Where did it go?

What happens when you come across a water filled toy, and find it devoid of water? Well, clearly the water had to go somewhere, right? In this house, it apparently takes a few days to figure that out. In the mean time, all of your baby's toys (many of the plush) will be getting soaking wet. Glorious.

I took the kids outside yesterday (It's winter vacation week). I've been sending them outside twice a day, but yesterday I was actually able to join them. It was a blast! Siobhan is big enough to go in the baby swing, once we poured hot water over it to unfreeze it from the ground! She can't move her arms, but I think she liked it. Both she and Aisling are wearing snow suits that are too small. Siobhan is squished in hers, and is probably uncomfortable, and Aisling is like a bad commercial for a stomach flab reducer pill. She has to suck her stomach in, hold her breath, and let me button her snow pants. (She's a woman, she'd better get used to that someday anyway! She'll have PMS someday...) However, I REFUSE to let them wear their new snowsuits. Yes, I own them. However, there's something about starting the new season with new clothes that I rather like. Yes, I realize that I sound like a dork forcing my kids into too small clothing while brand new bigger clothing sits in the basement with the tags on. But, my kids generally don't get new clothing, and I want to savor it next winter! (Go ahead and call DCF now, it's fine).

A great day for a hike, after some prep of course.

I remember when I was in college, or anytime in my life before babies, when I wanted to go somewhere, I'd just go. Phew, that was super easy. Yesterday we decided to take a hike on the bike path in Burlington with the kids. Great idea, no? It took about 2 hours to get prepped and ready to go.... yeah, things are different from college, huh? It went a little something like this: "Aisling where are snowpants? Connor get your gloves. Can Wyatt fit in the stroller? Aisling, snowpants! Connor, gloves! The baby's crying! Get Wyatt in the stroller. Aisling, get your SNOWPANTS! Connor, where are your gloves? Where are the diapers? SNOWPANTS ON! GLOVES ON! Okay, let's go. Connor, did you forget your gloves?"

We had a blast, and the walk was basically one walking snowball fight.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The piano man!

Connor had his second piano party yesterday. (We don't call them recitals here.... too much pressure I guess...) Anyway, he did a great job, and loved it! He also got a certificate for how much practicing he does. Rock on kid!

Seven years

I find it hard to believe it, but Connor turned seven last week. I am no longer the parent of a baby boy. He is so clearly growing up. He talks about such interesting and amazing things. His take on the world and his sense of fairness is incredible. It's fascinating to discuss things with him. He is also so compentent at so many things. Listening to him play the piano is literally like coming home. His take on life is so refreshing, and his sense of fairness is incredible. He is a fantastic big brother, and rarely complains about anything. He has an amazing zest for life that I simply cannot compete with. Through every age that Connor has been, I have said to myself "Now this, this is my favorite age". And yet, I have trouble really discerning what that is. I love each age for so many different reasons.

Connor invited his very best friend to sleep over at his party. The two have been friends since they were babies together. They are like peas in a pod, and get along famously. In fact, when they were three they married. They refer to one another as boy friend and girlfriend, and Connor has said that he will marry her. (again). They really do have a connection, and I truely am interested to see how it turns out!


Connor's party was a bundle of screaming children. we went to Sports and Fitness edge and had the kids use the pool and water slide. They also got to watch a magician. That was a blast! Connor and Aisling really went for it.

Can I have a re-do?

2009 is not working out to be the best year for us thus far. Allow me to explain. Three weeks ago, the week of January 19, everyone in the house was battling a really bad cold. On Monday of the follow week I actually ended up taking a sick day and stayed home with Siobhan. On Tuesday I stayed home with Connor. That weekend Siobhan started on a stomach bug. She had vomiting and diarrhea all weekend. (I sent her to school anyway....). On Tuesday night, Al and Aisling had plans (and tickets) to go see Sesame Street live. She was feeling the effects of the cold, so I loaded her up with Tylenol and Triaminic and sent her on her way. Apparently that was the wrong choice. She, right after the intermission, vomited all over the jackets and seats at the Flynn. She was home from school on Wednesday. She went back on Thursday..... and Siobhan was home sick with the stomach bug. That same day, Wyatt had a few seizures at school; a sure indicator that he's not feeling well. He also currently has "the ear infection that wouldn't die", and he's on Amoxicillin. The following weekend (the 30th and 31st) we had plans for the Duclos family to come up and visit. We haven't seen them in so long, and everyone seemed healthy, so visit they did. We had a fantastic time, until their older daughter started vomiting. Then, the baby was vomiting with diarrhea the next day. (SORRY!) We thought we were out of the woods..... until Thursday of this week. Aisling was up most of the night Wednesday night with a cough. she was home on Thursday with a cough that got progressively worse throughout the day. She also had a fever that ranged from 100 to 102.5. On Friday was actually worse. And, as it happens with kids, she was her worst on Friday night, after the Dr.'s office was closed. Since it was a Friday, we were off to the ER. I learned a few things there.
1) Apparently a fever is not dangerous in a child until it hits over 104. (So there I was at midnight for no reason. Good we got that out of the way first).
2) The little girl who I told them weighed 45 pounds actually weighs 55 pounds. (Perhaps her fever never went away because I'd been under medicating her?)
3) There is absolutely nothing on TV for a child to watch after midnight, even when you have cable. (Although, Aisling is good to watch "What not to wear" she'll make fun of outfits along with the best of em.) We did end up getting a chest X-Ray last night to rule out pneumonia, due to her coughing. They also did a strep culture, due to her throat looking pretty rough. X-Ray fine, no pneumonia, and they'll let us know about the Strep. She got a Popsicle and a carton of apple juice and we were on our way. Our papers indicated she had a viral upper respiratory infection, also known as the common cold. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we traveled to the ER at midnight for a Popsicle and a diagnosis of a cold. *awesome*.

(However, given that colds don't generally have fevers, I am anxiously awaiting our strep culture. Or, a downward spiral. Or, the next great thing to hit our family).

So, seriously, can I have a do over? Can I go back to December and try 2009 again? Please?