Happy MLK JR. Day (belated)

Turns out I can't get through an MLK Jr. day without crying a little bit. Today it was because I got to that part in the book at school where I had to explain lunch counter protests to my students. Those pictures get me every time.
And then Henry goes and does this:

Extract

Aunt Sandy gifted us with several extracts and food colorings recently. They were surplus from a work thingy I guess. Today Clara took down the bag and enjoyed this fun activity:
Look at how she has them all right-side-up and nicely ordered. Obviously the child is brilliant.

Awesomeness

Pete just sent me this photo from NAMM, where he claims not to be partying with rock stars. Right. I think he was just begging for this to be posted.
He also sent these photos yesterday, the first for Clara, the second for Henry.

The rock star returns to domesticity tomorrow.

Wednesday the 13th

Pete left town this morning to go hang out with rock stars in California.
We have already had many delightful adventures since his departure.
Here's a couple of photos from our pre-dinner entertainment. Kudos to Henry for helping out and taking photos. Thanks to this little guy for being so chubby and, apparently, comfortable in our house, that it was moderately easy to catch.

Clara

For those of you seeking an update...Henry is doing much better now that he has his amoxycillin (sp?). Clara has been a little so-so with a mild fever and some coughing. I took her to the doctor this morning and her strep test came back negative. Henry's not contagious anymore, so maybe we're in the clear. Or maybe Clara will still get sick, since it can take several days to incubate. Her cough has switched from sounding kind of croup-y to sounding more phlegmy. The doctor did say her throat looks a bit sore, but it's probably just a virus. She does have her regular 2-year check up on Thursday, so we'll probably still go in for that just to get her stats and re-check her throat if she's still coughing or feverish.

Clara's Birthday

My sweet girl turned two today. We had quite a celebratory day planned, but of course the universe had something else in mind for us. The trouble started on Wednesday when Henry had to go in for a dental procedure. Pete drove him out to Long Grove when the pedodontist did a pulpectomy, some drilling and put a stainless cap on one of his molars. Now that I type all that it sound more traumatic than I really realized at the time. They gave him nitrous oxide and novacaine and he did very well for the whole thing. He did have a pretty swollen cheek and it lasted longer than we expected. After complaining a bit yesterday, and just not acting quite himself, I called and spoke with the dentist's office and ultimately made a tentative appointment for this morning. He awoke in the night with crying and a low grade fever, but seemed okay again this morning. We figured maybe we had let him be too active yesterday and it just got overly irritated. Plus, the streets were quite snowy and blowy, so I just chose not to take him out. Well, then the morning was very up and down. We let him watch cartoons all morning, but he was still whiny and crabby and weepy. His fever was up and down too, sometimes as high as 103. By early afternoon I was speaking with the dentist's office again and with our pediatrician's office. I decided to take him to the pediatrician. After looking over everything he determined it wasn't a problem with the tooth. Just as a last-minute thing he did a quick strep test. Henry fell asleep in my lap while we waited for the results, which came back positive. Thank goodness! We got his prescription filled and gave him a dose as soon as we got home. After a much more mellow celebration than planned, both kids are asleep and will hopefully wake up for a pleasant day of quiet playing tomorrow.
So, in the meantime, Clara's birthday wasn't a total loss. She (knock on a whole lotta wood) has been feeling well and enjoyed many aspects of her day.
Here she is, shortly after her birthday pancakes, enjoying her gift from me and Pete. I envision many happy tea parties in the backyard this summer.
Henry and Franklin tried to enjoy the tea party as well, but Franklin kept getting shooed from the table and Henry couldn't do much for long today.
Hey sweet two-year-old!!
You might be able to get a little bit of an idea of Henry's swollen right cheek in this picture. He was trying to rest in bed and Clara decided to read to him. He didn't have much energy for telling her she was doing it wrong, so the whole thing went surprisingly well.
Clara enjoyed a morning bath, still anticipating a party this evening, and then spent some time tucking in and reading to her dollies. She also sang Happy Birthday to them.
After Henry's appointment we settled in for a movie. I was trying to get Henry to eat anything and Clara caught sight of Grammie having a little ice cream (she likes to buy Jamoca when she's in town, since there's no B&R in Iowa City anymore) so they decided they wanted an ice cream treat too. Wouldn't you know it? We just happened to have some in the freezer for the birthday party!
And we didn't get our balloon order canceled in time, plus...a girl still needs balloons on her birthday! So the table was very festive.
I went ahead with the elephant cupcakes, as I had already made the parts and baked the cupcakes this morning. There were a couple of trunk incidents, but overall they turned out pretty well. Clara recognized them, so that was the important thing. (In case you don't know- Clara's lovey is a yellow stuffed elephant named Ellie. I bought Ellie for her at the hospital gift shop when she had pneumonia at one month old.) I ran a few of the cupcakes across the street for Anna and Sebby, since Helena had brought Clara's gift over. They were duly excited, so I felt my efforts were not totally in vain.
So, we ordered some pizza, watched a couple of movies, opened a few presents (thanks everyone!) and had a mellow evening. Happy 2nd Birthday to my wonderful, hilarious, happy-natured little girl!
And isn't she a snappy dresser? Check out those bracelets.

Since we last met...

We took a day to play and sled before heading back to Iowa.
Hi jinks immediately ensued upon arrival in Iowa.
We had a little wildlife viewing at Dad's house.
And enjoyed lots of handmade gifts.
Eleanor and Clara each received a baby doll sling made by Aunt Sandy.
Henry's new microscope was not handmade, but the case for it was.
And Clara's new music box needs to be seen and heard in person to be fully appreciated.
More hi jinks and hilarity...
I'm not sure if anyone kept track of how many times those legos were picked up, but the number was easily into double-digits.
And then there was New Year's Eve.
With fancy headgear.
Rob, Carrie, Pete and I attended a party held by these fine folks in their super-cute house.
New Year's day....I think this is the only photo of all 4 cousins together.
These glasses were a hot commodity.
There was lots of reading going on, and lots of patient aunties.
We did some more presents. Featured here is a book Eleanor made for Grammie and a poncho Carrie made for Clara.
Finally, we finished up our trip with a stop at the Hamburg for breakfast before heading back home.
Happy New Year everyone! Go Hawkeyes!!