golf shot

This picture was taken from the front tees of a par three today.  That's Cameron's ball closest to the hole, mine and Grandad's to the near right and left.

Unit Celebration: USA

We spent the last 6 weeks studying the USA, writing poetry, and learning about body systems. Our unit celebration was Friday night and the kids had fun showing off their hard work.

As usual, the projects were the result of Deane's hard work.

First the first time, Lucy presented her work: Navajo sand art.

Holiday Madness

 There’s a sweet little Korean girl (American name Emily) in Lucy’s class who she has literally talked about every day (and Isabella too). And she’s asked weekly to have her over for a playdate. So I finally got around to scheduling that playdate from September, as if the holiday season isn’t crazy enough.

There was a bit of a language barrier with Sunyoung (Emily's mom) and I, but the girls had a universal language of princesses and more princesses. Jackie was a sweet babysitter big sister and made the girls' crowns, wands, and helped contain the princess dresses.

Like every good Korean mom (myself included) the kids are all in the picture, but never the mom!

Sunyoung was such an amazing woman with her Korean dishes she made for us. As if our endless list of food allergies, aversions, and vegan preferences were a challenge, she made a traditional Korean rice cake that all of us could eat (but of course only Lucy and I did). What a wonderful day with a new friend! Now it's time to schedule that playdate with Isabella. (Poor third child!)

BFF's

These two have been getting along lately. 

Luckily, I had my camera phone on hand during the peace treaty.

Writing Frenzy

Super Lucy is writing her name in cursive here. Practice, practice, practice! Got to hand it to this little one for determination. 

 She decided it was time to send out her Christmas cards. There must be 30 completed cards stacked next to her.

Please forgive my delay in posting. After 4 yrs, I've run out of 'free' space on my blog. Dave and I have been busy deleting (and copying elsewhere) early posts to free up space, but to no avail. I will likely have to link to another blog site rather than pay a monthly fee. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

Christmas card photo shoot

This year's photo shoot resulted in 4 decent shots and 189 deleted ones. Here are a few that didn't make the card, but were cute. The most successful way to get laughs out of all 3 kids is the tried and true method used by generations of familes... fart, poop, and pee jokes. It never fails.

Candy documentation

Clearly the OCD gene lives on....

Cameron decides which piece of candy he will eat for dessert, then checks it off his list....just to make sure it's all properly documented.

Coca-Cola Factory

Jackie and I headed to the Coca-Cola factory for a tour and taste testing.

 We breezed through the factory tour, vault of the secret recipe and the rest of the facility to get to the taste testing area. Each kiosk had the most common flavors of the continent. 

Korea's favorite flavor wasn't that bad. Some of them were just pure sugar syrup, which was clearly awesome to Jackie. Her favorite was Bibo from Africa. It was a kiwi mango sugar concoction.

She literally spent 30 minutes tasting every variety offered (even Dasani water with flavor boosters, translation more sugar).

 After a day full of sugar, we had a nice long walk with the babies.

My American Girl

We arrived at the American Girl store in Atlanta the minute it opened. Jackie cleaned house with her birthday money and then some. 

We celebrated her birthday with lunch at the bistro with her new babies.

 Meet Jack and Megan, born Nov 9, 2010.

 We took the kiddos for a stroll in their new wagon and picked up some dinner.

Happy Birthday, Jacqueline Elizabeth!

This year, Jackie's birthday fell on Election Day. In an effort to welcome all our bi-partisan friends and family, Jackie and Deane designed our garage door sign.

Continuing our theme of non-discrimation, we had cupcakes for the masses and cupcakes for the severely allergic. 

 We're all about The Brady Bunch around here. Groovy times down memory lane for this fox!

Daddy Boot Camp exists in many forms- pushing thy neighbor around the house 25 times builds such stamina. Not pictured, are the laps pushing various adults.

Halloween Happenings

Thanks to Julie, who snapped these photos of the gang on Halloween, and to Karen, who helped me throw together a last-minute party with 50+ guests! Just like Jesus with the loaves of bread and fish, Karen made 2 bottles of wine multiply to feed the masses. 

Lightening got out of his car to give some love to his best girl, Dorothy. (This was his first day on crutches).

 CamO soooo looks like his Daddy here, I just had to share.

 Mr. Chad and Miss Connie made the night magic with their trick-or-treating wagon.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Merida, Lightening, & Glinda

 Our neighbors drove the kids around the community in a hay wagon pulled by a John Deere tractor. The kids were besides themselves.

 Due to inclement weather, we hosted this year's Halloween party with a few buds. The kids didn't quite get together for their annual picture.

 DaddyO carried Cameron and took the kids for blocks. Lucy was so proud of her loot.

 Jackie has already eaten a few pieces

 Even the grubs are eating tonight!

WEEK 4

It's been four [ long ] weeks since Cam-o broke his leg.  He's been a real trooper throughout.  He had lots of pain weeks 1 and 2 and wore a long leg immobilizer most of the time requiring full assist in/out of his wheelchair.  He was very independent wheeling himself around the hardwood floors but didn't see upstairs until week 3.  Gradually the deep thigh bruise began to subside, pain decreased and range of motion at his knee increased.  Late in week 3 he taught himself how to transfer in/out of the wheelchair without assist; a big turning point.  From there he started going upstairs on his butt to enjoy playing and watching movies with the other kids in the play room.  Today was our week 4 post-op visit with the surgeon.  His knee range of motion is full but the thigh remains pretty weak.  He's been released to full weight bearing as tolerated.  Upon coming home he started with crutches, actually just one like a cane and he took right to it.  At times he asks for someone to hold his hand but is clearly enjoying the greater level of independence.  Although Gramma Dee did an awesome job on his wheelchair costume we opted to join the other kids on the hayride tour of the community.  Cam-o enjoyed being carried to each doorstep for trick or treat.  It's great to see him back with the other kids.  He is restricted to ambulatory activities for the next two months so no bike, scooter, rip rider or trampoline.  In January we return to see the surgeon at which time he will likely be released to all activities.  The doc said today that only 50% of the time do the rods get removed and if they do that will be at about 1 year.  That's it for now.  Enjoy the pics.

INJURY - WED OCT 3

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IMAGES

SURGERY - THU OCT 4

 IMAGE TAKEN IN THE OPERATING ROOM SHORTLY

AFTER THE HARDWARE WAS IMPLANTED

FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT - WED OCT 31

GOOD EVIDENCE OF EARLY BONE FORMATION

Pumpkin Carving Time