Sickness strikes....



Our sick camp....

Well the past week has been great fun at our house.  Of course I'm being sarcastic!  Last Tuesday, I came down with a GI bug, luckily it only lasted 24 hours.  Then on Thursday afternoon Blake got the bug.  By Friday night he was doing much better so we decided to go forward with our "girls" trip to Chicago.  I am so thankful God kept the worst for us until we got back (although I had no idea at the time.) 

Saturday Blake was good and enjoyed his day with Daddy.  On Sunday afternoon he started to fall ill again.  By that evening he was really sick again and complaining of his throat hurting.  So I took him to the doctor on Monday.  He confirmed he just had a GI bug and to keep the fluids in him to prevent dehydration (he was showing beginning signs). 

On Tuesday afternoon, he was showing some improvement.  When Lauren arrived home from school that afternoon she was sick and by that night she was fully out for the count.  By Wednesday afternoon, I was down for the count again!  Blake was feeling good all day Wednesday but by Thursday afternoon he was feeling bad again.  Lauren was and I were doing much better though so that was a relief! 

Today I took Blake back to the doctor and the doctor first thought he was still just fighting this nasty GI bug that is going around.  To be sure though, he ran a strep test on him to rule that out since he had complained of his throat even though there was no visible signs of strep.  Well sure enough, he had strep!  So after an antibiotic shot and some Omnicef we are hopefully on the mend.  I've never been so thankful for a strep diagnosis, simply to know we could do something to help him!  I'm so thankful the GI bug has exited our house.  Let's just hope I didn't jinx Bradley on getting it yet! 

American Girl!!!

The girls at the store, Lauren showing off Rebecca's pierced ears, and her big purchase

After a sickness scare, threatening our trip, we made it to Chicago.  Although we were not able to ride up on the train like we had hoped (we delayed our departure date by a night to make sure Lauren wouldn't get what Blake had) we still made it and had an awesome time celebrating Lauren's 7th birthday at the American Girl cafe.  Lauren's cousins Addison and Brenna went with us along with Grandma Marcia and Aunt Brekin.  The girls had not seen each other since Thanksgiving so it was very exciting for them to be together again. 

Aunt Brekin, Addie, and Brenna gave Lauren a new outfit to wear to the store which had a matching doll outfit.  The girls looked adorable. Grandma Marcia surprised the girls with sleeping bags for their dolls that she made.

Lauren had saved up her birthday money so she could get her doll Rebecca's ears pierced and purchase a new doll McKenna.  All the girls enjoyed browsing around the store displays and picking out new outfits for their dolls.  After two hours of shopping, we made it to the cafe for our lunch.

Birthday party at American Girl cafe

As a surprise to Lauren I had not just booked lunch, but an actual birthday party celebration for her and the girls.  Lauren got a birthday tiara and the dolls each got one too.  The dolls even got their own cup and saucer and special chair to dine in.  The lunch was lovely and the highlight was the wait staff singing Happy Birthday to Lauren!  Each of the girls got a goodie bag and a lifetime of memories. 

I have to say that it was just as much fun for me as it was the girls.  It was like I was a little girl again too having fun with my doll.  American Girl wasn't around when I was a youngster but I would have loved it all just like Lauren does. 

Hershey store, Hotel, and Museum of Science and Industry

After we left AG, we headed to the Lego store where the girls had lots of fun playing with the new Lego Friends exhibit.  Then off to the Hershey's store to "fill the bucket."  Then we checked in to our hotel, and set out to do some shopping and then had an early dinner at Buca di beppo Italian restaurant.  Then we headed back to the hotel for some swimming. 

On Sunday we explored the Museum of Science and Industry which the girls loved.  Then we headed back home!  It was an awesome "girls" trip.

Lauren's 7th Birthday

Lauren turned seven on February 9th.  I can't believe she is seven already!  We celebrated her special day by having a few friends over for pizza and cupcake pops.  The girls (and Blake) enjoyed playing Wii, dressing up, putting on a show, and running through our house screaming! 

On Saturday we celebrated Lauren's birthday with the Wolter Family.  Lauren had requested an American Girl cake which I managed to make.  We found an idea on Pinterest for a cake that looks like a doll box with her picture on it.  It required the use of fondant which I had never worked with before.  It all turned out well though and the party was a success.  Lauren picked the menu, her favorites, meatballs, homeade mac and cheese, and green beans.

We are celebrating with the Bartlow side this weekend in Chicago.  We are having a "girls only" trip with Lauren's cousins and visiting the American Girl store.  Watch for more pics after the weekend!

Dancing Partners

Buddy

We have a new baby, calf, that is.  A bottle calf.  Our cattle partners called with a bucket calf for us a couple weeks ago.  This calf was a twin and the mother didn't take to it.  So we agreed to raise it.  He's such a little guy but oh so sweet.  The kids named him "Buddy" and are enjoying taking care of him.  Sadie has adopted him much like our bucket calf last year "Cash."  I often find her dog bed and ball in his pen.  I wonder if she's figured out he doesn't play "fetch" yet! 

The things kids say...

Blake is obsessed with macaroni and cheese.  He asks for it everyday and is really not satisfied until he gets it.  And not just any mac and cheese, velveeta mac and cheese.  Needless to say I have it stock piled to keep up with his demand.

On Tuesday, I was making his lunch when he declared, "Mom, the Bible says eat lots of mac and cheese."  Oh REALLY, what verse is that Blake??? 

Last week after a day at school he asked a very thoughtful question, "why did John the Baptist baptize Jesus?"  I was stumped and needless to say, I need to read up on the Bible as my three year old is schooling me right now!!!