Saturday, January 5, 2013

Christmas 2.0

Two nights ago I asked Hubs for Meatloaf for dinner Friday night. We even invited Sherry's Family and looked forward to the kiddos playing and catching up since we've all been so sick and stuck at home.

Little did I know.

Hubs texted me yesterday and asked what time I'd be leaving work. I guessed 5:30 or so and said we were on for dinner at 6pm.

Little did I know.

I texted Sherry to make sure we were on for dinner. She had asked earlier if there was anything she should bring. I suggested wine. Mmmmm.

Little did I know.

About 5:10 I got a text from Hubs telling me he was outside to pick me up as he had a surprise for me. Of course I texted back, "what's wrong? what's the matter? what's going on?" of which I got no response. I worry, what can I say? So, of course, I packed up my desk and grabbed my stuff.

Little did I know.

I climbed into the Jeep thinking Hubs was driving me to my van and he had done something to it. Perhaps a Detail, a Car Wash, a new Console? He began to exit the parking lot, without my van.

Little did I know.

I finally threw on my seat belt realizing we were headed somewhere all the while my heart beating faster. I'm not much for surprises. I asked questions, rather accusingly, and Hubs began to get annoyed. Sorry. Again, I worry, what can I say?

Little did I know.

I looked back at the kiddos mesmerized in the movie and asked what they knew. They knew nothing.

Turns out, little did I know, Hubs decided we needed Christmas 2.0. We hadn't enjoyed our Christmas as much as we would have liked so he thought he'd surprise us all with an overnight trip to the beach. He took us to dinner, brought Christmas presents for each of us, booked a jacuzzi kitchenette ocean view suite with an indoor pool, and even brought cinnamon rolls for the morning because I had been so heartbroken Christmas morning not having our annual tradition. He had packed suitcases, toiletries, kids' blankies and Plutos, arranged doggie care from Sherry and had even had her in on the secret faking me out with Meatloaf Dinner.

Hubs had thought of everything. And surprised us well!

What I DO know? He's a keeper. With or without Meatloaf Dinner.


Christmas Flu


Christmas was a blur. Friday the 21st the Flu hit our house like a ton of bricks, through me first. Saturday I spent all day shivering and sweating while the kiddos played nicely and Hubs was at work.
Sunday was poor Miss Madylin’s turn. She woke up vomiting and got sick off and on all day. I was still down for the count. At lunch break, Hubs came on and passed out sitting up on the couch. No turning back now. He returned to work and by the end of the day was in full force Flu mode.
Monday we were all home. Madylin and Mommy got in to see the doctor. I was told Asthmatic Bronchitis and Pneumonia, with four prescriptions. She was told Flu, let it run its course, with no prescriptions, only the infamous Tylenol/Motrin regimen.
Christmas Eve is our annual dinner and present exchange with my Mom and Papi and Uncle Mark and Aunt Suzi. We look forward to it every year as it’s also the night the Fire Department brings Santa through the neighborhoods on the back of the ladder truck for all the kids to see. This year, we weren’t able to do either. I left goodies on the mailbox for the Firemen thanking them for everything and apologizing for not being ourselves (hey, it made me feel better). Dinner had to be cancelled because there was no way a. we were cooking, b. we were up to entertaining, and c. we wanted to share germs with our family.
Luckily, Santa was able to come by on Christmas Eve after the kiddos went to sleep. He wasn’t up to much but he did get done what he had to.
Christmas morning we were up earlier than we ever have been. Usually our kiddos are ones that sleep to regular time even though they’re anticipating presents. This year, we were up at 5am. It was JP’s turn with the Flu. We all woke up to him in the bathroom. After we got JP’s belly temporarily settled he asked why it was still dark and if we thought Santa had come yet. We told him he did and his “oh” was less than enthusiastic. Poor kiddo.
Off we moved to the Family Room with a bucket in hand. JP took his sweet time opening his presents as he had to pause for bucket use here and there. Opening presents took much longer than usual. It wasn’t the thrill we had all looked forward to. We spent the rest of the day on the couches watching movies and occasionally playing with a toy or two.
Christmas Dinner consisted of Wawa Soup and crackers. In fact, over the entire sickness stretch we joked of our daily rationing of soup. We all had so much soup we exhausted what was in our pantry. Chicken Noodle, Cream of Corn, Broccoli Cheddar, Maryland Crab, you name it.
Finally the 27th I was able to return to work. Kiddos were still sick, parents were still sick, I even think the dogs were a little sick. But, life goes on.
We’re now at the two week mark and finally are feeling much better. Except for four lingering coughs I’d say we’re finally on the mend.
What a Christmas Blur it’s been. Thankfully, the four of us got to spend it together.That's all that really matters anyway, right?