Why?

Why do the kids get sick when I actually have things I really need to go out to do? 90% of the time I can juggle my schedule to do anything or nothing. And 99% of the time, the kids are healthy. Unfortunately, this week seems to be that 1%. Delaney woke up telling me her bed is wrong and sleeping on it made her heart hurt. (I know, how odd is that?!) She said her heart hurt all day. It hurt enough that she didn't want breakfast, didn't want to go for a walk, and didn't want to go to story time at the library. She looked quite pitiful, but didn't have a fever. Well, no fever till tonight. She spent most of the day curled up in her blankets, and she fell asleep on the living room floor by 7pm. She was sweaty and roasting hot when I moved her to her bed. I hope, hope, hope she stays asleep all night.

Callie came home from school and said she didn't feel well. With those big brown eyes, she looked so adorable and sad. She curled up on the recliner chair with her blanket, and I confess, I actually let her watch tv. Normally after school she races out to play with her friends, comes in to gobble dinner, and is back out till homework time, which is right before bedtime. But today.... today she was so lethargic and sad. She felt pretty warm too. She's tucked into bed with 3 blankets and a bucket, just in case.

And tomorrow, I actually need to be places. I suppose exercising out of the house is out. And, yes, I could easily reschedule the 10 am chiropractor appointment. But at 12:30, I am suppose to have an IEP meeting with the school. I really need to get this done. I really need to get the ball rolling on this. I even had somewhere to take (healthy ) children so I could go alone. I can't very well dump sick kids off to be watched now though. How bad would it be to show up at the school with 2 sick kids......?

Fun Photo Friday

Guess where we went today?!

No, don't be ridiculous. We do not say those kinds of words. Hmmmm, and we don't drink those beverages either.

We went somewhere where they put Devils on the buildings. That's so you'll know what kind of establishment you are looking at without even needing to see the sign.

I wanted to go in here, but Dan wouldn't let me. Just kidding. The smell of vomit and urine was making me gag. But I was so astonished by this sign, I had to stop so I could share. It really is the Devil's Playground here.

Yep, there were some very interesting.... and disturbing things to see here.

Some gorgeous architecture and buildings were hidden among the nasty front trappings.

And hey! I learned that this is a landmark for New Orleans today! I know, I'm a heathen for not knowing this building.

So the answer is, we went to the French Quarter today. We took a stroll down the cacophony filled, cesspool scented Bourbon Street. We ate at a seafood restaurant called The Gumbo Pot. We perused the bead filled shops and I debated the merits of purchasing a voodoo doll. We checked out the offers of questionable delights. I have to say, I am not seeing the attraction of the place.

Family Rocks!

We finally took advantage of living closer to family!! We met up with my brother at the Temple this weekend. The kids were so excited to see their cousins, and I confess to being pleased to see them as well.

Here's my crew. They had a marvelous time playing on the grounds that morning.

So many things to climb on and play on. Here they are waiting for Andy's family to arrive. Every time a van would turn in they would jump up and down. Very cute.

Marian was very excited about this. This is the icky squirrel skeleton stuck on the back fence. Kera said the children got a lot of mileage out of it during their games. Marian and Katie's cheetah antics used it most effectively.

These 2 were the only ones who held still long enough to get a usable shot. They had a good time hanging out and playing. I love that the cousins get along so well!

We went to lunch and then spent some time at a park before we drove back home. This was a pretty good park. All 10 children had fun and none complained of being bored while we were there! Yay!

Delaney is a cutie-patootie!

Rylee and Charlotte had a good time. I LOVE the way Rylee carefully enunciates "Shaw-yette". And there was no biting or pushing. Yay!

Marian dug a most impressive hole. Katie found a "buried treasure" in the sand and the big kids spent a lot of time trying to find more buried treasures. Alas, there were none to be unearthed.

Well, unless you count Joshua.....!

Okay this could have gotten it's own post, but I didn't do that. So, here's the set up. Dan and Rylee both had birthdays a few days apart. I know Dan detests sharing a birthday, but I celebrated them together anyway. We just had too much going on for me to do 2 separate celebrations.

Rylee was happy with her Jello Poke Cake. I make it for Dan every year and it is so tasty!

Yep, Callie agrees.

Joshua was trying to be funny. He gave me a lovely smile and as soon as I pushed the button, this is what he did. Silly Pickle!

This is what Delaney calls her "creepy smile". I'm not sure where that came from, but it is a hoot!

And Marian jumped into this shot just to be a pickle.

Happy Birthday Dan!

Happy Birthday Rylee! This is her new favorite toy. Its a cell phone. She talks on it a lot.

Sometimes I amaze myself

I was going to post pictures yesterday, but you see that didn't happen. They are still on the camera. What is my excuse? Well, today I:

-Walked to the base library to turn in reeeally overdue books.
-Took Joshua his stupid school ID that he forgot.
-Dropped off stuff at the thrift Store.
-Drove an extra 5 miles to put $2.93 a gal gas in the van.
-Went to the county library and discovered it was story time and our friends were there!
-Visited the chiropractor.
-Went to KMart for pull-ups and bread. Did not find cream or cool whip.
-Made a picnic lunch for Delaney to eat in the living room.
-Baked a cake.
-Cooked and divided 3 pounds of ground beef.
-Turned in paperwork to register the girls at the day care center.
-Checked 3 different convenience stores for cream or cool whip. None at any.
-Drove further out to find another grocery store and finally got my cream. (I need it for Jello Poke Cake!)
-Made tacos
-Oversaw the wrapping of birthday gifts
-Deboned 2 chickens.
-Helped Callie with her homework.
-Helped marian with her homework.
-Tucked in Callie, Delaney, Rylee and Marian.
-And now I managed to blog!

Life.... In pictures.

This is Joshua's pigsty of a room. I walked in there and saw this. It was so sweet, I had to grab the camera. Seeing Josh and Marian reading together made my day!

Rylee likes Watermelon. A Lot!

Joshua wanted a Creeper cake to celebrate his birthday. This was the best I could manage.

He was pleased with it and it was quite yummy!

This is what Delaney and Rylee do when we're at the gym. I know. Most kids sit there and watch the videos, or play with the toys. But my girls..... my girls take out the mats and use things in ways they were not intended.

This is me yesterday after 45 minutes on the elliptical machine at the gym. I'm a gross, sweaty mess when I exercise. Yes, I am!

And you should have seen me today after a walk and run with the stroller in muggy Louisiana heat. Whew, saturation about covers it.

I made bread. No, not for the first time. But this WAS the first time I have used the "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day" method. Not too bad! I'd have liked a bigger loaf, but I'll figure that out as I get better at it. I totally recommend you check it out of you like fresh bread with dinner. It really is that easy!

Yes, I was sitting on the porch watching my girls. They even asked if they could get wet and you can see that I said "yes!". Check out Delaney dumping the container of water down her front.

Rylee cracked me up! Look at her face. Such a funny girl!

Plenty of water to make mud and mud pies. Marian is a hoot. This boy is one of the neighborhood kids and he is not always nice. Callie often comes home crying because he (or his sister) was being mean. Marian gets along well with him. She told me she was going to train him to be nice! It was adorable. Marian is awesome.

Yep, same day. The girls came in and put on dry clothes. Then after dinner, they went right back out to the water.... and the mud!

They had a very good time in the mud. And there is still a pile of wet dirty clothes that need to be washed!