Give Me A Break!

Give Me A Break.

Ian's ankle is healing quite nicely and not much keeps him down. Erik can hardly stand the sling and tolerates wearing it as long as he can still ride his bike and play Legos. Taylor was out jumping on the trampoline Saturday and her and Aaron collided mid air, and she couldn't walk. We decided to wait until Sunday and take her to urgent care. We waited as long as the ER but a little more cost effective. Her Xrays were inconclusive and they think it is either a hairline fracture or a really bad sprain. We were off to Goodwill to buy some crutches and we wrapped and splinted her ankle.

We enjoyed some time together and she kept herself occupied while I had coffee with some friends. Then, on our way home we were chatting happily and I looked over at something and when I looked back there was a deer standing in the middle of the road! I hit the poor thing and drug it about 200 yards. It did not get up and run away, but it wasn't dead either. We called 911 and they came to deal with the problem. Now I have kids with 2 bum ankles and bad shoulder and a van in need of a new grill and radiator. I sure hope next week is better.

2 Boys + 2 Injuries = 4 Hours in the ER

I Declared Thursday a no school day. We were planning on cleaning and playing games. We were going to have Ben and Syndi over for games and lunch. 

big kids cleaning upper cabinets

Wednesday evening Ian was jumping on the trampoline and landed wrong on his ankle. Ian often falls and is a bit dramatic so I decided to wait and see if he would forget about it. He didn't.

little kids cleaning lower cabinets

I feel like regular cleaning of things that often get neglected is essential to not losing control.  I also think it is vital for all the children to be involved and invested in the cleaning (even if I could do it faster and better with out them). The added bonus is that when they are working they are not messing up what was already done, or getting into trouble. OK so that isn't an added bonus that IS the bonus.

Liberty always wants to help. When she couldn't find a free space in the kitchen she got her rag out of the bathroom and went to clean the table. 

There, Libby found a spot to help clean the kitchen.

When I got down on my hands and knees to scrub the floor I noticed lots of dust bunnies collected on the feet of the fridge. I pulled the fridge out from the wall and Erik spotted some long lost walkie talkies. He proceeded to dive through the dust to be the first to lay claim on the coveted toy. In the process he dislocated his shoulder on the fridge. 

Erik, Ian and I on our way to the ER

Fortunately, Syndi was already at my house (it is a true friend that you let see behind your fridge). I took Erik to the Doctor and they told me the severity of the injury required and X-ray and a trip to the ER. I took him home, packed lunches, Ipod, coloring books, and books. Then I cancelled Ian's appointment to have his foot Xrayed later in the day and took him with.

trying to keep the patients comfortable.

The ER doc was very good with the children and was relatively quick for the Emergency Room.  Erik did not need an X ray after all, his shoulder went back in on it's own, which 'Almost Never' happens. They told him to let it rest for a few days then he should be good as new. I wonder if climbing the play set, riding your bike one handed while talking on said walkie talkies and rolling your stiff shoulders around counts as 'letting it rest'?

Ian had his foot X rayed and they were surprised that it was not fractured but they could see swollen, stretched tendons and ligaments. They said to immobilize it and gave him a pathetic brace 5 sizes too big. I ended up wrapping it with an Ace bandage. I declined the crutches that were offered figuring that they would cause him to fall and/or become a weapon. Ian is jumping or crawling wherever he wants to go and I figure that we will all be better by Monday.

So there you have it, a sprained ankle on the trampoline, and a dislocated shoulder on the fridge.



Chicken Pox Activities

This morning Ruby woke up really feeling under the weather. She just wanted her mama. Unfortunately, Liberty just wanted mama too. "Luckfully" I have 2 arms for my 2 sweet little girls. Taylor is a young lady now, and Mikaela is an adult! Hannah came over to teach the children to macrame, because I have not done it since I was 8 years old! I really wanted to relearn but will have to wait for Taylor or Aaron to teach me since I kept getting interrupted. Taylor jumped on the bandwagon and made several bracelets for her and her friends. Aaron is still working on a necklace for himself.

I was motivated for them to learn because Ian has always worn a necklace and his just broke. Amazing how God works the little details out because I would have been reluctant to cut it off but it would be miserable with the amount of chicken pox that boy has on his neck. Now, we will wait until they clear up and give him his new necklace!

I enjoy the girls we have met through Mikaela. Hannah is our neighbor and even though Mikaela has moved out Hannah still comes over to talk and hang out. I really like that when I am reading the older kids still like to sit and listen to the stories!

Taylor learned the twirl stitch and Aaron learned the 'boy' stitch. I can't wait to see what they are going to do with their new skills. A great big Thank You to Hannah for sharing your patience and skill with us!

Ian and Ruby kept very busy with the $2 pack of army guys I found at Goodwill and our moon sand. Sean does not like the sand in the house but, when the cat's away the mice will play! We always clean up before he gets home. I just have issue with the fact that they are using our silverware since we NEVER have enough and have to save our fork if we are going to have dessert!

Party & Pox

Ian woke up Thursday Morning, his 5th birthday with Chicken Pox. I was not sure at first but after careful inspection it was apparent he has a full blown case, in fact he has more than any of the other children ever had. I told him it was Jake's gift to him, since Jake had been exposed but as of yet has not developed them. I made him a green race care cake. I have some work to do on my decorating techniques, like plan ahead and don't frost the cake on the cooling rack. Also, make sure that you have enough candles for the cake luckily(or as Aaron says, "Luckfully") I used it as a home school lesson in simple addition, what is 3 + 2? The thing about Ian is he is just so full of joy and gives me grace abundantly that he was thrilled with his cake.

Geaba and Justin came up for the day and I was able to run a few errands and they had a great time playing. Libby got to hang out with Geaba for awhile while I was cooking dinner.

We are always so happy when Mikaela comes to visit it is great to see her with her little brother.

Ruby loved the whipped cream with our pancakes. She got caught trying to get more whipped cream for her cake, but it was all gone. She was not going to be detered and decided to suck the rest out!

I told Ian I loved him so much I was willing to stand in front of the stove for 1 1/2 hours making his birthday dinner request of roll-up pancakes (also know as Swedish pancakes) I have to remind the children that it is not a free for all eat as much as you can but slow down and enjoy them. As a mother and main cook in the house it is very frustrating to take the time to make a nice meal only to have it devoured in a matter of minutes!

By the end of the evening Ian was really not feeling well and had quite a few more spots. I would normally say that he is the healthiest of all my children but thinking back on it he has had more injuries than any of the others. His birthday always causes me to stop and think and Praise God for His provision and blessings in my life. I almost died when he was born so it is a reminder that God has given me 5 extra years and 2 more beautiful children. I am so grateful for the privilege of raising them and teaching them about our Savior.

I love my little Ian and his sweet tender heart.

At bedtime we noticed little Ruby with some 'chicken bumps' (a combination of chicken pox/goose bumps) Hers are definitely more mild but they do bother her, especially the ones around her mouth.