Sick-la-wick

Ok so last I blogged Tanner was my little sicky-pooh. The term on the Kirksville streets for what's been going around is "the plague" and let me tell you what-its accurate! Holy Cow. The plague has plucked us off, one by one. We are all healthy again finally, but its been the long haul.  Saturday morning Isaac took one look at me and said "You've got it." --as if I didn't already know HA-- but yes, I did have it! When Colt was sick he slept in the hallway so he'd be close to the bathroom, I took notes from the 3 year old and did the same thing. I hate throwing up and can only remember a handful of times of being that sick. Yikes. So glad we didn't try to go to Nauvoo. In fact even Isaac stayed home from the priesthood leadership session because I was no use taking care of our children. Of course he's super dad (and we had beautiful weather) So they used a tie-down and rigged up a little swing in the tree in the back yard. By the afternoon I wasn't great, but I was at least up off the bathroom floor so I got a few pictures for evidence. Check TanO out, looking so longingly...

Tanner did get his chance but he wasn't so sold on actually doing it. He wouldn't hold on, but he was pretty darn happy in his dad's arms. Their buds. 

Sunday everyone felt fine but when I talked to my friend on Friday about what bug the kids had had she said it was crazy and it was more like 72 hours until you were out of the woods, rather than a 24 hour thing...so Tanner, Colton, and I stayed home from church. Isaac and Cannon were still fine though so they went to stake conference. It worked out nice that I didn't have to shirk any primary responsibilities being sick cuz it was stake conf weekend. Monday was president's day and Cannon didn't have school. While I'd intended to invite some friends over I didn't get it done. They boys played really well together, it was nice weather again, we talked about a park but didn't get there with the way naps worked out. Isaac did have to work but walked in the door at about 2:30 or 3:00 and didn't look or feel good. He was done for. So glad I hadn't invited anyone to our sick house! He went in to lay down and I (thinking we were free of germs) took the boys to Walmart so the house would be quiet and he could get some rest. 

We cruised all over Walmart and hey, I'm sure it was worth Isaac's extra 2 bucks to get to rest, of course I bought the $1 slippers. Ok we ended up with more than just slippers, it was slippers and donuts, and juice boxes-- but we stayed gone a long time, hit Aldi too and ultimately had a good time! We hoped to come home to a dad that had slept it off but we-or rather he-wasn't so lucky. 

So then we started calling Cannon "the last man standing" the poor kid, it was a time bomb. I kept quizzing him, asking him if he had any of the symptoms the rest of us had had. But he was doing great, so I still sent him to school Tuesday. 

Tuesday was Isaac's birthday~and as I was reminded several times throughout the day it was also Colt's half birthday.

A cupcake for dad's birthday? Don't mind if I do!

Cannon and I actually made the cupcakes Monday night, Colt didn't get to help because he didn't finish his dinner. He'd had ample time and I felt like it was the first time since he'd been sick I really pushed the food issue. Well, I shouldn't have. He was up sick again in the night. He was screaming, covered in puke, as was his bed and shortly thereafter the floor, he didn't want to shower just wanted to sit in the tub--that wasn't going to cut it-- woke the whole house up. I was just like Nooooooooooooooo we can't start over with this!!!!

But he went back to bed (on the floor in front of the bathroom) and luckily that was the end of it and we survived. Isaac's birthday was pretty uneventful, he being Mr. Celebrate and all. He was sluggish but went to work, with nothing but a birthday wish...and some homemade sandwiches for lunch that I assured him were gourmet! He left and I thought to myself I really don't have a single thing for him for his birthday. In his mind he's thinking finally she's starting to get it, in my mind I'm thinking THIS IS HORRIBLE. So we made him a primary shirt (its not even cute--but we didn't have a lot of color options in the large tall size, and I'm determined to buy talls, he of course couldn't care less) 

His shoes have been stinking, so he's been trying to get rid of the smell. ...that process could easily be an entire post but sufficed to say freezing stinky shoes doesn't work... anyway a long time ago I had mentioned buying him some new shoes--like when I saw that the back of his were ripped or something, no way, and he made me promise not to buy him new shoes. So I promised. But then (over a year ago) my mom and I were at Ross and they had a good deal on some good dress shoes that would fit him. But I couldn't break my promise...so my mom bought them. So amidst all the trying to get the shoes not to stink I busted out the new ones--Happy Birthday Isaac, from the in-laws. Then I told him the story. His other ones though, they were tired and done. 3-4 times a week for the last 7 years...for dress shoes! Oh Isaac's you'd make President Hinckley so proud with your: use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. 

