This week we are learning about health. Both the kids are sick, they are both exhausted and I think I'm about to lose it.

Because I've been puked on six times in two days (yes, I'm counting).
Because the little one is not quite able to verbalize what's bothering her, so it's everything- being held, not being held, watching a show, not watching a show, going outside, going back inside and everything in between. You get the idea.

It all started on a plane several days ago. The plane was- as they all are these days- overfull and me and the kiddos were in our own little 3-seats-in-a-row cocoon. I washed their hands compulsively, I washed my own hands. I asked for the whole can of ginger ale and cleaned the top. I used sani-wipes to clean off every hard surface I thought they could reach and several that I'm sure they couldn't - just to be sure.

Now, generally speaking, I am not this much of a freak about germs. In fact, I'm probably more  lackadaisical than I should be, but this event was important- my dear aunt's wedding. I did not want to be sick and  more than that, I did not want the kids (flower girl and ring bearer respectively) to be sick. I wanted them to enjoy their time with their aunt, I wanted them to be able to be in the ceremony.

And we made it- the flights were all delayed and Little Mr. ran like a champ to get to our next flight while Little Ms. held on for dear life as I hauled her and three carry on's running across two airports. They were so excited when we got to our hotel room (the first ever!) and found two beds and a TV and downstairs a pool! They nearly went to bed in their swimsuits before I convinced them that we should get breakfast before a long swim in the morning.

Two days later we were at the wedding which was lovely. The flowers were huge, the kids were dressed to perfection and even I look awake and smiley in all the photos. They were soo well behaved at the formal (eek!) reception, saying please and thank you and not even poking each other with forks at all.

I cut our time at the reception short, figuring it would be best not to push our luck, and we went back to the hotel and the pool! It was right then that I knew something was wrong.

"Mama, Ms. and I want to lay down for a minute before we go swimming".
"Yeah, Mama, I'm so sleepy".

Crap.

These kids *never* turn down swimming. For sleep? Something was wrong.

I went into sick mode right away, getting everyone little cups of water, into pajamas, cozied up with blankets and I called the front desk.

"Do you have children's Tylenol by any chance?"
Sweet mother, they had Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl and thermometers. Holiday Inn Express, I love you.

Now, let the long night begin.

I had a mentor tell me- years ago, pre-children for me- that love was not the crazy butterfly feelings that you get when you meet someone new. Love was holding someone when they had just puked. In your bed. At 3 in the morning. Again.

And so I practiced love all night in the hotel, and the next day and the next. Our vacation pretty much became getting them to the pool once a day for fifteen minutes, just so they (and I) didn't go crazy in the same small room. (And I figured the chlorine killed all the germs, right?)

I nurtured back to health just enough to get on a plane- sorry fellow passengers- but yes, we are back home and they are still sick. We are on day eight. They've been able to keep enough down to be safe, but not enough to feel like doing anything. Poor kids are bored of TV, bored of sleep, bored of being sick.

So I entertain with crazy dance parties, where I dance by myself in tutus and silly hats. I had a friend bring over new markers and new coloring books. I line up six videos on you tube and  the kids decide whether the cat falling off the couch or the panda baby sneezing is funnier. I read Harry Potter until my throat is sore and I hold hands and heads and feet and little hot and sore bodies for hours. 

So, yes, I am looking forward to the break tonight when their dad has them, but I already miss them because there is something about working so hard for a laugh from a sick kid, you just want to be there when they finally have the energy to smile.