Happy Valentine's Day (a little late)

Happy Valentines Day all!! Sending a little bit of love out to everyone. We spent the evening here together enjoying steak, shrimp, twice baked potatoes and a chocolate truffle cake (at least Andrew and I did, the girls had salad and strawberries!). The girls and Andrew were home as Ellie was sick yesterday and today. I got the dreaded call from daycare yesterday that she was not feeling well (she had a fever) and so the rest of yesterday and into today she was under the weather. She is such a trooper about being sick though! I have never seen a kid be so happy and yet be so sick. She never cries when she throws up or complains about feeling ill and definitely does not let being sick slow her down. We have to make her rest on the couch or in bed because other wise she would just continue like normal and run herself down!
Andrew graciously let me go on to work today but he ended up doing some work from home. He participated in a phone conference that he assumed was one way but lo and behold his boss on the other end could hear Meirah asking for her sippy cup and could also hear Andrew coming and going as he helped the girls with their needs. Ah the joys of being a working parent. I think sick kids is the most frustrating thing about this whole deal….we have to take turns staying home or split up the day and get behind in work and ultimately feel guilty about not being there when they are feeling yucky. We make it work though and even though there are bumps in the road I am happy with our current situation.

The really disappointing thing about the timing of Ellie’s illness is that they missed the valentines day party at daycare today. Poor Ellie had even picked out a dress she was going to wear today. We made it a point to not mention anything to her and thankfully she forgot. They will still get their valentines tomorrow in the special little bag they decorated. They attend a wonderful daycare run by a women who has been doing childcare for 23 years. The environment is fun and most importantly; forgiving. We had been going to a daycare previously for two years and it ended badly. The daycare provider had a little girl the same age as Ellie and because she I were close in age, we became good friends. Issues slowly developed over time and unfortunately they came to a head and she felt like she could not care for Ellie and Meirah anymore. Needless to say we were hurt and angry but I realize now that it was a blessing in disguise. Because she could not deal with Ellie’s exuberance and energy and because her expectations were unreasonable and her house not childcare friendly (she had family heirlooms within reach of the kids and Ellie accidentally broke one) this was having a negative effect on Ellie. She was always in trouble and felt like she could do no right (she expressed this not in word but in her behavior). Just weeks after starting her new daycare (where she was allowed to be herself) she was not so “naughty” and in the year that she’s been at Linda’s daycare she has really thrived! There they do a lot of early childhood activities, singing, group time, arts and crafts, tumbling, cooking, organized group play and they will even be able to participate in a program with the science center in town where animals from the center will come visit the daycare because Linda participated in a special class. Meirah (in her usual Meirah way) did not transition as quickly and it took a good week or so before she felt comfortable (she’s a mini Andrew) but now she loves to go and has a great time as well. They both have made a lot of friends and look forward to seeing them on the days they go. They attend Tues-Thurs and I am at home with them on Monday. This is due partially because Linda does not have room on Mondays for them but even if she did I would probably still let them have a day where they can stay home, wear their swim suites and dress up clothes and not even comb their hair!!
One more day of the work week and we are looking for some relief on Saturday from the below zero cold (hang on everyone, we may reach 25 on Saturday!!) Hopefully we will be able to get outside and play a little. If not we may have to go swimming again this weekend and let the girls burn off some energy.