Last week, Jonah confessed to Daddy and me that he swallowed a penny one night after we had tucked him in bed. He didn't think it was too big a deal until we did some research and talked to him about warning signs to watch for.

The penny swallowing happened on Monday night, we think.

Tuesday night, Jonah coughed all night long. A warning sign.

Wednesday morning, Jonah woke up with a crampy stomach. We called the doctor, who told us "do not pass go, do not collect $200, go straight to the childrens' E.R. and have a chest x-ray done".

I called Jonah's school, let them know what was going on, and pulled him out of class so we could get the x-ray. Jonah was SO. WORRIED. It was written all over his face. He thought they were going to cut open his stomach and pull out the penny. No pain-killer. No sewing him back up. He would just be a kid with guts hanging out for the rest of his life. (He has a flare for the dramatic).

After explaining x-ray's and signing in at the E.R., the hospital staff worked their magic. They are amazing at making kids feel at ease. I mean, wow. What made me laugh, is how amazed they were Jonah actually fessed up about swallowing the penny.

X-ray showed the penny, clear as day, in Jonah's intestine. Which, they tell me, is a safe place for it to be as the penny's on it's way out.

I'm shocked this is our first visit to the E.R. with Jonah. He's been the "bull in a china closet" ever since he could walk! His guardian angels must be goooooood at what they do.

After supporting the Rangers through good seasons and bad, being a true die-hard fan since childhood, my DH finally gets to watch his team go to the WORLD SERIES. He is beyond excited. And all this the year we moved back to Texas.

Best Homecoming gift EVER!!!

p.s. How do you get diaper-rash cream out of hair?

Gracie wore this vintage smocked dress (Aunt Kak's) for almost 48 hours straight.
The girl would not take it off.

Why? Because it is dainty, and girly, and ticks everything off her checklist.

Gracie's Rules for Getting Dressed:

She will not touch any clothing that has brown on it.
She prefers pastels.
Flowery prints are acceptable but not ideal.
She must always have shoes on her feet and a bow in her hair is preferable.
Her shoes must be sparkly and/or metallic, pink, purple, candy apple red.

When we moved into this little rent-house at the end of August, some neighbors across the alley ventured into their driveway to say hello. We visited enough to learn they have a 5 year old of their own. One going to Jonah's school. One who turned 5 in July also.

Their 5 year old is Donavan.

Since Jonah and Donovan shook hands at "Meet the Teacher" night, and learned they were in the same class, they have been inseparable.

Before we moved here, I prayed earnestly that God would prepare a friend for Jonah. One who could encourage Jonah to be his best. I knew there would be a hole left by the absence of our playgroup - Jonah's first good friends.

So, here's a friendship made in heaven ;)

It was such a smashing success, I had to share!

Chalk Paint Recipe
mix equal parts cornstarch and water (1/4 cup each for a larger batch)
stir together until cornstarch absorbs
consistency should be runny
poor into an ice tray or plastic containers, add some food coloring to create several different colors, and paint onto driveway with a paintbrush!
When dry, it turns into chalk (and washes off just like chalk!)

Last Monday, we played hooky and took a Fair Day. It was needed. Trust me.

Jonah's smile got bigger as the day went on.

It was not too crowded, so we unleashed Gracie.

This picture pretty much sums up the day

Thank you, Texas State Fair, for the sanity-check!