Broken Wrist

Poor little guy.  Less than 2 full weeks from the end of school and he breaks his wrist.  He's pretty devastated -- inside and out.

While getting off the bus yesterday he made his usual run to momma.  It's happened almost every day.  I wait by the car and he runs to me along the side of our little road.  Yesterday he simply tripped, caught his toe and went face first onto the pavement.  Caught his arm under him.  Screamed bloody murder.  I gently set him up and checked him out.  Knees a little scraped.  Cut on his finger.  Abrasion at his wrist.

When we got home we got the boo boo ice packs and let him rest his wrist on that.  He'd calm down but any little movement would send him sobbing again.  Sister found some Star Wars band-aids for the scrapes.  I could tell pretty quickly there was more than just a bump.  I called the Pediatrician and they said if I got him there before 5:00 they could get the X-rays done there without having to head to the ER.  So we hopped into the car and quickly drove the 40 minutes to the Dr.  Jeff was so exhausted he fell asleep after about 5 minutes in the car.

When we got the Dr. daddy was there to carry him in.  He'd calmed down quite a bit and was able to move around for the doctor.  We rushed over to get the X-rays done and he was such a trooper.  So quiet and calm as the tech had him move his hand/wrist into several different positions.  We finished with the X-rays and went back to the Dr's office.

Jeff was pretty convinced he was OK. Then the doctor came in and said "looks like there's a fracture".  His face just melted.  All the tears came back.  He got so scared.  So afraid he was going to have to miss all the fun at the end of the year.  We talked about getting a cast and maybe even one that is waterproof.  He held very still as the doctor put a hard splint around his wrist.  Clearly he was hurting, but wouldn't show it.  Such a big boy.

Daddy drove him home from the doctor while mommy and Erin stopped to pick up some more Tylenol and some ice cream for dessert.  So far we've discovered that it's still possible to play the Wii (Mario Party at least) but we need some help getting dressed and undressed.  He's at school today, has an orthopedics appointment tomorrow to talk about a cast and get it looked at.  Hopefully, by the time all the fun events happen next week he'll be in a cast and able to participate in some of it.

It took 8 years, but the Wallace South clan has their first big boo-boo. At least we avoided the ER.  Love you so much buddy.

More Birthday Celebrating!!

Erin's birthday was also spent at rehearsal for the evening.  Didn't bother her one bit though.  She LOVES being with her extended family and having them celebrate with her was important to her.

Erin's biggest surprise was waiting for her when she woke up.  She discovered a cute, cuddly kitten waiting for her when she woke up.  She fell in love with this kitten at a sleepover a few weeks ago so we adopted her as a new family pet.  Erin was immediately in love.  Kitten arrived at the house named Emmy, but has since been re-named Emma.

Erin also got to open her presents early in the morning before school.  She got a new doll and some doll clothes from grandma.  Mom and dad got her several kitten toys.  Tom wanted to get Erin some new juggling balls since they have been working on jugging together.  We found a woman online who hand-makes juggling balls with a carrying bag.  Erin absolutely loves them and is looking forward to Seussical ending so she and daddy will have some time to juggle together some more.

After school we played around the house with Emma some more before rehearsal.  We left early enough to stop off and get some ice cream.  Then Erin picked McDonald's for dinner.  At rehearsal she got a special lollipop from a new friend and had lots of time to run and play with all her friends.

What a great way for a special girl to spend her birthday!!!  She'll get her big birthday party at the end of the month when Seussical is over.

Celebrating Birthdays

Good Morning Birthday Boy!!

The Birthday Pile

We celebrated Jeffrey's birthday the way it seems we often celebrate birthdays this year.  With a very busy day. We had rehearsal for Seussical that evening so had to start the morning early with opening presents.  He'd already gotten his big present, his bike.  Still, he was very excited to find plenty to open birthday morning.  He got some Star Wars room decals to put on his walls when we re-do his room over the summer.  There were also the requisite leggos and Star Wars guys as well.  Grandma got him some Pokemon cards that he'd been asking for as well as a DS game he's really been wanting.


After school we headed into rehearsal early.  We stopped off and got some ice cream (Jeffrey picked out birthday cake flavor) and since it was really nice we played at a park for a while too.  It was a great relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

Time for a swing

Angry Cupcakes

Jeffrey's birthday party was on Friday the 6th.  He had been begging for an Angry Birds party so mommy did her best to put together a great one for him.  He had about 10 friends from school come and we played some target games, beanbag tossing, and just rolled down the hill -- what more could a bunch of 6-year old boys (and 3 girls) ask for.  Everyone seemed to have a really great time, and my efforts at some Angry Birds decorations even worked out pretty well.

