The patient...

Chris's surgery went well.  He was admitted at 6am on Thursday and around 11:00am, we were pulling out of the hospital parking lot.  The 18-pain block worked great.  For about 18 hours.  But I have to say, Chris hasn't uttered so much as a tiny peep of complaint, although I can tell he is very uncomfortable.  He spent most of the weekend going back and forth from our recliner, the couch, or our bed.  Both of us were surprised that the medicine didn't make him sleepy (I'm quite certain I would have been drooling on myself)… but he stayed awake and we tried our best to watch as many Californication episodes as we could.  :)

Ever the helper, Peter fashioned his own cast to show solidarity.  He also paraded every single one of their friends in the house to see Daddy's sling.

Today big plan: a shower for Chris.  The doctor told him to wait 5 days (today is 4) but he's determined.  So long as I don't have to remove any bandages or gauze, I will do my best to help him and keep from fainting.  I'll keep you posted...

Without a doubt...

Peter loves his big brothers.  On Monday, the elementary school celebrated 4th and 5th grade students who have done well these past 9 weeks of school.  James received almost all A's on his report card and received several awards.  No one was prouder than this guy…

We celebrated afterwards with free donuts at Dunkin' Donuts (the boys received several "free donut" coupons while trick-or-treating)!  And by "we," I mean Peter and Daddy.  Because James and Henry were still at school (duh!) and Mommy is always on a diet (double duh!).

 Somehow Peter ate his AND his father's!

On Tuesday, we enjoyed the extra day off but we were definitely mindful of the many, many Veterans we know and love, especially our very own...

Nathan and Chris
at Nate's West Point Graduation

And today, we look towards Chris's shoulder surgery tomorrow morning.  :(  Unfortunately I will be at Peter's pre-op appointment at the exact same time (for his dental surgery on Tuesday!) so poor Chris will have to drive himself to his own surgery.  WHICH I ABSOLUTELY HATE.

A new friend of mine had the exact same shoulder surgery yesterday and is in quite a bit of pain so I'm dreading these next few days.  And Peter's surgery next Tuesday.  Uggggggh!

Looking around for the "fast-forward" button...

Veteran's Parade

Yesterday was a great day!  We went into downtown Fayetteville with our friends, Ben and Summer and their three kids, to see the Veteran's Day parade.  We went out for lunch after (all six kids were shockingly well-behaved) and then spent the rest of the day with everyone at our house watching the Army football game (fun to watch a great win!).  It was a beautiful fall day and we all had a really good time.

 

 "This nation will remain The Land of the Free so long as it is The Home of the Brave." --Elmer Davis

NOOOOOO…..

I feel like that's all I say to Peter lately.  "No!  NOOOOO.  No, no, no."  And eventually I cave because I cannot take his relentless questions for a moment longer.

From the SECOND his eyes are open, Peter has no shortage of ideas or energy.

Can I ride my bike around the loop?  No.  It's 7:00, no one is dressed.

Can I FaceTime Aunt Megan?  No.  It's 4am her time.  She's sleeping.

Can we play 'Atego?  Pete… it's 7:01.  No...

 Can I eat breakfast on the chair?

Let's play 'Onopoly now, okay?

Do I have to wear those clothes?  I'm taking them off.

Can I ride around the loop?  NOOOOOO.  Peter, it's only 7:04.  I'm not READY to watch you outside yet.  I have to watch you.  NOOOO.

Can I wear James's football jersey to school?

How about Chutes and Ladders?  You like that game, Mom.

Can I take my swords into the library?

Can Henry ride in the grocery cart too?

Can we buy this candy Christmas tree?

Can I play outside with the big boys?  
Can I ride my bike around the loop? 
Can I get Cooper?  
Can I ride Henry's bike now?  
Can I get Addy?  
I'm going to see Ms. Tatiana's new puppy again.  Okay?  I'm leaving now.
Can you get that big puzzle down?  
I set up 'Atego.  Are you ready to play?  
Can I ride my bike around the loop?
You said I could help you cook.  Now? Now can I stir?  Mom, now?  Now?
I'm going to ride my bike around the loop.  Okay, mom?
Nevermind.  I'm going to ring Cooper's doorbell again.  NOOOO!!!  Pete, his baby is asleep.
Can I build a fort?  I'm going to get all the blankets out.
Can we FaceTime daddy at work?

ALLLLLLL DAAAAAAAY LOOOONNNNNNG.
Thank GOD he sleeps 12 hours straight at bedtime.

Awards and Announcements...

This afternoon Peter and I went up to the elementary school for the 1st grade awards assembly (the first 9-week marking period recently ended).  Henry did very well in school and received the Principal's List  and Perfect Attendance awards.

sweet boy

Everything was going fine and I was actually thinking to myself, "Self.  Be glad your children are growing up.  This is the first time Peter is behaving himself throughout this long-winded awards ceremony."

Well, Self should have known Karma was sitting nearby because not two minutes later the Principal called up "Hasib Addalah" to receive an award.

Peter immediately perked up out of his coma, looked all around, and said "I SEE A DOLLA'?!?" all loudly.

Which would have made me want to laugh crawl under my chair any day.  But especially this fine day.  Because who did I sit directly next to????

You guessed it.  Hasib's father.

#winning

The end of a season...

On Thursday evening, we celebrated the end of soccer at Mellow Mango with Henry and all of his teammates.  Here is Henry's coach giving him his trophy…

And on Saturday, we celebrated the end of football season at Lake Rim Park with James and all of his teammates.  Here is James's coach giving him his trophy…

Pete continues to be the boys' biggest fan and constant spectator.  But even he was done today…

It was FREEZING at James's ceremony.  After
eating lunch and playing for awhile, Peter
decided to spend the rest of the time in the car.
First time all season!

And now we prep for Winter sports...