Bi And Large

It's a brand spankin' new year, and aren't we all thrilled!! May it bring joy and prosperity to all of you, my dear readers and lurkers... and to us as well. We're ready for it!

I messed with my photos and I think I have them all updated. I have so many photos of both girls I gave up trying to put them in separate albums, and made one album for both girls. There's a bunch of photos in there, and with the exception of a few I loved from the Disney trip earlier in 2008 they are all taken in the last few months. So now I feel all up to date! Woot!

Christmas was excellent, if mellow. We didn't travel this year (no money, definitely can't afford Australia, and my mom is in hospital, and my brother is with his inlaws this year, and it just wasn't worth it.) Anyway being just the 4 of us was nice and relaxing. With kids that are 5 and almost-3, Christmas is chaos no matter how you slice it, but at least we didn't have to put them through day after day of fancy dinners with 50+ relatives they have never met before. We had a tree, and some gifts, and a warm home, and snow outside, and it was great. Santa brought a tank of guppies to Iris, and hermit crabs to Amy, and they are the girl's pride and joy. Both of them have done really well taking care of their own pets too. Iris feeds her guppies one small pinch of food twice a day, and doesn't bash on the tiny tank or anything. Amy adores her crabs. She has only been pinched once - on the lip! It was sad because hey, she got pinched. But it was kind of funny too. She was hanging out with this crab swinging off her lower lip. APPARENTLY she thought the crab should sit on the couch with her and watch tv, and she was holding it right against her cheek to snuggle with it, and the crab didn't seem to like that. Who knew??? Otherwise, she has done great, and the new additions are all thriving.

New Year's was more blink-and-you-miss-it kind of thing, because I was back at work that week. Our fantastic neighbours invited us up for snacks and drinks, but they had to cancel last minute with a sick kid (We know how that goes!) We ended up going out for pizza, and using some money my parents had given us for Christmas to see a movie together. The girls stayed up to midnight no problem, and Iris was ticked there were no fireworks in our backyard (even though it was like twenty below.)

The only other thing going on is we are still sick!! We have the virus that came with grappling hooks and made its home here for a long time, because it has been well over a month and maybe longer. Judging by the symptoms of sudden onset fever, headache, aches and pains, and a cough with some chest pain, I am guessing flu. But dang. I had a temp over 100 still last night, and none of us are feeling well. We've had 2 weeks to rest and take care of ourselves. What gives??? It's not debilitating sick or anything, just background sick, but it sure doesn't give up easily. I've heard through talking to patients and friends that what's 'going around' this year lasts 6 - 8 WEEKS. Can that be true? Ugh.

Anyway! Upward and onward with a new year. I for one am happy to see it arrive, and I hope it brings wonderful things and happy memories. Here's to 2009!