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!!

Sledding Video!

Having time off from school leads some to more creative endevors. Josh had a great time putting this together last night. Turn the sound on and you'll hear his band, Cloning Cooper (see link on left). And if you want still more pictures of the holiday season I added a few albums on Picasa.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Survival of the fittest...aka youngest!

Newsflash...

The Clement Family of Saranac Lake, has survived the holiday season. The odds were against them, having a schedule to rival those of the Presidential candidates. But lo and behold with some holiday spirit and a little Santa magic, they have entered into the New Year.

2008 has started out quite nicely. Colton is back in school...he was a little restless. Josh is enjoying a much needed break from school and working on his music. Lennon is, well, Lennon is Lennon, and amusing us every day. I have survived inventory at work for another year and am looking forward to what 2008 has in store for us.

This morning we took our first family excursion on our new snowshoes. What a great time. Little Green Pond is an old haunt of mine and it was fun to take the family back there. I had thought about walking the trail around the pond but after a while realized just getting to the pond was a good start. Colton put on a brave face and kept up with me while Josh broke trail ahead with Lennon in the pack (she has "monster feet" and loves them, but was not in the mood to walk very far in them today). Needless to say I think we went far enough.

After a quick lunch and some hot cocco, we bundled back up and met the Lewis Family in town for some sliding. It was a great day for sliding, not too cold, not too many people and lots of snowy faces! Watching Colton and Kyle flying downhill face first as the snow blew over them, made me wonder when I lost the inhibition and daring of childhood. One good bump of the tailbone is enough to remind me that I can't keep up. Josh and Brian tried their best to outshine the boys and might very well have succeeded but I will have to take points away for the whining tomorrow about sore muscles!