Pierced Ears

Aubrey's birthday gift from us this year was getting her ears pierced. We talked about it last year, but she was too scared. This year, she was ready! Her friend, Abby, and her mom came with us, and the girls both got their ears pierced.  They were both nervous, so it was good that they did it together. I'm not sure either would have been brave enough alone. Aubrey went first. She chose her birthstone--amethyst--for her earrings. She was nervous but brave. Her eyes watered, and she looked a little stunned immediately after, but she recovered quickly once she looked in a mirror. 

Before:

Aubrey's are done!

After! Both girls done!

Workin' boy

Grant's recent toy obsession, thanks to his friend, Ethan, is Pokemon. Grant decided he wanted to buy a Pokemon belt like Ethan's, a velcro belt with hooks in it to hold the pokeballs that have the toy figures inside. (I really don't understand this whole Pokemon thing.)  He had some money in his spend jar but not nearly enough to purchase the (overpriced) belt. We told him he could work for the money, do extra chores and tasks and get paid for them. I've never seen him so motivated to help! He went around cleaning up and straightening my living room, putting the pillows back on the couch and muttering under his breath about how "no one ever leaves things where they're supposed to go." I got a good chuckle out of that. I paid him to vacuum the stairs, clean windows, dust, and pick up. He cheerfully did everything I asked and was quick to remind me if I didn't pay him right away. Grandpa paid him to help clean up his shop floor, after he heard that Grant was seeking work. I'm not sure Grandpa got his money's worth, but Grant sure was excited to have the last bit of the money he needed. I ordered the Pokemon belt before Grant had all the money he needed, knowing it might take a while to get here. Unfortunately, it took longer than predicted, and we had several days of waiting that were pretty torturous for Grant.

Finally, it came! He was so happy....until he had to hand over all his money. Then he cried. We had talked about this so much, I knew he knew that it was going to cost him his money. He told me he didn't want to give ALL his money, because then he wouldn't have any left. Yes, my son, that is how these things go. You work hard and then you have to hand over your money. It was a great learning experience for him. He's been playing with his hard-earned toy just about every day for the last two weeks, so it was a worthwhile purchase, I guess!

First broken bone

Well, it happened. One of our kids broke a bone, and it wasn't the kids I thought it would be. Kari swung off the back of her pull-up bar (on purpose) and misgaged the landing. She fell badly on her ankle, and it was obvious that it was more than just a sprain. It happened at 5:05pm. Greg took her to urgent care, got x-rays, saw the dr, got confirmation that the end of the fibula was indeed fractured, got her fitted in a boot, and came back home by 6:05pm. I think one hour at urgent care is a record. Amazingly quick. It was a Tuesday evening, and Kari was determined to still go to youth group, so we took her. The Wilsons brought their crutches for Kari to borrow, and she was good to go!

Her appointment to see the orthepedic doctor was in the middle of the day a few days later. She already had an orthodontist appointment to get her Herbst appliance/hinges out that morning (hooray!), so we made a day of it and had lunch at Arby's in between appointments.

The doctor decided she didn't need to have it casted, just has to wear the boot for 4 weeks. I was relieved to hear we weren't going to have to deal with the hassle of a cast. Kari was slightly disappointed at first but admitted that it would have gotten old after a day, so she was glad, too. :) We had to add some extra padding to the top of the crutches, as they were hurting her sides after a couple days. It's been a week since her injury, and Kari is about ready to ditch the crutches and walk with the boot. That boot is a pretty amazing thing. It has a button to pump air into it so that the foot is cushioned with air and secure. It will be very nice to not have to deal with the crutches anymore. Her school has a lot of stairs, and she goes up and down them many times a day--14 times, it turns out (she counted). Her friends have been very sweet and have helped her carry her stuff and make it to and from her classes and locker. It's a bit of a challenge to maneuver hallways on crutches with a backpack, a lunch box, and a clarinet case. Our independent child is ready to regain her independence! 

Kari and Gracie have been crutch buddies this last week--pretty cute. Gracie has given her tips and lots of empathy. :)

Basketball for Aubrey

Aubrey agreed to try playing basketball but only after I told her two of her friends would be on the team. :)  Apparently, watching her sister play for a few years and watching her brother play for several years did nothing to teach her the game of basketball. I went to her first practice. Aubrey had a lot of fun with her team and was totally into it and eager to learn from Coach "Pappy" (Ron Hudson). She was pretty cute.

Greg took her to her second practice and came home determined to help Aubrey learn some skills so she wouldn't "hop around the court like a bunny." I guess she was bouncing with the ball as she dribbled. :)  I hadn't really noticed. He told Joel to take her outside and teach her a few things the next day. Joel gave her some tips, some more helpful than others. She wasn't quite ready for his advice on setting screens, but he did help her understand more of what to do on defense and on offense. ;-)

Her first game was pure comedy. The kids only dribble when they feel like it, most can barely get the ball up to the hoop. It's hilarious!
Dad listened in on Coach Hudson's half-time speech and recorded some of it for us:
“They shoot. They grab the ball. They shoot again. They grab the ball…I’m getting mad,” he says with a silly grin. “You guys scored only two points!” 
https://vimeo.com/153643476
This is going to be a great, entertaining season!

Pretzels

It was a no-school day for the older three kids, but Grant had preschool. That's happening a few times this year. He doesn't seem to mind, though. We had a low-key morning at home, and the kids wanted to try making pretzels. They turned out pretty good! All three decided they were better at making pretzels than the people on the Great British Baking show. Maybe pretzels are more of an American thing?

In Awe

It had been a stormy day, but coming home from picking up Aubrey from the Wilsons, the sun came out and made this beautiful double rainbow. We could see the entire arch, but I couldn't get the whole thing with my phone camera. We were too close. I pulled off the road so we could admire it. Of course, the photos just don't do it justice.  It was magnificent--one of those times when I was just struck by the beauty of this world God created.  I love the reminder of God's faithfulness in keeping His promises.

Double Digit Birthday

Joel turned 10! This was my facebook post the morning of his birthday:

"Our Joel-boy is 10 today! He is a basketball-loving, always-hungry, sports-watching, quick-homework-doing (so he can get back to shooting hoops), shy-smiling, video-game-playing, kind-to-others, patient-with-his-little-brother kind of kid. We're excited to celebrate him today."

Joel went to birthday breakfast with Grandpa the Monday before his birthday (no school--MLK day). Sounded like he ate a lot of food!

We decided to have his family party on his actual birthday, a Wednesday, since the weekends were kind of crowded with basketball. Dinner was barbeque pulled pork sandwiches and tater tots, and Joel requested ice cream cake for dessert--easy-peasy!