We rarely have kid birthday parties, but this past weekend we had two on the same day! They were on opposite sides of town, too, on the day of a big snowfall. We were really looking forward to both of them, so were determined to go despite the snow. They didn't disappoint! First we had cousin Tracy & Hayden's daughter's 1st birthday party in Flossmoor, IL. Nora was born just a few weeks before Claire and is such a cutie. Then we had cousin Justin & Sara's son's 5th birthday party in Kenosha, WI. Luke loooves hanging out with Orrin, and the party was really fun.
Luke's interest in books and reading has really increased lately. He is able to recognize so many words in his books, and likes to have us tell him what letters many of the words we say start with. I was reading a book to him the other night and he looks up at me and says "I wish I could read words in books." It will be all too soon before he is "reading words in books" and I'll miss my little guy:)
On Sunday night we had our own little Superbowl party by ordering pizza from Homemade Pizza Company, our local take and bake place. We all gorged ourselves on yummy pizza. You'll never believe it, but just a few hours later Matt, Luke and I were all sick - we think from food poisoning from the pizza, but we're not really sure because Donna and Emil ate it too, and they didn't get sick. Anyway, Matt and Luke threw up within 10 minutes of each other, and they proceeded to each be sick every 30-45 minutes throughout the whole night. I was also feeling sick all night, but only threw up once. Thank goodness I wasn't as ill as Matt because it really was quite a traumatic evening of getting a scared, cold, sick little boy out of his vomit bed and jammies and into a clean bed once an hour, consoling him after he continued to dry heave after he long since had anything left to throw up. I soon just brought him into bed with me and put a towel under him. Matt I think slept next to the toilet all night, poor thing. It was really the first time that as a parent I had to put aside my own illness to care for my children, we're usually not all sick at the same time. Let me tell you, when you're already feeling sick and then you're cleaning up someone else's vomit chunks - you start to taste chunks yourself. Claire started throwing up the next morning, so it was nice of her to spread out her illness. What I learned from all this, other than a great experience of the joys of parenthood, is that I need to have more sheet sets and I should also have at least two waterproof pillow covers. We all were much better after 24 hours, then completely better after 48 hours.
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| Painting flowers made out of plastic water bottles |
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| We're starting to phase out naps for Luke because he hasn't been going to sleep at night until almost 11, even though he's in bed by 8:45. He just plays around in his bed for hours. He is not so into the no-nap, though, we've found him passed out while playing like you see him here many times. This may take a while. |
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| Stinkers pulling out all the Kleenex and throwing them over her shoulder |
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| Tracy and birthday girl Nora |
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| Birthday boy Orrin |
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| Justin & Sara have a homemade ice rink in their backyard that is awesome! Matt got Luke some used skates, and this was his first time on the ice using them. |
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| score! |
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| On Sunday Matt and I snuck out to go cross country skiing. It was so exhilarating to finally be outside and enjoying the snow. It has been so cold that we haven't been able to do that. |
