Delaney is still sidelined w/ a torn MCL....

It's not fun for anyone. She's bored. And I'm bored of her boredom. This is a girl who typically has practice 2 to 3 nights a week, and a game every Saturday. She has played soccer since she was 3 (she's now 13). She is still going to at least one of the practices so she can watch, and then she sits on the bench during the game. She's not enjoying it. Hopefully she will get the immobilizer off next week and can at least start physical therapy (w/ the hope of getting her back on the field in the next 3 weeks or so). I miss watching her play....

For those of you are worried about us being deprived of watching our daughter play soccer, no worries. We have two basketball games (Emily), and Jake's indoor game to watch. We also will go and cheer on Delaney's team, just to ensure that boredom does not set in. If we're still feelign the need for a little excitement we can throw out one rawhide bone and watch the dogs duke it out ;)

Latest on the puppy front....

While Milo is still the cutest thing ever, he has developed a few bad habits....mainly tearing apart any pieces of paper on the ground, paper towels and toilet paper being the most prized possessions (I think due to their extreme shreddability), and using our house as his personal toilet. He has great days and terrible days. Today, is a not so good day. I've learned that the puppy is scared of wind. And rain. And loud noises. Any of these will distract him enough that he will just shut down and refuse to go to the bathroom outside. Luckily he's cute. Kind of like the kids when they were three/four- Cuteness was the only thing that saved them ;)

To Kindle or Not to Kindle....

I know I've blogged about this before, but I finally pulled the trigger (for Rob's 40th birthday). I'm not sure he was all that thrilled with the gift choice, but maybe that was my secret plan??? I'll take it if he doesn't use it ;) No, I really was just looking for a gift that he would never by himself, that he might enjoy. He does some traveling and ends up buying books for the plane quite often. I thought this might be a nice solution.

He also was greeted by Emily's soccer team (which he coaches) sporting large white 40's on their jerseys, and received a black soccer ball signed by the team. I think he had a great day (w/ a semi-surprise party coming on Saturday).

The final two of the kids had their yearly cardiology check-ups and they "passed" with flying colors! We are done now until the boys are 9/10, and until Emily is 11. Delaney still has to go back yearly as she is in the prime hypertrophic cardiomyopathy development range (typically is adolescent onset, and this was definitely the case with her dad). I'm so excited to be able to post this update :) When it comes to genetic issues, I'll take the hearing loss anyday!!!

I better jump off now to stop Trey from re-decorating our Christmas tree- I had to keep him home after the appointment seeing as I was so late to get downtown for the Cardiology appointment we left his implant on the charger (yes, BAD....) I couldn't take him to school without his implant, and by the time I drove home, drove him to school, and came back home, I'd have to just turn right around again. So Trey and I are going to spend some time bonding over the laundry.

The Early Christmas Gift...

Also known as the "gift that keeps on giving" (or at least peeing, etc.) Our dog, Maxine is quite old and we're not sure how many years she has left. We know that the kids are going to insist on getting a new dog once this happens, so we decided to be proactive and get the kids a new puppy for Christmas. Rob went to scout out the puppies and noticed they were sleeping outdoors (in the rain and cold) so we chose to get our puppy earlier than we had originally planned to rescue it :) He is a ten week old beagle puppy, and very adorable. Now we just need to get him potty trained (and remind the kids not to leave hearing aids or implants lying around as puppies *will* chew them).



His name is Milo....

This week has been all about Martha....

Martha Stewart that is. The 7th graders were asked to complete a "suitcase" biography project, where they select an influential or notable person to focus their project on. After much thought (and realization that many of her first choices were already gone), Delaney chose Martha Stewart. The students had to create a poster board, dress like their person, and compile 15-20 artifacts (complete with artifact catalogues), and would get the opportunity to "become" their person for a night, to present their projects to the parents. Last night was the big night. The school library was packed with several Oprahs, a couple of Mia Hamms, a Stephen Hawking, a multitude of Elvis impersonators-both male and female, some Beyonce's, one Princess Diana, and many others.

Delaney's friends were dressed as Lance Armstrong (and she was very cute....), Dolly Parton (who chickened out at the last minute on wearing the wig and the *larger* balloons, and of course Delaney, wearing an apron and holding a platter of brownies to use as a bribe, I mean a prop ;) The project was a lot of work for child (and MOM), but the night was fun. Now I just need to remember to save all the artifacts and poster board so that Emily can be Martha also in a few years- save us some work ;)

Now I have to go be Martha-like and clean the house, and do some dinner prep work. Today Delaney had a late-start day, and the other kids have early release, which leave no time for me to get anything done...

It is Soccer Saturday (for at least two more weekends)...

and then Fall soccer is finished. We've made it through with only a few soggy Saturdays, which is great! Today is cold but not too wet, so we'll take it, and it's local (no 3 hour drive).

Jake is hugely improved but not going to soccer (no fever today :)

Here is a sneak preview of our morning

Pumpkin Patch w/ Trey's Class

Let's just recap the field trip by saying it was REALLY REALLY MUDDY! And wet....did I mention that it was wet? And muddy. And there were pumpkins- wet, muddy ones.

It was actually fun, just very cold!