Baby, It's Colds Inside

Saturday morning, Getting-Sick Julie and Already-Sick Joe, in Joe's first almost-a-selfie. (He was fascinated.)

Since last we left you, we have been enjoying unseasonable warmth here in the North Star State.  But we have had colds aplenty at the White House. Joe spent most of last weekend racked out on the couch in his pajamas, but he would have periods of spark so we suspected a virus rather than an infection.  The Bird are now both sniffling.  Julie, in particular, is wrecked.  Ted alone has escaped.

Joe stayed home from school last Monday and by that afternoon, his fever had well and truly broken.  But this Saturday morning found him curled up next to Julie, hot and sweaty, with no discernible spark, and not at all interested in watching one of his recorded shows. The bambini are only allowed to watch TV on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and so weekend days typically begin with an hour-long Wild Kratts, Cat in the Hat, Curious George, or Super Why! watching binge. It was not to hear Curious George chirping away, but we knew something was up. A Saturday sick-visit to the pediatrician's office (where we saw one of Our Beloved Dr. Harrington's colleagues) confirmed that Our Hero's left ear was infected and the ear drum had perforated.  He is on oral antibiotics and topical antibiotic drops and by now, you'd never guess he was too wiped to watch Wild Kratts just 48 hours ago.

All the White House Girls on the couch Saturday evening.

The Bambini Shake It Off

As Super Fan Great Aunt Janie noted in one of her last comments, St. Louis Park's got talent. That talent has been on vivid display especially since Taylor Swift released her new CD. There was a streak when, following bath or shower time, the bambini would want to shake it off, to Taylor's Shake It Off.  You can see the act here.  It is another lengthy clip, but there are delights throughout. Joe has but one move, but knows most of the words though he   not belting them at this particular taping. Birdie has more moves and, shall we say, a knack for the sensational. Super Fans Aunt Kate and Uncle Scott and Grandma Connie might be the tiniest bit freaked out at the end and think, "Why are we still filming??? Why haven't we set the phone down?!?!" Super Fans, we can only say the train has left the station: what Clara does is one of Joe's favorite things to do and there is no stopping the J-Train.

Rockin' In Front of the TV

Here is a much, much shorter video, shot last night while the soup we were having for dinner cooked. The bambini had changed into their pajamas and we're dancing and singing, using the TV as a mirror.  Or rather Clara was singing. That is, in fact, one thing to note: she sings a stream-of-consciousness narration while her band mate-sidekick rocks out mute.  Loop it and pretend like you're here Fans!  (Berenice Fans should watch for cameo appearances.)

Our Hero as Guest Reader

When Julie saw this picture, she thought that Joe looked like the Big Man on Campus.  "Hey, Kids.  I'm a first grader.  This could be you one day.  Stay in school."

Our Hero did not have school yesterday. Ted stayed home with him and, among other things, took Joe to Clara's pre-K class in the afternoon where Joe was the guest reader. Guest readers can select their own material. Joe selected The Polar Express. Our copy was a gift from Fan Great Aunt Janie and her family when Joe was Itty bitty and Birdie wasn't yet even here. The Polar Express is in heavy rotation right now because it is Joe's go-to pick if we are reading anytime before bedtime, of then but altogether instead of separate.

It was a somewhat bold choice, however seasonally appropriate, because it is lengthy, and awkward to hold while reading aloud such that the pictures might be seen by a group in front of the reader. This poster was not there to see it but our stringer in the field reports that Our Hero was amazing! Clara's teachers were very impressed. Clara and her friends were dazzled--after they shifted to the right to see the pictures. You can see the whole event here. (Advanced notice: the video is 11 minutes long.)

The Right-Now

Fans. Are you still there? We are here, despite all evidence to the contrary. And we will catch you up on all manner of news soon. For now, we plunge into the right-now to share back-to-back funny moments from tonight's tuck-in time.

Of late, when possible, have been reading to the bambini separately. Joe is in the midst of Danny, the Champion of the World. Tonight, he pulled the covers up over his head at a suspenseful moment and demanded that Julie (who read Danny as a child) tell him what happened. Julie refused of course.

About this time, Clara padded in with Ted wanting to know if Julie had pitched her bouquet after her wedding--to the other female, unmarried guests she meant. Julie did not. Clara demanded to know what traditions had been followed. She demanded Ted kiss Julie. Ted did. Clara noted he had kissed Julie on the lips.  She further noted, "Kids don't kiss on the lips. That's gross. That's germs." And that seems a fine thing for her to continue to think.

After she went back to her room, Julie asked Joe what he was doing. Because he had his head tipped back and his back arched. And Joe said, totally straight, like he was commenting on the weather, "I'm making a C."