The Big Sick

I don't know why it is, but my boys sure don't handle being sick very well (Rophone included). Big is suffering from a cold right now, poor kid. Being stuffed up makes him miserable and he wants to be sure everyone is aware of how bad he feels. 

Last night, Big moaned almost the whole night long. For a while, I tried going in there to wipe his nose and tell him to go to sleep so he could get feeling better. That didn't do any good, of course, because his nose just kept running and he wanted me to know it. (Moaaan.. "Nose wipe!", MOOAAAN... "Nose wipe, Mom!") 

Then, I tried to ignore the moaning, which ended up being even worse. I began to have awake/asleep dreams (you know what I'm talking about) that I was a school bus driver, driving 50 rambunctious kids on a field trip. Yeah, I know-- awful! And there was this one kid on the bus, with the most annoying moan, that could be heard above all of the yells and screams of the other children on the bus! (Oh, and the engine of the bus sounded like Rophone's snoring! Yes, lovely!) 

Finally, at about 4:00 am, I just gave up and rocked Big for about an hour until he settled down and managed to wipe his nose on my shoulder until it was fairly clear. It was really too late for me to get any good sleep, but I think Big managed to get a few hours after that. Hopefully this cold will pass quickly. I really can't handle that bus driver dream again. 

Freezing!

The 3 older kids spent some time outside today, even though it was freezing cold out. I felt bad that Big couldn't enjoy the snow too, but it's too deep for him to walk in. He ends up just standing in one place, completely stuck. So, Rophone took Big to run errands to keep him occupied. 

I went outside to take some pictures (of course), and found Ginger happily eating snow...

...until I told her that it's not as clean as it looks.

But she decided to continue eating it anyway.

Here's Bud, looking a little cold:

Pen spent her time making "snowburst art" on the street by throwing snowballs from different angles and seeing the fun patterns she could create.

I suggested going inside for some hot chocolate with marshmallows and was rewarded with a smile.

I am really enjoying the snow this year, and I'm glad we keep getting storms to keep it fresh and white. It's helping combat the usual winter doldrums that I experience around here-- when there's no snow I begin to feel rather like I'm stuck in a brown cardboard box... yuck. So, keep the snow coming! 

Christmas Fabulous!

We had a fabulous Christmas today-- I'm glad we are able to enjoy being together as a family (yes, it's true that the giving and receiving of gifts helps with that). The kids actually slept in until about 8:30, which is a Christmas Miracle! What a great way to start the day!

By the time we showered, ate a leisurely breakfast of our traditional scrambled eggs and bran muffins (I know you're thinking, "What a mean (and gross?) Christmas breakfast!", but believe me, my cheesy scrambled eggs and bran muffins ROCK!), cleaned the kitchen and did a room check, it was after 10:00 by the time we started opening gifts. 

I love the way taking it slow prolongs the celebration and makes every part more enjoyable. I much prefer it to a whirlwind at 5:00 am, but that's just me. I think it serves to remind the kids that it's not all about what they're receiving.  

I took only a few shots of this morning's activities, as I preferred to enjoy it all NOT looking through the lens for once.

Here are the kids lined up, ready to check out what Santa brought:

Bud, looking in his stocking:

Santa always brings toothbrushes!

I guess he brings a few toys, too:

I had a hard time capturing a good picture of Big, so this will have to do. He LOVED the little play structure Santa brought:

Bud, showing off some of his loot:

A gift loved by all was the pile of Geo Trax received by Rophone (yes, I said Rophone) to go with what he had already gotten for his birthday last month. The space was really too small to get a good angle on it, but here is a sampling:

I am glad to have a husband who derives such joy from doing things with his kids, and regularly asks for things they can enjoy together. They have been having a blast! What a fabulous day!

Eve Celebration

Yesterday, Christmas Eve, we spent the afternoon and evening at my folks' house. My brother, Rib, and his family were there, so the company was great. Add in some good food... it's hard to go wrong! 

It's a family tradition to do a live reenactment of the nativity on Christmas Eve so that we'll keep in mind what the season is truly about. In the old days, we used to scramble around the house finding whatever we thought would work to create the costumes. These days, my mom has taken the time to make costumes-- it's a little less creative, but a lot easier to tell who and what people are supposed to be. 

Here is Bud as a Wise Man in two different headpieces-- one big, one small (thus the tilting of the head in the first picture to keep it from falling over his eyes):

 

Here is Big, wearing the same large Wise Man head piece, about to take it off:

Angel Ginger, bringing good tidings:

Pen, as Mary, with cousin George playing the part of Baby Jesus:

My brother, Rib, as a Wise Man, with his son, The Genealogist, playing the part of Joseph:

George with Aunt Jazz Hands, another Wise Man:

Captain Tornado made one happy (and cute!) shepherd:

We had a great evening with family sharing the joy and love of the season! I hope you have all had as much fun as we have!

Fourteen!

Today, Rophone and I are celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary! Wow! It doesn't feel like it's been that long! On the other hand, I don't feel like we've ever been without each other. So, for our anniversary I give a little tribute to Rophone:

Romantic (not the candlelight dinner type, but in his own way)

Open

Playful

Honest

One-of-a-kind

Nice

Excellent husband

I had a terrible time thinking of good descriptive words to go with his blog name-- but could think of a ton to go with his real name! This darn swiss cheese brain of mine! Well, what it all boils down to is this:

I could not have found a better partner for myself. Rophone loves and accepts me for who I am. He makes life more fun! He makes me realize that I am special and that I have a lot to offer. He is a fantastic father and is a hard worker. What woman could ask for more than that? 

Daily Grind

This is a conversation that Big and I have that is repeated almost daily. It makes me laugh every time.

Me: "Hey, Big, do you want a snack?"

Big: "Yup."

Me: "What does Big want?"

Big: "Cake."

Me: "No, I'm sorry, you can't have cake."

Big: "Why?"

Me: "Because cake is a dessert, not a snack."

Big: "Why?"

Me: "Well, because cake is full of sugar. Your snack should be healthy."

Big: "Why?"

Me: "Because eating too much sugar is not good for you"

Big: "Why?"

So, you get the idea. It really could go on forever, but I usually find a way to change the subject. Although, sometimes he doesn't want to let it drop and keeps insisting that he should have cake (and keeps asking why, of course). Just giving you a taste of the Laundry Queen's daily grind (lest you think that my job is a piece of cake!). 

Out of the Box

A while back, I mentioned in a post that Rophone and I used to color together when we were dating. I was always the one who colored in the realistic details and made sure the character's "skin" color was just right. I have never been one of those people who can color a horse purple and feel okay about it (it just isn't right!). 

Yesterday I colored a picture of Bert from Sesame Street (or, Dirt, as Big calls him). Ginger started it all with the boots, and then I just kept it going from there. I am quite proud of the finished product:

Do those look like the pants of a bottle cap collector? Is that the scarf of a muppet who eats oatmeal with raisins EVERY day? NO! I made him look carefree, not anal at all-- just as I am learning to be! (Yeah, (sniff) I know it's good.... thanks.)