Itty Bitty Backpack

So what happens when you have a little peanut with 2 big brothers who she adores?  She of course thinks she can do anything they can do...she wants to be a big girl.  Addison likes to do things like her brother, I am pretty sure it was simply a matter of time before she wanted a bag like her brothers.  And then the fact that when we go to church or MOPS really all we need take for Addy is a few diapers, wipes and a change of pants.  So I love our big backpack when we are all out for the day (it can be loaded with snacks, cups, toys, etc. along with the essentials) and I like the stroller bag for day trips out when we'll be using the stroller.  But I kind of wanted a little bag just for Addy's essentials.  We had 3 backpacks...2 of which are very worn...all of which are very boyish.  I found a tutorial online, then kind of winged it - ah it's wonky, it's uneven, it's got straps that will need lengthened before terribly long...but I think she likes it! 

As Kristin pointed out...she doesn't care if it's crooked, uneven or a little wonky - she's pretty happy with it

5 times a Charm?

5 abdominal surgeries in roughly 5 years, I'm soon going to be having as my history.  I'm hoping that this is it for awhile!  Not that it came as a surprise during my appointment this morning, though since my PCM said she'd refer me to talk to a surgeon to see if it was a choice I was surprised to be filling out pre-op paperwork.  I have been having issues with my tummy for months, it's gotten so bad a couple times that I have laid in the floor and cried  unable to move.  I'm not saying I'm some super strong, can take any kind of pain gal, but I feel like I'm able to handle it relatively well and a couple times it has just been too much.  So they did an ultrasound in Dec. then my follow up was the beginning of this month.  After losing the referral and having to have it redone, I got in to see the surgeon today - who said that given the ultrasound results and my symptoms it sounded like it was a good option.  Yeah (read with dripping sarcasm).
I forgot to ask about lifting restrictions until I was sitting filling out more paperwork with the nurse and actually scheduling the procedure.  She called the doc in who asked what I did, when I said I stayed home with my kids he asked the ages...16 months, 3, and 4.  He immediately said that my husband should plan on taking a week off minimum.  Hahaha, that's funny!  He said some women have told him it was worse than a C-section (I kind of have my doubts there).  I did what any girl would do, I called my mommy.  But then they are operating the 18th...which is soon...and well there's the whole issue of Addy and still not knowing what the future holds for her.  I have the same feeling of needing to be prepared for life to get crazy, that need to stock the freezer, have the house good and deep cleaned, things filed, stuff for kids to do to stay busy...this same feeling I had a couple weeks before Josh showed up (a little over 3 weeks early).  It isn't a stressed out feeling, it's just this need I feel.  So no, we have no idea what is going to happen, yet I can't ignore that feeling.   So while I wanted to have my mom come out and help (Mike will likely be working nights that week) I also feel like we need to wait - if Addy has anything serious that needs done, we'll need the help even more than.  Thank goodness that Mike is again fortunate to be working with an awesome squadron.  They will have a busy week of work that week I'll be recovering, but will have some night shifts - and are going to let him just come to work after kids are in bed.  So the 18th I'll be having my 5th stinkin' abdominal surgery where they are yanking things out of my body...gee whiz I really do hope this is it!  For now the menu has been re planned and the next 2 weeks are going to have lots of double cooking - one to eat, one to freeze!

