A Garden

A special friend made a special gift for my children. Alicia, and her sweet babies, Nico and Isabella, made a fairy garden for Greta and Jack. They brought it to preschool yesterday and today we have real crocus blooming in our front yard. The kids are certain that the fairies are saying thank you for their new home. I am in awe of Alicia's creativity. Every little detail is perfect. There is a tiny chair with a porcelain tea cup and saucer, a tiny basket of purple thistle, a sweet baby bird nest, and tiny ladder, and a path bordered by a picket fence. It smells earthy. It is so lovely.

We had a play date today with Nico and Isabella. They are hilarious together. The house was bursting with squeals and laughter. I love these days of kids and a mom that has so much in common with me. Another reason I am thankful for my babies...they helped me make a new friend.

Mc Playdate

Mc Wet Wipe
Mc Sweeties
Mc Cuteness....

Mc Naptime.

Trader Jack

One of Jack's favorite things to do is buy food. He seeks out the chocolate covered bananas, yogurt and pizza. He enjoys a sample of whatever they've got and tries to spy the walrus, Wally. Last visit he was in the chocolate aisle, sitting on a giant chocolate bar. Jack told the grocery checker that Wally was sitting on a big book. Go, Jack, go! Wait until he learns about coupons...it will become an obsession.

Year of the Virus

We then had two children with beach ball sized tonsils. It didn't seem like strep throat so I thought it would pass. It lasted a week and I felt like we had to go visit Dr. Kate. We went in and discovered Jack had an ear infection, but no strep. And then the next day the stomach flu for Jack...and the next day for me. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Poor Jack was absolutely pitiful. This one was brutal, and constant. He was ill almost every 20 minutes from 11 at night until 4 am and then again around 11 and then he bounced back, slowly getting an appetite.

I lost 10 lbs.

My sweet babies and Derek were so comforting. Greta and Jack stood in my bedroom doorway and blew kisses to me and made hearts with their arms and hands up over their heads. They cried and told me how much they loved me. It helped more than I can say. And Derek held down the house and even found someone to cover a business trip to Vegas for a Dell convention. He made me a cozy spot on the couch and let me watch Downton Abbey in my misery. He picked up Won ton Soup from Bolings and slept on that old couch at night so I could have the whole bed to myself...in my misery.

Okay. NOW let us be well.

I do feel so loved with Valentine's Day nearing. I don't think I could ask for more. Health and love. We have our Valentines ready to send out, and parties at school next week. Greta gets to bring the sweet treat and we are deciding whether it will be cake pops or fruit pizza...or even just stopping by Krispy Kreme in the morning for the sweetest heart sprinkle donuts I have ever seen. The teacher will love me. For sure. But at least we aren't bringing her the flu!