Milking It

It started out very innocently - surely we could let the children outside for a bit on this beautiful day. It wasn't too hot, and there was a nice breeze. The Littles have been cooped up inside with this summer virus for days and they could stand to have the stink blown off of them. We had every intention of keeping them away from other children so we don't spread the virus.

Never once did it occur to us that a few minutes in the sun might have an averse affect on the spots, but it did. Heath is now the worse for wear.

So, in typical Heath fashion, he decided to milk the moment. He started dinner upright, but this is how he concluded it.
Too tired to finish his third helping of salad, he lounges at the dinner table.
As you can see, Carrie is feeling better. She's back to tormenting the weakest link.

You'll notice that Quin is not pictured. She put herself to bed - yes, that is what I said - she put herself to bed before this. So the virus has its up side!
The Bigs are avoiding the Littles like the plague. Though we've seen no evidence of spots among any of the adults in the house, they are not taking any chances.

Carrie's Polka Dots

The Crabtree kids are out of school for the rest of the week thanks to a summer virus. Carrie went to Dr. Dan yesterday when we weren't sure what it was, and now the other Littles are catching it as he accurately predicted. Carrie's spots are redder and more raised today than yesterday when this was taken. Yesterday there were tears because she had to miss school. Today was spent lounging on the couch, asking for medicine to make her "polka dots" itch less.

T minus 9 Days to Connecticut

I'm not ready for her to go yet, but Ari is anxiously awaiting the day we leave to take her to college. We did some shopping last weekend and today to get things she needs for her dorm room. Our living room currently looks like a halfway house - but I'm sure I prefer this to the empty spaces when she's gone.

First Day of School

I haven't posted for a while, so I've left off a lot of events - the State Fair, more motocross, Carrie teaching herself to ride her bike without training wheels, teaching the kids to shuck corn, and so on. I'll try to fill in some of those pictures later.

Because suddenly, the school year not only snuck up on us, it hit us on the back of the head.

Yesterday we had "Meet the Teacher" events for all three of the Littles. I don't have any pictures of Heath's, as we were too busy playing with the Smart Board in the classroom and I had to rush back to work. But we went to the preschool in the evening, so we had more time to play. And play they did - we didn't get out of there for hours.

Here are the girls in the Bumblebee classroom. They walked in, dropped off their supplies, and went straight to the pretend play area.

Carrie with Miss Christie, in the Bumblebee classroom. Carrie is in this classroom in the afternoon.

Quin with Miss Christie. Quin is in the Bumblebee classroom in the morning.

Carrie with Miss Chris in the Monkey classroom. This is her classroom in the morning. Note that she has already found the princess dresses and fairy wings.

Carrie with Miss Kim in the Monkey classroom.

First Day of School today! They were both up by 6:00. And had their outfits chosen carefully, down to their shoes. Carrie loves her Hannah Montana lunchbox. Because she stays the full day, she gets to take her lunch.

Quin urging me to hurry up and get to the bus stop. Good thing she did, too. The bus was only an hour late. In the rain, which hadn't started yet when we were walking down there.

They didn't mind the weather, though, because they were so excited.

Quin is dwarfed by her backpack. She's a walking head with feet.

Heath tries to catch up. His bus comes a little later than the preschool bus.

See Carrie's lovely sparkly pink shoes? Guess who picked them out!

Not the Mommy. . .

Quin looks like a crossing guard here. I think she might be talking to some of her imaginary friends. Heath and Carrie almost look like big kids, but they're not!

The Three Stooges wait for the bus.

Heath is thrilled to see Miss Barb again.

The girls got on the bus without a backward glance. The driver and assistant had to tell them to turn around for a picture.

I technically did not follow the bus to the school, but I did drive there to see them go in for the first time. I was proud of them - one of the little boys was crying, but they held it together.

Quin sees me. Carrie would not have noticed that I was there if her aide hadn't waved to me. I didn't follow them into the rooms, but I did peek in Quin's window to see her unpack her backpack and put it in the locker. All three kids had a great first day!