Just some rambling and reflection

I have a feeling that the blog is going to become a bit therapeutic - sorry about that ;-) you'll have to put up with my rambling.  This morning Addy had a home visit - typical she has one a month.  It's really not a huge deal, the teacher comes to the house and is very nice and helpful.  So we started with trying to get her up to speed on all that is going on and all that we don't know.  Then came the sign of release of information forms, and then working.  Mike was home, it was an early visit and he's days are a bit off this week, next week will be nights...it's been actually helpful.  So the visit goes on, and Addy isn't in the mood to really cooperate.  Honestly, yesterday she seemed a bit off - then this morning she took out one of her aids (which is odd) and when I went to put it back in, her ear was full of crusty goop.  Ear infection, again!  This by the way makes #3 (or at least the 3rd visit since mid December).
During the visit though, her teacher asked about her favoring her right hand.  And if she was starting to relax her fists at all.  Funny how things like that we don't really notice - yes probably a bit she does keep her hands in fists throughout the day.  So it seems that it might be worth having a consult with an occupational therapist just to make sure that things are going okay and that she doesn't keep her muscles all tense.  Her teacher also thought it might be helpful to have a consult for Addison to see a developmental pediatrician - which would be a pediatrician that would kind of make sure all the big picture things were handled...someone who has more expertize in dealing with special needs kids (which still sounds odd to me by the way) and hopefully would be able to help us coordinate things.  These consults are going to be done through the early intervention program, so it could be a little bit.  We're not overly concerned with her muscles, but the OT consult won't be invasive and if there is something there better to catch it early.  I think that would make 13 specialists we've seen for the kids in the last 5 years...which makes me laugh.  Mike and I were talking last night, I was commenting on how it almost seems normal - and that it's weird that we think it's "normal" to have so many doctors.
Anyway - leaving for ENT (for the ear infection) I honestly was feeling overwhelmed a bit...Josh is having a hard time this week, seems to be going through a phase of who is in control and in charge - fighting us on almost every little thing and having even small disappointments be HUGE deals.  It is hard, I struggle with it when they go through phases like this - I think that's normal for every mom.  I worry about with everything going on with Addison right now (which is really just tests and some questions waiting for answers...she's doing great, we are so very blessed!) that the boys feel the effects or don't get enough of my attention.  And then Addison's teacher mentioned us trying to get more one on one time with  her to do some nursery rhymes with motions (to work on that equal usage of the body) and fine motor skills....which made me feel bad/guilty because how much I feel I don't do.  And then Josh is upset and really I don't want to load us all up for another doctor's visit but we have to...and the timing stinks, it means naps will be short and interrupted/late.  Anyway, I felt like it was going to be one of "those days."  I really was starting to feel grumpy and a bit sorry for myself (which is ridiculous!).  I got in the van and was driving, praying for a better attitude - cause mine was stinking...then the song "I will praise you in this storm" (that may not be the actual title) and then another one of my favorites "Blessed be Your Name" - amazing how God always provides...God is always faithful even if it's just to remind you to not to have such a bad attitude.
Now I'm going to try and remember that for the rest of the afternoon - which is turning into a no nap (unless you count the maybe 10 minutes that were caught in the van) afternoon for anyone, with Addison being especially crabby and the boys both in "moods."

Legos...Wii Legos

Just wanted to share a bit of a Noah's humor with you - yesterday while we were at the neurologist, Noah and Josh stayed with a friend and her boys, so thankful for that.  After the appointment, it was lunch for us all and then to the base for lab work and medicine and then another lab to get the "specialized" labs drawn.  The boys went with us, they are very good sports and troopers at appointments (maybe this is a sign they are too used to it?).  I explained before the first lab draw that Addy was going to cry, she wouldn't like having her blood taken but that her doctor needed the tests done to make sure she was growing okay.  The boys did okay with it - Addy is a strong little girl and fought hard!  So the second lab the nurse is taking Addy's blood.  At the end she is done and has I think 4 tubes of it on the counter.  Noah asked her "why do you need my sister's blood?"  She looks a bit surprised and says for the doctor, then he questions further.  What is being done...why more blood.  I told him that the doctor wanted to look at Addison's chromosomes.  He of course wants to know what chromosomes are.  The nurse says, "that's what makes you  you"  Noah replied with something about God making you you =) which I love.  He still seems confused...I tried to explain that they are like building blocks and everyone has specific ones to them...huh?  He still is a bit lost...so I tell him it's like the legos that make you you.  He then seems to get it to his satisfaction but says that he wants to see his legos, too.  Then he says he hopes he has Wii legos, no Wii Batman legos. 

