Wrist Watch....

During a Monday night soccer practice on October 5th (ok, so I am a month late here...), Jake fell and sprained his wrist. He was in some pretty bad pain. Three weeks of wearing a splint, sitting out of P.E., popping tylenol (there is another story for another day), xrays and visits to the doctor, he was finally on the mend. Though it was his right wrist that was hurt, he was able to still do his school work, play soccer (though no more time in as keeper) and practice the trumpet, so all was not lost.

Jake was just getting done with his splint as Josh was trying out for the basketball team. In fact, one afternoon he asked to have a friend over to help him practice, since Jake still wasn't able to shoot a ball yet. Josh made it through the cuts and made the team!!! We were so happy for him! The day after tryouts, Josh called after school to let me know he had arrived home safely. He asked, "Did the school call you today?" No, they had not....why??? Well, apparently he was playing basketball in P.E. and fell, hurting his wrist. Oh no...not again! I rush home to take him to convenient care. We sit in their petri dish/waiting room (did I mention the flu is sweeping through town) to get xrays. The films are inconclusive, and we have to wait to hear from the radiologist. In the meantime, he is splinted and sent home. The doctor calls with the results...which are inconclusive. Which means a visit to my old friends in the orthopedic surgery department.

The ortho department does more xrays and concludes that he has a hairline fracture :( Yes, my boy is in a cast. Any guesses on what color he picked??

He will wear this cast for three weeks, then will be re-evaluated. They are optimistic that he will be healed by then. Until then, he is allowed to play in P.E. and in basketball practice as much as he can tolerate. He hasn't been in much pain at all, thankfully.

Happy Halloween....

Halloween did not pass without being recognized at our house this year! The boys carved pumpkins the weekend before. We have always had trouble with the squirrels eating the pumpkins, but I didn't want to go to all the trouble of treating the gourds with pepper to keep them away. Well...for some odd reason, the squirrels LOVED Jake's pumpkin, but didn't touch Josh's!

Then, Oct. 30th, Jake headed to a church Halloween party. We decided his regular costume might be too creepy, so we threw together this one in about 20 minutes....he looks a little like Bryan Adams....Saturday came, and it was a busy, busy day. Basketball practice, errands, and preparing for trick or treating filled the day. Then, at 5:30, the middle school group showed up and I unleashed them on the neighborhood....


the gang

Josh as Elwood Blues (but looking a little like an Amish thug)

dead dude in a coffin

The gang raided our area, then headed a few blocks over to invade the neighborhood of one of the gang members. The boys had a great time, got tons of candy, and sang Christmas songs to the people they got candy from. Middle school boys are just weird!

P.S.I even got in on the act....and took my inspiration from the book series I completed this summer....

Mark Schultz

O.M.G! DH gave me tickets to see my favorite Christian artist for our anniversary....and tonight was the concert! We had the most amazing seats--front row center. The show was amazing!

He's 11!

Yes, once again, momma sits here lamenting the passing of another year with her little boys. However, they are not that little any more! My baby, Jake, is 11. The day before his birthday, I joked with my coworkers that "eleven years ago right now, I was in some major pain!" All kidding aside, I remember holding Jake, shortly after he was born. Since he had been born via C-section, I had to go to recovery before I could really have any time with him. The fleeting moments in the delivery room were not enough. I unwrapped that little wiggly bundle of blankets and checked him out head to toe--and declared him perfect. I wasn't too far from wrong, either. Over the years, he has astounded me with his intelligence, talent, caring and sense of humor. While no one is truly perfect, Jake, again and again, demostrates what a terrific person he has turned out to be.

My favorite moment of his birthday this year was waking him early to dash off to Dunkin Donuts for a surprise breakfast run. He has always been a coffee fan, ever since Grandma Gabhart used to make the boys her "special coffee"-- a little coffee, lots of milk, and lots of sugar. After ordering my coffee, for the first time ever, I ordered him a cup too--double cream, double sugar, and half decaf. Walking back to the van, with his coffee cup warming his hands, he looked at me and said "thank you mommy" in the most sincere voice I have ever heard. That made it all worth while...Jake learning to enjoy the small, precious moments in life.

