doughnuts for dad

This year Chris was on double duty for doughnuts for dad. Usually he meets us from work for this special day, however since I'd been feeling so crummy, he'd stayed home this morning. The boys were ecstatic to see him when they woke up. He even made them cinnamon rolls for breakfast (before the doughnuts, definitely a dad choice).

When we arrived he headed to Neland's room first, and I stuck with Teague (substitute dads are welcome - no one wants a kid without a parent there).

Half way through, Chris ventured to Teague's room. Chris deems this day "Dad come watch me eat doughnuts" as the kids definitely took both theirs and his.

As usual, the kids made artwork for Chris. According to Neland, Chris is 3 feet tall and 60 years old (he sure did rob the cradle when he married me). He also likes best that daddy is "very very funny." As part of the gift, Neland decorated a frame with paint and different nuts/bolts/washers. In the frame is a picture of Neland in a hard hat and tool belt and a sign "My dad can fix anything". I won't lie, I laughed pretty hard when I saw it. Teague made a shirt, with handprints, as a pat on the back. He likes when daddy plays games and trains with him.

Just as last year, leaving Neland was a teary mess. It's so special to have dad there, that leaving is extra hard. He was not the only one in his room in tears, there were quite a few others. Teague went right to playing when Chris left. I love sneaking peeks on him. He loves playing with this little friend in his room, and talks about him all the time.

the weekend

Neland was not disappointed (or crushed) by it not snowing, but it wasn't exactly super awesome either. It was a light (very light) dusting. I thought Neland would be really upset, but when he woke up he was so excited to see snow on the rooftops and cars. Thank goodness. Teague was very confused what the fuss was about, he didn't understand what snow was.

Before Teague was even up I let Neland go outside to feel the snow (in pjs and bare feet). He scraped some snow off a few things and was ready to come inside and get ready for school.

For me, the weekend blurred by. I think I slept during most of it, but the boys had a lot of fun playing with dad. There was baseball practice in the backyard Saturday morning, and that afternoon we headed out for smoothies (Chris thought it might help my throat). I didn't bother to get dressed since Chris and the boys were going to get the smoothies and bring them back to the car. We were gone about ten minutes and as we turned onto our street to return home, we saw four firetrucks blocking the way. We have a history of firetruck incidents at our house so I was a little nervous (even a neighbor texted to say she hoped we weren't the reason they were there). We had to pull into a driveway up the street and we noticed that our neighbor across the street had a truck that had caught on fire (we'd actually seen the smoke driving back from the smoothies and seen a firetruck, but didn't think it'd be our street). So we decided to drive around awhile to give the trucks time to clear out (at this point I was wishing I'd gotten dressed so at least we could have gone somewhere). Once we were back home, there was still on truck on the street which the boys watched until it went on it's way.

Sunday we headed to church and then promised the boys a trip to the library. They were so excited Chris was coming too. Teague was very disappointed the puzzles weren't out and Neland had no trouble finding another stack of books for us to read. Of course the best part is returning the books, and using the scanner to check out the new books.

Grandma and Grandpa came down Sunday night and we headed for dinner and a special ice cream treat.

Monday morning, Chris was at work, but Grandma and Grandpa were still here. We headed to breakfast where Teague surprised me by his focus in coloring. He stayed in the lines, held his crayon correctly. I even sent Chris a picture because I was so impressed.

Grandma and Grandpa stayed all day to play with the boys (and I slept more, which was such a luxury). They headed home after dinner and we had time for a game before bedtime.

Teague still needs to learn to wait his turn and follow the rules, Neland just needs to learn to make it to the end of the game. I'm sure we'll get there soon.

crazy weather

This weekend it was in the 70s, tonight they are calling for snow. No matter what the weather has been, we've been under it.

We made it outside for a long walk/ride on Saturday morning. By the end of the walk, it was clear Chris had caught something (possibly Teague who hates to share, shared his virus?). Chris slept the rest of the day. Losing time with daddy on a Saturday was not lost on Neland, he was so disappointed to miss play time.

By Monday, it was clear I had caught something as well. While Teague and Chris both had days of extreme exhaustion with a fever, mine centered more around my throat with a fever. Chris said after two days I'd feel better, after two days, I felt worse and decided to brave a Minute Clinic with both boys in tow.

Sometimes I think Teague makes us appreciate Neland more than Neland alone could. We waited a good hour (and of course I did not pack any snacks, in fact I was so desperate to get out the door, Neland took Teague to the bathroom and dressed him). The three people in front of me were so tired of waiting they all left (answered prayer right there - they weren't sick, just getting flu shots). I was called back and apologized that I had to bring my boys (although really I just needed to apologize for bringing Teague).

Neland was fascinated with all the "doctor" stuff and sat nicely asking about what different things were for. Teague swallowed two pieces of gum, yelled for snack (granted it was 5:30) and tried to touch everything in the room. The idea of talking made my throat hurt so I was very grateful when the NP told him not to touch something. He did his pouty back away routine, but he didn't touch that again.

