"Sharp Nail!"

And yes you should probably scream it even if it's in a whispered voice. A sharp nail is this:

With whatever finger the nail is on they point that finger in a way to get the hanging fingernail straight up. M and H created this game and love when they pull off a bit of fingernail and leave it hanging on creating a "Sharp Nail!" They always say it a loud voice right before they scratch you with it. They developed this form of entertainment in church and now it provides several minutes of giggling back and forth in all events as they use their sharp nail to try and scratch you. So watch out if you hear the words, "Sharp Nail!"

Reality

My kids know there is no Easter Bunny leaving treats. It's just good ol' Mom and Dad--it wasn't a big surprise to anyone. We carry out the eggs/treats and then we come in and tell them they can start to hunt. We do simple candies and treats and that's it and they are happy to get their small amounts of candy. However, the funny part comes in when T on Saturday said, "My teachers always ask us if the Easter Bunny came and visited us. I always tell them, 'No'." And you know what she probably does tell the teachers "no" because T is my realist. So really if you pretend the Easter Bunny comes and visits your child just don't let T know because she will tell you and your children that there is no bunny who delivers candy.

This year the kids all got hair brushes as part of their Easter treats because they have learned that they don't like the ones previously had and have all been using my brushes. They were thrilled to receive them. Steve didn't quite like the brush he had purchased for H so he told H that he would exchange the brush on Monday. H didn't like that idea and so kept asking Steve for a "ush." Finally, Steve decided it would be easier to just take H and go to the store. So that's what they did on Saturday morning and H came home with a new brush as happy as could be and now loves having his hair brushed with his blue brush.

My trip around the world

This might be the closest I ever come to a "trip around the world" and quite frankly it makes me happy to see it and maybe a real trip might bring more happiness but this one was a lot cheaper :). Now I just need to get it quilted, put on a binding and then my trip will be complete but for now I just like to look.

"Trip Around the World" pattern provided by Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.com

Princess Dance

The local elementary school had a daddy-daughter dance in January. The girls brought home an invitation to bring a knight with them to the dance. Dad was the chosen knight and since the dance was semi-formal everyone wore their best outfits. At the dance they had their pictures taken, danced and ate fun treats. Because we knew parking would be terrible, I played chauffeur.

We are thankful for our legs

H went in for his next x-ray to see how far the Perthes has come and we received good news and not so good news but isn't that how life goes--we get the good and the bad. The good news is that the bone is still deep in the socket and the lateral alignment is still there. H still has movement and motion (albeit limited) in his right hip which is another plus. The bad news is that he is a stage C which means that a good prognosis has now been "thrown out the window." This means that less than 50% of the top part of the bone is there and it is quite evident on this past x-ray as the bone has now decreased drastically on the outside portion. This can lead to the bone starting to slip out of the hip socket and cause the lateral alignment to not be straight.

What does all this mean? H still can't jump, no running, minimize stairs and any other activity that impacts the top of the femur bone. We are still having more good days than bad days though and that is great. We found out that waking up sore is normal (it's like a person with arthritis and how mornings are usually more painful as the joints are stiff from sleeping) and to pay attention to how he walks later on in the day. We have another appointment in two months but were told to come sooner if we notice a drastic change in his walk. If at the next appointment there is shown a slip in the alignment the doctor says he will put leg casts/braces on him for about a month to see if that will help. The worst case scenario would be having to go in for surgery to cut the bone and then with a pin they would angle the head of the bone back into the hip socket so that when the bone starts to regrow it will grow rounded. H is happy and continues to be his little ball of energy though it is hard to keep him restricted at times (because what super hero doesn't jump from the stairs or the couch or the bed, or chase after their sisters). We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers on H's behalf. Last month in Primary I taught about Heavenly Father's plan for each of us and I was touched with the numerous items I read telling that God hasn't left us alone and that he knows us and has our best interests at heart. As we were reading in 1 Nephi 17:3 this verse stuck out to me:

And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

I know that I might not have been commanded directly but H was sent to us to raise and I know that this is part of God's plan for H and us so God will strengthen us and provide ways that we will be able to accomplish whatever comes. I know that H is watched over and that all will work out for the best.

The wheels on the bus

go round and round all through the town.

What could be better on your birthday than to be picked up on a big, yellow school bus for your first day of preschool?

He climbed up the tall stairs:


The bus driver buckled him in:


And away he went:


He returned about 3 hours later happy and excited to show M and I what was in his backpack.

M is going to miss H very much. He had only been gone 30 minutes and told me, "I miss H so much. Can we get him now?" But M and I will now do mini school for her to get her ready for Kindergarten and it will help her not miss H so much.

Win win

Just remember there is always a "win-win" situation.