Updates

Life seems to have calmed down a bit, which you would think would give me more time to write. lol

Last night Lucy woke up after having what I presume was a bad dream, and was telling me how the animals were going to get her. Then she got up and after looking around, proclaimed the animals wouldn't get her because they were in a cage. She specifically mentioned that the deer wouldn't get her, so I'm going to blame that one on daddy for watching too many hunting shows. She's always say she wants to "shoot that deer." She has also learned the whole "you're not the boss of me" line too. I don't know who invented the facade of the terrible twos. It's threes and fours that kill us.

Ella slept at Grandpa and Grandma Rouse's last night. She called this morning and had wanted my dad to shave her leg for her. It's SO hairy. She said it looked like a man's. lol And she wanted the hair off now. I talked her out of it by telling her it would grow back like Daddy's whiskers. That appeased her for awhile but I doubt it will last.

Pete is getting wilder by the day. He still doesn't say much but he always manages to get what he wants. I think we can credit his two older sisters for that one. He is the snuggle bunny and he wants all of mommy, all to himself, all of the time. I think his horoscope said something about that. Crazy how right on those things can be.

Andy broke his finger play "muffin top basketball." Apparently that defines the physic of the old fat guys trying to relive their youth. Serves him right. But he still sure can play.

Ella's Christmas concert is this Thursday. I can't believe it! Santa better get moving! Lots of gifts to get ready.

I ordered our Christmas cards already, earlier than ever, but I haven't even started to send them out. Handed out a few. Better get on that or I'll still be late. :)

Tomorrow is December 1st. How has another year gone by SO fast???!!

No Cast!

Ella got her cast off today. It was the best birthday present I could hope for. She has a walking cast for three more weeks, then they'll xray again.
She just took her first bath in nine weeks. Her poor little leg.

Go Cyclones!

Mommy and Daddy had a day off and escaped for a bit to Jack Trice stadium for a little night time football. It was family weekend, but unfortunately we were without our family. It was supposed to rain, so we couldn't bring Ella because of her cast. But it turned out to be a PERFECT night for football. And the Cyclones won! And even the Hawks did too. :)

We're into band aids

Lucy has entered the "I love band aids" stage. For the past week, she has wanted one on her lip. I finally gave her one. Here's some pics of our little Hitler. :)

Ella went back to school yesterday. She was so excited...and exhausted. She was actually more tired today but hit serious meltdown mode last night.
They found a special desk for her and the kids draw straws to see who gets to ride up in the elevator with her. She was also a "hit" at recess, so she wasn't sad about not being able to play on anything. She told us today, however, that in PE she just had to sit here which wasn't fun at all. :)

Mom and Dad just gave us their old van today. We are thrilled! It's so nice. And their new one is really nice. Dad doesn't mess around. I'm glad he decided to splurge. He deserves it. They both do. Mom loves it too. We are incredibly lucky, and thankful for their generosity.

Thank goodness for AFLAC

The one thing we did do right this past year is buy an AFLAC policy because let me tell you, we are racking up the accidental and hospital claims left and right.

Just found out not only is my foot/toe still broken, it's actually displaced more than it was four weeks ago, so they are sending me to a specialist. Probably going to need surgery and a pin.
Seriously, can you really do anything but laugh at this point? :)

Ella's last day home is tomorrow. We're going up to school to practice getting around.

Lucy and Pete had good days at school. Pete was asleep when I got there to pick him up, of course. And Lucy was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me. Is there anything sweeter?

I finally just went for a run with kids in the jogger tonight because I figure, why not at this point. I've stayed off of it for a month and it's worse than it was, and the mental "release" of the run is worth it. I was gimpy but man it felt good. :)

Things are looking up

Ella got her second cast put on today. It's neon pink and half the diameter of the old one. Her leg was really swollen before, and now it's so skinny it looks like an arm cast. Ella was a amazing. She couldn't eat until almost 4:00 and she never even complained. She surprises me every day.

Tonight, we were all on the deck when some motorized parasailers flew over our house. One of the three came back, slowed down right over our deck, and threw down a huge, stuffed dog! We were so thrilled. Then, he circled around, came back even closer, and threw out an armload of stuffed animals that rained down on our back yard. The kids just shrieked with glee, as did I. Grandpa Phil and Grandma Nancy were here too. It was an amazing moment. Pure joy raining down from heaven blessing us all. I wish I could have captured it on video.

Maybe things are finally looking up. :)

Chuck E Cheese

We had a great night! Grandpa Phil and Grandma Nancy came too, which really helped since Ella needed a helping hand and Pete just wanted to throw all the balls. And he loved riding the big horse.
Lucy had a blast. We took lots of pictures and she made some baskets all on her own shooting with Daddy.
We followed up with a quick trip through McDonalds, presents at home, and cupcakes before bed. It was a fabulous day.