Sick of being sick

Things are finally returning to normal around here. After having a four day weekend, the boys remained home for a few more days due to illness. I took Rion to the clinic and the doctor thought he more than likely had swine flu. I felt so dumb at the clinic because the nurse and then the doctor were asking me all the usual questions about when symptoms started and what his symptoms were. Some things I simply could not remember. I didn't even know what day it was. Between taking off days from work, the four day weekend and all three kids sick I couldn't remember who started what medicine when, who had the highest temperature, or when all of this started. In the end the doctor determined it was more than likely swine flu and that he was on the tail end of it, therefore he didn't need any medications. Rion did start to feel better by Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday he laid in front of the TV all day and didn't move. The next day he was running around and arguing with Torii again so I knew he was better. He went back to school on Thursday and the teacher said he complained of still being sick. However, when we got home he was magically better. Besides not really wanting to go back to school I think he was pretty tired too. We are all suffering from a terrible cough that really comes on at night.

Torii had also been feeling pretty bad and he just went back to school today. I didn't take him to the clinic, but it's probably a good chance he had the flu as well. He was mad that he missed his class's pajama party yesterday and didn't want to go to school today either. I told him they were having a Halloween party, but he still didn't want to go. I told him his teacher missed him, but that didn't work either. Then I told him "A" and "B" probably missed him and he said "OK" and got dressed. I didn't hear either boy cough much last night so hopefully they are getting over being sick. Cordelia seems to have missed all this. I noticed her coughing a little yesterday and some today, but it isn't bad. Hopefully she can escape being really sick. I hope we are all feeling better really soon because we want to go trick or treating tomorrow and see that little Heidi who has been in town for a week and we haven't seen yet!

OMG

I have this really bad habit of saying "Oh, my God." I know I do it, but it's out of my mouth before I can even think. I notice it more now, because I routinely get busted by Torii. He's the "don't take the Lord's name in vain," cop around here. And he loves busting me. I've tried to stop, but it's hard. I guess Torii can keep on my case until I stop. The thing about Torii is that he really listens. Rion does his time in school, leaves, and doesn't talk about it. Torii absorbs it all and lets us know all about it too. We may have talked about not taking the Lord's name in vain, but I think it was after he learned about it in church school. Torii is also our prayer for dinner leader. Neither Fred nor I grew up in a house where a prayer was said before dinner and so we've never said it with our family either. Until Torii started busting us for that too. He makes sure we say a prayer before eating and he usually leads it. I still forget often, but he always reminds me.

Veggie lovers

My boys have always liked vegetables. Once at a neighborhood potluck they asked if they could have some broccoli. Of all the good food on the table that is what they wanted. One of the neighbors heard them and was shocked. I was so proud. Rion doesn't like salads, but Torii loves them. He always has one with his supper. On my last shopping trip I stocked up on some sickness fighting food like Vitamin C packed orange juice. And this time instead of getting plain old iceberg lettuce I got some spinach. I really like spinach, but the last time I bought it Torii wasn't too sure about it. This time I told him it was just like lettuce and now he can't get enough of it. I never liked many vegetables as a kid so it still surprises me that the kids like them. But Fred said he has always liked vegetables so I guess they take after him. I just think it's so cool that my five year old eats spinach.

Cold and flu season already

This morning as part of our morning we had to add another step into our routine. We had to line up the medicine and start dispensing. All three kids are getting eye drops for pink eye and antibiotics for ear infections. Fred is also sick with a sinus infection and has medication as well. Last week we visited the clinic five times in four days. The kids couldn't coordinate it well enough to all get sick at the same time so we had to keep going back to the doctor. Torii started it all with pink eye. We tried to keep him away from everyone else, but nobody listens to me. They don't want to play with each other unless they can't. We noticed Cordelia getting it the next day and then Rion the next. Rion also had an ear infection and the next day Torii woke up screaming bloody murder about his ear. Literally minutes after I got home with him Cordelia started grabbing her ear and complaining. So we have spent a small fortune on medicine and I feel like we have a small pharmacy in our house. They are all feeling much better and look much better as well. I can't wait until the week is over and the medicine is gone. I hate giving the kids the eye drops and they don't like being on the receiving end either. Poor Cordelia. I have to pin her down for any chance to get the drops in her eyes. That is one strong little girl. And we're all trying to get better so we can hold that cute Heidi later this week!

A conversation with Torii

Torii: When you get married who gets to pick?
Me: What do you mean?
Does the boy or the girl pick who to marry?
They both have to decide to get married.
No, no, no! (Mild tantrum here). The boy should pick who to get married to!
The way it usually goes, is the boy asks the girl if she wants to marry him. If she says "yes", they get married.
What if she says "no"?
Then they don't get married.
What if she says "maybe"?
Then the boy asks her again later.
What if she says "maybe" forever?
Then the boy can keep dating her or move on.
What's dating?
You know, they go on lots of dates to see if they like each other. If they like each other enough they get married.
Later that day:
What if all the girls tell me "no"?
Torii, if one girl says "no" to you, then she is crazy. (To this Torii smiles and gets a little twinkle in his eye).
But what if they all really say "no"?
The world is filled with girls and there is one perfect for you. You'll find her.
Again later in the day:
How old do you have to be to get married?
I'm not sure. Technically, maybe 18, but you should wait until after college.
After college I can get married?
Yes.
Then what?
You need to get a job.
Then what?
You buy a house.
Then what?
You have kids.
Then what?
(Deep breath) I don't know Torii. Whatever.

I don't know what Torii's obsession with marriage is lately. My best guess is that he is playing house with the girls in school and he gets to play the part of husband. The other day he told me he was going to marry "A" in his class. Or "B", (who happens to be "A's" identical twin sister).

Apple pickin'

After school today we went to Grandpa and Grandma's house to pick apples. Their tree was loaded. I took a bag full home and now I'm looking forward to some hot apple crisp. The boys want caramel apples. We all had at least one apple directly from the tree. They were really good.

Letters from Torii

Last Saturday as I was trying to get ready before we headed out for awhile, I let the Torii and Cordelia watch some TV so I could get done faster. Little Bill was on and that is one of Torii's favorite shows. I heard the beginning of the episode so I kind of got the gist of what it was about. Little Bill wanted to receive mail like all the other members of his family. His dad suggested that Little Bill write a letter to someone and then they would write him back. Torii that this was an excellent idea so I told him he should write a letter to grandpa and grandma. No, he wanted to write a letter to someone in school. Then I suggested that one of his aunties would love to receive a letter from him. Still, he insisted on writing letters to two girls in school. Twin girls. I couldn't talk him out of it so he wrote a letter to both girls. He got the letter to one of the girls, but the other isn't in his class and he hasn't had any luck getting his letter to her. He told me as he handed the letter to the girl in his class another girl asked him if he had a letter for her. He told her maybe next time. So now he wants to write a letter to her as well. Five years old and already passing notes to girls at school.