Ewww! It's the Flu!

We started our Friday afternoon with an outing to the mall. The kids have been begging since the end of summer to go to the new toy area and to "buy something" at the mall. I've done quite well at putting them off! The last time I went to the mall was in March, I ran in and got my ring cleaned and ran right back out. That is how much I LOVE the mall! Anyway- back to our adventure. It certainly didn't disappoint. The kids had their piggy banks tucked under their arms and they eagerly buckled in the car at a lightening fast pace. We sang our favorite counting songs on our way and the kids snacked on apple slices. We walked into Macy's (I'm longing for some new boots and I still have a gift card to Macy's) but quickly walked out, shoe shopping with three helpers, no thanks! We made our way to the first kid store... The Disney store no less! The kids were in Disney heaven. Kevin has been begging to go to Disney world, and after being there, he talks about it even more. Kevin picked a Spider man glove that makes nose when you shoot out webs and Julia, she had a tough time deciding between a red mini mouse dress and a mini mouse picnic/park set. After going back and forth and back then forth again, she settled on the toy. They happily dumped their monies on the counter and took their receipt with their new prized possession and we made our way to the toys. It was INSANE! Note to self, weekday mornings are a muuuuuch better time to visit the toys.

 Upon finishing we had my ring cleaned and took when step out of the store when Kevin complained of a tummy ache. I figured it was because he was starving but I had dinner in the oven at home so we made our way to the car. When we got home, he grabbed a blanket and laid on the couch while I prepared him his own dinner of his favorite comfort food, cream of wheat. He ate 4 maybe 5 bites then laid down. I immediately grabbed a bowl and set it next to him. Not minutes later all the fun began. Did I mention Cody was still in Idaho? Julia devoured her baked potato and then ate an entire bowl of cream of wheat. We finished watching a movie, and poor Kevin was starving so I gave him a popsicle while we read stories. I loved my sick boy and changed my sweet girls and tucked everyone into bed. I walked out into the living room and cleaned like a crazy woman, we had a showing at 10:15 the next morning, when I heard Lacey scream out in pain. I got her out of bed and snuggled her on the couch.

 She didn't like it. She wanted to be close but not be touched. After an hour of belly aches, I finally gave 

her a half if a tums, she calmed down and got wild and crazy. JUst as I tucked her into bed, I heard the dreaded cry and noise come from my room and walked in to a sobbing Kevin and bright orange carpet. I brought him out to the couch while I scrubbed the floor and after a while of belly aches I convinced him to take a warm bath. I get him out, re Jammie him and tuck him back into my bed. I told him I'd be in in 10 mins to sleep with him. I wanted to get the rest of the house cleaned up incase our night was awful! Just as I walked out of my room the dreaded noise and cry came from Julia's room, remember how much dinner she ate? I put her in the bath and started the laundry.

 Remade her bed, re Jammied her and found her iPod and tucked her in. She did NoT want to be cuddled, she just wanted to watch a movie. After that I cleaned up the rest of the house and rotated the laundry. I climbed into bed just as Kevin's crampies started again. Between 11 pm and 5 am I spent running from room to room rubbing backs, soothing kids, rinsing out bowls, changing bedding, and doing 5 loads of laundry. We were all able to sleep from 5-7 which believe it or not was fabulous and so needed! We went into crazy mode, dressing kids, disinfecting rooms, remaking beds, folding laundry. 15 minutes before go time, Julia turned ghostly white and I rushed her to the car with a bowl (I did not want to have to re clean anything). I was very pleased when we pulled out of the driveway at 10:05. It was a lovely day so I took my sick kids to the park by our house. The fresh air did amazing things for them as they puttered around. Upon returning home, I discovered a few things, that had our night been different never would have been there. 

Such as I was finishing the kitchen when Julia turned white again, I had just ran the garbage out, the lid was laying in the middle of the kitchen floor, one sink was filled with left over toast and crumbs, and the other had two big sick bowls soaking in hot soapy water. When she got sick I completely forgot about those things. I was a bit embarrassed to see them when we got home. And then I realized for the night we had. That was NOTHIN'!  We were so excited to pick Cody up from the airport. Sadly, he leaves bright and early in the morning, but we have made the most of this Sabbath day at home.

 (Lacey was up all night last night and I feel awful now.) we have played games,

(anytime someone else is close to winning Kevin changes the rules. It took me back to my child hood, J.D., my older brother, did the EXACT same thing. Always rigging things so he would be the winner!)

 watched movies, ate popcorn, (Lacey ate hers right from the big bowl and was pretty pleased with herself!) and built domino towers. And let me tell you, I am SO GLAD all three kids got it on the same day instead of spreading this out over a week! 

Cody was up before the sun this morning, I swear he went running out the door, to catch his flight to New Hampshire. And so the work travel begins. It is looking like he will be gone every other week until the middle of January when it is go time in the real world in New Hampshire. 

We are getting pretty anxious for the Holidays around these parts. We have a fun weekend ahead of us. My Sister Tessa will be in St. Paul, so the second Cody gets home we will head that way. Then the day after we get home is the BIG gender reveal! EEK, what will it be?!?!? And the very NEXT day my brothers family will come for the blessed holiday of Thanksgiving, and then two days later my little BIG boy turns 5!  YIKES STRIPES!  

So much FUN TO BE HAD!!!!

We are blessed and we know it.