02/04/2006

2/4/2006 It has been a rough few weeks at the Plante house. It all started when we took Ben and Maggie to Edinborough Park in Edina on 1/14. When you read about the park it sounds lovely: "With more than 6,000 plants, trees and flowers, Edinborough Park is Minnesota's most unique indoor public park. The ... one-acre park features ... a huge indoor playground and play area, all connected by meandering pathways through the densely landscaped interior." It was a Saturday and the place was packed.... Hundreds of people. There is this 40 foot tall play structure that has climbing ropes, slides, planks... you name it. It is a kid's playground fantasy! The kids had a great time. Mike and I even had fun chasing after Ben to the top of the 40' structure. It wasn't until we left that it dawned on me... That place was a germ haven! Quick, wash your hands...face...arms...feet... Any body part that was exposed to that playground needed to get sanitized. Alas, I lost the battle to the germ-infested park and Ben developed a nasty cold about 4 days later. Maggie another two days after that. Me... about the same time Maggie got sick. Poor Maggie and Ben. Ben had never been so sick, with a high fever and total fatigue. In 2.5 years I had never seen him like this. In 2.5 years we had been able to fend off the mean cold bug that plagued so many people in the winter months. Poor Ben's fever hit 104+ so we went to urgent care. Maggie was fussing and crying like crazy so we figured that whatever Ben had, Maggie had, too. Ben's diagnosis was an upper respiratory virus that caused an ear infection in both ears! Maggie (while crying) was examined... Clear chest, no temp, no swollen glands, no ear infection... Nothing. Yes, she did have a bit of a cold virus, but it turns out she's a bit of a drama queen. Man, this little girl is taking on all of my exceptional qualities.

I am still fighting a horrible cold that turned into a sinus infection -- going on a week and a half. It is horrible to see your kids sick! And my being sick and trying to take care of them is worse. Ben and Maggie are doing much better; in fact I'd say they are both all cleared up now.

Bottom line -- our trip to Edinborough Park cost us dearly. Everyone got sick and being sick is never fun, especially for kids. Monetarily it has been about $200 in doctor visit fees and medicine fees. Needless to say I will NEVER go back to Edinborough Park and do not recommend anyone taking their kids there.