We made some of his favorite frosting for those cupcakes. Tann's Sold on this Birthday thing!

Happy 35 HoneyBear! Cannon was pumped his dad "had a 5 in his number now" just like he is 5.

On Isaac's birthday I finally got a picture of Tanner's little "fang" teeth, and I didn't crop that pea out of the bottom of the pic just so there is evidence that I don't just feed him cupcakes and frosting. ha!

Wednesday when I picked Cannon up he was SO PUMPED! They were going on a field trip the next day to the petting zoo. He was so excited. But then we got home and I offered him an after school snack and he just said his tummy hurt and he wanted to go to bed. 

Crud. 

Poor little man. The last man standing-falls. 

He went to bed and slept for about 6 hours, when he woke up he pretty much made himself puke "just to get it out" of himself then said he felt a little better and went back to bed and slept for the night. I was so sad he was going to miss the field trip but I didn't think I could sent him within the 24 hour window (as per school policy) but Isaac said to just see how he felt. So the next morning he said he was fine, and he acted fine, so I let him go to school. (So basically if the plague continues in Kirksville its probably my fault.) And he got to go on the field trip. 

....Now...about that petting zoo... it was the FFA kids at the high school, and it was just some panels in a big shop room at the technical center, it was cute but when I asked Cannon about it he said "Not quite what I expected." But I think he still had fun. I'd told Colt we could go too and we'd try to go when Cannon's class was there. Well...they went first thing in the morning. We didn't get there until more like 10:00 and Colt was ticked that Cannon and his friends weren't there. He whined the whole time and wouldn't pet anything. He also thought I ought to just take him to Cannon's classroom since we missed them at the petting zoo. That boy has a mind of his own. He also told me this week that "He knows everything Cannon knows" so he "should just get to go to kindergarten too." Little character, when I work on my independent study class he gets to work on the preschool computer, and he is pretty smart, I'll give him that!

Sometimes I find random pictures on my phone. Sometimes they take'm, sometimes I do.  Weather in the high 70's was nice too! We have a good time these boys and I!

And today! Today was a great day! Cannon gets to be "Star Student" next week, he was pretty proud after school and did a great job of filling out the poster all by himself (well spelling help but that's all) And GRAMA'S HERE!!!

All along I've been telling the boys she was coming Saturday, because experience has taught me if she gets in at night, that day, when the boys think she is coming that day is so long and takes forever. So I picked Cannon up and we got home and were going to tidy up the house for when Grama came "tomorrow" but then we were going to eat dinner and then go get her. I was plotting the surprise in my head all day and I was pretty excited. Only the boys and I were equally surprised when right after we got home from school Grama walked in! She'd caught the earlier flight from STL which was WAY better than a 5 hour layover! So fun! We're excited!! Let the good times roll!!

Tanner's getting to where he really prefers food that he picks up and puts in his mouth (as opposed to pureed stuff) but sometimes those little fingers betray him so he just had to go about things the next best way.

 

We had ourselves some Tilton time Saturday night thanks to it being "block weekend" so big test Monday morning for the med students. Isaac had a dinner thing with some people from work. We had a blast! Saturday also I had my buddy Natalie chop about 6 inches of my hair off...it's still long-well kinda-not as long but..., and it's still always wadded up... so it's really not much of a change. Sundays are still a little tough with the need for naps but we get home from church late enough that if they happen then bedtime is a disaster 🙄 oh well! So I planned to have Cannon lay down by Isaac and not go to sleep and I would lay by Colt...he still asks Every. Single. Night. For me to lay by him (I always say "after I get Daddy and Tanner to sleep") anyway I thought my plan was perfect...silly me. But I did get Tanner to sleep then headed into our bedroom where it then went me, Colt, Cannon, Isaac. Sorry ya got left out TanTan I'm sure you'll be in the middle of it in no time. Anyway, who knows if Isaac went to sleep I can't remember but Colt and I dozed off so Cannon got up and when I heard him and got up with him. We had a project! We had a great time making him a Tiger valentine box. He cut all the stripes and picked where to put them on. With lots of supervision he even go to use the hot glue gun-he loved that. We tried to make the face look like Kirk the Tiger at his school...I dunno.

 

 

 The above pic...Cannon's determination I think the plan is to jump Colt??? Who knows, but partly I posted it so we'd evidence of that sweet pajama look Colt was rock'n...

