Six and Still Sick

Neil-Te turned 6 today. He got to start his day with gifts from the family, and was especially excited to be old enough to receive his own clip light and cd clock radio. Usually we take the day off of school on a birthday and head out for doughnuts and a museum trip, but since Neil-te and I are still so sick, we had a birthday at home. We did take the day off - one of the many perks of a homeschooling schedule- and spent time playing with toys, crafting, listening to stories and music, and playing board games.

Birthday gifts from his bros.

Auntie J. braved our germ-infested home to bring Neil-te a gift and a hand-me-down costume for KiKi. (She did stay in the entryway to avoid too much contamination!)

Working on his new bird feeder from Auntie J. Doesn't he look old?!

Since we were too sick to go to our church dinner tonight, half of the crew went to children's choir practice and the fellowship dinner, while the rest of us stayed home for pizza and sherbet as a dessert. Since I still haven't re-stashed any candles, we had to make do with matches in his sherbet. Yep, not a great mom move. Thankfully, he was thrilled and thought it was silly and fun. I assured him that for his official birthday dinner, we will have real candles to go on his cake.

Oh, and yes, he did wear his new Mimi pjs all day on his birthday! Maybe a birthday at home isn't so bad.

Disappearing Voice

Neil-Te has the flu now. His fever started yesterday, and he has a weak, raspy voice no matter how loudly he tries to talk. As most of you know, Neil-te is a talker, as in non-stop, talks -louder-if-you-don't-listen talker. He is officially a chatterbox, so this particular part of his sickness is driving him crazy. He jabbered away to me this morning in his rasping voice, "Mommy, I can't be quiet; but I know it will make my voice disappear. I just can't stop talking. It's very hard. I think when I drink my voice is stronger. Doesn't it sound better? (sniff, sniff, drink, clear throat) Yes, I think that I can talk again. I just can't be quiet, but I know it will make my voice disappear. Am I getting worse?"
And on and on it went! It was all I could do to not laugh out loud at my sniffly, hoarse, feverish little boy whose biggest problem is that he should really rest his voice but can't.

Peatot

I've been struggling with the flu this week, but at our house there is always something to chuckle about.

KiKi (bounding into my room full of life, energy, and gigantic smiles) "Mommy, would you like a peatot?"

Me (lying in bed with a fever, body aches...basically, barely coherent) "Huuuhhh?"

KiKi (bouncing up and down, grinning) "Do you want a peatot?"

Me (still not comprehending and not sure if it is feverbrain) "What?!?"

Kiki (still bouncing at a dizzying speed) "You know, a peatot!"

Me (groggily enunciating) "A pea-tot?"

Kiki (with elation, singing, and arm motions) "YES! I'm a little peatot, short and spout!"

Rocket Launcher

Silly Poses and School

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Shovel Face

SS' first day of school was last week. She is back to getting up early and having to get back to studying. She has some pretty heavy coursework this year, and even with the help of tutors, we are working until late in the evening. I am happy to see how much her confidence has increased when she answers questions and how she is not questioning every word that she tries to write. Her language skills have improved so much. (Just a little funny note - We were reading Poe tonight; and of course, the story was quite terrifying. SS locked her bedroom window right afterward and told me that she plans to put something in front of the crack under her door so that maybe she can sleep tonight. Let's hope that she doesn't have to read too many more of his stories!)

And Now In Color!

My new shoe closet, completely finished!

These pictures actually are not accurate in color, but you get the idea. The color is really more green and less turquoise. The color in the picture is the color that the boys wanted us to paint the living room, though. Now to find a rug, some lamps, a chair, and some curtains... All should be fun, except the rug. I'm never a huge fan of paying for an area rug for my dog to roll on and people to walk all over. Wish that there was some kind of retractable rug that I could pull out in the evening when it's just me and hubby or when we have company over. Yes, I know, a little crazy! :-D

Cookies and Chaos

I don't know what is going on with Blogger today, but excuse the underlining. I can't seem to make it disappear. Anyway, the older boys set up a lemonade stand at Oma's today during her garage sale. It was a huge success. They were very cute - shyly smiling and saying hello to everyone. Then they would race over to me after the people were gone to tell me their current total. So tonight we were busy making more cookies and also some brownies, since I ran out of chocolate chips. The picture below shows our working conditions.

Though not an ideal set-up for getting anything done in the kitchen, I am happy that my living room will be painted by the end of the weekend. Happy, happy, joy, joy!

And here is the wonderful man who's making it happen!

Perspectives of Age

Me: So, how do you like your new English teacher?
SS: She's nice. She's old.
Me: Really, how old?
SS: Oh (thinking), kind of like Auntie Jen. Not 40 yet, but old.

Ah, yes... to be old in your 30's... Not sure what that makes everyone over 40.

She's on the road!

SS got her driver's permit a couple of weeks ago, so hubby and I are taking turns scaring ourselves. Actually, other than a few occasions, she is progressing really well. (I have been doing most of the driving with her, though, because she says daddy gets too nervous! Yes, all of you who know us well can chuckle at the irony of that!) Her driving teacher wants her to take her road exam in October. We're not so sure we're ready for that. Are you? :-)

Hubby extended our entryway today so that we have more space to pile in the door and take off coats and shoes. (Psychological space, not actual square footage.)

Finished!

Oh, and we picked out a paint color today! We're definitely making progress!

Boys' Day of Fun

Shark Attack!

Then for a drive in some Monster Trucks!

Hanging out with some beautiful girls...

and mommy too, of course!

My girlfriend called the other day to let me know about the carload sale at one of our local amusement parks. We threw everyone in the van, and for $30 we played all day. As you can see, we had a great time!