

Some of the food I brought:

My Aunt Becky has Mica and my nephew Evan help give gifts to the little kids. Most of them are my cousin's kids:

Isaak was a bump on the log with taking pictures:

We didn't get any snow until the day before Christmas Eve, and it's been flurrying and bitter cold since. I'm ok because it is winter. I am more of a summer girl! My Mom drives me batty because she posted that she's ready for spring now that it's snowed. When summer gets here she complains about the heat. I want my birthday at a park, and she flat out won't do it because it's too hot! 

I guess Omaha, Nebraska has been the same temp as Antarctica, just cloudier. It's been popping up on people's facebook posts. 

How was your Christmas if you celebrate it? Has it been super cold where you live? 

Holiday Freeze Frame Program

Isaak's elementary school had a really fun holiday program this year called Freeze Frame. I think I enjoyed it so much because Isaak was in it so much. 

He's in strings this year:

I think he was thinking, Mom why do you have to take a photo of me?

It slightly cracks me up that Mica and Isaak are some of the tallest kids in their grades, and their best friends are the shortest.

He's not a master of the violin, but for starters he plays really well. Their whole class is ahead of where classes usually are.

Isaak likes to play. He practices songs beyond where they are at. He tells me the hard thing is to stay with the others. During the concert his teacher played the piano to get them to stay together.

Isaak tried out for  Show Choir, and got into that:

As his teacher puts it, they are just starting. Their Show Choir consists of 4th and 5th graders. Show Choir usually doesn't start until 7th grade in many schools. They do minimal actions.

After a few months, Isaak still loves to go to Show Choir in the mornings! He got really bummed once when he and Dad forgot about it.

Little man was sort of stressed out because he had Strings, then Show Choir right away. He had to hurry to take away his music stand. He wanted to wear his dress up shirt for Strings, but decided it was too much, too fast to have to put his Show Choir shirt on between them. He just left it on.

Some of the songs were from The Beach Boys. Isaak wanted to hear them on YouTube. He said, "Why are all their songs about surfing and the beach?" I laughed and said, "Well they are called The BEACH Boys." He said, "Oh."

I of course recorded everything, but the last section of song. That was the best part. Oh well.

He also sang two songs with his class:

The next photo cracks me up! It's Isaak telling the other kids to be quiet! It wasn't time for talking! He's great at standing up for himself, his friends, the rules, fairness and what's morally right. Bossy to some, but to me I wish I had a little more of him in myself.

Most years my Mom leans into me and says, "Now why can they sing about Hanukkah, but not Christmas?" Well they did sing about Christmas, just not Jesus. Nor did they sing about God, Mohamed, or any other spiritual leader. I had to point that out to her.

Just like some get hung up on weather one should say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays, there's people that get hung up on if kids doing The Pledge of Allegiance in school, and what's sung in holiday programs. I have people in my life that are really religious and people that are not religious at all. Whatever is fine by me. I error on the side of schools not getting into religion; as they are state funded. If they do, they should talk about many religions. Not just Christianity. If you want a religious base go to worship somewhere, put your kids in a private school, or homeschool them.  What are your thoughts on this? I have people I love on different sides, so I'm not here to judge your thoughts. It's an interesting conversation.

Did you go to any holiday programs this year?

NALEDI Metal Tube Squeezer

I've talked about getting a Metal Tube Squeezer for years. It's kind of an odd thing to want. As an artist I find that I could use one for paint. As a Mother I find that I could use one for toothpaste.

Where to Get the NALEDI Metal Tube Squeezer:

You can get it on Amazon Prime for $12.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XYN79GL

It comes in a nice box that's a little bigger than a wallet.

What Can This Metal Tube Squeezer Be Used for:

• Paint Tubes
• Toothpaste
• Hand creams
• Lotions 
• Cosmetics
• Glues

...and anything else that comes in a tube.

How is it Used?

Put the base of the tube in the squeezer. Hold the two metal sections below tight. Start turning it with your other hand. It squeezes all the stuff in the tube to the top. It leaves no air; making the product last longer.

I pictured it two different ways. I did this on purpose. The top photo below is for left handed people. My Dad is left handed, so when I realized it could be used this way I thought I should point that out. The bottom is for right handed people like me. It's easiest to turn it with your more dominate hand. you just flip it over and can use it whatever way you'd like.

Does Everyone Need a Tube Squeezer:

No, but for me it's certainly handy! It's one of those want items. Not a need item.

I will get more paint or anything out of a tube than I ever would without the metal tube squeezer. To me that's worth it. I don't like to waist things at all!

I can use it on paint in the classroom, and at home on toothpaste. Isaak get to the bottom of the toothpaste tube, and has to have us help him every time.

Could you use a metal tube squeezer? What would you use it for?

Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.

#Snow #Angel Art Project for Kids

Merry Christmas!

