House arrest

Our little family has been hit with the flu.
Well, we think it was the flu.  It was definitely some sort of virus and it hit our kids.  Hard.  Fevers, chills, aches, coughs, runny noses.  You get the picture?  It's been over a week.

Syd went back to school today after being home for a week.   I hope to send Ava back tomorrow.  Jack has missed 2 swimming lessons.

Wah, wah. I know.  Everyone gets sick.  Just needed to vent because  quite literally, we have been under "house arrest".  We have stopped playing with our neighbours, cancelled birthday parties and generally kept our kids confined to our home and immediate front yard.  In short, we are living in our own little world here without much outside interaction and we're starting to go crazy!

So here's what I've learned about this type of situation.

One:  Netflix is your best-friend (or worst enemy).  On demand shows and movies for the convalescing kids is a must.  However, they are hooked now.  I have to find a 12 step program to break this habit.  

Two:  Chocolate milk is liquid gold.  Kids don't drink when they are sick.  Water is blah.  We can't agree on apple juice or orange juice.  But chocolate milk?  That's an easy sell.  Yes, I know you aren't supposed to offer up much dairy when kids are mucous-y.  But it's wet, right?  Lesser of two evils in my opinion.

Three:  Coffee is Mom's liquid gold.  Lots of night-wakings around here and I am starting to feel like I've been on a post-exam drinking binge.  I wake up most mornings feeling like I'm hung-over.  I'm not.  Just sleep deprived.   Coffee helps.  A lot.  (Shhh....sometimes I put a dash of Bailey's in it as a special treat!)

I'm hoping for some warm spring-like weather to dry us all up here.  I think most people we know with small children have found that this winter has been pretty hard on us in terms of illness.  Next year maybe I should line all of us up for a flu shot?   Or home-school for the winter months??   Nahhh.  That would require more than coffee and Tylenol!!!