I thought I would see if Lydia's hair was long enough for a herringbone braid today. This is what it looked like after two hours. I'm going to have to say, "No."

Poor little lamb is sick- no big deal, just a cold, but she's feels lousy- and is the only one to have gone down in the last three days. I've done this enough to know that it's not a matter of if, but when the others will catch it. Since they haven't yet, it's looking pretty likely that our Thanksgiving plans will be ruined for about the 3rd or 4th year in a row. I've lost track.

The good news is that I think I've got it down to a science as to when the children catch their colds. For the last 3 years, it has consistently been the last week of December/first week of January, the beginning of April, beginning of July, middle of September, and the end of November. It's helpful to know because I won't make any plans or vacations for those weeks. What's awful about it is that they hit so many holidays, not that we do much anyway. Still.

Don't get me wrong- I'm certainly not feeling sorry for myself or anything. Any self-respecting mother of 6 whose children have never had the stomach flu wouldn't dare do that. (Yes, you read that right.)

Anyway, as silly as the hair was, I couldn't let her stay like that all day, so I cleaned her up and took her outside for some fresh air and sunshine. Despite the chill, it seemed to do her a world of good, for her spirits at least.

Ben has them all doing this silly head thing. 

She loves twirling in her new skirt. 

Cover your mouth dear. 

This could be why I just heard the two babies cough a minute ago. Looks like I'd better cancel my plans for tomorrow and start planning Thanksgiving dinner for home. I have a feeling I'm going to have some extra runny noses on my hands :)