Monday I got Cann some new shoes, his had been kinda tired for a while but when I felt his toe at the bus stop that morning I realized I needed to get on it. I'm not really happy with what we got I don't think they're going to hold up at all but I couldn't talk him out of them, and they were cheap so we went with it-and then Monday night was filled with excitement and races and jumps! I love how excited they get! So I busted out some shorts for a little early Valentine for them! (It's more than Isaac got, but then again, they get more excited about gifts than him!) But try'n get a picture...just a neon blur...or 2!

I was making Isaac sandwiches Tuesday morning and said "These are going to be delicious sandwiches, is this your Valentine Honey?" To which he said "Ya! That's perfect!" He's easy to please, I came home with some roses for me 😊 He is on the search committee to find a new professor to take Bro Gilchrists spot so he goes out to eat kinda a lot-well every time they bring in a candidate- but we were talking about one of the restaurants and how he's been there several times and I haven't been yet so our plan was to go out for Valentines a few days later but...our plan got thwarted by sicky little Colt. Oh dang it was awful. Poor little guy.

As for our date (shrug) I wasn't too sad, even though we had that convo about restaurants Isaac's wearing off on me-I don't even get excited to go out to eat. It just seems like rip off.
So what else Wednesday was the Blue and Gold Banquet for Cubs scouts. Isaac was gone (out to eat with the search committee) so it was me and the boys (sigh) as I'm typing this I'm thinking ~why did I go? So what that I said I'd bring a salad, I could have dropped it off!~ one of my cute primary kids is such a good helper though-she loves Tanner and really was life saver! We actually had her come tend Sunday morning for ward council, it was great! But blue and gold still ended in a screaming too tired meltdown 😞 Then Colt woke up that night puking and screaming, the screaming woke Tanner up oh Thursday was horrible!!! I'm sure the screaming woke Cann up too (and maybe the neighbors 5 streets away???) but Cann is big enough to just lay there and go back to sleep or try--him not getting enough rest showed up Thursday night in horrible behavior that got him sent to his room where he made a fuss for a few minutes then promptly fell asleep-for the night. Well, kind of he woke up about 9:30 and was up for who knows how long but he was quiet and there was no school today so--good enough. Today the weather has been PERFECT! 65 and Sunny in Kirksville in February--I'll take it!! But the we didn't leave the house because I didn't think we were out of the woods with Colt. The boys did play in the dirt in the back yard a little. Actually Cannon was so sad we didn't get to hit a park with friends today but those two (Cann and Colt) played together so well today! All day!  It was noteworthy for all the fights I typically am trying to stop. But they sure didn't want Tann mess'n up their fun! We're going to go to Nauvoo because it's stake conf this week and Isaac always has to go, that was kind-of our plan to make a little weekend out of it, then things got WAY BETTER and we were going to get to meet Robyn and Patrick there (ok I'll admit my boys were sad their dogs weren't coming, oh brother!) but we were pumped! Then sickness hit there, and then sickness hit here so it's not happening, I finally decided this afternoon that while Colt seems better--he's not better enough to risk it and bailed on Robyn. That stunk but I made the right choice as Tanner threw up 3 times tonight. Ug. No! Here we go again!  My little guy that's usually looks like this...

 

 

Looks like this tonight...while I type things out of my phone.

Poor little man, truthfully I was sooo happy when I felt his little body relax and he fell asleep!

On a brighter note all of sickness got us out of the combined ward party dinner/dance. But I really was going to support it-people have gone to a TON of work! I hope it was a hit.

Let's see what have I missed...
We went to Cann's Valentines party at school.

 

 

We took the boys bowling for Valentines. As always it was a fun family activity! Tanner's game!

We invited one of Cannon's friends from school over this week. Its kinda weird because at school they are best buddies-fast little friends from the start but, its February, and he's begging for a play date and I'm thinking "I don't know them from Adam..." But they came and it was great to visit with the mom, she is originally from Quincy--Quincy people are just nice right? They were nice to the Saints back in the day and they just have a special place because of it. But she was great, it was good to visit. After they left Cannon was begging to go get his log hauler. I thought friends over was enough fun for one evening-no way-Grampa had given the $5, if they were good travelers for me. Cannon is learning to add and said "I have $10 plus 5 more is 15! I can get my log hauler." But he forgot he spent some of his 10...darn. But what ended up happening it they got their tithing set aside (Colt was sure that's why they didn't have enough $$...me saying "Its a blessing to get to pay tithing." Wasn't going too far.) anyway they decided they end up sharing their toys anyway -in theory- so they could put their money together and have enough. It worked great. We got to tractor supply and it was only ten buck-down $5 from last time they were looking at it, but luckily Cannon was good with the sharing plan and never realized he did have enough money to buy it himself with the prize change.