Quick update

I don't have much time these days, since my students are starting TODAY and my classroom still has so much work to be done in it...but...here's a summary:

• I finished the Harry Potter series! Loved it...was one of the best reads EVER! Watched the first movie...but finding it hard to fit movie time into our busy schedule. Plus, when do I ever sit in one place for more than 2 hours??
• Jake attended 6th grade orientation yesterday. Is it really possible that my lil red-headed baby is in middle school?? (Next question...am I really that old??)
• Josh has finally adjusted to his braces. In a few weeks he will get the bottom ones on, and that will require yet another adjustment period. Now that his mouth is not sore, he has no complaints.
• School starts in my district TODAY! I am ready in some ways, but soooo not ready in others. But, no matter how prepared you think you are, students have a way of keeping you on your toes.
• Josh and Jake are dogsitting for their Grandma's dog for a week...at our house. Gracie is going to LOVE this, hahahaha! Poor thing will be exhausted when young Bella heads back home.

My summer goal....

is to read the entire Harry Potter series. When Harry first came on the scene, my boys were much too young to get into it. As they got older, I thought maybe they would get interested, but, alas, they did not. I, however, was intrigued when I saw the Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry (Jake's end-of-year field trip). So....I set out this summer (post homework-ectomy recovery) to read all 7 books. I have not seen any of the movies, so I began on this journey blind...which is the best way to begin (ALWAYS read the books before you see the movie...no matter what story is involved). Now, I have finished book 6....and I am itching to start on number 7....the last in the series. Give me a week, and I will be done...and ready for the movie marathon!

The Dells- version 2009

Once again, we headed up to Wisconsin Dells in late July for a lil fun. Our usual partners-in-crime joined us, hosting us for a couple of days before hitting the resort...while at their house we rode 4-wheelers, went to Camp Phillip, and visited their church...

Camp Phillip... where we played disc golf, bankshot, ate dinner, and watched on outdoor concert.BankShot

S'mores!

Monday morning we headed to the Dells...Deer Park, Jet Boats, and Tommy Bartlett. I love the Deer Park. It is amazing how tame the deer are, and there is something special about having such beautiful animals eating right out of your hand :)

The weather was a little cool, so the Jetboat ride was chilly, but tons of fun. As expected, we got soaked! The driver was very good, mixing humor and interesting information about the river with some pretty exciting spins and stops!

We went through the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory for the first time. I don't know who enjoyed it more...the kids or the adults! There were tons of hands-on science activities, which were entertaining and fascinating all at the same time.

Next was the Tommy Bartlett Water Show. Oh my...the things those kids can do on skis! They were amazing! After intermission and one of the biggest ice cream cones I have EVER seen, the land portion of the show began. My favorite part was "Dave the Horn Guy". He could play almost anything on the bulb horns attached to his suit....I was in tears I was laughing so hard!

And that was all on day one....more to come :)

Reflections on the City Museum

On July 3rd, we hung out at the City Museum in St. Louis. If you haven't been there, you are missing out on one of the most mystical, fun, eclectic, exciting places around. I literally could wander around that place for hours. As always, the boys had a great time, and this was DH's first trip. He did some climbing in the Monstrocity and seemed to enjoy his visit.

that's him in the red shirt

We took in the rooftop, which is new this year. There is a ferris wheel on top of the building, a splash pond, and a 40 ft slide. The landing at the end of the slide is quite rough...you end abruptly on some pretty rough concrete, which took the skin off both of my elbows and one ankle. I think they need to really re-think that part...

The boys really liked the ball pit in the bottom of the Monstrocity...I think the weather prevented them from enjoying it before...

They recently added a large pencil to the skatepark. It really works....and yes, in case you are wondering, I did test it out. I guess if you really know me, you already knew that ;)