The opinions of a 9 year old...

Mini-Me deemed this birthday the "Best Birthday ever!" She had had a depressing week (for her) and was so excited to be celebrating her birthday. She received some new "Groovy Girls" and a new Game boy game -- but more important: we celebrated her.

Which was perfect timing, because she ran a fever over the weekend and we thought she might have had strep throat. But her brother and sister had been tested and the tests were negative. So we waited it out. That was when the tummy bug hit.

I had told her that we would have a "Date" where we would talk about grown up stuff. She was sick on Saturday - but when she started feeling better on Sunday she was insistent that we have our date.

I had determined that it was time to have "the talk" and also to talk about the fact that she was going to start growing up physically. But in reverse order. I'll spare the details because she might read this and be embarrassed - and I wouldn't want to do that.

I will say that I was a bit scared when she started to cry. She did not want to grow up.

I almost didn't talk about anything else -- but decided to keep with my game plan.

I had read the tale of a Mom who had gone before months ago and sought out the book "Before I was Born" from this series. It's a story book format that allowed me to read a story - and then talk and answer questions.

Despite her chagrin about growing up, I was committed. We were painting fingernails and having chocolate. What better time to talk??

I talked and read and she listened and her jaw hit the floor.

"That's G.R.O.S.S.!!!!!"

Got to love the opinions of a 9 year old.

Where'd she go?

It sunk in that I didn't know where Mini-E had gotten off to. The front door wasn't open so she hadn't gone out in the cold. I sent Mini-Me to look for her - and she couldn't. That meant that the little sneak was doing something she shouldn't have been doing.

I was right. Found her sitting on her bed ... with a Gameboy.

Always wonder where she is and what she's doing.

A brother moment...

I have been taking pictures lately - trying to figure out if this camera can do nifty things - and so far, it can. I'll be posting more pictures I'm sure.

Here's a rare moment in the Laundry Pile. The boys were playing on the couch - cushion wrestling, don'tcha know. And they hopped up on the arm of the couch and I said "Hold it! Let me take a picture!"

And then the moment was gone - in a flash.

literally.

They fell backward on the couch and erupted in laughter and elbows and wrestling...Brotherly love.

DefCon Conditions Lowered

We're at Code Blue right now -- but not the same Code Blue the hospitals would use...

Everyone seems to be feeling much better. No buckets required since Sunday.

The only possible damper to them feeling better is that I am having a tough time talking today - so School work will be interesting if attempted.

I thought, since I couldn't talk with as much volume as I normal do, I would choose a condition level of "Guarded".

You never know when a mom who can't talk like she normally talks will sneak up behind you.

Especially if you're a Denim...be on your guard.

Edited to add: It's rather difficult to sneak up on someone when you're barking like a seal. I took myself to the doctor to discover bronchitis. We remain on Guarded condition until 7pm tonight - at which I will no longer be contagious.

Bunk beds are evil....

The Laundry PIle has gone to Orange Level.

While the birthday was a huge success, the week was crazy. And last night, just when I thought I would be able to blog about it all, Mini-Me comes in and says that she threw up in her sleep.

She sleeps on the top bunk. I managed to get the menagerie of animals off the bed and the bedding changed and got her tucked back in. I went to bed myself as it was now too late to blog.

Somewhere about 2 am. G got sick. He sleeps on the top bunk and managed to toss his cookies over the side, getting the bottom bunk in the process. I've determined that in times of sickness, bunk beds are evil.

I asked the professor if he thought it might be food poisoning. He said, with conviction, "No. Because I don't feel wel either."

THe laundry pile is now on Code Orange. Anytime the Professor stays home from work, it's a serious matter. Besides, we have to stay on alert for those bunk beds.