Anyway they were pumped...

 

I feel like this post is getting pretty dang long, I think part of it is because I never write in my normal journal anymore. I usually stay up late one night a week-Friday-to blog. Lately it's every night studying, so then I just crash and don't write ...and I'm still getting worked on the physiology of stress. Yikes! After going through all of the material twice and taking a ton of notes I got a stink'n D- on the quiz I took. Crap! Welcome back to school Lyndi. I re-studied and re-took it and got a B but still, I'm too old for this nonsense. My next plan is to apply to teach in the BYUI pathways program and get some continuing ed credits that way. I'd way rather be the teacher than the student!

Ok two more quick pics cuz I'd already uploaded them

Not only do we play with stuffed animals--we play with ALL of them...ALL the time. This was a serious train or boat or something. Colton is pulling two more pillows with the sham's stuffed with all the stuffed animals that will possibly fit in them!

And Colt, he knows how to win Tanner over--share some sucker--
Until next week.

So I'm not going to lie...I like funerals! A lot. Is that weird? It seems a little crazy to say, but its true. (When we got back I was telling Isaac how nice Grampa's was and he said he likes them too-that made me feel good.) You celebrate someones life--you only focus on the good, they are uplifting and spiritual experiences! I think we see people how the Savior wants us to, only they're dead...Think if we could only focus on the good in people...alive...always...the world would be a better place. But anyway Grampa's was so nice. 

We scored some points with Grampa Chip by swinging into Nick's and grabbing a Pepsi on the way up to the viewing Saturday morning;) We saw so many more great friends. Seriously I can hardly think of a person that I saw there, who, if it were them who had passed away I wouldn't go to their funeral if we lived there. I would go to all of them, it was old Santa Clara at it best! I loved it. So much extended family too, it was great. The actual service was really nice too. Aunt Jayne read the eulogy but expanded a little too- my favorite thing she said was that Grampa didn't say much...but he didn't miss much either! So true. Uncle Jer sang a collection of old truck'n songs and cattle call and modified them a little too-it was awesome. I loved it. In fact I'm found myself humming and singing "Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around." A little this last week to which Colt from the other side of the room said "Why him not have dollars? Div me forty bucks and I'll turn this thing around." Seriously, it was hilarious. Anyway back to the funeral, after the song then Chip spoke. It was good, as the talk scribe I would have changed somethings if I would have really realized he would be trying to read through tears part of the time, poor guy,  but oh well, he did good. And last President Ence spoke and his was awesome too. He's a good egg, I've always like him. He was the Bishop when I got baptized and served in the bishopric in the singles ward where Isaac and I met so he holds a pretty special spot in my heart. Then it was up to the cemetery. Oh tired Tanner didn't survive the service but Caroline was so sweet and offered to take him out for me. She said he had a great time playing in the nursery-great. 

At the cemetery the kids were running around like crazy, they loved that the headstones, Ann loved that so many had her last name on, then Cannon found his name on Grama and Grampa's Ann's was on the back cuz it says "Laura Ann" oh they thought that was pretty cool. It was a beautiful beautiful perfect day. 

Oh I put these pics of the pallbearers on purpose! When Pres Ence read the program and announced the honorary pallbearers (Shad-cuz he's on a mission- and the Great Grandsons) Cannon heard is name and he was like "What? What do I do? I heard my name!" It was pretty cute. Reverent...not so much-and it was a little hard with the boys at the funeral-I was divvying out sour worms like crazy! But I wouldn't have had it any other way, my boys knew and loved Grampa Great, and he loved them too!

The kids rode up to the cemetery with Grama, on their way they practice their song, but once there-on that beautifully perfect day-we decided how bout now? So, after Kyler dedicated the grave we went for it! But I screwed it up, because I had little props to remind the kids what verse we were on and such but I'd left them down at the church-but Kami had the papers she's practiced with her girls with, but we had switched the order of the verses...anyway-it was still cute but it turned into a lot of mumbling...I should have just switched and sang what they were! (But my stink'n personality...when I think I'm right...I just keep going.) Anyway, it was still cute, and we ended up doing it again in front of his casket but the sun was in the kids eyes and I don't know if it was really any better so...whatever, we tried, I'm sure Grampa loved it! 

https://youtu.be/YGE91c5tLlg

Tired Tanner at the Graveside...in the truck the whole time. (Don't turn me in)

The J Claude Frei Grandchildren...I don't know but on the blog seemed like as good of place as any for this pic. I just walked in and they were all lined up-tons of people taking this picture. Way too many people I hadn't seen in way too long, who knows when I'll see them again, but it was fun. 