Addison's Neurology Appointment

Well just want to warn you - this could be a long post...so feel free to skip it if you want.  And also if you were hoping we have some definite answers to all that is going on, well no not really we probably have more questions now; but we are on the road I think to finding more answers.
So Addison has been seen by genetics, where she had testing done for Connexin 26/30 - these are genetic links that could have explained her hearing loss.  Both of these tests came back normal/negative.  That was great news in many ways; but of course didn't answer the question as to why Addison has hearing loss.  Honestly when we began the journey with genetics we felt that it would be to rule out all the possible causes and just learn that it was unexplainable.    Well Addison's growth has in the mean time kind of stalled, she's only at the 10 % for weight and now after a growth spurt height wise about the 30% (I think).  Her head though...it's been raising concerns for  us since June.  At 6 months it measured 42 cm...today it measured 42 cm.  Not so good.  In her records there has been doctors' notes about microcephaly (which means small head) but no one has said to Mike or I that Addison has microcephaly.  At her 15 month well check, the doctor (our new PCM that we are finally happy with!) agreed it was best to see a neurologist. 
Today was a bit of an emotional day, right now it's not quite so bad...I'm sure in the weeks to come after tests and doctors' appointments there will be some "harder" days...but now we are all dealing very well with the news from today.  First, the neurologist seemed competent, he was direct, and seemed very much to want to find answers and help us on this journey.  However, when I left Addison's appointment and called Mike (right before he went to work and couldn't be on his cell phone all day none the less) I was teary eyed and honestly felt like someone had punched me hard in the stomach and knocked the wind out of me.  The neurologist was frank, he was honest.  He wanted to know other than the microcephaly why we were seeing him.  I explained that no one had actually told us that Addison had microcephaly, we hadn't heard that - read it in the notes but no one confirmed this to us.  He said yes, he could easily see just looking at her that she does in deed have microcephaly.  I told him, that we wanted to know what if anything was causing her growth to seem so slow, for her head to have not grown in the past almost 10 months.  We also have had concerns just recently that Addison will on occasion walk into things, like walls and large furniture.  She doesn't do this all the time, she doesn't even do it every day but sometimes (maybe 2 - 3 times a week) she will seem to be looking directly at something and just walk right into it full force, then seem surprised that it is there.  He ask if she ever seems to stare in space, just be zoned out...well yes just this weekend Mike and I both noticed it, but it was only a few seconds.  Honestly we joked about it, not thinking too much of it.  I also mentioned that she's seeing an endocrinologists and we will likely be having growth hormone tests done in the near future but the endocrinologist said until she was 2 that there wasn't treatment, so was comfortable waiting a bit and letting us try to again increase the calories she takes in daily to see how she handles that. 
I am saying all of this, he's nodding, clarifying what I am saying, asking questions about MRIs, CT scans, 3D images of her head, chromosomal tests...I keep saying no we haven't done that, no not yet, I have asked since June about the CT scan that was recommended in Omaha at Boys Town...no one has agreed to it.  He asked about her hearing loss and how it  has changed, he isn't happy that it is progressing.  He looked at her ABRs and made more notes.  Then he says, we have a lot of tests that need done.  I want to order these tests so we have information to go on and identify the syndrome.  Wait...wait...wait...he just said identify the syndrome...meaning Addison has a syndrome...no one  has said this.  Mike and I were just talking last night about how Addison is small, she has some hearing loss, but really she's meeting all the typical milestones.  Mike isn't worried...she's perfect, oh yes and very much her daddy's girl.  Mike is concerned - don't misread the not worried.  Mike is not a worrier - he has concerns that he feels can be addressed and dealt with, he lives in the present and actual - unlike me who has a mind that wanders and fingers that like to type in Google for all things that may affect us.  I am so grateful for his concerns and not worries, I am blessed immensely by the balance he brings to my life.
The neurologist and I talk a bit more, mostly I am trying to wrap my head around what he is telling me at this moment.  I asked for more clarification, he says that most likely we are looking at an autosomalcraniosynostosis but not that he is certain about that.  Mostly he wants to ensure that we have some scans, tests done and follow up.  He hands me a script with a prescription for her hydro chloride for her EEG that we'll schedule when we check out, a sheet to take to the lab, not the base he says and not another commonly used lab but this specific lab.  I ask what blood work is being done, he wants a chromosomal high resolution test, another micro chromosomal test of some sorts, and 2 other panels.  He also tells me that they will getting authorization for an MRI and we should hear about in a week to have that scheduled as soon as possible.  So I walk out, with 4 pieces of paper and my head and heart swimming.  I schedule an EEG (which is a 90 minute test to check for seizure activity - I had to ask).  The script is for the medicine to help sedate Addison for the EEG (she's had this before for ABRs in Omaha so that was at least familiar). 
So I left, I called Mike with teary eyes and feeling somewhat overwhelmed; yet at the same time we both felt confident, assured that everything will be okay.  We do not know where this journey is taking us, but we do know that God is always with us.  Our families will be there each step of the way, our friends too.  We know that as hard as it is for us to really comprehend that God loves Addison so much more than we do.  God has big plans for our little girl, we know that and we know that God is going to take care of all of us.  We feel blessed to be on the road to finding out more answers and being better prepared and equipped to help Addison meet her fullest potential in life.
So that's it in a very large nut shell...I will update on what specific things are as we know...if you google microcephaly there's a very extensive list of causes and connections to syndromes...it really isn't too helpful.  But basically it means she has a small head (apparently her head is about the size of a 6 month old...which just is surprising because I don't seem to notice it, it seems proportional to her).  We will take all the prayers we can, and if you have any questions we'll take those too - may not have any answers for you but we won't mind the questions.  Right now we're also feeling blessed by just how well Addison is doing, she's really not "delayed" at all (very little speech wise...but we aren't surprised by that) and mostly that she's such a happy,  happy girl!