Snow Angel are so pretty! I liked making them because they were fast to make. Lay down, move your arms and feet up and down, boom you have a Snow Angel.

This craft will be another one that shows up on ParentSavvy.com. It's written differently, and will have other pictures.

What You Will Need:

• Black or Dark Paper or Foam Board
• 2 or 3 Light Colors of Acrylic or Tempera Paint 
• White Acrylic Paint or White Gesso
• A Target or Walmart Plastic Bag
• Clear Shelf Paper, or Sticky Vinyl 
• Newspaper Protect Your Working Surface
• A Sharp Pencil
• Scissors 

Optional:

• A Blow Dryer to Speed the Drying Time
• Painter's or Masking Tape
• An Cookie Cutter - Angel Style

Snow Angel Craft:

1: Cover your working surface to protect it. We're about to make a fun mess. 

It's not too messy, but you'll want to protect your table for sure. 

2: Wrinkle up a plastic bag, dip it in white, and hit your black or dark paper with it.

Let it dry. You may want a blow dryer handy. We used one quite a bit during this craft because Isaak and I couldn't wait for the next step.

Hit it up with another light color. Isaak used a French Grey. You can use any light color.

3: Get out the sticky vinyl or cheap-o shelf paper. 

4: We're about to make some angels. 

Roll the vinyl or shelf paper out. Draw 2 or 3 angles on there. You can use an angel cookie cutter to trace around. Isaak insisted on drawing his own.

 Cut them out, and place them on the paper. Make sure the paint is dry first!

 5: Add more paint on with a scrunched up plastic bag. Watch your angels disappear. 

Let the paint dry.

Add another coat of another light color. This time Isaak decided on a light teal.

6: Make sure the paint is dry. Peel the shelf paper up! 

End Result:

That's it. It's really that simple. You can throw the angel shelf paper pieces away, or opt to keep them like Isaak did.

Here it is:

iKlips #iosflashdrive Review

I just got iKlips II 32GB USB 3.1 to review. It's a Lightning Flash Drive. 

What it's Used For:

• External Memory Storage
• Transfers Images From One Device to Another

It's for Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac, iOS, Android & PC. It will not work on Kindles.

Store:

Extended Connector fits with any case. Each port has a cover. It has a USB connector: Mini for my iphone and a normal size for my computer.

App:

It pops up a free app. This is how awkward I am with apps: I had no idea what I was doing. Travis had to tell me what to do. He was giving me the stink eye as I was doing each step. As if to say, Really Alissa! I'm on my computer all the time. I find no desire to mess with extra apps.

The first time I loaded it I didn't click on the right option, so I couldn't get images off the device. I had to remove the app, and put it back up again.

So If you're me you'll find their app a pain. If you're like my husband you'll find it to be easy peasy.

In the end there was success.

I did read some negative reviews. You can only put about 4 images on it at a time. That's kind of annoying if you're a photographer that works with a lot of images at a time. I consider myself to do that. In some ways I'd just rather email myself images, and get them from my email.

Will I use it as my as I thought I would? Probably not. It seems handy though. 

Where to Buy it:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=me%3DA3MHPFDGCAZAER&field-keywords=ios+flash+drive%2C+B0784FJ3QV

Cost: 

$42.97

What do you store your photos on? 

Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.

Random Tid Bits

1. Has it snowed where you live? The first day of winter hit, and boom it finally snowed in Omaha, Nebraska. We need the moisture so bad! I just don't want it to stay dry, the dryness effects the farmer's crops, and food prices go through the roof. That's just the kind of thinking I do. Do I love snow? I could take it for about 5 minutes. I guess I don't mind snow, I just hate bitter cold wind. What do you dislike about winter?
   
   It's also horrible on allergies if the ground doesn't freeze.
   
   
   
    
2. I'm excited today to learn that I won a screen printing kit from speedball art. That's one form of art I've never tried. The only printing I've done is a block print. 





3. Tis the season for people in your family not getting along. I'm stuck in the middle of a few. I love them, but want to scream, "STOP!" 


4. I had 1 drop in my first year class, and one not pass a class. I had 1 drop in my third year class, and two not pass my class.


5. I decided to go ahead and try and treat my cyst once again.
   
   
   
   
   
   Long story on that:

Me for a few weeks with a hot compress on my forehead! I wish this freaking cyst on my forehead would just flipping go the flip away! I’ve had it for awhile now. I’ve tried apple cider vinegar, which just burned my skin, and made it look worse. I tried going to a Dermatologist, which told me he couldn’t remove it because it’s by nerves, and my face could be paralyzed.  Now I’m trying one hot pack after another, and bread poultice at night. So far nothing. I see a #surgeon in Feb if I can’t get this stupid thing to go away. Anyone have any advice besides taking an X-acto knife to my face?