sick kids = $$$

Olivia and Harrison have strep throat again!! I'm trying not to complain too much, because this is only the second time they have been sick this year. Last year my kids had strep throat six times. But what gets me every time is the money!! That makes me sound like a awful Mom, but my kids don't really act sick with strep and when one gets it they all get it. I took Olivia in yesterday, paid my $25 co-pay. Decided to take Harrison in today, because he wasn't feeling good over the weekend, but seemed to be okay since then. Harrison was positive so I decided to swab Max...negative. $50 dollars later I'm thinking to myself I'm sure I'll be bringing Max and Jack in soon to test them both, another $50. It really seems crazy that when my kids get sick I usually spend around $100 in just co-pays!!! Does anyone else think that their co-pays are just crazy high?? I remember when Jack was little and we spent $10 for a co-pay that wasn't too bad, but now I pay for half of the Dr. visit?!?! Just one of those things that bother me!!

So Tim is in a training class for the next three days, which is probably why my kids are sick ;) I was looking forward to some time alone with Max, but now I have three kids at home and no hubby!! Not really what I had planned, and to top it off I feel like crud myself!! Not a good combination. Tim isn't even suppose to be home until around 7:00-7:30, so I'm really on my own for these four days. Hopefully the other two kids won't get sick and we can have a fun weekend.

Olivia and Tim are going to the Daddy Daughter dance Saturday night at the school, Olivia is really looking forward to that. We were suppose to go dress shopping but I'm not sure that's going to happen, she just might have to wear one that's already in her closet.

I'm feeling very blah and defeated today. Some days just aren't good Mommy days. Not that my kids are being terrible, it's just that I'm not feeling the best which makes me moody. I hate feeling moody and crabby towards my kids!

On a positive note, Max has started calling me "Mommy", at least I think he knows it's me. He now says "Mommy Mommy Mommy" all the time, I'm not sure if he knows he's calling me, or he just knows when he says it I melt and give him whatever he wants. He's a little slow on the talking but he's really starting to catch on finally. What I find to be more than adorable is when he bumps into someone by accident and looks up at them and says "kuse me", or when he makes himself burp and says "kuse me". He'll also tell you "sorry", loves to call choos choos "foos foos", loves the new cartoon Chuginton, gets so excited when it's on and says "FOO FOO"!! He's still signing for eat and drink, although he says eat, just not drink yet. He got weighed at the Dr's today a whopping 24 pounds!! He's getting so big and we all just love this baby so much!!

I feel like I should update on the other kiddos too!! Jack is doing so well in school, and has been invited to join a Duke university accelerated student program!! He was recognized for being in the top 5% of his grade and was the only one in his grade to receive this invite. We are very proud of him!! The school has also requested him to be tested for a gifted program, he'll be taking this test in the next few weeks. He's going to start guitar lessons next week too. He's a great kid, and a GREAT big brother!! He's made so many new friends, and is really loving living down here!!

Olivia is still her sassy self, but is doing great in school and has the most amazing teacher this year! She will start piano next week too! She's also looking into a acting class and maybe starting ballet again!! She has a pretty busy social life down here, so she just needs to make sure she can fit it all in :) She's become a pro on the pogo stick and at rollerblading recently!!

Harrison....O Harrison, what can I say about this kid, he holds a special place in my heart :) He is just a funny, goofy kid. He brought home a thank you note from his teacher last Friday thanking him for the note he had written her. She thanked him for inviting her out to McDonald's, to come to his Birthday party, and even invited her to a sleepover at our house!! What a ham!! He also has too many friends on the street and we can barely keep him indoors!! He's thinking about starting Karate, and will play baseball here in a month or so. He's doing well in school and is almost what I consider a reader! Now, he can read small words, and even easy books, but I don't consider my kids readers until the can truly read just about anything I put in front of them.

I'm not sure how this turned into a big update, but o well!! I guess I should go make dinner, because no one else is going to do it for me!!