Winter=sickness

In our house, the signs of winter also begin to point to signs of illness. All of the kids in this house get sick every single winter. This year was no different. Beginning at Christmas time the kids and Al all got a stomach bug. From there everyone had a really bad cough. The three kids, and Al, were all on Robitussin with Codine. Next up it was asthma time. Connor was put on an oral steriod of Prednisone. Once he improved he got worse again within a few weeks and was placed on an inhaled steroid Flovent. Next up it was Siobhan's turn. She spent a few days with a cold, and then all of a sudden it became awful with an extremely high fever and cough. We waited it out for a little while, making her comfortable with motrin, but when her fever hit 102.4 even with motrin and tylenol, off to the ER we went. Of course, a trip to the ER can only be done in the midst of a record setting snow storm; I think there's an unwritten rule about that.

In the hospital we did a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia. They gave her some albuteral and made us wait there until her fever (Which had reached 102.7 at that point) went down. Once it did we were able to leave with the "yes she has a really bad cold, keep an eye on things" diagnosis. The trip home, which generally takes about 20 minutes, took over 90 minutes as I drove through at least 18 inches of unplowed snow in white out conditions. (Sunday night we had over 2 feet of snow in a record setting snow storm) I should probably have stayed at a hotel, but I really wanted to be home. Over the next few days we piecemealed it so she could stay home from school. By Wednesday we thought she was good to go back. However, at 2:30 I got the call that she had a fever of 100.5. So, she stayed home on thursday with my dad. On Friday I brought her to the doctor. They noticed an ear infection. they also re-examined her chest x-ray and said that she probably had RSV when we were at the ER, but that she sounded like she was on the mend (not wheezing and rattling and clearing her lungs when coughing; which is good). They did give her an antibiotic since it's taking so long to clear up. We're on day four of that. (Which of course means her stomach is awful).

Let's hope she continues to be on the mend. She still has a rotten cough which we are trying to keep under control with the inhaler. Connor is using his inhaler as well, although not as often. Thankfully Aisling has been okay thus far.

Someone asked me the other day what winter sports Al and I participate in. Our answer? Survival. I cannot wait for a year when we make it through the winter with no trips to the ER or hospital. It's draining.

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring!

Getting older!

Not me, of course!

Connor just turned nine a few weeks ago. I'd say I'm having a hard time believing it, but that would be a lie because BOY has he started with the attitude of a pre-teen! Yikes we are in trouble in a few years.

For his birthday this year Connor opted to have some friends go ice skating with him, and then he invited a couple of friends to sleep over. The group of friends that he invited is a group of kids with whom he has been friends since first grade. They are a great group of friends, and I hope they remain friends.

It was a great celebration and everyone had a great time. At the sleepover, one of his friends had to go home early (like, 3:00 AM early!) because he got sick. That was a bummer, but not surprising for my life!

Enjoy the pictures of his big day! (Al had come from a cub scout event, that's why he's wearing his uniform. I assure you it's not generally a wardrobe choice for him...!)

Our big nine year old!

Connor and Quinten!
These guys are two days apart,
and were roommates in the hospital.

Yes, my son is a nut. I know.

The best group of friends you could ever want for you kid.

The girls!
The sisters and Connor's Godfather's daughters
(who are the exact same age as Siobhan and Aisling)

Seriously.
She just makes me smile!

Is any party really complete without frosting covered two year olds?
I did not make this year's cake.
I know, it bugs me too.

Overall, I'd say he had a great birthday. He got a lot of money and gift cards for his birthday, and was able to use that plus his own money to buy a DSi. He's pretty proud of that.

I am still reeling from the fact that he is nine. He is turning into a wonderful boy, of whom I am very proud. He has an amazing way with both of his sisters. He is so kind and gentle to both of them, and is genuinely concerned if they are not feeling well or something happens. He is an amazing friend too, and I love to watch him around his friends. He has always had an extremely high level of energy, and that has certainly not changed! As he gets older though he has figured out how to channel that into positive things, like dance. He dances constantly and really loves it. I think he's pretty good at it too! He's a bright kid and it's so fun to watch him learn and figure things out. Now that he's getting older it's exciting to sit and have conversations with him about things in the world. He has a great perspective on the world.

Connor, happy happy birthday! I love you very much and am so proud of who you are becoming.

Last year I actually had time to make him a birthday video.
I didn't have time to do that this year, but here's a link to last year's.

For real?

I asked the kids this afternoon; "Kids, why does it smell like nail polish?" (Because I always calmly address my children with 'kids')
Connor answered. (As the oldest, I suppose it was his duty to answer). "Oh, Siobhan wanted some, so I opened it for her."

...

Let's review here:
Siobhan is 2 and 1/2
Connor is 9.
Of the two of these, who do you think would have known not to open the nail polish? Apparently, neither of them.

I thought this stuff only happened in sitcoms.
Am I the only one living an insane life like this?
Never-mind, don't answer that.

"I'm bored!"

This week is school vacation week for myself and the kids. Correction; this week is school vacation week for the kids, and "play-date-scheduling; craft-project-organizing; cookie-baking; house-cleaning" week for me.

