These Boys Love Food

Ethan making eggs

posing for the camera...

Gray enjoying blackberries

Oh, joy...

Pig Flu

Yep, I've been in quarantine. That's me, in the mask. Alone, in my room for seven days. (For those of you counting-and I was- that is 12 days without my kids when combined with my trip.) Since we didn't know if Frankie or the kids had been exposed to H1N1, we were careful and kept me away from everyone. The pediatrician put the kids on Tamiflu as a precaution. I was on it, too. By the end, I was climbing the walls. I was plugged in as you can see- phone, blackberry- and spent plenty of hours watching TV and reading.

Once sprung from quarantine Wednesday morning, I returned to the most stressful, emotionally difficult week of work to date. I'm expecting a much better weekend!

Fun Travels, Good to be Home

It is so fun to see your friends in a new light. I just returned from a visit to Texas to see dear friends and their daughter. It was a wonder to see them confidently handle her and her needs. They weathered her first illness like pros. They provided comfort, knew what she needed and when- they are simply her mommy and daddy. What a joy to watch them in their new role!

Their daughter is beyond description. She is delightful- like joy embodied. She is strong, self-possessed, watchful. She adores her family- GrammaFun and AuntSilly- and looks to Mommy and Daddy for comfort. She's tall and has a healthy appetite. She is wonderful, a blessing, a joy.

Last night when I arrived home, three boys snuggled in my bed with me. Everyone had something to say to me, even Gray ("Mommy, Mommy, pretty, pretty"- ah, music to my ears!). This morning when I came downstairs after getting ready Gray ran over to me in his little footed pajamas, greeting me with hugs. I missed those boys so much while I was in Texas! The boys were disappointed to hear that I have to work when they have the day off from school (me, too). E was already asking Dad what the plan was for the day (that's my boy). It's good to be home.

In Flight

I'm flying tonight. I hate to fly. It's unnatural- well, for us- humans, that is. I hate the stale air blowing on my hair until it is stuck to my head and grease pours from my scalp. I hate the inevitable motion sickness. I hate crossing my arms for two hours in the hopes of not touching the stranger next to me. I hate wearing anything low and tight. I hate thinking about how irrational it is to imagine plummeting to my fiery death on take off and landing (the most dangerous times you know). I hate when someone tells me I'm safer on an airplane than in a car. I hate lugging around a carry-on (with my work computer no less). I hate flight attendants who act like they've bestowed some great favor upon me by condescending to speak to me in surly tones. I hate people who roll their eyes at infants and children on flights.

So, think of me tonight on the plane, listening to the Indigo Girls singing

up on the airplane nearer my god to thee
i start making a deal inspired by gravity
if i did wrong i won't do it again
i can be sweet and good and nice
and if i had enemies they're friends
i hold onto my life with the grip of a vice

and send a little pray up even though you know, as I do, that I will arrive safely. I'll be glad to see dear friends and welcome their daughter into our family. And for that I would fly to the ends of the Earth.

Blue

I'm blue today; heart-sad really. I wish I had a mom to call. I wish I had someone who loved me best in the whole world, who could tell me what they think is best for me, who would protect me above all others.


I'm glad my boys have that.

Gratitude

Things I am grateful for...

1. Boys with sticky-uppy hair.

2. Organizing (and the Container Store which I love).

3. My wonderful massage therapist- who should be called "healer."

http://www.kalaspangler.com/index.html

4. My hubby.

5. A good laugh in the morning.

Happy Halloween!

We had such a fun Halloween! Ama came in from Texas to share in the excitement. The boys spent the day throwing sticky skeletons against the walls and ceiling.

We carved pumpkins.

Ethan and I worked together on this jack-o-lantern.

Jax carved his own this year and did a great job.

Jax also treated us to a special dinner. He made "candy corn pizza" which was a delicious tri-color pizza that resembled candy corn when sliced.

Then it was finally time to get into costumes.

Zorro left his signature Z in the snow in front of each house he hit for trick-or-treating.


James (Captain America's son for you comic book aficionados) kept the night safe from ghouls.

And our little moo cow number three enjoyed going door to door in the hiking back pack.

The kids enjoyed some candy (Gray even had some) and woke this morning ready for more! And, of course, they are already planning their costumes for next year.