Trampoline Action Shots

We had some friends over this afternoon and evening and everyone enjoyed some bouncing!  The evening was getting late, so the light was low - I think the pictures are a little grainy looking (1600 ISO that I forgot to change...but probably needed to get some of the shots without the flash anyway with moving subjects!)  Still I think we got some fun shots...enjoy!

Little Chefs

I adore this picture of Noah - he loves to help Mike in the kitchen and I think we have the making of another great chef in the family - 'cause really Mike can cook and I am pretty sure he gets it honestly from his dad who makes some super yummy meals!

Taste testing - he said after this picture, it needs some more salt ;-)

Giving Addison a taste

Cutting a carrot for his "waffle carrot sauce"

Tuesday morning we spent almost an hour playing with the chef aprons and hats and in the play kitchen together.  Noah said we were on the Food Network and that I was the judge and him and Josh were the "cookers."  Addison of course had to have on her apron and hat when the boys put theirs on, and joined in the fun with us.  We had orange soup, grape soup, some "orange, grape, syrup soup," and "waffle carrot sauce" from Noah.  Josh cooked  up some "egg soup" and "orange sauce." 
I love that the boys are having as much fun as Addison with the kitchen.  I really like that they want to help us in the kitchen (well most of the time I like it...sometimes it would be easier without the "help!").  Mike and I have watched the show "Worst Cooks in America" (surprise surprise on Food Network) and every time it starts, the contestants talk about never cooking while they grew up, or not being allowed in the kitchen to help...I always say, I do not want any of our kids on that show!  I am fine if they don't love to cook like Mike, but some basics will be taught so they can at least have a few meals they know how to make well and don't have to live on boxed foods! Sheesh, just sad!

An Afternoon at the Park

I don't know what it is about this one...but I just love it =)

We met some friends at the park today because seriously you couldn't beat the gorgeous day we were having!  I am not sure I will ever be able to move where it is cold again...I like the warmth, especially  in January!  Mike had today off, knowing he'd be along to help keep an eye on kids I took the camera with hopes to do some "practice."  I am getting to enjoy the whole process of pictures more and more and wanting to hone the skills some - but other than a book on the camera I haven't done much.  We have looked at some local photography store classes - but they explain what things are (F-stop, aperture, etc.) and not much more, just enough to get your appetite wet I guess - and I know what those things are, I know how to change them.  What I need to know more of is how to get them all working together.  So, practice seems like the best next step.  Anyway, I was focusing on the shutter speed and ISO today.  Got some really cute pictures of the little kids =) the big kids were busy running around.  Wanted to share a few of the favorites though.  I think Mike and I may be striking a deal too on when we'll purchase an external flash, specifically I want a Canon 430 speed light - yeah I know...I have expensive tastes =( that's what saving up is for and the deal will be for me to reach a goal and then we'll get one (the goal should take me probably another 12 months...but it's super motivation for me to try harder to get there!)

Fun Day

We  had a fun day today helping Tucker celebrate his 4th birthday!  Seriously, it is odd when my own are having birthdays that seem to come too quickly, but almost odder when it's friends' kids!  We went to Pump It Up and everyone had so much fun.  It's nice that Josh will actually get in and bounce now, such a change from May when he didn't want to get in them at all.  After lots of bouncing, we went back to their house for pizza, playing, cake, and presents!  So much fun, and it's always nice to see 5 boys get super excited watching someone else open presents - there were my two boys, Braylen and 2 other boys and they all seemed so happy that Tucker loved his presents.  It was fun to ease drop on the play that went on in the front room too, they were playing bad guys and good guys...or some version of this for most of the afternoon.  Josh was often the bad guy - as is usually the case, he's the bad guy, or the dragon, or the shark and seems to really enjoy it. 

Addy likes to give Kincaid kisses and is even trying to say his name...we better watch out ;-)

Josh waiting on pizza...trying to be patient!

