big hugs

I just want to wrap my kids in a hug, and not let go...
How do I respond with anything but hugs when during family prayer, the boy thanks his Heavenly Father for not having to go with his Dad this weekend?

Princess came up with the stomach flu at 3am. She made it to the bathroom, yay! But not to the toilet, yuck! So we stayed home today.
I'm feeling kinda useless, cause she doesn't want to snuggle like she has. She is growing up, but that leaves me with nothing to do! She still isn't old enough to leave home alone to do any more running than her brother to school, I can't touch the Christmas tree until she feels better, and the house is clean.
Sigh.
This in-between stage kinda stinks all around!