There's no place like home

It's Wednesday and we have been home for four days and this is the first quiet moment I have had. First quiet moment with out doing laundry, making beds, vacuuming floors, sweeping, mopping, cooking or doing dishes - oh yeah and lets not forget childcare - normal life stuff. We were in Taos last week at Dawn and Bill's special house. We had a great time swimming, fishing, going on hikes, playing on the tire swing, playing games, eating s'mores and all kind of general hanging out. It was a great time had by all. Bill came up with a new nickname for Ellis, 'Yellis'. Her normal voice is two or six octaves above all else, so she just sounds like she is yelling EVERYTHING.

Paul is in Cali and then it's off to Idaho for a Bachelor party - should be fun. Congratulation John and Sarah. We can't wait to see you and everyone else next month! Unless someone comes up with another major life event, I'm not sure when all of us old friends will all be in Boston again at the same time. Kind of sad.

Well, I have to get back to my normal life (see above).
I miss everyone!
Erica

A moment of silence

It's Sunday afternoon and I have a moment of silence and time to myself. Jack and Paul are at the Colorado Rockies game and Ellis is taking a nap. I had a second to pee by myself and add some mulch to a garden bed - it ruined my manicure, but oh well.

We had a great 4th of July. We saw the fireworks in Louisville. I had to keep reminding myself, "We aren't in Boston anymore". It was a good time. Jack kept asking when are they going to start and the moment they did, he wanted to know when it was going to be over. That's a 3 year old for ya. Surprisingly the booms didn't bother either one, once they got the glow in the dark necklaces - you know the ones I swore I wasn't going to buy. The ones that cost $5 each, the ones you can buy at Target for $1.

Tomorrow Paul heads to Washington, DC and Wednesday the kids and I are off to Taos. Everyone's G.I. track seems to be getting back to normal.

What can I complain about? I hope everyone had a great weekend!

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.