which was "almost as good as real fireworks!" I gotta say, it might be crazy but we love it here. And I'm thinking maybe next week I'll get to all the blog posts rattling around in my head.
cause this is where Ed has spent the last week (this is the actual view from his room). For the record he's nice enough to call often and tell us how much he misses us and how much he would rather be here, at home. It's a nice touch but frankly, I'm not buying it.
Henry's showing off his latest blowing bubbles trick.
Jemma roped him into this with a sweet little, "help you me daddy?"
This one hangs on his arm all day long.
And Ava's very favorite activity in the world.
They're starting to scab over nicely.
He was pretty miserable the second night--lots of crying but he's been really very normal since then. He's got tons in his ears so he's been rubbing those but he doesn't even know how to scratch so I'm hoping we'll make it without any major scars. And he has a chubby patch of cheek without any bumps so he's been getting lots of kisses there!
That's right, my little buddy has chicken pox! This was quite the surprise as the other kids are vaccinated (he's too young), we haven't heard of a single case in months, and he never actually touches other people or toys or anything--when he's out and about, he's in his car seat or stroller--I mean this kid is as germ-safe as you can get! So when he woke up with what looked like a little rash I wasn't too worried until I eventually took him in and they took one look at him and said, "chicken pox!" The whole drive home I was insanely annoyed that someone had actually passed on a nasty (preventable) disease to my teeny baby. A couple hours later, and thanks to internet pictures, I figured out that it was none other than his daddy! Ed woke up a couple weeks ago with what we thought was a weird patch of spider bites that got sort of nasty and painful and come to find out it was shingles...which he passed on to Henry as chicken pox. So mystery solved. But that doesn't help my little bud who is now totally covered in some seriously nasty pox:
These pictures don't even begin to do them justice! He's miserable looking but he's still sweet Henry:
nothing like a well balanced diet of micro meals, hummus, and sweet potato puffs. We do, however, follow this up with our usual walk-about:
We're just in the first stages of busy season (thanks to a late late spring) so we've yet to do any of our usual daddy-less activities: dinner at the pool, park, Costco, in the car, anywhere but here, dollar scoop night at BR, bubble baths with popsicles, wandering the mall and harassing the poor guy at the arcade where we hang out but spend no money, hanging out at Home Depot or MBS checking out new paint colors and light fixtures, exploring coffee shops in all our local small towns, feeding the ducks at Sunnyside, picking up oatmeal cookies at McD and driving around looking at real estate, you name it...we have an extensive list of things to do that get us out of the house and on the road to anywhere!
Actually, it was Kirsten's party and this is what happened when I told Jemma it wasn't hers. She did however perk up nicely when I told her it doesn't have to be your birthday to get a piece of the cake. Oh I know my baby girl so well:
And what could be better than an orange slice cake (and a wine glass o' Gatorade)?
Jack was finally old enough to go to basketball camp this year. When I told him it was for 5-8 year olds he said, "I'm five!! Will's seven! We're both between 5 and 8! We both get to go!"
And yes, it was all it was cracked up to be. Best time ever.
Jack just finished his first year of school and at his age there aren't very many tangible rewards for his hard work. No honor roll medals or bright shiny ribbons for a job well done. And while we, of course, encourage hard work for the sake of hard work, sometimes you need a little something in your hand. So after Jack finished a year with all excels (all year) in the behavior columns of his report card (obedient, cheerful, respectful, and punctual) and after a whole year with nary a name on the board, we took him out for a giant scoop of ice cream (and even better, he got to bring a friend!) and fresh new bag of army guys. He's easy to please and so darn easy to love! Good work good-lookin!
It took me a long time to round up the pictures for that last post so I made a new anniversary tradition...take a picture of us!! Brilliant, yet simple, eh?
Specialized trail mix for our anniversary hors d'oeuvres. Overflowing, I tell you. 
Sweet little buddies.
(he runs with the most fantastic smile on his face. All.the.time.)
especially if you can get your sister stand out there and cheer for you!
Ed's smirky face because I have once again taken a picture in a restaurant...the horrors. I like how he half smiles because he's learned that if he goes with the straight smirk I'll just keep taking pictures.
All finished. woo hoo.
double Jack on the rocks at Red Robin...post race goodness.
Look closely at these next shots, everyone else is just hanging out but Jack
never
takes his eyes
off the camera!
Me and the mister.
So happy it's over and dinnertime!:
Crackin' up with Paul and Connie and Grandpa.
Jack waited all day for the dancing and then he couldn't get Ava to go out there with him so he headed for Emma instead.
And then he danced with pretty much everyone he could!
Grandpa finally got Ava out there and then she didn't want to stop!
Good times.
All tuckered out and heading home. 
