How to make a turkey

Ben brought this paper home in his backpack from school. Just in case you were wondering Ben will now tell you how to make a turkey. I hope it will help those of you that are worried about tomorrow's cooking :)

In case you cant see it it says:
to mak (make) a turkey
it takes six ours (hours)
I am thanf (thankful) for
cornucopia. I am
thankf (thankful) for football
games and I am
thakf (thankful) for my family
and
my corn and
pilgrims.

Cast #1

On October 25 Jake was running from the family room to the kitchen. I guess he didn't lift his foot high enough while running and tripped and hit the top of the foot on the step. He was really tired and I just assumed he was fine so I put him down for his nap. He woke up before we had to pick Ben up from school. He was still complaining that it hurt and was barely walking around. When we got to school he wouldn't get out of the stroller. It was at this point I knew that something was up. After school Ben had a friend over and Jake just kind of sat around. I then was the annoying mom and called the ped's after hours phone line (even though the injury happened around 12:00 and I had all day to call them, I waited till 6:00 to call). Anyway, they told me I could wait to the morning and go see them but most likely they would just send me for an x-ray or I could go the ER or a clinic. I chose the clinic option although they warned me to make sure the scan would be read by a radiologist. Anyway, as soon as I got to the clinic Jake was just fine and running around. (I figured that was 42.50 down the drain). They still went ahead and xrayed him since he cringed when they touched a certian point of his foot. Anyway, the report was that all was good.

The next day Jake seemed fine although he would only wear his rain boots and was walking on the side of his foot.

While I was teaching in the evening I got a phone call from a doctor at the clinic asking me to call him back. On my way home I called and his report was that the foot was fractured and Jake needed to stay off of it until he could get to an Orthopedic. (much easier said than done).

Luckily I was able to get into a Orthobedic on the 27th. After waiting for several long hours we saw the Dr. that confirmed Jacob had a Buckle fracture in his foot. (the bone running up from his toe). I could either keep him in a sturdy shoe basically all the time for three weeks and limit his activity or cast him for three weeks. (There was no question in my mind of what should be done).

So, we were off to the casting room to pick a color.

Here is what he picked. I have to say it really was a cute little cast :)

One last picture of the cast before it came off today (November 15th)

Jacob was really scared to get the cast off. He was worried that they were going to saw his leg. Anyway there was lots and lots of screaming and finally the cast was off.

And here is the dirty leg cast free. :)

We had another x-ray and his little bone is completely healed!! I was warned that he would be a little stiff for awhile as he adjusted to walking on his foot again. Poor Jake can't figure out what is going on. At one point today he told me that we needed to go back because they forgot to fix his foot and it still hurt. I am sure he will be running again by tomorrow afternoon. He has not limitations and I was told to just let him go as his own pace no matter how fast or slow it may be.

And that is the story of our first cast. I am surprised it took over 6 years for one to appear. I am sure it won't be the last with my crew.

Election 2010

The boys and I had the great opportunity to go to Indiana for my uncle Dan's election festivities. (just in case you read this and are not family more on my uncle can be found here). Anyway, we had a ton of fun and it was a blast to catch up on the lives of my cousins. We started off election day at the Indianapolis Children's museum. It was an amazing museum and we had so much fun. I think that we could have spend an entire day there but we only had a few hours. There was so much to see and do. Makes me think that maybe we should visit the on in Detroit.

Anyway, here are some pic's of the kids enjoying the museum.

Our tour guides decided to take us on a short cut to the next area though the behind the scenes stuff. We were told to not touch anything. That is really hard for anyone who is a Coats by blood to do but at least the kids were good :)

Jack being eaten by some sort of Dino

The kids (Luke, Anna, Jack, Jake and Ben)

Jakers and Spider Man

Ben and Spidy

This seat turned around and there was beautiful blown glass on the cealing. I think that they called it a life size kaleidoscope or something like that.

Caleb couldn't figure out which direction to face.

The Carousal on the top floor.

After the museum it was back to the hotel to check in and prepare for the evening events. It took awhile to check in because of some unfortunate air conditioning issues. We stayed in a super cool hotel that has train cars as rooms in it. I remember staying there as a child at previous elections of Uncle Dan.

After a quick (not long enough nap) for Jacob and Caleb, a quick swim for Ben, and some make up for Allie, Mom and I it was time for the family dinner. It was so fun to see everyone again. We really need to have a Coats reunion soon. Ben found a great place to sit with his cousins and there Ipads.

For some reason Ben was the last person to get food that night. He was happy as could be though. Look how cute he looks.
He was telling everyone that he was 9 because I told him to act like a 9 year old. I guess this picture proves that he really is only 6.

After dinner it was off to the party. Uncle Dan's winnings were announced super early which was great but made for a quick party. Before the boys were shipped off to the sitter we got a few pictures in front of the flag. Before we entered the room there was a table with name tags and such on it. Jake just kept standing there, I asked him what he was doing and he told me that he was waiting to sign in. He made them make a name tag for him. It was pretty cute that he figured out what he was suppose to do all on his own.

By 8:30 Uncle Dan was ready to give his speech. We all marched downstairs and onto the stage to hear him. Click here to hear his speech. Around 10:00 I left the party to let the sitters go home. Jake and Caleb were sound asleep but Ben was still dressed to party. Shortly after that Mom came Back up to the room and Ben and I went down to hang out with the family.

The little kids decided the balloons were the best thing to play with. I guess that is what happens when you keep 5-9 year old up until 1:00am. Ben had so much fun and so did I. I loved being able to see everyone.






So, It looks like we will be taking a trip to DC sometime in the next 4 years, then maybe another party after that? Or maybe not? We will see where God leads Uncle Dan.

Halloween

Lots and lots of Halloween festivities for the kids this year. The halloween events started with the annual sub parade led by the Athens marching band. I think that maybe this is the first year since we have been here that we actually marched following the band. In the past two years the weather has been bad so one year we just marched and the other year we just listened to the band. I forgot to bring my camera so no pictures of that event :)

The next event was Ben's School Halloween party. The principal starts by picking up the kindergartners who then follow him through the school to the First Graders who then follow through the school to the Second graders and on and on until all grades are following the parade and marching around the circle drive two times. It is very cute to see all the kids all dressed up.


Jake and Caleb needed to get in on the action as well. Jake wore his bat costume all day in anticipation of the event.

The parade begins

Our little Ewak

Jack as Woody

Caleb made a friend inside the classroom and they created a game together

Finally it was Halloween eve. It was a cold night but the boys had a blast. They were ready to go so it was difficult to get any good pictures of them but Here are my attempts.

Caleb was suppose to be Yoda but I couldn't find the head and he did not like the Monkey costume I tried to put on him. So, who knows what he really was.
You can click here or here to see pictures of Ben in the bat costume. I guess I should have looked at these before halloween because that Turtle costume would have probably fit Caleb this year. Oh well, I guess that is a reminder for next year.

Upwards Soccer

Ben particiated in Uwards Soccer this year and had a blast. He had a ton of fun playing with some new friends and some old and he even learned a little bit in the process as well. His games were held on Saturday mornings and I think 90% of them were yucky weather. I guess that is the life of a soccer mom (really not ready for it though). Anyway, all the pictures are from one day when the weather was cold but dry :)

Ben's buddy Jacob

He had just kicked a ball nut just doing a cool pose :)

And so now we are on to basketball. For more info on the upwards program click here.