Oh, hello— emerging from my bacterial infection: Hanukkah, secret SANta, Coop in a suit

 OH I WAS SO SICK.

Fever every 4 hours that left me drenched in sweat when either Motrin or Tylenol would kick in. Cough. Headache. Extreme sinus pain. The cup of TJ’s gingerbread coffee I just drank is the first thing I have been able to TASTE in a WEEK.

Finally, I went to urgent care and got augmentin pills so huge they HAVE to be a choking hazard. 2 pills in, and I feel pretty ok. WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH TO DOOOOOOOOO.

(Harry is on the same meds for an ear infection. We all got RSV, and it sticks around for so long that wherever the fluid decides to pool —lungs! Ears! FACE!— gets a secondary infection, SO GROSS.)

Minnie was still not totally better on Friday, so I messaged her pediatrician’s office, but she couldn’t be seen by her doc until today— I took the appt and even though she’s ok, I am going to keep it because she was sick for so long— I want to make sure she’s totally fine before we go to the WI dells this week (Hashtag MOTY for sure).

We closed out Hanukkah with our annual SIBLING GIFT EXCHANGE. We have so many kids that they can be their own secret Santa squad— I love this tradition. (Obvi we buy all the gifts, but they choose for their sib. When they are adults, I see this tradition continuing nicely (only they’ll buy the gifts)— if they have kids, they can even just draw families out of the hat).

Minnie got Dorothy, and Dorothy got Minnie. They exchanged after school and before dance—before the bros got home, even.

The boys all got each other— a Lego from Harry to Coop; Crocs from Co-opt o Jack; Hey DUde shoes from Jack to Harry (bro-y gifts, all)

Minnie and I used our Hanukkah money from my mom. I took Dorothy for coffee and a pedicure

Minnie took her cash (IT MY TICKET) to Target. As we walked into the store— her with a unicorn purse on her should that was empty except for a random triangle-shaped puzzle piece and a $100 bill— she said I AM JUST LIKE A PERSON. I agreed, and she said I NOT FOOD. I guess this means I have to stop nibbling on her all the time. BUT HOW CAN I?? She is delicious.

I got a lovely package in the mail from the hilarious Ernie at No Small Feet. I absolutely adore the Secret SANta exchange. Thanks to San for organizing it— a wonderful tradition. And! Thank you, Ernie— these are darling.

Coop’s hockey team wanted to dress up before their Saturday game this weekend. NAILED IT: