Spring break and hurty shots

Bryn had Spring Break this week. We started off pretty good with Patriots' Day fun, and went to the FP Zoo with Laura and Tim and baby A (Laura, is this how you want me to refer to Squiggles on my blog?) on Wednesday at which point it all went downhill.

Calvin fell asleep in Ivy's car seat in the stroller at the zoo, and woke up screaming about a headache and a sore throat. He also had a fever, so we called it quits.

A couple of swabs later at the doctor's office confirmed strep throat (which the rest of us have avoided thus far). Easy to cure; just take penicillin for 10 days. It's even cherry flavored.

Cherry flavoring does not help the medicine go down. Calvin tried to gag down the first dose, and eventually threw the whole thing up with his stupendous gag reflex. Imagining this scenario 20 times spurred me to call the doctor to discuss other options. He mentioned a one-time slow-release shot. Sign me up!

It turns out that it's one of the most painful shots known to man. Calvin was very brave going in, but screamed in shock, surprise, and rage when it actually happened (in his buttocks, to add insult to injury). Even the doctor felt bad and gave him 2 extra dinosaur band-aids.

Later that afternoon, Calvin said, "I was just so very very angry during that shot." And as he was falling asleep, he said again, "I can't stop thinking about that terrible hurty shot. I never want a hurty shot again."

And now for some unrelated Ivy pictures.

Ivy with her new cousin, baby A. They love each other so much.

And just like that she's a biped

A Visitor

This critter almost tried to jump on me when I was walking to the car. So I ran inside and took a shot at it from the window. I like living in the woods.

And of course

Happy birthday to my dad. I hope that Calvin inherited more than just a common birthday from you! So far the only other shared traits that come to mind are an infinite fascination with gadgets and a love of nature.

Four Becomes Him

Calvin is so happy, because even though he turned four, his Batman pajamas still fit him. Now somebody give this boy a yacht.

Almost 10 years...

And we're finally putting a big family picture on the wall. We're a little slow. (Thanks for the picture, Lesa, and for the makeover, Karen)

Emergency Preparedness 101: Attacking Giants

In their spare time at school, Bryn and her friend play a game about a mean ugly giant attacking them. Being a proactive kind of gal, Bryn made a list of things they could do in the event of such an attack:

Today she constructed the mean ugly giant and brought him home. After he stomped around the house and growled a bit, she decided he was lonely living the tyrant bachelor life, so quickly set to work constructing him a wife, daughter, son, and cat (of course).
* * *
Unrelated to mean and ugly, Ivy has been steadily gaining her land legs, but as of yet will not make forward progress in her new-found vertical position (phew!).

Job Application

Dear fluffy sir (or madam):

We are applying for your job. We'd be great at it. Our qualifying skills include:

Mass producing decorated eggs

Hopping (with bags of eggs in our mouth)

And Hiding and Hunting

If you don't give us your job, we will eat you just like we devoured this cake of your likeness.


Sincerely,

Bryn and Calvin

Pondy picnic

We took advantage of the lovely summer-like weather and had a picnic at the state park farm up the road.

The pond had risen quite a bit due to the recent rainstorms. Here's a picture of the pond 2 years ago:

And here's the same sign today:

On the way there we saw many more signs of the flood. It makes me sick to think about these unfortunate homeowners.

A girl and her favorite toy

No matter where it is hidden, she will find it. This last time I had it in the cupboard under the sink, hidden beneath a few cereal boxes, and she had it out within seconds. Time to think higher.

Shiny, moldable, noisy, chewy, and forbidden; what's not to love?