My diagnosis was "severe" tonsillitis - I think she added the severe when she saw the tears in my eyes after I heard it was a virus. Again, why is it always a virus?

The boys ate junk food for dinner (goldfish, and who knows what else) and I climbed into bed. Today they've taken great care of me.

Neland said, "Okay now, the next one is going to really hurt." Then brought over a "shot".

Neland also said "If it doesn't snow tonight, I'll be crushed." Here's hoping he's not crushed.

sick days

Teague's fever left Tuesday, only to return Tuesday afternoon, and again Wednesday afternoon. With the return also came some really gross eye goop. He continued to sleep almost all the time and refused to eat, at one point half an apple seemed like a great victory in putting something in his belly.

Worried about the eye goop, I took him to our peditrician. The appointment time was after Neland's drop off, but not quite long enough for us to return home and not short enough for us to drive straight there. So off to Caribou we went.

Teague asked for a scone and ate a good half of it.

We been going to the same Caribou for at least four years, as it's right down the street from preschool. Today was the first day Teague noticed the small table and chalkboard, right as we needed to head out.

The diagnosis at the peds was a virus (isn't it always a virus), with a prescription for eye drops to help keep them clear (in the mornings they are so covered it's like they are glued shut). Teague asked for a lollipop and an apple while we were there, so once we left I decided we'd stop by the grocery store to pick up his request. While there, he decided the food looked good, and asked for "everything" so we made plate.

The grapes and carrots were a hit, and a few bites of broccoli and green beans were acceptable as well. At this point it seemed like things were improving.

We picked up Neland and then ran by Target to fill the prescription. The request for an icee was not denied.

The rest of the day was spent on the couch. 

The next morning, I let him sleep until I had to wake him up for school. With him being so congested, sleep is hard to come by and I hate waking him. He ended up asking to stay in PJs all day. When we picked up Neland, he asked if he could have a PJ day as well and changed into his as soon as we got home. 

Neland asked Teague to play trains with him, and Teague's response was, "I want to play Diesel 10 but first I tired" and he slept the rest of the afternoon.

Neland, always so understanding, enjoyed playing Starfall in PJs with headphones on so Teague could sleep.

He woke up and said, "I want a bagel." After trying to see if he would eat anything else, it was decided we'd get a bagel. Through a drive-thru as both boys wanted to stay in PJs.

Teague enjoyed half of his blueberry bagel, and Neland loved his chocolate chip. I tried to pass it off as dinner, but it only worked for Teague, who was still exhausted.

 Today has been more of the same, lots of couch time in PJs, but Teague is demanding more, so I know he's starting to feel better.

the last days of Christmas

Saturday and Sunday were officially the last days of Christmas. With the Holiday on Ice rink ending this weekend as well, we headed up town on the train to skate one last time.

Teague hung onto his ticket the whole time.

Neland debated who would ice skate with him up until we checked out skates. It ended up being me. 

He was a little nervous at first. 

But we got the hang of it.

There were lots of "whoas" and a few falls.

I have to admit, even I didn't want to get off the ice.

Our plan was to get back on the train and stop for lunch. When we mentioned this plan, Neland whined, "I want to have lunch uptown." After speaking to him about whining, we had to laugh, what kid says that!

Since we were uptown, with dad (what a treat), we stopped by Discovery Place after lunch.

Before hopping back on the train, we stopped by a bakery for a treat (and to stay warm until the train arrived).

Our last day of Christmas took an unexpected turn. We woke up to kids jumping on our bed, but within an hour Teague was curled up in a ball asking to be held. He came down with a pretty rough fever for two days. He was too tired to eat, or even sit up, it was pitiful.

It lasted from Sunday until Tuesday morning. On Monday, Teague asked for a blanket in the car. He fell asleep on the way to school and the way back (he is riding in Neland's car seat here - Teague is still rear-facing, but he does enjoy riding in Neland's seat when Neland's at school).

While Neland was at school, Teague hung out on the couch. "Dali is like a soft soft pillow," he said right before I snapped a picture. 

After school, Neland asked Teague to sit upstairs with him while he played. I was attempting to remove Christmas decorations. Neland tried to make Teague comfortable by bringing his bed to him. He also brought a stack of books, but they were piled over Teague's head and looked like they may cause pain if they fell.

Last night, Teague begged Dali not to leave the couch. Normally he sits on her, jumps on her, pulls her ears, so I'm not sure how comfortable she was with this situation. I appreciate her helping my little one stay comfortable though.

Tuesday morning brough a fever free Teague, now to get some food in his belly!

the fifth-tenth days of Christmas

The next few days involved a lot of cookies and hot chocolate. The boys also headed back to school during these days of Christmas.

Making some Shrinky Dinks from Christmas.

New Year's Eve involved cookies and "apple spider" according to Teague. There was also a lot of toasting! 

"It's so spicy," said Teague.

Some hot chocolate in special mugs.

Making snowball cookies after school. This is one of my favorite kid-friendly recipes. 

I know they looked thrilled.

Snowballs dipped in hot chocolate = perfect!