we are all sick, and all running ourselves ragged trying to simply breathe. carter is having a very rough time because, as the american academy of pediatrics would say, he is an obligate nose-breather. not anymore.

he HATES taking medicine, loves that he can actually eat some finger foods, and is scooting all over the place. books are his favorite objects, and he had peter in hysterics tonight as he wiggled after an "olivia" book from the library--he kept grabbing at it and it would slide along the floor and then he would have to wriggle all over again. he covered about a mile circling around the room.

ava was very sad to leave grandma, but ecstatic to see snow.

the plane trip home was as good as it could be. no tears, a few antsy moments alleviated by some carefully rationed treats, and no hassles. we even got to ride in one of those little electric cars that carry people around in the airport and toot their horns at the pedestrians. thus we made a 35 minute layover in newark.

we have not tackled much other than the doctor for carter (he has 2 ear infections now, plus a new cold and is now on a sulfa-drug, vs. the rash-inducing penicillin). i had to listen to a long lecture from the doctor about drug reactions, and throughout the thing i kept trying to figure out how and when to introduce that i had worked in drug safety. in the end, i stayed quiet. it was easier. we also went to the library, i checked out 2 books in a fit of industry, and got ava 3. we also fed their fish, the whole point of going to the library in ava's opinion. today we managed the grocery store without any drama whatsoever.

and then we came home and ava and i made lasagne. a HUGE mess, but a ton of fun.

tomorrow, who knows. perhaps skiing.