A Sick Start to January

Unfortunately, January was just not our month health-wise. Two days after returning home from Alabama, we were hit by a family stomach virus with Patrick as the last man standing.  Then after what seemed like a health rebound, we were all hit with cold viruses leading to all sorts of other respiratory issues for 3 weeks. It was just one of those seasons where we kept passing germs around. Not to mention, Patrick was away for a week in Houston in the middle of it all. So January was all about survival. Thankfully, the kids had new Christmas toys to play with and their imaginations had a lot of time to bloom.

The kids built their own bonfire (like Granddaddy's!) and are roasting lego marshmallows.

Still occasionally catches an evening snooze in the swing.

She discovered that she can get into the recycling!

Once she figured out how to get over the door transitions, the entire first floor is accessible now, including all of our jackets!

We did lots of iron-beading while recuperating.

Colleen figured out that she could dump her mini-book basket, and then put it on her own head. She thought it was hysterical and repeated it over and over.

The kids are proud to recount to anyone who will listen that the day after we were hit by the stomach virus, they got to watch like 6 hours of tv!

 Colleen's goal in life - get to the bookshelf. Empty bookshelf.

Still not to big for the bumbo seat.

Amelia asked if we could make the roasted chicken recipe from her new cookbook. She rubbed all the oil and herbs on it herself!

Sent outside on a warmer day to color with chalk and their new chalk stencils.

The magformers have taken over our house. The kids are constantly building and figuring out what they stick to. My fridge is constantly covered.

They were so proud to call me over and show me how they sealed the fridge shut.  There were so many giggles when I pried the doors open!

I found Austin's 'list' folded up in an envelope. Our afternoon 'school' time seems to be paying off.

This girl loves her baths more than you can know.

Colby the mouse also gets constant usage.

We did manage to make it to Lego Club; Amelia and Meera are presenting their construction project.

This girl is so miserable, and yet she was quick to smile.

Sending Daddy photos of sick kids.

In the middle of all this was my birthday. While stuck at home most of the week, I was blessed by multiple friends dropping off meals, cards and treats. I took this photo to send a friend - birthday meal of champions: fish sticks and sangria.  

 Here's to hoping that the rest of the year has better health than January!