New Cast

Ryan went for his 3 week check up and an xray confirmed bone healing and that he could progress to a short cast. I was so thankful he and Greg got out of camp with enough time for a shower. I had horrid dreams about walking in to the waiting room with this boy that hadn't showered in 4 days. Plus I had been told that the smell when the cast comes off can burn your nostrils. So yay for showers! And yes, he was a little dirty--his feet were the worst!

On our last visit, when they mentioned gore-tex as part of his cast, I was envisioning a kind of rubbery stuff--it turned out to look like white paper with square bubbles in it, It was then wrapped in fiberglass (the lime green this time). So he can swim in the pool, ocean, lake whatever. He just has to rinse it inside and out with tap water when he's done. They cut the old one off with a electric saw--it was hard to watch, probably harder to tolerate--visions of screaming and blood spurting abounded (at least by me). 1 more week of no soccer (he's still healing!). 3 weeks in this cast and then he's done. His arm looked pale and a little thinner--yes, you can tell even on him, There is still a pronounced bump--but I was assured this was normal on skinny kids--just easier to see. His elbow was a bit stiff--also normal. Tomorrow we jaunt to LA and no we aren't packed!

Single parent. Single child. At least for the next 4 days. I am finding I have less time to do things by myself. She has no one to distract he but me! So of course I am thinking of all the times I wanted t spend time with her. And I am thinking about the laundry and hanging curtains. Today dishes and laundry will be done. But that's it. Today we will read and play. Early today: "mommy? Can I sit on your lap and put my cheek next to yours?"

Facebook Friends

I enjoy Facebook. It has allowed me to connect with friends I don't get to see often and allows me to catch up on acquaintances from long ago. Nostalgia can be sweet. And I have to admit I like the validation I receive from my posts and adoration from pictures of my kids. I don't like that my friends kids are on it and am questioning the friends' sanity for letting them on at all. As far as kids go, Facebook to me is one more internet danger-zone for kids. Ryan and Charlotte do not have accounts. They aren't getting accounts. A handful of their friends already do and Ryan at least has expressed his frustration at being held back. I have had to explain more than once, that the internet is just one big group of people. Some he knows, some he doesn't. Some are nice and some really aren't. And on the internet, Mommy and Daddy aren't standing next to him to protect him from strangers. And I do NOT want to have to contend with cyber bullying anytime soon.  Ryan wants a computer in his room. He has an ipod. And for now, that's all he's getting. He checks his email with me nearby and plays on very few approved websites. He's not ready to be turned loose on the net. And for now, I can control that.

Ryan's Birthday Party

After Laser Quest

            Ryan has been planning his birthday party for the last several months. He wanted to keep it small (yay!) And he was careful to choose things that his friends would want to do--right down to the movie. I had to ask Max's Mom is it was okay for him to watch Star wars--you know because he's only 7..., and the snacks and the games... but even with the planning--at one point he wanted me to buy Twinkies so he could "sample them" we could not have foreseen the broken arm. It was up in the air for a few days whether he would be able to do Laser Quest. So we had to come up with plan B. Moving the party to a later date was out of the question! Ryan would be in a short cast then, but he couldn't bear not to see his friends (and get their presents any longer). So he devised games--hence the pin the tail on the donkey and play Wii on the schedule, And then we were cleared by the doc and also by Laser quest so as of Friday afternoon, Laser quest was on! And I was saved from having to create a pin the tail on the donkey, wookie, ewok or even Charlie game (all were suggested!).

Max and Ryan studying the Star Wars Quiz book

Donnie and Zeb on the hammock--relaxing like the cool dudes they are

So 3 little boys came with sleeping bags and knapsacks and we were off. Laser Quest was a blast (according to the boys, at least) I ate a nice dinner and read in the car:) I had worked the night before and Greg was more than game to go play. Home for pizza, the triple chocolate mousse cake (it really was sinful) and of course, presents. To his delight, all were Star Wars themed. The boys all readily agreed on Mulan for the movie, while eating gobs of buttered popcorn, a bag of Chex Mix and Goldfish--all on Ryan's list. I chuckled to myself and only shared with Greg and one other parent that the boys had chosen essentially a Disney Princess movie:) It really is delightful how happy they were playing with each other and just being together watching a movie from the library. I wonder if I will always have it so easy? They went to bed at 10:30 without a peep and were up (with the Bop-It) at 6:30. Pancakes, chocolate chip and plain were inhaled and out into the yard they went with Charlie. A little later they came in to build Legos and their parents collected them around 10. All in all, Ryan did a great job and had a great time.

 

Building the Legos Sunday. They teamed up and got one done

My little boy officially turns 9 in about 18 hours, but he will insist it happened while he was sleeping. I am still trying to convince them that birthdays are all about the mom, but they aren't buying that either!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Ryan!!

Traveling with boys

Greg and I took Ryan and 3 friends to Laser Quest as part of Ryan's birthday plan. Perhaps it is with small groups of young kids, or maybe it's just boys--I'll let you know after I travel with a group of girls. But they were just hysterical. They would finish each other's sentences, jump in wherever and say the funniest stuff! I also learned very quickly (before reaching Indian Ripple at least) that the adult's job was not to contribute in ANY way to the conversation--they just stop and look at you. Our job is to be nearby if needed and listening is really just a huge perk!

What's in a name?

I've known for awhile that Sarai is a variation of my name. Just learned it means "quarrelsome" which actually seems more fitting than "princess". Hmmm.

Busy reading

Of all the things I have taught my children, using reading as a tool to keep busy has been one of the most valuable. It was a concept introduced to me by my friend Charlotte. Until then, I thought the kids had to be entertained on long trips with videos. Lucklily, I met her while the kids were still young enough to be weaned from in car videos pretty quickly. Now books go everywhere. Here Ryan sits reading a comic while wating for AAA to replace a flat on the van. He is engaged and the time is passing without complaint. I am so thankful that they love to read and that we didn't gave in to electronic gizmos to keep them busy!