I don't know where he got this, but Nate has taken to saying "Never!" in very dramatic manner and tone whenever he doesn't like direction from me. Here's a sample dialogue from a recent conversation I had with my child:

Me: "Nate, you have to sit at the table to eat your treat so you don't make a mess all over the place."

Nate: (imperiously) "Never!"

I mean, what's that all about and where in the world did he get this? I hope he's not doing this to his teachers (no one has informed me yet that he is). He's in superhero phase so maybe he got it from that???? Who knows. We are working to constructively change this tendency of his. Wish me luck!

Sick of Being Sick

Because they were born so prematurely, we did not put the babies in daycare when I went back to work but instead (at the advice of our pediatrician) decided to invest in a nanny, which has been wonderful! Over the past three years, Charlene has done so much with them, just like a teacher, and I feel better about knowing they have gotten such one-on-one attention during the weekdays. This school year, however, we decided to place them in church pre-school from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mon. thru Thurs. They have LOVED it, and it has been so good for them to interact with other children their age and with their teachers.

Unfortunately, this has also been a horrible winter for us for illnesses, primarily because of all the new germs they are constantly exposed to in the preschool setting. Literally, someone was sick from September thru December. One would get something and pass it down the line. Cliff or I would get it. Somewhere in the transmission process it would mutate and all three would get sick in progression again. Ugh! Finally after Christmas we had a four week spell where everyone was well. But, then, the dreaded bugs descended again.

Let's see, in the last three weeks, all three have had the Croup. Then, the next week, they all got ear infections. Now, we are just getting over the stomach virus, which has been going around our community with a vengeance. They are at the age when throwing up is very scary to them because they don't understand what is happening. Poor babies. They've been so lethargic. I've worked from home so I could be with them. I set them up in my bed watching Disney DVDs while I worked next to them. I am not kidding when I say they have watched at least 10 Disney movies in the last three days. At least we should be well-versed on all the various Disney characters when we go in May. They were finally well and fit enough to go back to school today, thank goodness!

I'm sick of them (and then me and Cliff) getting sick and am soooo ready for spring to get here!