All four of the kids are home. So far this week I have organized four play dates (among two children); taken kids out to lunch and to the craft store; organized a morning of painting; baked chocolate chip cookies AND chocolate chip pancakes; helped kids clean out their rooms; organized dance parties in the living room; and generally maintained peace. (well, a semblance of peace).

I am EXHAUSTED! Don't get me wrong, I love that my job allows me to be home with my kids on school vacation weeks, but how is it possible that four small children can make such huge messes? Or such loud interactions? These kids go from being the best of friends to the worst of enemies in seconds flat. They leave a path of destruction from one room to the next; it's like a trail so you can find the kids if they go missing.

My biggest complaint, however, is the constant "I'm bored!" Actually, that's a lie. My kids don't even have the deceny to admit to being bored. Nope. They just hang around me whining or getting incredible silly.

We built an addition on our house five years ago. With that addition came a play room. Yes. An entire room devoted to PLAYING. to TOYS. I could probably sell all the toys these children own, and pay off the house. And yet.... "I'm bored".

So, from out of my mouth comes: "go play with legos, playmobile, playdough, moon sand, crayons, magic tricks, gears, puppets, read a book, play with dolls, play dress up, cure cancer, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO BUT LEAVE ME AND YOUR SISTERS/BROTHERS ALONE!!!!!!


I know I was never this needy.

This is what we do in our house at bedtime. Awesome parenting abounds here.
However, they are stinkin cute, of that there is no doubt.

I'm planning on sending these two to boarding school when they are teenagers. Given their current antics over this little hearthrob, I get nightmares thinking about the teenage years with these two around.

Busy day!

Today we had a busy day, but it was pretty fun. We started the day at the Burlington parks and recreation family activity expo at the ECHO Center in Burlington. It was a day of reduced admission into the center, and a bunch of area places with tables and booths. It was pretty fun, although very crowded. It was part of the Burlington Winter festival, although we only participated in this. (It was more than enough stimulation!) The kids had a great time; we always do at ECHO. We also enjoyed the various groups that were there. Connor learned he has only 1 more inch and 2 more pounds to go before he is free of a car seat entirely. He's determined to eat us out of house and home so he can get there! The kids also made some crafts and got free gifties like toothbrushes and toothpaste. (Can never have too much of that!)

I think one of my favorite parts of the day was when the kids too part in a free try at a martial arts class. They were both able to break a board with their feet, as witnessed here:






They also did a few other things, like made imaginary creatures out of food:


and learned how to tie knots:
And dug for whale bones:

Oh, also when we got there a local radio station (the one we had been listening to on the way down) was broadcasting. They spotted Aisling and asked her if she would like to say hello over the airwaves. She managed to squeak out a quiet "Aisling" and then went pretty mum. Connor tried to whisper a few things in her ear, but it didn't work! It was still pretty exciting though!


My least favorite part of the day was when we lost Siobhan. I've been a parent for almost nine years now, and I've never actually lost a kid. (Which is a miracle, considering how many I have) I've experienced those little heart stopping moments, like when you turn around and a kid is gone, but then you realize he or she is just down the next aisle or something similar. Not this time. This time I turned around and she was gone. I mean GONE. We looked around for what felt like ten years, and she was still not there. I went around looking for her and began calling her name. I was unable to find her anywhere. At this point I happened to run into our family doctor, who began helping me look. (That's actually something we look for in a doctor, ability to look for lost children in crowded public places). At last I decided that I needed to go to the front desk to tell them she was missing. However, I had my doubts about this being successful. After all, if she heard her name, what would she do? She's only 2. I also realized, as I began to walk down, that my mind had gone blank. I could not remember what she was wearing or anything. I was very much panicking. At the moment I began to make my way to the front desk, I heard her name over the loudspeaker. "We have Siobhan here looking for her mother". I don't think I have ever run so fast in my life. I grabbed her up and did not let go! It turns out she had wandered away, and an extremely kind woman had noticed she looked panicked. Siobhan had been able to tell the woman where she had been, and she took her back to look for us. (We had already left to look for Siobhan). She was also able to tell the woman her name. I am so proud of her ability to speak for herself, and help herself out. It is not a moment I will soon forget, and one I hope never to repeat.

We were able to end the afternoon on a great note, though, and we went sledding at a great huge hill near our house. Everyone had a fantastic time with that, and I think we'll be going back soon.

Yum!

Today we had a snow day (duh, I think pretty much the entire country, (except perhaps Florida) had a snow day). We decided to try a new recipe that my dear friend Shel recommended to us. I am so glad we did! It was so fun and easy. It's for "snow cream".

Here is the recipe:
1 cup of cream (we used half and half)
1/2 cup sugar
1 table spoon vanilla
4 to 6 cups of fresh clean snow
Mic the first three ingredients together then fold in the snow. Do not over mix or it will become slush. We also added some chocolate syrup to ours, because, well, everything's better with chocolate!

It was so delicious! It tasted like cold, melty, vanilla ice cream!

Here are some pics: (Connor was at a friend's house, so he didn't get to try it. I guess we will have to make more later.... oh poor us...)(Good thing sugar doesn't affect them....)