Recovery, cooking & Jackson's first trip to the pool!

So yet again, I forget the camera to another weekend! We were set to go to the Island on May 30th to celebrate Toad's birthday on the 31st. The Thursday before, I had made appointments for the boys to have their Annual check up's at the Doctor's office. It was a beautiful sunny day. Typically days where Nate has a doctor appointment he will beg to get out of going to school. "Mom, please can I stay home? I'll clean!" HA! This day was not much different than those days before where he tried to get out of going to school after a Doctor appointment - EXCEPT he complained of a tummy ache. I just knew that it was due to his sunny day fever and nothing more. We left VM and headed home. Knowing in the back of my mind, I'd have Nate grab his stuff and take him to school. He protested over and over that his tummy hurt and that he really shouldn't go to school. I even asked him to tell me the truth - that it was really only because of a sunny day that he wanted to stay home. We get home, come up stairs and Nate starts throwing up! DAMN IT! I felt like such a jerk for not believing him!

24 hours later, Nate recovers - after many towels and missed attempts at throwing up in the toilet. Friday we plan our trip to the Island. Saturday morning - we pack up and head out.

We reach the Island only to have Jackson start throwing up early Saturday afternoon. Puke just rolled down hill from there! In it's wake - the casualty list: Nate, Jackson, Matthew, Lauren, Nick, ME, Meghan, Joe, Mom - I believe in that order :)

Even after the illness - my stomach cramped after eating for days. I think everyone is finally in the clear.


I made an attempt at Turkey Stroganoff. I wasn't sure how it would turn out since I was using ground turkey. It wasn't bad! Not bad at all!

At the grocery story I found Frenches Beef Stroganoff seasoning packet and followed the directions. I decided it needed some tweeking! McCormicks Garlic and Pepper grinder, White Pepper and Salt to add additional seasoning. Real onion and mushroom. Since most ground turkey packages are more than a pound - I doubled the sauce receipe.

Not the healthiest dish in the world - but pretty darn tasty over egg noodles! I'm a complete failure since I didn't take pictures of the finished product for you - but I swear I won't do it again! :)

Yesterday, Nate and I took Jackson to the pool. You would be AMAZED at just how much effort it takes to get a toddler ready for the sunny outdoors when they are as pale and pasty as a sheet of 8.5 x 11 lined paper!

I change Jackson's diaper. Might as well have bathed him in a vat of baby sun screen (arms, legs, belly, face, neck, ears- could have done his scalpe if I wanted to have a greaser for a child) He had on his little SPF 50 shirt, little swimmers underpants and swim trunks. He looked so cute but was so grumpy I couldn't get a picture - I tried several times!

I pack up a sippy cup, snack, towel and we stroll down to the pool. Jackson enjoys the stroller ride to the pool. Nate lets us in. You could see the confusion in Jackson's face as to why all these kids at the pool were squealing with delight. "I know that stuff is water! But those kids seem so happy about it!" I pick JD up and we head toward the water. I walk down the stairs into the water and JD starts to whine until his feet hit the water. It was all over from there! He screamed bloody murder until I got out of the pool. Holding him close to me above the water wasn't going to do it! He was PISSED! I got out of the pool - his immediate silence was enough for me. We headed home.

Our adventures in the water will not stop here - we will continue to try. Maybe his Aunt Mae Mae will have better luck?? She's a water baby so I hear :)

Tonight's dinner will be Taco Lasagna - I will post the receipe and take pictures this time I SWEAR IT! :)

Much love!