Not All Bad Days

We've had a run of bad luck lately in our household regarding sick kiddos.  My husband and I try to keep it in perspective though, as there are many who have it much, much worse.  RSV, colds, flu, pinkeye; the list goes on and on.  

There have been some peaks amidst all these valleys, however.  Not every day has been a bad day.  

During one of the many cold spells/ice storms I let the boys watch a kid's yoga video.  I highly recommend something like this to combat cabin fever.  The boys loved it. 

It doesn't matter if the temperature is only 30 degrees, if there is no wind and your dad asks you go help him clean a pond, you help him clean a pond.  

Seeing these PVC pipes that Wes was going to place in the pond dam brought back a flood of memories for me.  My dad had some PVC pipes down at our barn for a horse waterer that he was installing.  Somehow, my older sister convinced me to stuff myself in one of the pipes and she stood on top and started to run.  During this unfortunate log rolling incident several of my fingers were rolled on and as a result I lost some fingernails and then we had to make up some elaborate lie to tell my mother.  I believe the best elaborate lie we could muster was "I fell." (Really?  You tripped and fell and that's why your fingernails are purple and bleeding?  I believe her response was something like that.  We totally fooled her.)

Although my heart skipped a beat when I saw John standing next to these pipes, we are safe thus far as the next generation cannot yet read about this log rolling incident and have the seed of mischief planted in their brains.  Probably next year. 

We read quite a few books at our house.  It's one of my favorite 'go-to' parenting strategies.  (Right up there with 'go outside'.)  Look bored?  Read a book.  Don't feel good?  Sit on the couch and read a book.  Hungry?  Read a book to pass the time until supper. 

Sometimes the stars align and all the kids play nicely together.  These little five minute chunks of peace and contentment are the highlight of my days.  

Just woke up and Mom refuses to turn on cartoons?  Read a book. 

Same story, different pajamas.  Wake up, read books. 

Waiting on Mom to serve lunch?  Read a book.  (I wasn't kidding folks.) 

Improvisation at it's finest.  I HAD to run some snap tests for Wesley, pronto.  Kathryn refused to nap and felt the need to be near me the majority of this day.  Therefore my sidekick had to settle for sitting in her highchair with toys, watching me work away. 

Speaking of snap tests, my helper is absolutely DEVASTATED when I deny him the chance to help his mom with work.  I admire that about him and hope he keeps that attitude up.  

Not every day of our winter has been terrible.  Occasionally there has been a sunshiny day where we can open up the shop doors and have a picnic for lunch with the men.  We live for those days.  There are few things in life better than fine dining on a milk crate table. 

On some of these rare, wonderful, sunshine filled days we've played outside every waking moment while the cattle looked on at our construction site.  Dozers, backhoes, dumptrucks... these boys accomplish some pretty substantial work while playing.  

Okay, this one was a bad day.  It is never enjoyable when your child is hospitalized.  On the bright side; however, this was also the day when our child was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease and proper treatment could begin.  It was the best, bad day possible.  

We're ready for a spring filled with our best, great days possible!