The McElwain Family: Extra Birthday Guests

We have had a couple of busy days. This past weekend I went away with a couple of friends for a scrapbooking weekend. It was in Newport News, VA and we had a blast! I got a lot of pages finished and we had so much fun. Jonathan and the kids had a nice visit with Uncle Brett and Connor. They never get to just visit...so this weekend they met for a playdate. They all went to the neighborhood school to ride bikes and play on the playground. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Emma, being the social butterfly that she is has had several sleepovers the past few weekends. Well....somewhere along the line, she picked up a few critters....if you know what I mean. I came back from a nice relaxing weekend, only to find out on Monday morning that one of her friends had head lice!!!! I checked her and thought she was fine...but when I inspected her head a little bit closer, I realized that a few "friends" had moved in!!!!!!! Long story short...Emma and all three of her friends who were are the same sleepover all had headlice. So I spent my last day of year 34 picking nits, vacuuming everything, and doing loads of laundry. Luckily nobody else has gotten it and Emma was cleared to go back to school today. It has been an interesting 24 hours! I have never been so grossed out in my life...but I now know it can happen to anyone. The school nurse - trying to be helpful- told me that lice only liked clean heads - so that was a compliment to us! It didn't really make me feel better! :(

Today was my 35th birthday - I really can't believe it- but it is true. I had a great day. My wonderful friends at school decorated my classroom door and threw a nice little party. They all wore shower caps with bug stickers! They also gave me a bug catcher - aren't they so funny?! When I got home from work, Jonathan was home and the kids gave me their presents. Emma picked out a beautiful Spring flag and some scrapbooking stickers. Logan gave me a Fish Windchime and some stickers. Owen gave me a Kohl's gift card - but I have to take him with me to pick out something to wear! He is so sweet sometimes - I can't wait to go shopping with him. Jonathan gave me a Vera Bradley bag and wallet that I wanted. After gifts, we went out to eat at Logan's Roadhouse and then had dessert at Carl's. It was a fabulous day - despite the bug infestation! It was certainly a day I won't forget. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family and terrific friends - even if they have a warped sense of humor! I love you all!

Pictures from the weekend visit with Connor and Uncle Brett

Me with my sweet boy, Owen-check out his tooth...it is still loose, but it doesn't seem to want to come out. He has a huge gap where it has moved over.