Yesterday I woke up and did not feel hungry at all. And so it started. Another one bites the dust.

That evening I took Jack’s temperature, then he took mine. His was 99°, mine was 100°.

Luckily I haven’t also joined the ranks by upchucking. I haven’t thrown up in 24 years, so I think it would be quite traumatic for me if I did.

Of course, as luck would have it (I feel like I’m saying that a lot lately?), today neither older boy has school today.

Seems like everyone is effected unless their names begin with an “A” – Aaron, Adam and Anjelica. Let’s hope it stays that way…

It’s funny how each kid is effected differently with this stomach bug.

Ben had it so bad that it lasted 5 days. But Ben is an excellent sick kid. On the first day I had him laying in his bed by himself with the iPad. He came out to see me a bit later and when I went to tuck him in again I noticed he had quite nicely puked in the bucket I left for him. No big deal, he didn’t even think to mention it. He had violent diarrhea for days that never quite made it to the toilet but when it happened he didn’t complain or cry. Sometimes he would ask, “Why am I sick?”

At night he woke only once, but for hours each time with something coming out of either end. Then we were able to tuck him back into bed.

Sam only threw up twice. He seemed miserable for two days but slept a lot, in his crib, and was, for the most part, able to keep down fluids. He was better in three days.

Last night Jack was up every hour or two hurling. Adam “slept” with him on the floor of the bathroom all night. Each time he was sick he cried and complained bitterly. Oddly, other than last night he acts as if he’s not sick at all. I mean, he doesn’t have much of an appetite but he is still as demanding as ever. No sitting docile on the couch for this kid. In the past few months he has developed a huge fear of being alone. Which makes putting him down for a nap while trying to cover other kids impossible. As I write he is sleeping in the couch in the dining room, where I made him lay while I was feeding the twins lunch. Let’s all pray the intensity of the way Jack’s body reacted to this illness is in at odds with the length of time it will last.

Hold strong Aaron! Let’s hope you can make it through this untouched!

Today I chaperoned a field trip with Ben to the Farm at the Zoo.

“What animals do you want to see at the zoo, Ben?” I asked.

“Dinosaurs!” Ben replied.

Another preschooler named Eli chimed in, “There are no dinosaurs in the zoo because dinosaurs are instinct.”

I thought Ben must be getting better because they assigned me two kids instead of one. But as it turns out, I was assigned Ben’s buddy Abby. He really likes her. And as a result it makes him want to be a better person.

Having two kids made me realize how difficult Ben is. Abby very nicely walked next to me, holding my hand, actively seeking my hand and keeping pace. We were out for a nice stroll together to the zoo. On my other hand I felt like I was dragging a bowling ball. It dragged behind me and jerked about the entire time. There was one point where I had to threaten no more field trips if he wouldn’t hold my hand.

Still, it was nice to have the morning just with Ben, even when he’s at his worst, he is still adorable.

That afternoon we picked up Jack from school and he complained about his stomach. So far this evening he has thrown up twice. I have a feeling it’s going to be another long night…

You are probably thinking my lack of blogging must mean everything is great. That we are up to the normal schedule, nothing new and exciting to report. You would be wrong.

Wednesday night, after my ‘rare treat’ day, Ben woke up around 1am with a tummy ache. Adam tried to get him to puke in the toilet but it wouldn’t come out. Finally we settled him to sleep between us in our bed. That’s when he decided to throw up. This stomach bug has lingered on FOREVER. He has kept Adam and I up for an hour or two anywhere from 1 to 3 in the morning puking, having violet diarrhea, or both. And not just during the night but during the day too!

Last night I was hopeful it would end. My friend Gina was in town and we went out late for drinks. But once again he was up for hours on the toilet.

Watch out Gina, those are the two sickies…

This morning I went in to get Sam, he was laying in a pool of throw up….

Did I mention that as luck would have it, our washing machine broke on Friday? Adam and I have piled a mountain of puke and poop filled clothes and sheets to wash when it gets fixed on Monday.

This morning Angelica came over early so I could chaperone Ben’s field trip. It was an outdoor venture, and as it happened, it was pouring rain, thundering and lighting. So the trip got postponed.

