5 ways to keep your sanity

Having 3 sick kids at once could make any mom go crazy. I am a worrier, and my kids all had high fevers for several days. I am constantly worried about febrile seizure. I know, not likely, but it is still a very real fear of mine. So, with all of the children on different ibuprofen/Tylenol schedules I was up several times each night forcing medicine down my children's throats. Never mind the fact that during the day there was a constant whine from one child or another.

Well, today I had had enough! I seriously thought I might go crazy. Thank goodness my hubby decided not to go in to work until 5:00pm or I might really be in the loony bin right now. Speaking of my hubby, the poor guy has had no sympathy from me the last few days, even though he has been working through a pretty nasty flu. I guess I used it all up on the boys. Sorry, honey!

So 4:30 came around and Daddy had to leave for work, and I was stuck in the house, by myself, with three little children that were all starting to feel good enough to be acting like little boys do, but not all of them were well enough to be going anywhere. Another day stuck in the house. What is a mommy to do? How can she stay sane?

Well, this is what I did:

1- Look online for ideas to use up all the energy the kids have from late naps.

I tried to find an exercise video that they could do while watching it on the computer. I did not find one. So I just decided to be the instructor myself. I had them pretend to climb a rope, build a snowman, and pop like popcorn, etc.

2- Make noodle art. I could not get any more creative without making a really huge mess that I would have to clean up.

3- Give them a snack. That will keep their mouths shut for a little while! Besides, they could really use the extra vitamin C.

I could not believe how much Lucky loved the oranges. He wanted more, so he decide to steal from his brother.

4- Put the kids to bed. Ok, that was a given.

5- Do something for yourself. I decided to make a nice potpourri pot with the orange peels, some cinnamon, and vanilla.

So, I am sitting, enjoying the yummy smell and blogging, yet again (I guess I don't have much else to do when I can't leave the house).

Aaaah, much better. Now, any ideas on what to do tomorrow??

Texas or bust!

This past week Daddy took a few days to spend with Ned before he went back to school. We decided to take a quick trip to see Grandpa Roger and Grandma Sylvia. We had a great time.
Before we left we decided to get a portable DVD player, our old one broke a while ago. Lucky thought it was the coolest thing to be able to hold a TV in his hand and touch the screen.

Ned and Dusty shared the second screen in the back seat.

The very best part of the trip was spending some good quality time with Daddy after his busy season at work.

We arrived on Thursday evening in time to have Grandpa's delicious soup (made with several vegetables he grew himself!) and to meet some really nice friends of Grandma and Grandpa's.

The next morning we relaxed and visited. Daddy decided to put Mommy's necklace on Lucky, it looked quite nice, actually!

After a relaxing morning we all got dressed and went out to play. Lucky found Grandpa's gourds he was making in to little bird feeders. He sent a couple of them home with us and we look forward to painting them and hanging them.

Grandma and Grandpa's back yard is HUGE. We loved running around. I wish we had a yard this big, I could get so much done in the house and it would never get messy (except for the dirt ,bugs, and all other nature that the children would drag in).

Dusty and Daddy started "fencing" with some sticks they found lying around.

The boys played hide-and-seek. 1...2...3.....

"Ready or not, here I come!"

Daddy decided to hide in a tree. Probably not a good idea for someone that broke their foot just over a month ago.

Lucky wanted Daddy to help get him up there too, or maybe he was trying to help Daddy down.

Lucky loved being outside, he cried and cried every time we took him back in.

Ned helped Grandma get a branch to the firewood pile.

Dusty decided that if Daddy can climb a tree then so can he! Although, the tree was only about a foot taller than he is.

We forgot Lucky's coat. Mommy thought Daddy got it, Daddy thought Mommy got it. Oops! So Daddy shared.

Ned and Grandpa.

Flying baby!

We were able to pet the neighbors horse!

Lucky was reaching to pet the horse but would not get within 5 feet without Daddy.

Before we left the house Ned and Grandma played a game of Chinese Checkers.

Grandma and Grandpa took us to a nearby veterinary clinic where they have several kinds of animals. They had a few camels, deer, a zebra and other animals that we did not know the names of. We were so happy when one of the camels came near the fence. We never would have guessed that it was going to let us feed it and pet it. It was really a great experience. We were a little nervous that Dusty would have a bad reaction with his allergies but he did fine. His eyes were a little red the rest of the day, but as much as he loves animals I know he thought it was worth it.

We arrived home late Friday night. Thanks for the great visit Grandpa and Grandma!

With our mini-vacation over it was back to our normal lives. Saturday morning Dusty woke up with a fever that did not end until Wednesday.

Ned and Lucky were fine for a couple of days...

But it caught up to them also. :(

Thanks for Sawyer the bear, Grandma, he has been put to good use!

So, now all of us are sick, wishing we could go back a week to the wonderful time we had in Texas.

There was a video I wanted to put on here but I could not figure it out. It really shows how my husband (most men, really), and now my oldest son as he grows up, act during a cold. Here is where I first saw it on my friend's blog.

reminder

Like Father, Like Sons

Yesterday I was trying to take a picture of my poor little boy, Dusty was so sick and looked so sweet laying on his daddy's lap. As I was trying to take the picture Daddy started making silly faces. I said, "Daddy, stop, you always pull funny faces when I am trying to take a picture." Now, always was probably not the right word, but he does do it quite often.

This happens with all of the little boys in the house too. I know it must be annoying to have a scrapbooker as a wife/mom. I take so many pictures, let's say an average of 500 per month (and that is probably too low). You see, I have to get the best shot possible, even if it takes 50 pictures to get the perfect picture of the baby crawling for the first time. If I am going to spend the time to scrapbook it, it better be good!

So, I understand when my family gets tired of me taking their picture, but if they would just do what I want it would be over so much faster. Sometimes these crazy expressions are not on purpose, but are often intentional (very often as the boys get older). Usually the problem is that I want everyone to continue to do what they were doing and act naturally, but the camera comes out and they just can't help themselves!

I found some pictures of all of the boys (including Daddy) where they have a funny look on their face. With so many pictures taken each month there are bound to be some interesting shots. I probably get more completely crazy pictures than I do really great shots. So why not show these off too?

DADDY

NED

DUSTY

Lucky

Maybe Daddy gets it from Nana!

Merry Christmas!

We hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Some of you have requested that I post my cookie sheet advent calendar. You should be able to click on it to see it larger. The boys have had a great time sharing the duty of adding the magnets each day. The only one without a number was #25. It is all about baby Jesus anyway!

P.S. You have to check out today's new entry to thedeanery ...hilarious!

The Aftermath

These are some pictures we took around town of the trees that were broken by the heavy ice. It is so sad to think how old these trees are and that they have survived such strong winds around here but could not handle the weight of the ice.
I think the most amazing pictures are #'s 1,10,11,12,and 19.
I am sure glad we live in a new neighborhood with tiny little trees that just bent over a little.

Baby, it's cold outside!

Here are some pictures of the ice storm. We were without power most of Monday and for a few hours on Sunday night. We were some of the lucky few that got to sleep most of the night with power. There are still many homes without power and we feel very blessed to have ours back on. Some of the pictures were taken after it had started melting. The pictures do not do it justice. It has been an adventure!

And the winner is...

Scott, my brother in law was asked by his wife (my sister) what I should rename my children on my blog and he said, "Well, that's easy. Ned Nederlander, Dusty Bottoms and Lucky Day from Three Amigos!"

I love it. I do not love the movie, but I hope it is popular enough that some people might get the connection.

Thanks so much to those of you that took the time to make a suggestion.

Scott, your prize will be in the mail soon. :)