Nicholas turns two

Today is Nicholas's 2nd birthday. On Saturday, we had a birthday party for him at our house. The theme was "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" for two reasons: 1) Nicholas loves to eat food, 2) last Friday was the 40th anniversary of the first publishing of the book written by Eric Carle. Alison and Sarah made a chocolate cake with a bundt pan and shaped it and frosted it like the caterpillar in the book. Alison also got some fruit and put holes in it, as did the caterpillar in the story. Finally, Sarah and Mom-Mom cut out and colored some paper in shapes/colors of all the food the caterpillar eats on his Saturday feast. Alison, Sarah, and Mom-Mom made a cherry chip cake shaped like a butterfly; we hid it behind a cardboard box (the crysalis) until we sang happy birthday. Ms. Beth read the book to the kids at storytime, and then we all had the cakes. Here are some more pictures of the cakes. It was still chilly, but the kids had fun outside in the yard and on the swing set. UPDATE - 9:05PM: Nicholas is 36 and 1/2 inches tall on his 2nd birthday.

Nicholas has a stomach bug

Nicholas has had a stomach bug since early Tuesday morning. [if you are eating or easily grossed out, please stop reading now :) ] David went to get him when he woke up in the morning, and he was covered with gross stuff. David couldn't tell if Nico had thrown up or had diarrhea that leaked because it was all in his lap and down his legs; he later determined that the answer was "both". Nico took two baths - one to wash everything off and the next to get clean. While getting Sarah ready for school, Nico threw up in his high chair and a few more times on the kitchen floor. Thankfully, all these were clear, and David had put a few bibs on him to catch most of it. A few hit the floor though and Nico even got his shoes. After Sarah was dropped off, Nico threw up in the car seat on the way home and then again a few more times at home. David took him to the doctor's and was told to just let it run its course and give only sips of Pedialyte. By Wednesday, Nico was only having diarrhea, although he was also having a high fever. Last night and this morning, he's been very tired and quiet and not moving around at all. David's been staying home watching him. Oh, and Sarah is home today with a runny nose and cough; we're really hoping it doesn't turn into what Nicholas has!

Snow Day!

We had a decent March snowstorm overnight - about 7 to 8 inches at our house. The kids had school canceled, and Ali decided not to go to work today. NASA at first said they were going to be "Code Yellow - opening at noon". However, at 10:41AM, they changed their mind and went to "Code Red", which means closed all day. David didn't know they made this change until he came inside from clearing the cars and shoveling the driveway, but he was glad to not have to go into work. All four of us spend some time outside in the morning. Nicholas barely moved in his snowsuit and boots, while Sarah was running all around in the snow. We took turns dragging Nico around the yard on the sliding sled.

Ali & Sarah at Camp Winona

Alison and Sarah went camping over the weekend at Winona Girl Scout Camp near Hughesville, MD. They went with another Brownie troop, and camped in a lodge (slept in sleeping bags on the floor), had a campfire, sang songs, and went on a hikes. It was still a little chilly and the weather was cloudy with some light rain and sleet overnight. They came home earlier this afternoon and took a longer nap that Nicholas took this afternoon. E-mail Ali or David for the link to the photo album.