puerto plata

While Nicholas is resting on the couch watching Brother Bear (yes, I actually convinced him to watch something other than Clone Wars) and Shane is down for his much needed nap, I will finally sit and write a little about our trip to the Dominican.

Oh, you may wonder why I am home...probaly not hard to guess though. Shane has picked up Nicholas' eye infection. Nicholas and I were all ready to go this morning and then I went and woke up Shane to get him ready, had one look at his half open eye oozing with gooze and an angry reddish colour and knew we weren't going anywhere.

So yes...the trip. This is my third time to the Dominican Republic, I'm thinking I must like it there! First time to Puerto Plata but truth is, we did not once leave the resort except the one afternoon we walked to the shopping centre down the road but still within the compound of a group of resorts. The resort was absolutely fabulous, especially for families. Children of all ages were all having the times of their lives and the staff totally dedicated themselves to ensuring every guest was happy and having fun. Our resort was Holiday Village Golden Beach. Nothing fancy but still fabulous. Although the beach was not the white sand that I typically seek out on our vacations, it was vast and almost empty! And the walk into the ocean was complete golden sand and soft on the feet. Perfect. We didn't spend a whole lot of time on the beach simply because it was sooo hot and there wasn't much for protection for the boys. But we had a couple dips in the ocean and of course, a sand castle was built. Most of our time was spent in and around the pools. Something different about this Holiday Village is they have the only wave pool in all of Dominican Republic. Nicholas and I were totally loving it! Lots of fun! As I was hoping, by the end of the week, Nicholas was doing really well in the water and very comfortable swimming in deep water with his water wings. And like most kids, I think he would spend every moment of the day in the pool if he could. Shane was loving the water as well and had so much fun up and down, up and down, the one kiddie slide in the pool.

We had great weather although I think Johnathon would like to say it was too hot at times...but that is hard to say when you live in winter conditions for what seems half the year! So, as much as he would like to say it...I don't think he would! But yes, it did get quite hot at times so each afternoon, Johnathon would take Shane to the room for his nap and Daddy would enjoy the couple hours of down time of reading and resting in the A/C. Nicholas would usually go to the Kids Club for a couple of hours and Mommy would enjoy a little time by the pool with a good book and some fruity, yummy drink in hand.

The evening entertainment was wonderful too. Each night around 730pm, they would start with a kids show. Lots of interaction with the kiddies, fun songs and games and entertainment. Of course, it would always include the Holiday Express song that I think we heard oh, maybe 100 times minimum while there...and quite honestly, never did we tire of it. Very catchy...and the kids and adults alike loved it. That and the Chocalata song they sang and danced too regularly. Lots of fun! I realize now too that Nicholas is more like me than I thought. For a little guy who sure can talk the ear off any one, there was no way we were getting him up on that stage when there were opportunities for the kids to do so. I sure hope he grows out of some of that shyness.

A GREAT family trip!

well, we had one week of not being sick

...thankfully, that week was our weeks vacation in Puerto Plata.

I'm sure it will be no shock when I say that we are all sick again at the Hash house. Unfortunately, Nicholas has the worst of it. He woke up Saturday seemingly fine and then not long into the day, he started getting warm and not feeling well and parked himself on the couch for most of the day. Poor little guy spent most of the day sleeping and being feverish. Later that night, his fever got pretty high and I asked Cheryl how high would a fever have to be for her to take her kid to the hospital. She said 104. Nicholas was 102-103 so we got him cooled down, medicated and it didn't take long for his fever to reduce and then slept through the night. Phew! But it didn't end there...Sunday, he wasn't feeling the greatest but lots of improvement. I noticed his eye was getting pretty red and as the day progressed, BOTH eyes were red and itchy. I took him to the clinic but it was closed already...then we went to Emerg which was jam packed and a 4 hour wait! We decided on talking to the pharmacist who gave us antibiotic eyedrops which helped through the night and then Johnathons plan was to take Monday off and take Nicholas to the doctor...which he did...even while there, he started running another fever. But why?? Why all these fevers, we just couldn't figure it out. Turns out Nicholas has a double ear infection, thus the fevers, which he never gave one indicator to us about. Both eyes infected as well..and he has meds for that as well and contagious until about lunchtime so Mommy is home with him today. Last night, I just couldn't resist and crawled right into his little single bed with him and snuggled with him through the night. Our poor Sticks has had quite the go of it this year. I can only hope that it stops here and Shane doesn't pick up the eye infection.

So, that is the worst of it. The rest of us are battling colds. I don't think Shane's nose has stopped running since December! And both Johnathon and I are fighting our own cold battle....his ammo is Nyquil, mine Cold FX. Results unknown as of yet but I do have to admit this Cold FX seems to do wonders...although you can still feel the head cold down deep...no extra symptoms have started and nothing is worsening. It is very hard to explain actually but I think I have to say Yay to the Cold FX.

I know I have not posted about our trip yet...I totally plan on doing so. I have lots of pics I want to put into an album. We had a great family vacation and I want to share and get those pics posted shortly. Between the mountain of laundry I am still tackling and housework, working, the nice weather and wanting to be outdoors and most importantly, my sick family, I simply haven't taken the time.

Yet another thing on the to do list!

nicholas' fifth birthday

Our little man, Nicholas, turned one on April 1st...no joke, he really did! 5 whole years! One word - Wow. His birthday this year fell on a Wednesday so we celebrated at home that evening with his favourite, cheese pizza and cake! And then the following Sunday, we held his party at Airzone with friends and family.

Thankfully, we did plan for the Sunday because that week was full of sickness...once again! All was well on April 1st with Nicholas but that night, when Johnathon and I were heading up to bed, Nicholas woke up and threw up all over the bed. Did not see that coming! That continued on through the night, moving from his bed to Syds bed to his bed...changing sheets, jammies, washing up. Poor little guy. The next day, he was done with the puking and really just sat around or slept all day. Then the third day, full on fever! All in all, he wasn't well again until the day of his party and even then, he refused cake so it was pretty obvious he wasn't 100%.

But a great time was had by all!!! And we thank all of you that came out to celebrate.

This past year has been all about Wall-E and now Star Wars. In fact, my son fancies himself a young Jedi. It has also been the year that Nicholas began JK and is doing very well. He now has a best friend whose name is Chase. Nicholas' favourite things are his Star Wars toys, in particular his three light sabers and his Clone Wars helmet. I'm not entirely sure what possessed me the day I let him watch the Clones Wars animated movie. Our lives have been forever changed because of it!!

With all the sickness that has rotated through the four of us here since December, we have decided to take a last minute trip to the Dominican (Puerto Plata) while we all are...dare I say it....healthy! I'm hoping a week of playing in the sun will rid any left over 'sickies' and we will come home to enjoy the Spring sick-free.