What a MESS!  I don't think she even ate any cake and she seriously was just a MESS!

Kristin was kind enough to let Noah stay for the afternoon while Josh and Addy and I headed to ENT because I was pretty sure they both had some sinus issues and junk that needed treated.  Sure enough, one quick look at both of them and the doctor was like so what medicines if any are they allergic to...both are to amoxicillian so it's easy enough to remember.  Josh will start back on his regular allergy medicine to hopefully keep from having more infections this winter.  The ENT asked if Addy was on allergy medicine - umm no, at least not yet...we'll talk about that I guess at her 18 month well visit if she keeps getting junky.  Not that anyone would be surprised at all if she had some allergies, at least seasonal.

Noah's Speech

Tonight I was putting all the kids' medical records in binders (we got copies of each of their records' earlier for a couple various other reasons) and so as I was putting them in binders happened to glance at a couple of pages.  I read a few of Noah's pages from 2 years old until about 3 years and there were comments about concerns for his speech, doctors saying that they didn't understand most of what he was saying.  It just so happens that today at speech he had a re-evaluation done and his speech therapist was SO excited!  At the beginning of speech here his evaluation had him at a "severe unintelligible" diagnosis and today he had a "mild unintelligible" diagnosis!  He has made so much progress in the past 6 months and has really worked so hard.  We are very proud of him and how he's worked to improve.  Right now, he isn't even getting "homework" because he is self-correcting and his speech therapist thinks for the moment it is more beneficial to focus our positive praise on that, as it will help him generalize the rules and techniques he is learning in speech.  We are so proud of  him! 
Another note of just how much he's growing, before going into speech today he had been playing with some of the toys in the waiting room, before he went back with his speech therapist he said "just a minute I need to put my toys away."  Such a good helper and definitely showing signs of maturity.  He also was a big helper for Addy's appointment.  She has begun to have some separation anxiety (very typical for the age, huh?) and wasn't happy to go back to work on her speech.  Noah stayed and helped her cheer up by helping to blow and pop bubbles and play ball with her while she began her work and then walked out to the waiting so nicely.  There are also many other kids at therapy (the clinic has OT, PT, Speech, etc.) and a boy about Noah's age comes in between the appointments we have with a walker.  Noah was asking the boy what his name was and talking about the cool "Cars" stickers on the walker.  It is amazing and so great to me that Noah never really seems to see "kids with disabilities" rather, he sees potential friends.  He doesn't mind that someone is different; I'm sure we'll have moments of awkward things said and explanations eventually but for now I'm celebrating this and we're doing all we can to continue to encourage this compassion in him.  Even at SAMs this past weekend he saw a boy who is in his Sunday school class and waved hello and told me "that's my friend from church," even though this boy isn't able to communicate with words or signs and can't play like the other kids during Sunday school - Noah still saw him and simply saw a friend.  (As a side note, Mike & I truly feel that this is one of the greatest gifts that Addison has given our family, a different view from early on that there can be major differences, yet we're all just kids and people who need a friend).

The Quest May be Near an End!!

