A lesson learned.

Problem: Child #4 wakes up flushed, hot, and shaky. Mother knows right away a doozie of a sickness is coming on.

Solution: Hydrate Child #4 as soon as possible.

Problem: Child #2 has finished off the last of the apple juice without writing it on the grocery list. There is only high pulp orange juice and V-8 in the refrigerator.

Solution: Mother scours pantry to find another non-acidic beverage to mix with water, since Child #4 won't drink the plain water. The mission is successful and Child #4 is satisfied with the concocted beverage. He follows to drink 2 sippy cupsful in a row.

Problem: Child #4 leaves the washable floors of the kitchen to find a plush, beige, carpeted area to vomit up the 2 sippy cupsful of beverage.

Lesson learned: Never give a sick child red gatorade.