The kids were hanging out in my room right at bedtime tonight and for whatever reason I asked them what the grossest flavor of ice cream would be. Mine was booger ice cream (don’t visualize, trust me). They went on for at least 15 minutes and I wanted to write down the ones I can remember now before it is all gone. All three who can talk were in on the action (note: this is not for the weak-stomached. . .they got pretty creative):

Insect (this was seth’s first one)
Worm (Dave’s idea, but Seth vetoed because his insect ice cream already has worms)
Beef
Bones
Teeth
Tiger
Hair
Dog
Mummy
Fingernail
Chair
Stinky Sock
Toothpaste
Pee (although I decided this would be more of a sorbet than an ice cream. . .)
Joseph (Joseph’s idea of course, he said “It’s a little ice cream”)
Mommy (Joseph again, this one is a big ice cream)
Daddy (even bigger ice cream)
Computer
Blood
Pig
Nose
Peed-on-sleeping bag
Dirt
Pond Scum
Dog Hair
Gasoline (Catherine’s. I thought this one was one of the most disgusting ones)
Fish
Eyeball
Ear Wax (seth’s. classic Uncle Zach style)
Giraffe (Joseph’s. He would yell “EW GROSS” after almost every suggestion; very funny)
Poo (you knew that was coming)
Mattress
Peed-on mattress (even better)
Fox
Box
Wood
Computer
Sardine (Seth’s)
Anchovy (catherine’s)
Grass (Dave’s–the kids thought this one was particularly gross)
Pizza (Joseph’s)
Throat
Zombie blood
Tortilla
Tomato
Spinach
Picture Frame
Blanket
Elephant
Muscle
Tree
Flower (could be good, actually)
Dirty Snow
Arm
Leg
Toilet
Underpants (Seth said, “That always makes you laugh, saying underpants”)
Heart

The absolute most disgusting (in my opinion) was one of Catherine’s: Mummy Hair Ice Cream. The hair of an ancient dead person made into a creamy delectable treat. Super-Gross.

They kept thinking of more and more. I went to tuck Joseph in for the third time and he said, “How about Dinosaur ice cream? EW GROSS!”

In fact I’m sure they’ll have more in the morning.

So Seth ended up with walking pneuomina (very similar to Bronchitis, I hear) and Juilet had a nasty ear infection after all the runny nose junk. The adjective the doctor used for it was “bulging.” Never good. But everyone is doing much better now and we even all made it to church today. Progress!

Since I have been absent from the internet for a while, here is a photo of Valentine’s Day (holding up cards from Grammie):

Since no one went to school that whole week, I decided to give them candy myself. Normally they get mounds of candy at school, so what’s the point of giving it to them myself, right? We’re having a hard time all fitting on my bed these days.

On my way out the door yesterday, I noticed a hot air balloon flying over our house! I thought it looked like it was going to land, so we drove to the closest open space we knew of and found it landing right there. They switched passengers and went up again:

Cool. I made some super yummo Chicken Coconut Thai soup today that was a hit all around. I’ll post the recipe soon.

The kids have all been sick this week, first with the flu and then right away with some other awful coughing and nose-running virus. The flu came with a serious fever and a headache which made them fairly delirious especially at night. One night I was in bed keeping an eye on Catherine, who was asleep next to me, and she suddenly opened her eyes out of a really deep sleep and said, “I need to pet a turtle.” Seth was in the same situation the next night and he woke up in the morning, sat straight up and started counting, “44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51. . .” and on and on. It was really hard not to laugh, poor guy. I wonder what they were dreaming about!

The little ones aren’t nearly as fun as sickies, but I think we’ll survive.