Chicken Pox/Windpocken

The last several weeks, one of the main topics of conversation in our house has been over the "chicken pox".  I've heard comments like, "why does there have to be chicken pox???" and "I hate the chicken pox!!!"  After Micah contacted the nasty virus from kindergarten, he then passed it on to all of his siblings. Yes, we had six children all down with the chicken pox at one time. (By the time the rest came down with the virus, Micah was pretty much recovered.)  It's been intense and sometimes even stressful, yet we are so very thankful that all the kids got it at one time, and are now done with it! Also so glad it's a once-in-a-lifetime virus. It's a nasty one!

You know what? I must say that I have also really enjoyed the past weeks where my kids have all been home sick. I LOVE having them all at home. When they were really not feeing well, we stayed in our pajamas all day, laid around the house, played games, watched movies, listened to CDs, read books, ate special snacks, etc. It was just so much fun being together all the time!  I think the kids have really enjoyed it too. Although the older ones admit that they miss their friends, they also quickly add that they are enjoying their time at home as well. Definitely special memories were made!

Once we started noticing blisters on the kids, they were confined to the house... no school, no playing with friends, etc.  We were once again thankful for our little yard, where the kids could go and get some fresh air and sunshine, without spreading the virus to anyone else.

They spent lots of time "getting all comfy" and looking at books.

Lots of paper was used at our house these past couple weeks as they painted, 

drew pictures and colored non-stop!

Mickey Mouse cartoons are helpful in forgetting Chicken Pox discomfort.

My cell phone was quite popular.

After several days of fevers, itchiness, discomfort and only laying around,

 it was wonderful to see the kids start playing again.  

They had lots of fun with this "train".  

(Can any one see little Conductor feet? :D)

Micah was quite proud of this table which they made using some boards 

left from our previous sandbox. Fresh air is so good!

Despite having the chicken pox, these little ones are still quite cute!

The worst is definitely over. Our little ones are just recovering now from all of their 'spots'. And believe me, they were COVERED!!! (I didn't take pictures of the kids when it was really bad, as well, that's just mean! They didn't want me to either.) Micah is back in kindergarten now, and Aria and Nina are planning on going back to school on Monday. (As of yesterday, the doctor said that they were still contagious!) That's one of the bad things about getting this virus now, as Aria and Nina have both missed over a week of school. But we are so thankful for fellow classmates who live right here in our neighborhood who have faithfully brought their homework home to them every day. So hopefully they won't be too far behind.

So yeah, Mother's day was spent busy serving these little ones. But, I was just so very happy. Although I do get tired and at times just want some peace (!!!), when it comes down to it, there's nothing I'd rather be doing, or no other place I'd rather be than right here with my hubby and little loves.  I am so. very. thankful.