This Way, Mommy

We are all sick today. Holland has had a runny nose for days and then last night Tagg started coughing and his nose started running. By this morning, Tyler and I both had sore throats and were all stuffed up. Ugh! It sucks being sick when I'm the one who needs to take care of everyone else when they are sick. Secretly I was hoping all day that my mom would just show up on our doorstep and take care of us. Isn't that everyone's wish when they are sick?

We had two excursions today to get us out of the house: the grocery store for tissues and OJ (and Girl Scout cookies!) and a drive downtown with Tyler to pick up a bike. Those were the two moments I didn't have sick kids vying for my lap and attention.

When we got home from getting the bike, Holland and I checked the mail. I held her up and she reached in and grabbed the mail...and hung on tight to a bright pink flier about the upcoming neighborhood clean up. She couldn't have cared less for the two white envelopes - how boring.

As soon as I put her back down she took off running down the sidewalk toward the church. I just figured she was going to run up a few houses. She'd pretty much been inside all day and probably just needed to get a little energy out. Three, four houses, and I suggested we turn around. "No, Mommy. This way." And she kept running. Then we were at Creek Road and she just kept on running. "This way, Mommy. This way!" Seriously running and holding on to the pink flier the entire way. She was cracking me up!!

I kept thinking, and suggesting, that she would get tired and turn around. Nope. Within minutes we were all the way down Highland at the very back of our neighborhood...without a way in from there. Bug. I had to force Holland to turn around and start running back toward home. It was cold. I was hungry. And remember, we're all sick??

Finally, once we were almost home, (literally 3 houses away) Holland tripped and fell. She has a lovely cut on her cute chin now. Sad. She barely even cried. Is she really MY daughter?

The moral of the story: kids hate being cooped up, even when they are sick. Or, Holland knows I haven't exercised in a while so she was bound and determined to help me get a little brisk walk in before the week ended.

I love you, Miss Bliss!