After the luncheon we went home and changed clothes then headed to the park. Before everyone getting together for a BBQ, Tanner stayed and napped--I'd have liked to napped too, but the kids had fun. We actually went to the new Thunder Junction park but it was so crowded it was beyond stressful to try and keep an eye on the kids so we went up the road to a different park instead.

Tanner was a charmer! 

And then it was on to Sunday. The kids were whining that they didn't want to go to primary but that worked out because it was Stake Conference. It was awesome! I loved it and commented on what a great meeting it was to which my mom just shot me an exhausted look and said "really?" ...I guess that tells you which one of us what wrestling kids. And it was a case of the Terrible Tireds...by Sunday the boys were SOOOOOO naughty and I was soooo impatient. But Naps went a long way and we were back to having a great time.  

And fun at Grampa's means pillow fights and getting thrown on the couch! Too many pics but...so much fun --Get back on that couch!!--

TanTan got in on it too!

They have a good time! Little goof's! 

This is the look of play'n hard!

Whatever Cann Man is doing--he wants to look the part! So he was totally game to go help feed in the mornings...IF he could put on his cowboy clothes. If I said no, don't change clothes, he didn't want to go.

Monday we got over and said Hi to Great Grama Cottam and Grama Aunt Kay. I didn't get pics but Tan Tan has picked up this little trick. Finally...he was just waiting to show Grampa Chip his tricks! And really I'm not complaining!

https://youtu.be/40pkm1umlgY

Tuesday I started packing up and the boys and Grama hit the Dinosaur museum. 

Somehow they came home with prizes...even Tanner was pumped (he had stayed with me) I couldn't pics a pic. My boys genuinely love and play with stuffed animals. They're loving these new dinosaurs!

They stopped for lunch and a donut. Cann told my mom "I'm a meat eating machine." To which Colt followed with "me a donut E-tin a-chine" Lol...

Tuesday afternoon we headed for Vegas. The boys had a blast at Aunt Ginger's. It was super fun to see them and catch up. We went to dinner, then visited some more, she sent my folks home and took us to the airport herself. So nice.

Death by red eye flight?

No the boys traveled SO WELL!!! It was awesome. Isaac doesn't like us to go alone, he worries about me and that it will be too hard but seriously, so good! We should go more often!...now there is that school problem...I'm guessing they don't encourage multiple withdrawals from school--even if it is just Kindergarten... I will admit Colt was screaming bloody murder when he had to wake up from the nap pictured above, but as soon as we got out of the plane and that narrow isle way (we were dead last ones getting off) but when I could pick him up and snuggle him a little (with Tann still strapped to the front of me, backpack on, and our bag with a blanket, neck pillows, a few snacks, coloring books and such in my arms--yeah we were a circus) anyway after a little snuggle up the Jetway and he was good to go. And walked the rest of the way for me. They slept all the way home. I pulled over for a little 10 min nap but other than that we just came straight home. We had perfect road until we were past LaPlata (about 20 minutes away) then it was snowing like crazy. We met Isaac over at the district office building on they way into town to re-enroll Cannon and actually had some pretty slick roads! But then Welcome Home. It was good to see our dad!

One of the worst things about traveling without Isaac is that we just don't hear from him....I mean eventually we did but I always tease that it is out of sight out of mind with him. I know he misses us so I guess its just how he deals with us being gone. But he just busies himself the whole call and check in thing...ends up kind a rare. We played phone tag a little and I did finally get to talk to him. But since being home he just kept saying "I guess I haven't told ya...I guess I didn't tell ya..." It was about 15 times I said "Ya! cuz we haven't talked at all!" But it was good to get caught up, we missed him, we love him. 

These boys might be ready to go again though...

And this picture is in honor or Poppa Great...his pants always looked like that!

When I picked Cannon up from school today he proudly told me he sang Poppa Greats song for his music teacher! Such a cutie! I think he minds well and is well behaved at school...we could use some improvement at home.
I dunno...but sometimes its hard. I'll leave it at that.