Lunar Campout

RJ decided that the lunar eclipse was a good reason to camp with the boys...in our backyard. He decided this at bedtime, so he wins the prize for being most spontaneous. We all know I would never be in the running for such a prize.

The boys joyfully gathered the blankets and sleeping bags and talked loudly about how much fun it would be to stay up late and sleep in the tent. I got REJ to bed at her regular time and the boys did stay up late - I think LJ was asleep around 9:30 and PJ a bit after...since he no longer had anyone to talk to him.

They all came in to go to the bathroom around 1:45 am and RJ told me it was cloudy and they couldn't see much...so, I went back to sleep. Then around 3:30, he came in to get me because there was a big break in the clouds approaching. So, I got to see the last part of the eclipse...it was pretty cool. I went back to bed anticipating REJ would wake up any minute...and I didn't hear from her until 7:15! She went 11 hours. Amazing! I've said that the boys will all have to sleep in the tent again tonight so we can replicate this 11 hours.

I anticipated grumpy and over-tired boys today and I needed to finish the Christmas cards and make more peanut brittle. Surprisingly, while they are clearly tired, they aren't too grumpy. I decided naps would occur earlier than usual today AND I could use the "threat" of "no playing in the tent this afternoon unless you actually sleep during nap time" to ensure sleeping. Christmas cards are in the mail and the first of two batches of peanut brittle is cooling.

Finally, REJ wore tights with her dress Sunday morning...and RJ dressed her.

The Flu? and The End...sniff.

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, LJ had a fever. He actually admitted he didn't feel well...which means he REALLY didn't feel well. Of course, people are coming to the house and we have a sick child - this is how it always goes it seems.

My brother and his family (including the local M, B, and J) and MawMaw came over for Thanksgiving Eve dinner and we had a nice pre-turkey day visit. RJ spent the late afternoon at home...working diligently to get the basketball goal set up.

Thanksgiving day, LJ was still not feeling well, but his only symptom was a fever. My sister M came over to the house and we got busy getting Thanksgiving Dinner cooking. She brought several season-appropriate and size-appropriate outfits for REJ...they are so cute and we've been enjoying wearing some new clothes! I think M and I set a record for quickest preparations and least-stressful. At least that is how I felt about it. Perhaps with 3 children I just can't let a small thing like Thanksgiving Dinner with the people you love get me stressed out. Little by little the rest of the family arrived...bearing the foods they were planning (assigned?!) to bring. Jfer with the Deviled Eggs...TheSharester with the sweet snacks...KBear (MomMom!) with the cheese ball and the pies...and Bekah got the snack table all set up.

Around 1:00 all the food was prepped and we were ready to play Turkey Bowl 2010. The field had been painted and LJ and PJ had taken a swim in the pool - it had been that hot for THAT long, but a cold front was supposed to come through, so they decided to take advantage of what is likely to be the last swim of 2010. Once RJ got everything together - play commenced.

I remember 4 things about the 2010 game:

1. I caught a pass intended for team-mate, but deflected...so, you could say, I saved the play. In fact, that *is* what I say.
2. We had to halt play due to rain that was hard enough for me to complain...and once play resumed, the cold front had gotten here (ushered in by the rain, no doubt) and it was MUCH colder.
3. PJ was very tired and very vocal about NO ONE GIVING THE BALL TO HIM. RJ was trying very hard to appease him...carrying him around the field, but when a kid is tired, he's just tired...and cranky sometimes.
4. The NoJos came in 2nd.

Sister M and niece C got the foods all cooked and set-aside to stay warm. Others jumped right in and set the tables and around 4:30, we sat down to the feast. LJ had been looking forward to sweet potatoes, but he wasn't feeling well, so he asked to lay in our bed and watch Cars. He fell asleep for a while. REJ was super helpful all day and slept and remained content until it was convenient for me to nurse her. Turns out...she was coming down with the illness LJ had.

After clean up, people left in spurts and around 8:30, it was just us 5 alone in our house. We put the kids to bed and watched football...at least one of my teams was victorious.

Friday morning, we all went to M&B's for brunch and games. REJ slept a lot and began to feel hot, but LJ was feeling better. That afternoon, we all napped! The locals came over for leftovers...and the M&B came over for leftovers on Saturday and Monday too! Thank goodness they are here to help us eat them. REJ stopped having a fever on Sunday and then, Tuesday...I came down with the illness. Once I had it, I could tell what all the symptoms were and I think we had the flu. Never mind that we all had flu shots. Fever, achy, extremely sore throat, headache...that's it. I felt so bad I had RJ stay home from work Tuesday afternoon and all day Wednesday. I still felt bad on Thursday, but my fever broke Wednesday in the middle of the night...I was drenched in sweat. Friday my sore throat was tolerable with pain relief, Saturday it was tolerable without, and today it is gone. PJ came down with a fever on Wednesday, but he seemed to get over it by Friday. It seems RJ has escaped.

Friday was also my birthday - we went out to dinner (Carinos) and then came home to a chocolate cake with peanut butter ice cream in it...and the boys bought me a charm bracelet with 3 charms - 1 for each of the children's birth stones!

Saturday, RJ and I tag-teamed as PJ had 2 birthday parties and LJ had a concert that his teacher from last year invited him to attend. I took PJ to one party and then came home to get REJ to take her with me and PJ to the 2nd party and RJ took LJ to the concert. Our entire Saturday revolved around the kids' social calendars!

Today was spent trying to get the house back in order - somewhat and attending the local Christmas Parade.

Tomorrow - I have to go back to work. Maternity leave has come to an end. I'm not happy about this. This also means REJ is almost 12 weeks old. These past 12 weeks have FLOWN by.