Swine Flu!

Naomi was complaining on Tuesday morning about feeling crappy. She's a bit of a drama queen and hypochondriac so we generally don't take her too seriously. I reached over to touch her forehead and she felt really hot; when I checked her temp she was over 100, so this time at least she was authentically sick. Shannon stayed home with her yesterday; today we tag teamed. I'm much more of a worry wort about this stuff than Shannon so I had her set up a doctors appointment for Naomi and I. We headed off to the doctors where she tested positive for Influenza A. The doctor said it's everywhere now, and almost certainly swine flu. Since swine flu hasn't turned out to be a particularly nasty flu bug I'm not too worried. She is going to be out of school until next Monday though, and with our luck we're going to get it next.

Dave is Mowing

Happy Father's Day - now go mow the lawn!
He did get a bike ride in this morning, though.

Travel, Lots and Lots of Travel

I've been gone most of the last two weeks on one work trip or another. The first had the advantage of being in the UK, and therefore of involving many pints of good beer. The second had no such redeeming features. Both ended in long, unpleasant trips home. But hey, no plane crashes, so good enough.

Dave had dog- and kid-duty whilst I was gone. I spent today going from the Pediatrician to the Pharmacist the Vet. Antibiotics all around! Also, Naomi has apparently completely forgotten how to clean up after herself. You may be sure that she has been reminded with some vehemence. What can I say? I do suspect a causal relationship.

Added Saturday: last night Naomi had a middle of the night asthma attack, and today she was stung by a bee after practice. Kid can't catch a break!

Field Trip to the National Gallery of Art

Naomi and her Kindergarten class went to the National Gallery of Art today on a field trip. When we picked her up from school, we asked about her day and what she enjoyed about the museum. Naomi told us that her favorite piece of sculpture was Crinkly Worm. Oh really, we asked, Crinkly Worm? And who is the artist? Alexander Calder, she promptly responded. Okay kid, sure.

I checked the NGA website for collection information tonight:

Alexander Calder (artist)
American, 1898 - 1976
Crinkly Worm, 1971
sheet metal
overall (height): 46 cm (18 1/8 in.)
Collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art
© 2000 Estate of Alexander Calder / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
1991.7.10
On View


Kindergarteners these days are way more sophisticated than in our paste-eating days.

Much better Kindergarten picture

Naomi's hair has grown out enough for decent pictures.

The Labrador is Apparently Not Heat-Tolerant

I threw a ball in the backyard for Susie today for a few minutes. It's maybe 80 out. We've been inside for probably 10 minutes and she's still lying on the floor panting.

Tick Central

We are at ground zero of the tick infestation of 2009, as far as we can tell. I've only found one yet today, but there were three last night (that we found, that is). I pull them off of the dogs before they attach almost daily, and find the dead ones that suck down some of that fine Frontline. Dave has found several crawling on him. Thus far, perhaps being less hairy, Naomi and I have escaped the ticks, but even typing about it gives me creepy-crawlies all over. Shudder.