chicken pox!

First, were your kids vaccinated with the chicken pox vaccine. I know that it was optional when my kids were little. I opted not to have them get the shot. Honnestly, if your kid is going to get them, it's best to get it over with early. I remember back when I was a kid, everyone got them sooner or later. It seems you hear less and less about them since the vaccine came out. I'd just keep the current plan, let your 6 year old go to your friends house if she is your regular sitter. I mean, better to get them out of the way now, because sooner or later, they're going to come in contact with someone else that has them. Just what I would do. I had one kid get them at 2 years old, while I was pregnant with the youngest, and he didn't get them until he was 10.

I'm pretty sure chicken pox is contagious for about a week before you know the kid has it. so chances are if your kid has been around the 4yr old he/she has already been exposed. If you haven't gotten the vaccine for him/her its probably better for your child to get it now anyway, because the older a person is the worse it is.