valentine's day parties

we had a clean bill of health from the doctor on tuesday afternoon. and then maddux woke up this morning. he still wasn't running a fever, but he really didn't look very good. he had no symptoms that are frowned on by the school, but i prepared him for the possibility that he might have to miss the party today if his teacher thought he was too sick. 

both boys were 'snack friend' for the parties today. we made chocolate dipped marshmallows with sprinkles and heart shaped watermelon slices. 

shockingly, maddux' teacher said that he was fine to stay. i was pretty hesitant but if they would let him then i wouldn't make him miss his party. i didn't get a call during school and when i picked him up they just said he was more quiet than normal but no one called him "sick" and he was not feverish at all. he fell asleep before we even got onto the main road - less than a mile. i was really glad that he had fallen asleep because it was a "warm" (36 degrees) and "sunny" day and i thought some fresh air and lunch at the zoo would be good for everyone.

when we got to the zoo, maddux was very warm, but that could be from sleeping in the warm car with his coat on still. the other two were beyond excited for their surprise lunch at the zoo and maddux said he felt fine so we pressed on.

the boys were pretty excited about all the snow and ice all over the zoo. they were very concerned about what happened to all of the ducks when we saw their pond mostly frozen over with ice.

but then we found them all together on the other side. the big boys thought it was very funny that they were walking on the ice.

manning gets more and more into the zoo every time we go. it has been a long time so he was practically seeing everything for the 'first time'. he was walking all over pointing and 'talking' excitedly.

and then we sat down for lunch. maddux just about collapsed. he was burning up and looked awful. he even started to cry and asked to go home. so we just started packing everything back up to leave.

once we got back to moving, maddux was fairly normal again and enjoying the zoo but we still headed for the door. mason didn't want to leave, but he could understand how sick maddux was and that we needed to take him home.  manning? not so much. at least there was still a lot to look at during our exit so he didn't fight me until we got to the parking lot and he realized that we were leaving.

at home i discovered that maddux did now have a low fever - 102. no school fro him tomorrow.  love.