We've got one sick little girl on our hands.  Cleo just had a 3-day bout with diarrhea (just be glad I didn't entitle this post "Hot Yellow Lava" .... 'nuff said).  Although none today, she's still not back to normal.  Compare the 1st day to 4th day photos below.

As you can well imagine, Cleo has been crying on and off all day.  When she wasn't crying, she was coughing.  Except when I gave her a popsicle.  A moment of silence ensued.  I was halfway into the lotus position, mantra on the tip of my tongue .... but then Quinn immediately picked up the crying because her hands hurt from holding the cold popsicle (yes, of course I tried to help her, in various ways.  But you know kids never pay attention because they think:  "My parents don't know anything."  Who knew it started at age two?!) 

I deserve a Klondike bar! ;o)

CLEO, DAY 1                                 CLEO, DAY 4

Quinn:  OUCH! Cold hands, but I can't put it down!      Tucker, that good boy - not a peep!

Anyone remember that ancient time when the girls spent a month (Cleo) and two (Quinn) at the hospital after birth?!  That sure seems like light years ago now.  TWO years to be exact.  And in fitting style, the girls have enjoyed two parties (no, there won't be three parties next year!).  You'll be proud to know I've held off for another year on the Barbies (but they're coming!  Oh yes, they are a-comin'....)  Here are some party pictures, enjoy!

QUINN:  "I'm two!"                                        CLEO:  "It's hot!"   

TUCKER:  "I brought the wagon."     ALEX, on party patrol (helper duty)

PAINTING ROCKS (Lief & Alex)                        PLANTING APPLE SEEDS (Lief & Alex)

Q & C:  "Paint the rocks, not our shirts??"       TUCKER:  "Time for rectangle cake, FINALLY!"

"Happy Birthday to you!"          QUINN                     CLEO

FINGERS OR FORK?  QUINN: "Forget the fork."          CLEO: "I prefer both."

It all started with a picture I took of Alex recently.  Unposed, even.  The boy looked like a sultry ad for ... well, not quite Abercrombie.  When I showed him the photo and said "sultry", he looked at me quizzically.  "You know, sexy," I said.  I got the biggest look of horror and loudest "EWWWWWWWWW!" I have ever received in my life.  Lesson learned:  you do NOT refer to your teenage son as "sexy"!

I never got to fully flesh this blog entry out when the subject was in its prime, but I have one serious Radio Flyer fan-boy for a son. Although he's moved on to other toys, one particular toy is definitely worth noting as an all-time favorite. The mini Radio-Flyer red wagon. Tucker loves this wee version of the classic red wagon which we received as a baby gift for him. He loves it so much that he has on occasion taken it to bed with him (I'll need to dig out a photo)...

Dude, who knew that four wheels and a pull handle could be so warm and fuzzy to a tot?

During a recent snack time, the girls saw Tucker eating a whole apple, while they had mere slices and chunks.  They looked at their plates in disgust and wouldn't eat another bite until I gave them each a whole apple.  Just look at the happiness in their eyes (and their eyes is all you can see!!).

Cleo                                                                Quinn

Last week was the perfect lead-up to Mother's Day.  Tucker was working with his speech therapist, singing a song that included the words 'I love you'.  He suddenly turned to me and said, "Mommy, I love YOU!"  Awww, what a heart breaker!!  That same week I had Quinn & Cleo running across the yard to fling themselves into my arms for bear hugs, and even got some hugs from our big cool guy, Alex!  But it was really topped off when we spent Saturday night at the new Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA (side note - who would name a town Grand Mound???). 

That place is ENORMOUS!  Just driving up we were all hanging out the windows gaping (I swear I heard Cleo say "big!" [okay, just a little creative license here!].  But the room was good sized (and could sleep 6!), and we got a really great price (thanks to Kirsten & friends!).  We were able to check in early (yesssss!).  We unloaded into the room, and our first priority?  Get changed into swim suits and hit the water park! Yep, that's the biggest attraction at the Lodge, the indoor water park.  There are areas for little kids, medium kids, and big kids/adults.  We knew Alex would love it (and he did, even making friends along the way), but we weren't so sure about the little ones.  What's to worry?!  They had a ball.  There are other entertaining things there, too, such as story times, arcade, magic wand game, etc.

This was the first time our girls have slept outside their cribs (we tried it once last year in a back yard camp out, but had to admit defeat around 2am and come inside to put the little kids back in their beds).  This time, they did make it, although not without incident.  Quinn fell out of bed twice.  I did catch her by the leg the first time, but she hit the floor the second (she cried more when I caught her, though).  Both girls tossed & turned all night.  Needless to say, not much sleep was had by mom & dad.  But lots of family fun was!  Check it out at the link below....

http://www.greatwolf.com/Locations/Grandmound/

When you have 4 kids, you have to be flexible.  This means maybe you can't celebrate Cindo de Mayo on "cinco" but have to settle for "quattro" instead.  Not such a bad trade off.  We had a back yard campfire and toasted with margaritas.

I've come to the conclusion that this is one long school year for Lisa, myself and Alex. I preface this blog in the hopes that perhaps a couple of Alex's acquaintances took Alex's actions a little too seriously. However, after everything else which has happened this year with Alex, perhaps some additional heat from external sources will round Alex's behavior more than I can.

For some reason, Alex felt it necessary to irritate and continue to irritate two of friends by dumbly punching them at them today (in the arm, I assume), even after they told him to to quit it. I don't believe the blows hurt, but were meant to bug and be silly -- Alex saw humor in it; they didn't. So, how does my day end? A call from a dad (great guy too!) to stop by with his son to discuss 'an issue'. While I was absolutely ready and happy to have Alex witness and be part of the consequences of his actions, how much more can we cram into this year of this stuff?

Let me go on record that 7th grade has really been the most challenging of them all so far...