Ice Storm Road Trip

I sit here, watching the icicles drip and the sun shine yearning for spring. The urge to dig in the dirt is overwhelming, if I could only find any. The stagnant winter dust that has settled all over the house just won't cut it, I want real dirt! Last weekend provided one more barrier between me and my dirt...ah, you have to love an ice storm!

Of course this storm has to arrive on the day we are driving our Mothers down to Schenectady to see Love, Janis. We had tickets, hotel reservations, and the strong need to get away for a night, we were going no matter what. I was at work watching the weather change. At first it looked like it was raining and then out of the corner of my eye, bouncing. Not good. I see the car pulling in to pick me up, I walk into the back to get my bag and in bounds Josh, "They are freaking out, you have to help me!" By the grace of Josh's great driving and his unending patience we made it to the Northway, where the ice turned to rain for the rest of the trip.

The show was amazing! What an experience. Words will never do this show justice. Katrina Chester did an amazing job bringing Janis's true spirit and vocal tenacity to life. It was a show I will never forget, and I couldn't have asked for better company to share it with.

Health Update

I am happy to report a few things. Josh escaped the dreaded flu bug, Lennon made a very quick and energetic recovery, and I am much better, although the cough still lingers.

Colton, well that's another story. The poor kid started the whole circuit and is taking us out with a bang. After a few nervous nights and two trips to the doctor we were finally correctly diagnosed with pneumonia. Thankfully he is not so bad off to be in the hospital, he actually went to school Thursday and Friday. His asthma has always been our toughest battle, but pneumonia is a whole new fight. No parent should have to see their child in so much pain just trying to breath or lay down. We are on the path to recovery with heavy duty antibiotics, plenty of fluids and some extra rest. I admire him for how well he has faced all of this. X-rays, 4 hours at the doctor's office, a trip to the ER in the middle of the night (in minus 16 degree weather) and through it all he has remained utterly patient with his crazy nervous parents and over-energetic sister.

In the midst of all of the sickness, he has not forgot is birthday. Today, we plan his party. So far he has decided on a rock n'roll theme with 7 friends. Food proved easy enough for him: fruit salad, mini-pumpkin muffins, cheese and crackers, and Dad's "famous" guitar cake. Now I just have to figure out how to rock out the house and keep this kids occupied!

House of Germs

I am officially exhausted. This flu-bug has got to go. I am afraid that even if I doused the whole house with bleach, we're in for round two. Last Saturday night Colton was struck down with the body aches and fever, which lasted through Sunday and part of Monday. Like clockwork Lennon caught on fire Monday night through Tuesday and part of Wednesday. And then when I just couldn't give another dose of Tylenol, I got it. What misery! I can't remember ever feeling so awful. I have had it since Wednesday night and I just can't seem to kick the low grade fever which makes the whole world look a little wobbly. I dosed myself up with medicine yesterday to go to work. Mom and Chris were looking forward to a fun day with the kids, they were both better...I swear! I called to check in at 3:30 and Mom had bad news, Colton had a fever and it was going up quick. I left work and flew out there with Tylenol at the ready, my poor baby was lying in the tub, burning up. After a long night of medicine and back rubbing, he is still feverish this morning and in need of a good rest.

If this cycle is starting all over again it might be better to just shoot me now. No wonder adults have a harder time recouping from illnesses, it's been coming at me from all angles. The scary thing is, Josh has escaped so far. Will he get it? Oh, I hope not. First off, he can't miss school and secondly I don't think I have the energy.

Snowy Insight

The only way to get real use out of any outdoor toys in the Adirondacks is to figure out how to use it in the snow...or at least try. This attempt at riding didn't quite live up to expectations but it did make for some funny pictures.

The tricycle soon was abandoned and the back of the truck became a playhouse. Complete with little children sitting in time out for misbehaving. Then Lennon told them to behave because she had chores to do. Talk about guilt, how is it that kids can show you your own life in true clarity and not even know they're doing it. It is so easy to forget how tuned into life these little tikes are. At least until they throw it in your face!

Groundhogs and Tea

Pauxatawny Phil will forever be overshadowed in this household by Lennon's birthday. I love that both of my children were born on such outlandish holiday's. We celebrated with an old fashioned Tea Party. It was just what she asked for; elegant tea cups and saucers, dainty sandwiches, fruit salad, cookies, sweet bread and "the girls." She was quite insistant on the "no boys allowed" rule.

New adventures

It really is happening, Josh is now a full-time student at Plattsburgh State. It all came together in a swirl of reality when we bought his books, got his ID, registered the vehicles, and found his classrooms yesterday. The kids enjoyed seeing where Daddy will be when he's "at school" and were troopers as we hiked across campus a few times. It was a good trip and I think it helped calm his nerves, getting a feel for campus and taking care of all the tedious bits (besides the actual learning part ofcourse). It will be a big change from little ol' North Country, but he's ready.

In the calm before the homework, we've been spoiling ourselves a bit. Last weekend the "kids" came over for "Sibling Night" and we had a blast. They are amazing people and a lot of fun to be with. On Tuesday, we left Lennon with the Grandparents and took off skiing for the day. It was such a beautiful day, being mid-week the trails were empty, and it started snowing big beautiful flakes. The perfect winter wonderland. After the kids went to bed last night we enjoyed a peaceful dinner with some champagn (peaceful dinners are always a treat). Today I think we'll let Dad take it easy, or as easy as he can with us in the house.

Readers beware!

I would like to announce the arrival of a new member to this blogging community. Josh has now joined the ranks. I have been hording this site to myself from the beginning, resisting all attempts of his to "try this or what about that". This might have been greedy of me but I like that this space (inside joke) is mine, and I'm not sharing!

So now, you can share in Josh's quirky sense of humor and witty commentary on his very own blog, see link on left. I warn you to enter at your own risk, and please remember that I am in no way accountable for anything he posts there.

Enjoy!!