case study of virus transmitability

Well, Gareth was the first one down. He threw up a bit more Friday night. Saturday he had a fever much of the day. But by Sunday he was mostly fine, just a bit tired. But, Sunday night about 12:30 a.m., Jonas puked. Poor guy was wretching about every 15 minutes for 4-5 hours. Didn't get much sleep. However, hardly had a fever at all. And by Tuesday he was mostly just a bit tired. Isaiah started to feel it Sunday evening but was in denial. By Monday morning, however, he couldn't hide from it any longer. He spent most of the day in bed. Tuesday he was still tired, but managed to handle the house. Which was good since Monday night/morning, I threw up about 2:00 a.m. I had a fever much of Tuesday and spent all day in bed.

Some good has come of this. First, Jonas let Isaiah put him to bed even though I was in the house! Second, I have learned that I no longer have to drive Jonas around to get him to sleep for nap. Yea!

Gareth was seriously bummed that we are not leaving for Tahoe today. But, we are going to leave Friday, and we are going for the same amount of time. So we'll come home Wednesday.

the sickies

Gareth got home from school today and said his tummy hurt. He said it had been hurting all day "for no reason". But he did play with the neighbor for a bit. I said maybe we should eat a bit of dinner. He took one bite and it didn't even make it halfway down before he threw up. I could tell it was a bit surprising. I walked him over to the toilet where he threw up again. Poor guy. He went to bed quite early. We checked him a few hours later and gave him tylenol for his fever. I'm hoping that it passes quickly enough for us to go to Tahoe Wednesday. I know he will be super bummed if we can't go.

bowling

Gareth LOVES bowling. We went yesterday afternoon after much pleading. Jonas just isn't really into it, though, so it can be challenging. Gareth played 2.5 games by himself. So cute. Sorry, I didn't note his score.

jonas

what is with this boy. He can be so infuriating. Freaked out. Seriously. When I made him go with Gareth and Lexi this morning. At least I have a new game plan. He freaks out less if I leave the house (and leave him with Lexi) that if I make him leave. So that is my new plan. Sigh. Someday I know he won't want anything to do with me. I know I should "enjoy" these times. But really, I need a break. I need to get stuff done.

school

So... we looked at Green Acres (our local elementary). But it wasn't a good day. It was raining. We'll have to go back on a sunny day. We did get to see a little. It's too bad that he can't actually participate in a class; he can only observe. He really wanted to participate. I don't want to scare him away from the school, but I do want him to see the playground when full of kids. Honestly, I think it will be too overwhelming for him. So I am leaning toward a private school (Santa Cruz Children's School) and hoping that I get one of their parent co-op positions so I only have to pay half price.

been a few

I know... I'm getting lax... I'm not posting... But it's been a pretty mellow few days. We got our apple tree this weekend. Admittedly it looks like a big stick we put in the ground. But we have high long term hopes.

I forgot to mention... last Tuesday we went to look at one of the schools that is a potential for Gareth next year. I love it, except for the price. It's small, though... good for Gareth. And he enjoyed it. Tomorrow we are going to look at our local public elementary school.

I sent out invites for Gareth's birthday party today. Now I have to organize the rest of it... for the pirates and mermaids (have to accommodate both sexes).

Oh, and I started band last week. Did I mention that? It was good. Jonas was not thrilled with me not being home for bed time. But... and I'm not sure whether this is related or not... Jonas did want Isaiah to put him down for nap once this weekend (instead of me). Progress, I think.

Valentines

Here are the pop-up cards I made...

Jonas's





Gareth's




The set (I did not get an outside pic of Isaiah's).

a variety of things

First, the boys and I went on a walk in Neary Lagoon on Monday with our friends Valerie and Olivia. We have had some gorgeous weather.

The gang:


The turtle:


Next... some crayon making pictures

after I peeled the crayons, we chopped them into smaller pieces. You can use them like this, but I knew that Gareth would want a more 'consistent' color in his crayons...



So... to get the colors less 'chunky', we chopped them in the blender



Put them in the silicone heart tin



Then we melted them on a low temp about 15 minutes. Pull them out and let them solidify.



