GRRRRRR

I actually TRIED to send Quinn to school today, as I thought his eyes looked better. I had an email from the teacher within 10 minutes of his arrival, saying his eyes were still pink, and he needed to come home. THIS is what the boys do when they're stuck at home. They painted themselves RED. With my stamp pad. I'm going crazy over here in quarantine!!! They are currently locked outdoors and not allowed in the house until I regain some sembelance of composure. Colby just said "Mom, you're not mad. You don't sound mad." Oh yes I am, boy. I'm just getting better at controlling it!!! When they were three and painted themselves.... okay. They're FIVE, almost SIX. It's not cute. It's destructive, and they should know better. Really. I DID take a picture, but I told them it was to send to Dad so that he would know how to appropriately punish them when he got home this weekend, and not because I thought it was funny in any way (ok, a little funny. But more exasperating than anything!!!) Please tell me I will look back fondly at all of this someday. That's why I blog it. In the hopes that when I'm old and gray, I will look back at all this and say "Oh. I miss those red, mischievious little imps!"

ADDENDUM: Found the boys outside running through the hose. Because I told them not to come inside until they were "un-red". It's 50-ish out there, so I had pity and brought them swim suits, some soap, and a towel. See, not SUCH a mean mom.

Germy Math

Three cases of Pink Eye in the house. That's 5 total eyes (Colby's left eye is holding out for the moment), 6 bottles of antibiotic to be applied 24 times per day, with 48 scheduled handwashings during daylight hours. Two kindergartners told to stay home from school for two more days for a total of 32 extra hours of their presence at home. One mom who now has to cancel 12 hours of work for Friday, and one Dad who is conveniently absent from the whole debacle. Do the math. What's it all add up to? A bottle of wine and some chocolate for Mommy at bed time, that's what it adds up to.

The Gunk Eye

I am so sick of doctors. Or rather, kids that REQUIRE doctors. Spent the day (starting at 4:15 am) going to and from Green Bay to see a rheumatologist for Quinn. Good news there... the "big scary thing" was ruled out! The last five weeks of fevers and then fatigue was most likely due to a viral infection and a subsequent immune system that didn't know when to turn off. WHEW. So, we got back, picked up the remaining children from where they were scattered amongst various friends and family, to find that all THREE of them have "gunk eye". Colby is modeling his above. Wonderful. Tomorrow's day was already fully scheduled with the assumption that boys would be at school. I've cancelled the majority of our obligations, because apparently "gunk eye" is highly contagious (sorry Renata!!! Disinfect your house thoroughly!!!!!!). I am a single mom this week (everything always happen when Rob's out of town) and I am TIRED. Our medical appointments these past few months have been excessive, to say the least. And now we'll have one. more. visit. Or... if the nurse isn't kind enough to combine appointments, THREE more visits. I'm going to insist they see them all at once. Don't mess with this Mama. I've had enough!

Big Boy Bikes

I don't have pics or video of it, as I was too busy pushing, running behind, and then clapping and yelling, BUT.... the boys are now official riders of 2-wheeled big boy bikes. I am proud to say that they learned on gravel, and uphill. That's tough. But they did it!! Don't ask me how much it cost to appropriately "motivate" them to continue trying, though. It's amazing how fast they're learning math, when it applies to money.

Ski Tigers Pool Party

I'm thinking we need to channel the boys' energy into a swimming and/or diving career. They have virtually no fear - although I love the video of them trying to work up the courage to jump off the platforms for the first time. Too funny.

Touring the Keweenaw

So Flat Kaden is visiting from Montana, and Quinn and Colby decided to be good hosts and show him around the area a bit...even though "he doesn't have SKIN", as I was informed. We won't hold that against you, Flat Kaden. We think Flat Kaden was blown away by the tour (and not just because it was a breezy day!) Here's the scuttlebutt....

Safety first... everyone buckled up and ready to hit the road!

Quinn and Colby's School. It's K through 12. If the boys stay there throughout their whole schooling, they'll have about 29 people in their graduating class. And that's considered a BIG class!!

Our area has a strong Finnish heritage. The streets signs are both in English and Finnish. Flat Kaden had a hard time wrapping his tongue around those words. It's okay. I do, too.

Chutes and Ladder Park. Quinn and Colby wanted Flat Kaden to go down the slides with them, but mom thought it best that he sit that one out.

Portage Lift Bridge. We live on Portage Lake, off of Lake Superior. It's where huge cargo ships go for safety when the waters of the big lake are too rough. So the bridge needs to be able to lift up and left those big ships through when need be!

Quincy Smelter. The area is known as the "Copper Country" and has a long mining history. This is an old mine that Dad is in the process of helping to clean up and perserve!

We're excited that you've come to visit, Flat Kaden!

Flat Kaden

Flat Kaden is visiting us all the way from Great Falls, Montana. Welcome to Chassell, Flat Kaden!!

MidWeek Science Experiment

Acid, meet base.

Photo Shoot In The Park

Just something about kids and parks. They certainly don't have to fake the smiles here ;)

Happy Easter!

A Happy and Blessed Easter to each and every one of you. We had a beautiful day, waking early to find baskets, then to church (FYI, chocolate bunnies for breakfast do NOT make for good church behavior). Afterwards we had an easter egg hunt, while Rob and his dad enjoyed a sauna. Rob's family joined us for dinner and a little football. The weather started out rainy, but cleared up to an absolutely gorgeous evening. I took a ton of pictures today (how could I not, with all the Kodak moments????) so you'll have to bear with me.