Catching up, we are in quarantine

I did mention it has been a long week-right?

Now Ian is full-blown sick. He is puking, sleeping, and generally feeling like crap. He and Kevin returned early from a ski trip to Colorado after Ian declared himself homesick. I knew there was something wrong with the picture. He loves to get away with his dad. BINGO-- he has the same virus Jilly has been dealing with.

Jilly is still not totally well, but way way better.

Ella's eyes look all wrong, and she fell asleep on me at the movies today.

Hadley and Holly are okay so far. Hadley just wants to go somewhere, anywhere. She asks for her coat about 20 times a day and watches for people that look like they are putting their shoes on. We were invited out as a family for New Year's but I don't see how that could be fair to the other families so we will be camping here at home. (sorry Hadley)

Kevin has the third wall of the new family room extension rebuilt. I am glad we did the project. Much of the wood he is taking out is rotted, and I don't think it like it would have been good for the long haul in any case. The end is in sight. Once my one man wrecking crew is done with all the framing the licensed contractors come to do their parts. In my experience they tend to be faster, as they don't have to make multiple trips to get all the supplies in their mini-van, stop to put kids to bed, drive them places, and eat with our family. I have to pick out just the right color/texture of carpet for the family room that can withstand the assault that 5 children and a dog can lay on it. I am thinking dark, and fluffy.....

I have spent countless blocks of time trying to figure out where all the new Christmas stuff should go. The kids prefer that it goes on the floor in the family room or kitchen, but I am already tired of stepping on beads, finding markers without caps, and trying to remember who got the peach lip gloss versus the bubblegum one. I think their treasures will be safer in their rooms.


It has been nice to not have to pack snacks, find gloves, boots, and coats, and rush breakfast every day. It has been nice to have time to cut paper doll clothes, read stories, practice spelling, and draw thumbprint animals with the kids. It is nice to be wanted for couch cuddling, board games, and answering questions as if I have all the authority in the world to do so (albeit these last few are also inconvenient)
I just wish the house would clean itself, and the groceries arrived by magic.