Allyson wants to dance.

We are having a tough time finding a place to sign her up. Who thought that it would be this hard?? Help, if you have any ideas please share.. We are looking for something just for fun, not the shows and recitals. We want to make sure it is something she will like before we sink some money into it. We know she likes to dance, but not sure if for more then just fun.

Tristan's First Baseball meeting

On Thursday February 12Th, Tristan had his first Baseball (T-Ball) meeting. He is on the White Sox. We being Angels fans had to play it up that the White Sox are just as good. Well I think he bought it! Mark is going to be one of the coaches. We should start selling candy soon, so for all of you that we have bought from over the years, well, time to pay up!! Games should start some time in March. He is so excited. The team he is playing on played together last year so he has some catching up to do. He can throw and hit just fine. It is catching that he needs some work on. Very important, but he should be just fine.


Tristan getting his first pair of cleats. I am not sure who was more excited Tristan or Dad!!

Gavin's First Dental appointment.

About the first of the month I noticed that one of Gavin's front teeth was slightly discolored. Over the weekend it got worse. I made him brush over and over just to make sure. Then other people started to notice it. So I made him his first Dental Appointment. So on February 9Th we made our way to the Dentist. At first he was just fine. He played with the toys and flirted with the girls. They just loved him. Not hard!! We got to the back and he would not sit in the chair. He did not want to put the bib on and wanted to sit in the tall chair. When the Dentist came in he sat on my lap and showed him his teeth. No problem there. The Doctor told me that it was from some kind of trauma and not a cavity. Glad to hear that. He said just to leave it unless it starts to bother him or if his gums change color. So we dodged that one. No pictures of this, not able to get a good one. We will have a follow up on this in April. All three kids will have their first cleaning appointments.

No news is good news, Right??

Well I wanted to wait and update until we made sure that we got past the whole pink eye episode. We did and no one else got it. Thank goodness!! The last 2 weeks have been very nice and quiet. I was checking my camera and noticed no new pictures of the family, so I took some today just to upload them to the blog. Wow!! After this next week things should pick back up.

Allyson and her funny face.

Gavin and his funny face.

Tristan falling.

Mark's issues!

Well the week came to an end with no real news to add. Then on Thursday as we were putting the kids to bed, Mark bent over to give Allyson a hug and kiss. She jumped up to reach him and grabbed onto his neck. As she did he almost doubled over in pain. That one hug pulled his back out. To add to this the next day he stayed in bed and called me to tell me that he has Pink Eye. That is right Pink Eye. We have no idea where he got it. Could have been from the pool or a guy at work that has a Staph infection. Well anyways he has been quarantined from the kids. He is not allowed to touch anything. If he does I am right behind him cleaning it. Never a dull moment at the Barlow House.

Palm Springs / Kami's Birthday

We were invited to Palm Springs with the Tanners this last weekend and we had a blast. First on the way there on Saturday morning January17 Allyson tells us when we are about 5 minutes from the time share that she has to go really bad. So Mark tells her to hold it and she replies with "Dad I can't my seat belt is in the way". We both started to laugh so hard. Once there we got checked into our 1 bed room which was very large and the kids wanted to swim first thing. One our way to the room Mark hears Gavin calling him. He turns to see Gavin hanging over the side walk in the bushes. We get to the room with no more issues. So we make our way to the pool and found that although the weather was in the 70's - 80's (very nice) it was still cool. Well not for Mark. The pool was heated which was great. The cement when wet was very cold on your feet. Gavin slipped and fell once right on his face. Like a trooper he got up and kept going. Allyson loved the kids water slide and was a pro by the end of the weekend going down the slide and swimming to the side with no help at all. Gavin liked the slide but still needed some help since he can not swim alone yet. Tristan tolerated it. He preferred the jacuzzi and looking at the girls. Already at 5 years old.

This next story has 2 sides, Kami's and Mark's. We will start with Kami's, as I was sitting on a lounge chair with Tristan and Gavin, Allyson was in the pool going down the slide and Mark was watching her. Gavin decides to go get in the pool. The kid pool at the shallow end is only 1 1/2 feet deep. I look over to see if he made it to Mark and can not see one section of the pool at 4 feet deep. I stand up and don't see Gavin. I panic (not an understatement) and promptly run for the pool. I hit water on the cement and down I go. Right on the old bum. Not a soft landing at all. At this point I am 2 feet from the pool and just slide into the pool and grab Gavin. He is so proud of himself at this point telling me that he jumped in all by himself like a big boy, and that I caught him. I don't know if I want to strangle or hug him. I choose to hug and hold on tight. For Mark's side, he says that he did not know what was happening. He saw me coming to the pool and fall right on my bum. He rushed over thinking that I had really hurt myself. Once everything calmed down, he started to laugh uncontrollably.

The rest of Saturday ended with diner and Gavin having a slight fever. Allyson was so tiered the she fell asleep while mom dried her hair after her bath that night.

On Sunday we had no more accidents and everyone had a great time. We swam most of the day and came home later that night. We love these California winters. Warm enough to get into a warm pool in the middle of January. Although my (Kami) birthday was not until Tuesday January 20th, I consider this my present. A very nice get away for the weekend with my family.

Gavin and Dad hitting the water.

Tristan on the slide.

Allyson the pro coming down the slide.

Allyson asleep while getting her hair dried. Really asleep.

5 Year check up.

Well the twins had their 5 year check up with a few shots that were left over.

Tristan was first. He was weighed (33.2) and measured (3' 7") and told by the Doctor to eat more. He got himself so worked up that he was crying and screamed before they ever gave him the shots. Once they were done he was fine. He is right on track. He took the Doctors advice and we had no problem at meal times today.

Allyson was next. She was also weighed (34.4) and measured (3'6"). She is also on track. She waited to cry until she got the shot and took a few minutes to gather herself. She got lots of stickers that made her feel much better.

Everyone is doing great and just about ready to sign up for school. Well I don't think mom and dad are ready.