Which means I found myself with the rare opportunity of a day off.

I have been in service mode for so long that I wasn’t sure what to do with myself.

“Meet me for lunch.” Adam suggested.

What else? That only takes an hour.

I decided to beat down some of the old paths I used to walk before kids, including a pilates class. The instructor stopped and commented when she saw me.

“Don’t get used to it, I have a free pass today.” I said.

She asked how many kids I had now, then their ages. The entire class gave me back looks of shock and pity when they heard.

I had so much free time that I even took a nap.

My brain was not filled with constant cries, demands, and tattling. Which gave me time to think. You know what I realized?

1. I have a very good babysitter. The only other time I feel completely at ease when my kids are in someone else’s care are when they are with my sister. (And obviously my husband.)

2. Having time off is nice, but I don’t actually need it. People always say to take time for yourself so you can be a better mom, but time off doesn’t make me any less the grouchy, screaming mess that I am without it. I guess the times I do consider mine, the hour after the kids bedtime, the naps, the 30 minutes that my sitter comes and before I have to pick up the first kid is enough. I know I’ll have plenty more time later, this time passes so quickly I want to drink up every second.

3. Much as I hate our gym for it’s kid unfriendliness, today I realized at times it can be a blessing.

Sorry if it wasn’t super deep thought, people. Did you notice my byline? It’s not, “The Meaning of Life”, it’s “Mindful Drivel”…

Last night we attended a party for Rochelle Trotter at Tavernita. She is a finalist for the next host of Check Please.

What no more Alpana Singh? I didn’t realize she was retiring from the show. After a bit of googling, I found out she has been doing the show for 10 years already! Also, that she recently opened her own restaurant, The Boarding House. After perusing the website, I am definitely adding this to my list of places I want Adam to take me to dinner. Looks amazing!

Adam and I met Alpana once at a wine dinner. She was witty, funny, and full of life. I don’t think the show let us all see how lively she really is.

Now, if they are looking lively, then Rochelle Trotter is definitely the way to go.

Party favors.

Do you watch check please? Who would you like to be your next host? There are 17 finalists, Charlie said they whittled it down from a list of around 1000 people. You can vote here. I voted to Rochelle. Not just because I know her, but because I truly felt she would enhance the show. All the finalists wrote a blurb on the check please website. Hers was the perfect mix of humor, self assurance and unpretentiousness.

Is the blurb not enough? Want to see more? Rochelle is on Fox at 9am during the week now. It started as a once a week guest appearance for a Fox News Chicago’s ChatRoom, but she did so well that she is now on every week day.

With the Trotters and the Stones at Tavernita last night.

Cindy’s famous cookie cakes.

This year we decided to switch it to a new venue, Welles Park. We are all getting older, which for the kids means less diapers, and for the parents it means weaker bladders, plus a pregnant lady – we needed a place with a bathroom this year!

The park was great, two playgrounds and large open spaces to play with the soccer ball, stomp rocket and kites we brought.

Also, a huge space for the easter egg hunt. Not sure about all squirrels, but the squirrels in this city park were super aggressive. The minute we put the eggs out they were grabbing them and eating them! I just hope the plastic doesn’t do any permanent damage. Luckily, even though we had close to 300 eggs, with 14 kids the hunt was over within a few minutes.

We let the younger kids go a few minutes early. I wasn’t sure which group Ben belonged to but I let him go with the younger kids. Good thing I did, because he decided to sit down and open each egg he got on the spot instead of grabbing as many as he could and opening them later. No amount of explaining could persuade him to change his method.

The Egg Hunters

Compared to last year, when I only had 2 kids, I would have to say this year was much more stressful and less relaxing than in the past. I felt like I spent the entire day counting 1, 2, 3, 4 kids then swiveling my head and doing it over and over again. I don’t think I had a conversation with anyone, and I know when a few of my girlfriends tried to start one with me I walked away mid-sentence because a baby was crying, someone needed something or Ben was puking in the corner.

The twin’s own play space.

Adam feeding Aaron.

Picnic (actually they just had Easter candy for lunch.)

Even with all the toys, the best game is always ‘boys chase girls.’