Flu? Swine Flu? Virus? That is the Question?!!?

Today...after sleeping from 9-12, and finally eating a bowl of soup and crackers..

this morning...about to puke...almost didn't make it to the bathroom!

The first day of it all...on a Motrin high, still smiling..

sinking...down..down...down...crash.

Definitely still sinking....

The difference 4 hours makes..from smiling and happy to downright miserable.

Boy has it been a tough go at it the last few days! Ella Grace has been sooooo sick! I can't tell you how much clorox bleach cleaner I have used to prevent the other 2 and myself, and yes Daddy, too, from getting this awful unnamed sickness that we have gone to war against! My poor baby was fine Monday morning, yes the typical breathing treatment was given to her, but that is the norm with us! And of course, I had to snap a picture of the cute diva in the curly~q bow, that I, myself, MADE! Anyway, she looked fine and dandy...

THEN, I got the call. Ella Grace had 100.8 temp, and I was scrambling! I didn't know what to think. Flu was the last thing, I was thinking ear infection, cold, something simple. BUT NO. We got home, and the fever just kept going up! It was 103 with Motrin! Needless to say, Dr. J hasn't seen anyone with this type of "whatever it is!" Flu swab tested negative, but she was showing all the signs: high fever, vomiting, headache...I just knew we were going to have it. Then he tested for strep, negative. I was so overwhelmed with the idea of NOT knowing what she had, and what to do or not do with her! So, I went on and treated it as if it were the flu or swine flu at that. After 2 sleepless, vomit-full nights, we are on the down slope...at least for now. It is Wednesday and she hasn't had a fever since noon. And she hasn't puked either! God is GREAT! I have been scared to death at what might have been, but I just prayed and knew he would take care of her. Now she is back to her sweet, happy, fiesty self..but not too fiesty..I don't want to do all of this again tomorrow ;o).

* silly Ella Grace behind her sisters!

The girls were having so much fun tonite! They were dancing around and singing! I took some pretty loving pictures..but only a few short minutes later..they were fighting. Go figure. At least I got the sweet pics! HA!

Brinley wanted to curl her hair today..we did..and it turned out pretty cute! We haven't done it since Mimi's wedding..and I forgot how cute she looks in all those curls! The first one in curls is the true Brinley BEAR before leaving for school.

First day of school is here!

I am totally going crazy in the mind that MY BABY, Brinley Brooke has started 1st Grade today. It is not sitting with me very well at all! I swear I just had her 2 months ago. Ok, maybe not 2 months ago, but man it sure flew by! She was the happiest kid in the classroom today. She could not be more in to what Mrs. Harris was saying, would be saying, or will ever say. She worships the ground she walks on..and that is alright with me! The better she is in that classroom, the less stress I will have! HA! She was a great student per Mrs. Harris, and that makes me as a parent, very proud. Now if I can keep the boys away..that is a whole other chapter...

Brinley Brooke's first day of ballet/tap!

Today was Brinley's day! She was sooo excited! She asked me all day, "Is it time to go to ballet, YET?" She enjoyed every minute of it, until she hit a slick spot on the floor, and took a tumble. She got over it and quickly jumped up and back in the action. She smiled for most of the hour! Ahh, little girls...tutu cute!

Ella Grace's first day of Ballet!

Ella Grace started her first class of ballet today! She was a little nervous, but excited at the same time! Her best bud Sydney is with her, and they had so much fun! I was watching her through the doorway and she was just smiling ear to ear. She loved it! She had to go potty and as she was going she said in her cute little chipmunk voice, "hurry mommy! I gotta get back in there!" My little Ella Bella is going to be a star!

Cute Cara..and a soggy diaper

*notice the red heart birthmark?

Is that not the biggest diaper you have ever seen!?!?!? I had to go get groceries that day, and I came home to Cara swimming in her diaper...and her dress. I didn't get a shot of the soaked dress..but the diaper was enough! Never know what's going to happen when Mommy is away, and Daddy has to stay!

Six Flags Over Texas!

On Friday, July 31st, Jon Eric and I took Brinley and Ella Grace to Six Flags! We had so much fun! We got there when it opened and we didn't leave until 10 hours later. There wasn't a lot of people there, we only waited for rides a few minutes! It wasn't hot, and was just right! The girls loved the kiddie rides, and mommy loved the thrill rides! Uncle Byron and Aunt Mimi went with us, too! Brinley's favorite ride was the log ride, Ella Grace didn't like the drop! But, she did love the mini mine train. We all rode the Roaring Rapids together, and straight out of the gate, Ella Grace and I got soaked! She was NOT happy about it. She screamed the entire ride. We were soaked from head to toe!! Mommy loved the Titan, Batman, and Mr. Freeze. I have bruises from The Texas Giant and have sworn to not ride it ever again. OUCH. It was a great day! I can't wait until we can take our Cara~boo, she stayed home with Nana and Poppa and had fun with them! Ella Grace was so excited when she got to meet Tweety Bird! She didn't care for some of the characters. They scared her!