Boys and 1 girl on the hill.

Daddy Distraction

All in all it was a great birthday spent with family and friends.
 Happy Birthday Big Man!!!

8 Wonderful Years!!!

So Alert in May 2003

My Beautiful Easter Belle

I can't believe it's been 8 wonderful and amazing years that I've called you daughter.  You are growing up every day right before our eyes.  It's beautiful, and a little scary sometimes.

Physical stats:
Weight -- 41 pounds (Woohoo we broke 40!!)
Height -- 48 inches
Pants -- 6, sometimes even a 7!!
Shoe size -- almost a 12!!
If you wear your big sneakers you're just tall enough to ride most of the awesome, frightening, rides at King's Dominion!!!

Today you are 8.  You are reading chapter books and having tons of fun writing stories about sharks, girls, and of course princesses and princes.  You absolutely LOVE science and want to do all kinds of science experiments at home.

When you were tiny I'd hold you in my arms and sing to you.  Now we sing together.  Silly Seuss songs.  Adam songs.  Hannah Montana songs.  You LOVE being on stage, especially when you get to share the stage with your special friend Natalie.  The two of you giggle like the adorable silly little girls you are and you always make everyone smile.  I don't have to carry you on stage any more, or even walk you into rehearsal.  You're just fine without me.

You have grown up so much this year.  You have taken on new responsibilities at the house.  You'll help with the dishes and the trash and taking care of Drake.  You know when to get your homework done, and when to play (most of the time).  You get your own breakfast and even pour the lemonade without spilling too much.  We've said goodbye to Thumbkin (even if it still sneaks in when you're sleeping sometimes).

You want so much to be a big girl.  You want to ride the scariest rides at King's Dominion.  You want to help read to Jeffrey.  You love sparkling lip gloss and nail polish.  You're having a big girl birthday party at the salon.

But just remember it's OK to be a little girl too.  To snuggle your mommy and daddy.  To play with your dolls and Petshops.  To sing silly songs and run outside.  Don't grow up too fast on me.  I'm not sure I can take that.

OK, time for the tissues. Here it is. Happy Birthday Beautiful.

Hello 6 Years Old!!

May 2005 Such A Little Sprout

April 2011, a few more teeth and definitely more personality.

Jeffrey Anderson Wallace

Physical Stats:

Height -- just about 50 inches

Weight -- Just about 48 lbs

Shoe Size -- 13, yep I said it.  13

Shirt Size -- 7

Pants Size -- 6

Number of jeans ruined by wearing holes in the knees -- 5

Your first year in "all day" school has been wonderful.  You're reading to me now.  I can't believe it.  The last report card your teacher sent home the 1st grade wall words because you've mastered the Kindergarten wall words.  It took you over a week, but you read all of Horton Hears A Who to me just last month.  When you write your numbers for homework we don't start with 1, but with 100 and write all the way to 200!!

You lost your first tooth on February 21st.  At school.  I wasn't there to help you work it out.  You did it all on your own.  Such a big boy.

Your favorite things to do are play your DS or play the Wii.  You've mastered several games I can't even come close to understanding.  You and daddy spend a lot of time working together on your games, and that's great.  You also love to build with your leggos and to set up battles between all your Star Wars guys.

This spring you are playing with the bigger kids in soccer and holding your own.  You run hard, but have difficulty staying on your feet.  That happens to mommy sometimes too.  You've made big strides in your swimming lessons.  At your last lesson Mr. James had you swim 100 meters in 3 different strokes, and you didn't look back.  Flew through it.  I was watching your every stroke from poolside.  So proud of you.

You and your sister are best friends.  Sure there's that sibling rivalry.  There are arguments and disagreements.  There are tears.  There are silly games.  Special story times.  Hugs and loves.  You know it, you love her.

Mr. Silly has not gone away.  Toots and burps are particularly funny.  Sometimes Mr. Silly gets in trouble.  He doesn't like to listen very much.  But we put Mr. Silly "in a box" and give Jeffrey a big hug.

I can't wait to see all our adventures we will come across in the next year.  

And now....let's look back at our Big Man.