broken bones

On Wednesday, I got a call from the school nurse saying that Boston was playing football at recess and tripped over a friend then fell on his shoulder.  She thought I better come get him and take him home.

When I picked him up, she suggested FOR SURE taking him to the doctor because he couldn't raise his right arm.

I took him straight to the ER to get him checked out.

He was in some pretty bad pain.

The ER was QUICK and we found out fairly quickly that he indeed had a broken clavicle.

 When the doctor said that it was broken, he walked out and Boston looked panicked.  I asked him if he was okay, then the tears started coming for the first time.  He said "But mom, I didn't want it to be my right arm!  Now I can't throw or write!"  After I assured him that in time, yes he will be able to do those things again, he calmed down.

 The ER doc said that usually when he sees a break like this in adults, they need a metal plate inserted because the bones can't heal on their own.

Of course this makes any mother panic.  

Thanks to some amazing friends we found a WONDERFUL ortho who got us in first thing the next morning.

After some time at the specialist, he said we didn't need surgery!  With kids this young, they are so resilient that this break will heal on its own.  THANK GOODNESS!  

Now just how do you keep a 6 year old boy from doing any more damage with just a sling for the next 6 weeks??

Meanwhile, I'm VERY grateful for pain killers AND  great friends that care so much!

he's baaaaack

Boston had been BUGGING and BUGGING me daily about when our elf was going to be back for his visit this year.  

I told Boston that I didn't think he came until our house was all decorated for Christmas.  It took a little longer this year because having Thanksgiving so late has thrown my WHOLE month OFF.  

Needless to say, he finally arrived on December 3.

 Piccalo

 He brought with him warm socks to keep their feet warm and a few other fun Christmas gifts

 And a new Christmas book and movie!

 He never fails to bring donuts covered in snow with hot chocolate.  

Please don't pay attention to my nasty blurry pictures---my good camera is BROKEN thanks to a curious little two year old (serious tears)

So far, Piccalo has moved EVERY night except ONE (I think this is a record year).

We LOVE this tradition.  I know it brings controversy but for us, we LOVE it.  

It's just one of those things that brings a little bit more of the Christmas magic into our home.

thanksgiving break

The rest of the week of Thanksgiving in Baton Rouge, we spent as much time with family as possible.

We checked out Cajun Village.

We went on a hunt to find the alligators but it was too cold and they were all in hiding.

 Please excuse my son's CRAZY long hair.  He wanted a mohawk SO bad even though his hair was WAY over due for a haircut.  

Spending time with my sisters is probably the best part about being home.  

 Uncle Kevin scored again with the kids when he spontaneously placed money ALL over my parent's house then sent the kids on a hunt to find it all.  They came out with a nice stash of cash!

 We saw FROZEN (twice).  That movie is ADORABLE.

 We spent time with Grandma at her house.

Spent lots of time outdoors and playing in Mimi and Papa's leaves

Then it was time we said our goodbyes.  

Grandpa Bob with his great grandsons.

It took us 6 1/2 hours getting TO Baton Rouge (its usually 4) & we hoped for a quicker trip back home BUT we were out of luck and spent another 6 1/2 hours getting BACK to Houston!

Talk about insane!

The things we do for family.

i am thankful

Time seriously flies.

I can't believe November has come and gone and I'm pretty sure having Thanksgiving so late this year has really thrown my December for a loop.

Holidays are always better with kids.

You can do fun crafts,

Eat at the school's Thanksgiving lunch (which we learned last year was ABSOLUTELY disgusting so this year McDonald's it was---not much better)

And be completely mesmerized by Mimi's popcorn machine so you can have yummy popcorn while we watch a holiday movie...

They make it all SO much more exciting.

 We headed to Baton Rouge to spend Thanksgiving with my family. 

 A big chunk of my dad's family came in town as well and we had a mini reunion. 

 My grandparents celebrated 60 YEARS of marriage in October so we celebrated with a little anniversary party for them.  

