She came home from school....

...and said her head hurt. Of course the first thing the Huz and I do was to ask her HOW and WHERE she got hurt (she's been really, really good about telling us those details - with enough patience and prompting), so it was a bit confusing when she simply said, "My head hurts, I'm sick - I need my doctor." Note: she's been saying the doctor thing for a few weeks now, since the cold and coughing deal's been circulating throughout our household!

But this was different. The Huz realized it first when he said he thought she had a headache, and quickly administered a dose of children's motrin for our poor, pained, and complaining NBear. :(

My heart sank when I noticed that her headache showed all the signs of a migraine in the making - a genetic flaw she unfortunately couldn't help but inherit: she was stripping her uniform off (heat often triggers my episodes) and wanted to get into a super-thin sundress, she refused to stay in her brightly-lit room (opting instead for mommy and daddy's dimmer retreat), and - perhaps the most obvious clue to the cause of her suffering - she lay flat on her face and buried herself underneath our quilt. As all migraine sufferers know, LIGHT is the enemy when our heads are pounding. She cried for a good 10 minutes after that, and headed to the bathroom to throw up, and then was able to sleep for a bit.

The Huz was beside himself. (My poor NBear! She's just a kid. Why does she have to have so many things against her?) To which I replied: Well, she does have one thing to her advantage! (What?)...US! *smiling* I mean, you're looking at one of the MIGRAINE experts in the world, honey! I know how to make her feel better. *I mean, what do they say you do when life gives you lemons, right?*

Fortunately, her episode was short-lived. Whew! The Huz went to check on her a few hours later and she had not only emerged from her nap much happier, but greeted him with this wonderful group of sentences: "I feel better. Thanks Dad! You're the BEST!"

No, NBear....YOU are:)

Isn't he supposed to be cute and fuzzy?

Dear *** Mall Easter Bunny,

Oh boy. I really don't know where to start.

I am SO VERY sorry for the cold reception you received from my three (otherwise fun-filled and friendly) daughters during their photo session with you today. The entire event took them COMPLETELY by surprise, as I'm sure you were able to tell from their rather drab garb. *I made a mental note to myself to remember your schedule by HEART next year, so as to avoid last-minute closet raids which result in photos that look more like kaleidescopes, than keepsakes.* Alas, it was all mommy's fault.

NBear's refusal to sit by your side was not meant to be an insult. She was simply wondering why you happened to be brown. You see, she always "knew" that the Easter Bunny was white with a pink nose and a puffy tail -- you were, err...well...different. You had gloves on. It was a bit freaky for her. Thank you for allowing her to stare you down for a good minute before she decided to sit as.far.away.from.you. as possible. *clearing throat*.....Moving on...

Yes, MBEar has severe mood swings. While she was waiting in line for her photo op, she was unbelieveably excited and happy! After all, this was to be her FIRST Spring picture with the infamous buck-toothed Easter hero :) I really don't know what happened in the 5 seconds it took for her to go from the front of the line, to the side of your bench - but wow. Whatever it was, really did a number on her mood. I'm sure it wasn't your fault....well, alright - alright! Don't feel bad, but she thought you'd be a little...smaller. And cuter.

Lastly, I must apologize for my littlest angel SBear. The SECOND she got a good look at you, her eyes became as wide as Mr. Bean's and (as she stared at me) she worriedly uttered the word "DOG!" In fact, I think she may have even said it twice before I mercilessly plopped her down on your coarse, carpet-like lap.

It took the photographer girl TWO shots before we called it a day. I'm so glad she had a puppet handy! It certainly helped to get their attention away from...well, you. *nervous laugh* Ultimately, we had our pic a full second before Sophie was about to do a full-on cry. *whew* Not bad, huh?

Perhaps next year, after you've had a makeover (don't they have Extreme Hare-overs somewhere?), it will be a much better experience for ALL of you. Until then, happy hoppin!

Sincerely,
Mommy Bear
p.s. My brother said you reminded him of Chewbacca.