My darling oldest children are, like their father and almost every other family member I can think of, quite emotional. This means that they are spirited, enthusiastic, dramatic, and entertaining, but not so strong on the rationality. And when they are sick...whoo boy. We are so far down crazy lane we can't even see sane from here. This is a very mild sickness. Just a couple of days of fever for the boy and one morning of vomiting for the girl. But I've still been treated to some hilarious and disturbing ranting. The kind in which my son repeats over and over that he just wants something ELSE, but NOT for me to sit by him, NOT for me to touch him, NOT for me to stand next to him, NOT for me to leave the room, NOT... I would offer to transform myself into a fountain of jelly beans, but I'm pretty sure that would make him yell. Poor guy, I knew all he really wanted was to feel better, but I am still overwhelmed by the dueling desires to laugh and strangle him.
Instead of either option, let's look at some pictures from the last two weeks while he watches Star Wars.
The kids of the team got to hang out together a lot while the GO team was here. This is the night we made balloon birds. BEST craft ever. They came in packages with the tissue paper pieces all ready to stick on the balloon. Great for their age group. And pretty dang adorable. Thanks for the craft stuff, Gaga. It just keeps coming in handy.
Yes, some day I will start correcting red eye before posting pictures. Probably on the same day that I finally organize my desk and hang those pictures in the kitchen and housebreak the dog and lose all those pounds I gained this last year.
The three amigos. ALMOST all smiling and looking at the camera.
This one would be in a frame already if it weren't for the random jumble of blankets and school uniform in the background...and the stamp on Ellie's forehead. Ah, well...
Latest family picture taken by the GO team.
Nate and Lucy are not exactly looking at the camera, but this was the only picture where we all have a relatively natural look on our faces.
Okay, see the trend here? First I introduce the picture, then I show you the picture, then I criticize the picture. Let's see if I can break out of that.
Ellie during the lunch stop of our road trip. The first part of the road trip. The successful part that took place in the car. For some reason, this picture makes me feel like I can see what she's going to look like at 15.
Minus the paper crown, of course.
This is Mauro and Mirian and their son, Mateo. They are the wonderful people who took us in for two days when our car broke down in a strange town.
I learned some serious things about hospitality during those two days. You see Mirian's cute pregnant belly? She's due in less than a month. But she still let us overrun her house, skipped work to keep us company, skipped her nap to let Lucy sleep on her bed, cooked us meals, went to the store to buy more food to cook us more meals, baked, and wouldn't take no for an answer on any of those things. She had to be exhausted by the time we left. But they turned what could have been an awful experience into a tiring couple of days that gave us a chance to catch up with friends we haven't barely talked to in years.
And the kids had so much fun with Mateo and all his toys.
And finally, the boy on a happier day. I think he was singing. He's usually singing.