 They are such a GREAT example of how a married couple should treat each other.  You can TRULY see the love, respect and admiration they have for one another. 

 I love them.

Can't wait to see where Kent and my life will be in 50 years from now!  I hope we are as in love and happy as them!

 Then on to Thanksgiving. 

 I took the hassle of the kids table away from my mom and took it on myself.

 They each got their own crayons to draw on the table, popcorn in their place settings and a little Thanksgiving packet too (thank you pinterest).

 I'm SO thankful for this man in my life.  

 And this sweet little family of mine.

 We attempted to get a shot of my grandparents with all their GREAT grand kids.  Hudson didn't want to be in the picture so we improvised.

 ALL morning the kids were busy collecting leaves into a big pile in my parents front yard.

 It kept them busy for QUITE some time the whole week we were there.

 We also made a little Thanksgiving turkey craft.  

 Most of the younger kids preferred just the eating part

 While the older girls finished the task.

 Why do I LOVE having Thanksgiving at my parents house???

  The food of course.  

That INCLUDES THREE turkeys---smoked, fried AND oven roasted. 

 Smoked wins every year hands down.

 

My Grandpa and Grandma gave us all the sweetest book my grandpa had written.  He wrote a book of poems about EACH member of our family.  

Years and YEARS ago, my Great Great GREAT Grandpa Pratt wrote a book called, "Just Thinking" where he compiled a book of poems.  My Grandpa Bob was inspired by that book and wrote one for our family--his children, their spouses and their children.

I absolutely CHERISH this book and I'm SO thankful for my grandparents compiling such a memorable book like this.

 My grandparents, my dad, his brother Mike and sister Pam (we missed Aundrea and Rick).

 We asked my Uncle Kevin to teach the kids a little more about Thanksgiving and why we celebrate.  Boy did he keep the kids attention.  Between the WHISTLES they received and all the CANDY he gave them, they were in HEAVEN.  

 My Grandma Jean is a wonderful story teller and the kids just ATE her up.

 While we were being serenaded by all the many musically talented people (not including me) in our family, Chad got SUPER excited about the Christmas sweaters Uncle Kevin gave all the women during his "Thanksgiving Story" (did you know the Chief Indian rewarded the head Pilgrim's wife with his vest??  Yeah, neither did I...).

 Then the rest of the brother in laws joined in on the action and took it to the next level. 

 I think they had too much fun.

We stuffed our selves with TURKEY, POTATOES, SHOE PEG CORN CASSEROLE, SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE, ROLLS,  and PIES (I only eat my chocolate pie with the oreo crust....I HATE any other pie) and were stuffed to the brim by the end of the night.  We may have stuffed our faces but  Thanksgiving is more then just about the food (although its a HUGE perk).  

I'm TRULY grateful for this time of year which helps us put into perspective all the many blessings we have in our lives.  I'm SOO thankful for SO many things. 

 It was a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving...one that definitely topped the charts.

Young Women in Excellence

The first Wednesday of November, we held our Young Women in Excellence program.

Our theme this year was "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything" followed with the Dr. Suess theme.

The girls in our ward are pretty impressive and really are GOOD girls.

I'm always amazed.

Our Personal Progress Leader put together a wonderful video of the girls being interviewed about how they have been strengthened through their personal progress.  I loved having the video instead of the girls just going up to talk about their projects.  It was just a different spin on it all.  They did bring their projects to display that night as well.  Like I said, these girls are SUPER impressive.  I'm so lucky I get to work with them.

 We had a mashed potato bar and it was a hit (this is PRE food).

 As a take away gift, we gave them CD's with different LDS songs---similar to an EFY CD.

 Each table had a different themed Dr. Suess book

We also had one of our YW sing that night while her sister played.  It was one of my favorite parts.

It was a wonderful night.

And a HUGE shout out to my sister for allowing us to use all of our Dr. Suess party stuff!!

Our budget for the year was running a tad dry....