We celebrated.....

We celebrated and celebrated Alder's birthday for like 2 weeks with just the four of us, my parents, friends, our co-op school group, and then with Jared's parents. We celebrated by letting Alder blow out so many candles on cupcakes that I think he could now be a "professional cupcake candle blower-outer" if there was such a thing. We did it so many times and sang "Happy Birthday" so many times that Kingston (who can't talk yet) can now "sing" the "Happy Birthday" song and he then knows to blow after the song is over. It was very fun to celebrate Alder's birthday like this. It is amazing how little you can do or give at this age and they are so incredibly delighted. The circus came to town on his birthday and it was (let me assure you not of any kind you have ever seen) literally a one-family show. There weren't any animals, or fancy lights, or flying acrobats, but there was tumbling, light sabers for sale, flaming torches being juggled in the air, and arrows being shot from gigantic bows into apples above ladies' heads. Jared and I agreed that this circus had a very European feel to it, like something you would stumble across as you shopped at a market somewhere in Europe. So it was no Barnum and Bailey circus, but we all enjoyed the show. 

Our gift to Alder was a Auburn bean bag toss that he had requested since seeing one at his cousins' at Christmas. Well, Jared and I are too cheap to buy the "official" Auburn bean bag toss so we made our own. Alder loves it, so does Kingston, and Jared and I do too. We have been getting into some heated competitions at night long after the boys are in bed. The game has been a very fun addition to our house. The birthday celebrating was so fun that it made me wish that all adults could have such celebrated birthdays. 

And then.....8 days ago and shortly after this last picture of celebrating took place with Jared's mom, we got it. We got our first stomach bug and WHEW! it was rough. I have been dreading this, this particular sickness and my ability to cope with it as mother. I (if I had to give an evaluation of myself) did really well with it, didn't gag my brains out, freak out, nor scar my children in some way in my response to them throwing up. I have always been phobic of throwing up...my throw up, other people's throw up, dog throw up, the word throw up. I think it stems from a terrible childhood throw up story having to do with the cafeteria, in 1st grade, in front of everyone kind of experience. I never quite managed to get over how embarrassing and traumatizing that experience was for me, but now I can safely say I have conquered that fear. My Mom was right. When it is your own children you can deal with it. It was violent for 12 hours and then the boys seemingly rallied by the next morning. I eventually got 48 hours later, Daddy has missed it, and KIngston STILL has it. I feel exhausted by that fact that I have either been cleaning up throw up or diarrhea for the past 8 days. I mean, seriously? 8 days Kingser? Its just running its course, but I must say it has been a tiring last week. It wasn't until today that I thought I might just sit down on the floor and cry if I have to clean up one more mess or change one more crib sheet. Of course being 34 weeks pregnant doesn't help with the overwhelming desire to scream and cry at the same time. I pray we move pass this soon, that Kingston feels better, and that the month of Feb. passes quickly and we move into an early, warm, and sunny Spring. 

Happy Friday to you!