Sick

Even though Estelle enjoyed her birthday last Thursday, she was the first of the family to get sick. First we thought it was too much cotton candy at the Toledo Storm hockey game (where she wore her awesome new Storm jersey and scarf from Aunt Meghan and Unky Jeff ~ thanks!) or John attributed it to dinner at Applebee's, but since she didn't eat much there, it was just a bug. She recovered quickly and we did get to Target on Sunday to spend her gift card from Grandma June and Allan. She got a new baby doll she named "Jack", a Bratz Girls sports bottle, a Simpson's DVD and a Pooh night light ~ thanks to them too!
We didn't go to Indianapolis for the weekend because the cousins were sick, postponing our water park and birthday celebration to mid-March. But, good thing we didn't go because John stayed in bed yesterday, throwing up and this afternoon at school George complained of chest pain then proceeded to throw up before we left there. Ugh.
I hope I'm not next, but with superior genes and good health, I'm confident it won't happen.
Smile ...

Time Flies!

I spent a few days in southern California two weeks ago for work and doing a speaking engagement. Got to have dinner Friday night with a friend from high school who lives in the LA area. It took me 2 hours and 15 minutes to get from Palm Springs to Orange County and it took her 2 hours and 45 minutes from the San Fernando Valley. California was beautiful and the weather was amazing - in the 80's in February - but boy the traffic was unreal! Got to spend Saturday afternoon and evening with Aunt Cindy and Uncle George. We went to the Crab Cooker in Newport Beach for dinner after a visit to Trader Joe's. We don't have Trader Joe's in Toledo and I've found a new addiction to their peach salsa. I bought dried apples to eat on the plane since the deli boxes don't seem to contain anything besides turkey and cookies, neither of which agree with me. Both kids had Valentine's parties but we were pleasantly surprised at how little candy they brought home. Five kids in Estelle's class (including her) have February birthdays so they're getting their fill of treats as it is. She's got John set up to do a science show for her class and the first grade on her birthday so we won't bring cake to school for her, just dancing spaghetti. Both kids took the day off Monday for President's Day and we saw Curious George at the theater then went to the dentist for checkups. No new cavities, though Estelle's one filling had fallen out for the third time and had to be replaced. Tonight we received the Marrietta Hubbard "Good Neighbor Award" from our neighborhood association. Now we have to figure out who to give it to next month. It's been passed around since 1998. Can't believe it has been almost two weeks since my last entry in this blog. Sorry about that - time just seems to fly by! And, p.s. the blog entry won't let me hit return to start new paragraphs tonight so you get to read "stream of consciousness" style. It is hockey for John and Estelle tomorrow night!

Hockey

Estelle has developed quite an interest in hockey. John is taking her to a Toledo Storm game the night before her birthday and she can't stop talking about it. Last night she was watching 2 high school teams play on our local cable sports channel. Very puzzling.

George has officially decided he will NOT be playing soccer this spring. He wants to practice for t-ball but has to wait until it gets warmer. Estelle needs her new baseball glove because she's now right-handed. Actually she says she is "both-handed" but has been writing with her right hand.

We're gearing up to make Valentine's cards and will try not to eat too much candy. John took the kids to Home Depot last weekend where they had a kids' workshop - I think they are making me something for a Valentine's present. Yipee!

Check Ups

Kids went to the doctor this week for their 5- and 6-year old check ups.

George weighed 44.4 pounds and was 43.5 inches tall. He's in the 75th percentile for height and 50th for weight. He got his shots - DTP, polio, and pneumonia. He cried really hard when the nurse gave them, or as Estelle said "she STABBED him".

Estelle weighed 45.6 pounds and was 44.25 inches tall. She's in the 50th percentile for height and weight. They both passed all the neurological tests - she had them hop on one foot, walk backwards, and Estelle being a year older had to flip her hands back and forth quickly on her lap.

They are good for another year.