The quest for a doctor at this base that seems to listen and be concerned about the patient's history and parents' concerns may have finally come to an end!!  Whooohooo!!  We have had numerous issues since we arrived here with the Pediatric department from having referrals somehow go missing and not being followed through with, to incorrect notes in Addison's medical records, to questioning whether she needed audiological care on a continuing basis (this one still quite frankly astonishes me as she was sitting there with her  hearing aid on during that appointment).  We also had not had any success having continuity of care for Addison within a reasonable amount of time for routine/well/referral visits (my thought is a 3 week window should be sufficient and that more than 6 is not really appropriate!).  We really liked the audiologist on base, but had to have a team for audiology since the on-base audiologist couldn't service Addison's hearing aids, and now can't see dependents.  There have been concerns about Addison's weight since 9 months, we have seen nutrition, we have added calories in every way we can think of and while she is gaining weight it's been slow.  She also hadn't added much length wise, until today!!  Whoohoo!  But Addison's head circurmfrence went from the 50% to below the charts and continued to be below the charts.  This was concerning to me, it didn't seem normal at all. 
Today was Addison's 15 month well check, rescheduled since we missed last week's (due to their error not ours!).  I had a list 3 pages of concerns and questions for the doctor and was apprehensive about the appointment.  My confidence and trust in this pediatric department was not great.  We had seen 5 doctors and none of them had gained my trust or not had at least 2 mistakes/errors.  I honestly think Mike was afraid that the appointment was going to be ugly - all I would promise was not to yell at or punch anyone.  We went in and after the initial measurements from the nurse and a potty break for the boys, the doctor came in and asked if we had concerns (after telling me she was sorry for running late, but wanted to see if Addison's PCM was available since that would be best as her PCM would know the history better - which would be true if we had regularly been allowed to see her PCM and I was okay with us not seeing her PCM, our last visit wasn't as successful as it should have been).  I explained that I had several concerns and issues, some relating to the continuity of care that Addison was not receiving but should be we felt.  Not only did this doctor ask questions about follow up things the genetics department wanted but wanted to ensure that Addison's ear molds were still fitting well.  So finally a doctor who had at least reviewed her records but seemed to care.  We chatted about our concerns and what was being done currently and she examined Addison and made sure she had Addison's chart so that her measurements were accurate for growth for at least 30 minutes.  The boys were patient mostly, but each had a minor melt down (it had been a long day with very short naps, and let's face it waiting for doctors is hard for anyone, so I was pleased overall with their behavior).  The melt downs didn't seem to phase the doctor, she remained patient and listened to everything we were concerned with.  I really felt like I could have kissed the lady!  She agreed that Addison needed continuity of care, that it was not unreasonable to request this and gave me the names of the nurses to call and speak to for all her appointments.  She wanted to follow up on the test that the genetics clinic had requested (pee sample) but felt it was easier to run the test here and will call genetics to make sure all the test that they want are checked.  She also asked about the low iron levels and wants to follow up on that soon.  Wanted to make sure the endocrinologist had what he needed from her records.  As for Addison's smaller head than normal, she wanted to have neuorology follow up with that and make sure that all was okay especially since there were notes from genetics about concerns with the smaller head and possibly worries about Addison's frontal lobe (these hadn't been shared with us before, but apparently were available for all the other doctors even though no one wanted to follow up with it...ugh!). 
I'll be calling tomorrow to switch Addison's PCM - hopefully to this doctor who I really liked and will be at the base for at least another 3 years but if not she told me of another collegue that we would hopefully find very comptent and was someone who works with special needs cases regularly and will be here for awhile too.  I am so relieved, the weight that has been carried around for the past couple weeks (especially since our meeting with endocrinology) has been lifted.  Just knowing someone is on our side and has her best interest in mind has made a world of difference.  What an answer to prayers!  Our road still seems to be stretched out ahead and the forks and road blocks potentially are many but Mike and I are confident that God is going to continue to provide the wisdom, strength, and grace we need to handle whatever it may lead to.

And just in case anyone is  interested here's the list of specialist that follow or have been consulted for Addison's care

-Audiology
-ENT
-Speech Pathologist
-Endocrinologist
-Nutritienist
-Genetics
-Cardiologist
-Early Intervention
-Neurology

The list can seem a bit daunting, some days it is easy to feel like it's a half glass kind of scenario - but most days I look at it as a glass half full or more - we have insurance to cover these doctors and people who are trained in various specialties looking out for Addison. 

I have the Building Bug...

Guess it isn't too shocking, but definitely have the building bug!  Thankfully Mike is encouraging in my ideas and projects and doesn't say too much when the screws start going in a bit crooked (yes major problem I have, working it!)  I found a website, actually found it months and months ago, called Knock-off Wood that is awesome!  Loads and loads of inspiration, tips, and plans.  This weekend we spent some time at Lowe's getting a pocket hole drill kit and some wood for the step for Kristin (finally done!) and I had eyes on these stacking chairs (ours for the kids' table have started to show their unsturdiness...but at only $4 for the 4 of them not too disappointed, they've lasted months).  My other plan was to build a dress up container of sorts for the kids, we've tried so many different systems that haven't quite worked well.  There is a peg board in Addy's room currently but it doesn't fit everything and is really hard for the kids to use.  This idea seemed perfect, they could hang stuff and there was an area on the bottom for small stuff (shields, masks, etc.)  I think we'll add hooks to the sides for the multiple capes we have, too and the shelf up top may be home to the puppets.  Still a work in progress, but shaping up okay I think. 

(the picture isn't the best, just from the phone)  We will add better ones when it's all done!  The chairs, they will hold children...I think I'm leaving those for Mike =) he still is much better at this than I am!