In Which Our Children Have Leprosy

Well, not quite leprosy, but it's not fun either. Eowyn has a bacterial skin infection called impetigo on her face. It's red and spotty on her cheeks, and crusty and weeping right around her nose. I was hoping she would just fight it off with her own immune system and regular doses of breastmilk, but no such luck. I have started treating it with tea tree oil, myrrh, usnea, and golden seal topically. If that doesn't work, I have antibiotic cream as backup.

Elias has a cough, a runny nose, a sore throat, and a miserable disposition while sick.

Amadeus has a runny nose and today I noticed one red spot on his cheek. Oh no!

I can't help thinking that while living in a warm and sunny place doesn't mean you avoid sickness, at least you are in a warm and sunny place! The kids haven't played outside in weeks, as the temperature hasn't risen above -20 Celsius and has been lower than -30 on some days.

It would be nice for the kids (and me!) to get some fresh air and sunshine while sick. Alas, it is not to be.

Costa Rica is sounding REALLY good right now. Along with the fact that my house is a MESS, and I could use a domestic employee.

Despite all this, however, I think we will have a good Christmas. There's lots of presents, so that will be super fun, and we have lots of good things to eat, most of which are pretty healthy. Our friends are coming over tonight to sing some Christmas carols, and my sister and brother are coming for dinner tomorrow night.

And, the tree is already set up with the coloured lights, and just turning the lights on makes it feel like Christmas.

Merry Christmas!