Clean bill of health...sort of

Well we haven't had a sick kid since Friday. The weekend was spent at home trying to have some family fun. Friday night Jenn, Evan and Anna came over for dinner and sparklers. The kids had a great time while the adults enjoyed some libations. Saturday we played in the basement (where it is cool) and then headed to Boulder and the Pearl Street Mall. The kids had ice cream cones and watched the street performers. The big hit was the Cat in the Hat, who we chased down the street so the kids could say, "Hi". Jack also loved the city break dancers. He said, "They have tricks". When we got home he came up with a few trick himself. Sunday was a quiet day in the backyard on the swing set and in the pool. The night ended with a visit from Dawn and Bill and a few more sparklers.
This morning at 4 am I rolled over and noticed Paul wasn't in bed. Guess what, it's his turn to be sick. Hope for a speedy recovery!

The kids are at a class and it is time for me to go get them.
Happy Monday!

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy. I miss you more than you could ever know. I wish you could see your beautiful grandchildren - they are growing up so fast. I know you would be proud of them.

I love you daddy! I'll see you another day.
Tiges

Thursday

Another 'clean' day. Thank the Lord for small favors!
We are getting back to normal. I think the kids and I have a bout of cabin fever after being cooped up in the house for so long, but today (more than 24 hours after the last bout of sickness) we are off to the park with our friends Luke, Charlotte and Avery. Hurray!

The rest of our lives has been spent fixing sprinkler...

CANCEL EVERYTHING, Ellis just got sick again!
SH*T, SH*T, SH*T!

So far so good

This morning I was awoken to 2 screaming kids wanting FOOD! Paul and I were up a couple of times to tend to a girl who managed to wiggle out from under her blanket and needed to be covered up again, but other than that no throw up. It's still early, but we are starting on the right foot. Wish me luck.

Its been a while

Too much has happened. I spent Mother's Day with my Mom. NO KIDS. NO HUSBAND. I got to be the daughter and not the Mom or Wife. I had a wonderful time!! Two weeks later the whole family drove to MN for Jena's graduation and a great visit with Paul's family. Then we were off to WI. Paul tackled Mom's honey do list and tried to keep kids out of the way. It was also a great chance to see friends and enjoy MN and WI weather and food. The kids did great in the car - who can blame them - 14 solid hours of movies and junk food. And that is just one way.

Right now we are in the middle of stomach flu. I had it last week and this week it's the kids turn. Jack's flu was bad on Friday and then again yesterday. Ellis got sick Sunday night and it continues today. I went to her room this morning, picked her up and she threw up all over me. "Good morning Mommy". Can someone please make a special cream or gel that you apply to a child and it dries everything up and keeps liquid and food in their stomach. There is nothing harder than watching your beautiful 2 year old throw up bile and dry heave. The Pediatrician's office isn't much help - 1 teaspoons of Pediatlite every 10 minutes, watch for wet diapers every 8 hours and give her Tylenol.
Question, she can't keep anything in her tummy, how do I get Tylenol to stay down?
I have done more laundry in the last 2 weeks than I did all of last month and I clean my bathrooms every time someone misses the toilet. My house smells like Lysol and bleach. Enough to make you sick.

I promise to be better about writing and will get pictures up soon, but now I am off to care for my beautiful Ellis.

Happy Birthday Tess

to be sung out of key, off pitch and out of tune...
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Dear Tess
Happy Birthday to you

WE LOVE YOU WITH ALL OUR HEARTS!
We will see you soon.

Congratulation Aunt Renae

Congratulations to Aunt Renae for winning the Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Award. We are all proud of you!!!
Here is the story that ran in the Daily Herald, a Suburban Chicago Newspaper.

Kohl McCormick award goes to Naperville educator

A first-grade teacher at Naperville's River Woods Elementary School is one of five Chicago-area educators selected to receive a 2008 Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Award.

Renae Brooks was in her classroom Friday when officials from the Dolores Kohl Education Foundation and a WGN-TV camera crew surprised her with the honor.

The five winners officially will be feted in ceremonies in June.

The Bolingbrook resident began working in Naperville schools 28 years ago and has taught kindergarten, first, second and third grades.

She started at Maplebrook Elementary School and then moved on to help open Scott, Ranch View and River Woods.

River Woods turned out to be the last stop on her tour of Naperville Unit District 203, and she's been at the school for its entire 20-year history -- including about the past 15 years as a first-grade teacher.

During an interview with the Daily Herald in March, Brooks said the keys to her success working with first-graders are fairly simple: She tries to listen, be patient and give out lots of hugs.

"You have to be constantly changing activities and keeping them excited," she said in March. "I want to be able to look at the clock at 2:30 p.m. and say, 'Wow, time flies when you're having fun!'"

Brooks won praise from her colleagues and bosses for the enthusiasm and innovation she brings to her classroom.

She'll receive the teaching award in a ceremony June 3 at the Westin River North in Chicago. It comes with a $5,000 personal cash award and a $1,000 award for her school.

She also will be inducted into the Kohl McCormick Academy of Outstanding Educators.

Award organizers say they selected the five winners based on criteria that includes innovation, leadership, respect for students, ability to implement developmentally appropriate practices, partnerships with parents and family, and a demonstrated commitment to professional growth.