I'll have pics of them out of the mold tomorrow.

after 2 years and 9 months

someone in my house has slept through the night for several nights in the past week. I am sure it has something to do with the fact that I am only sleeping in my own bed. I shall say no more for fear of angering the sleep gods... but I am hopeful of that this trend will continue.

family history

it can really bite

I know that many people and many docs will tell you that appendicitis is not hereditary. But I don't believe it. I've lost count as to how many of Isaiah's family have had it. I feel like it's an inevitable for at least one of my kids. So every time Gareth complains of a stomach ache I get so so worried. And last night and this morning we have... stomach ache complaints. So far, it's pretty vague and not i a focused area like I would expect it to be. And there are no other symptoms. So, I suspect it's nothing more than too much cake at the birthday party and him just having a cold. But I hate that I have to have that extra worry.

rustating

That's how Jonas felt the other day when he was trying to do something that he was having a hard time with. "This make me rustating!" (Translation: frustrated)

Manners

I just realized that you have be reasonably comfortable with your kids' manners to have a sitter. But at the same time know that (a) kids are worst when they are at home (where they test their limits), and (b) it's just a sitter and if she really judges, who cares. But... this made me realize that in general I am fairly comfortable with my kids' manners. Yes, they need improvement, but they are (almost) 3 and 6 years old. So needing improvement is to be expected. Just a random observation.

lotsa driving

and for stupid reasons. I had to go to Target (20 min south) and to the bookstore (15 minutes north). So I drove to Target then realized I didn't have the box for the item I was returning. I drove home got the box, drove to the bookstore (this was a must as we needed the books for a party this afternoon), then back to target. Sigh. At least I got it done.
Then I came home, wrapped the books, and made a few phone calls. I called the local public school to see whether Gareth and I can come look around (yes, but not in the classes-- I already did this on my own). Then I made an appt to have our carpets cleaned (and hopefully get rid of the pee smell on the stairs, from the cat who is now banned from the upstairs). And I called the builder (of our house) to get more info on some stuff I had called about back in December. One more call to make (to another school for Gareth) that I'll do this afternoon. It's nice to be able to get stuff done.
Now I won't see my sitter again until tomorrow afternoon. I wonder how much I'll get done between now and then.....

did you have to be there?

Maybe.... This morning about 5 a.m. Jonas called me into his room. His diaper had leaked (which thankfully doesn't happen that often) and he and the bed were soaked. The cute part, I thought, was when Jonas said, "There's pee on my butt." Maybe you had to be there.

New sitter

She's wonderful! So, as you may recall, Jonas is in a serious mom-only phase. Last Monday, I met our new sitter, Lexi, at Gareth's school, and had Jonas w/ me, but Jonas had only been awake about 10 minutes. However, both boys agreed to go with her to the coffeeshop and then to Gareth's piano lesson. She brought them home just before 5 and hung out with the boys while I finished getting dinner together (Isaiah was working late). Isaiah was shocked at how easily they took to her. I am too, but I'm not questioning it. I am just happy to get a little time where Jonas is not freaking out about me being gone (like at day care).

Tuesday morning, she came to take Gareth (and Jonas) to Gareth's school. Jonas was not ready to leave me. He wanted to go, but he wanted me to come. So I did. A group outing. We dropped off Gareth, then came home. We tried to get Jonas to leave the house with Lexi, but he would have none of it. However, he was okay staying home with Lexi while I left.

She came over several times last week. And the boys are doing well. She starts school next week, so this week and last week, I'm using her a lot. This morning she took both boys to drop Gareth off at school. Then watched Jonas until about 11:30. She left, but came back around 2, grabbed a sleeping Jonas and went to pick up Gareth and do the piano/park thing again.

It has been soooo nice! I've been able to clear out (freecycle) a bunch of crap from the garage. And start organizing my desk. And do a bit of cleaning. And just be less stressed. She'll be working less once she starts school, but it's nice to get some stuff done right now. Gives me a jump start. One kind off random tidbit, though... she's a surfer. And a good one. There have been two surf contests here in the past month (one this past weekend) and she got second both times. I just can't believe she surfs in water this cold.

Homo Depot.

This had me rolling. We have an (annoying) toolbox that has talking buttons. It's "home depot" brand. One of the voices says, "Welcome to Home Depot, where you can find any tool for any project." and Jonas looks up and says "Homo Depot! We have Homo Depot."

I guess you know where to go...

POISON FLIPPIN OAK

Who the hell gets poison oak in the middle of flippin' winter? I do. Ugh. I am highly allergic. Not that I ever get a shot for it; I just get it all over. Ugh. My legs look awful, but I don't like wearing pants because it rubs. So i wear skirts and show off my beautiful legs. Really, it looks horrid. I should take pics. And IT ITCHES. A LOT!!!!! Fack Fack Fack. It takes all my energy not to constantly scratch. Fack!