6:40 and everyone is in bed-mama.

We finally made it back to North Carolina. We had a good drive back, although June spent a good portion of it letting out the saddest little whines she's ever made.

We had a big surprise when we got back- we had no water. Listen to this. Our water bill was due on December 15th. Since we weren't home, we didn't get the notice that they were going to turn our water off on January 2nd. Just 3 weeks late and they turn off your water? That seems like a little much. In our defense, the check was sitting on our counter, in the envelope, addressed and stamped. I just forgot to send it out before we left. She'll never forget again. The weird thing is that it only took a $20 late fee to reconnect the water. Come on! Charge us $100 in late fees before you turn off our water! Here's your chance to make some money! But I guess Winston takes the "Go hard or go home" approach. When Papa called to get our water back on, the city said they would come turn it on after they turned the water off at 250 more houses! Geesh! At least it's back on and we can wash our hands again.

Luckily, there wasn't any other exciting surprises to come home to. Henry went back to school today and though he was a little reluctant at first, he was glad to back back with his friends.

June is still on the long road to recovery. She had a rough night last night and took two good naps today (although she coughed through both of them, so who knows how much sleep she got).

When she wasn't sleeping, she spent the rest of the day trying to stay close to me and whining.

June had a little applesauce for lunch that didn't sit well. But at supper she seemed to regain some appetite and ate a biter biscuit and some oatmeal for supper.

We're doing our best to unpack our thousands of new toys. Henry was happy to play with his over-the-door car holder. It kept him occupied for a good half hour and helped him pick up a few toys. Thanks goodness we got this because I think Henry got about 100 new matchbox cars for Christmas.

Things were going well until supper when Henry decided he just couldn't eat any chicken. He whined about how he needed oatmeal and applesauce but COULDN'T eat his chicken. He complained so much that supper ended immediately. Then after playing with some new playdoh, Henry announced he was going upstairs to get his nukie and blankie. I asked him if he was going to play or go to bed. When he informed me that he was going to park cars, I told him that he couldn't have his nuk. That launched a 20 minute fit. After Henry refused to calm down and talk, he just got chucked into bed at 6:40. Luckily, he must have known that I meant business because I haven't heard much from him since I laid June down.

On a funnier note, when I was laying in bed with Henry, we were talking about why he was going to bed early (and without his flashlight). Henry was still trying to sweet talk me into giving him his flashlight. When he gasped out:
"But I'm, um, a-a-afraid."
"What are you afraid of?"
"Um, my flashlight."
"Well you're lucky because you aren't going to have it tonight."
"I'm afraid of the fan."
"Do you want me to turn it off?"
"No. I'm afraid of the dark."
"Well, that's why you still have your nightlight on."

Finally he gave up. So why is Henry afraid these days? I blame it on 4 "people"- Brother Bear, Sister Bear, Huckle and Lowly. In the past month, we've spent a good deal of time reading Richard Scarry and Berenstain Bear books. And wouldn't you know? All of them are about ghosts, scary stories, and being afraid of the dark. I think they might be a little old for Henry because now they are introducing all kinds of new excuses for him to stay up late. Or maybe kids don't kow to be afraid of the dark until they read a book that tells them to be!
Hopefully today was the worst in our adjustment back to the real world.