Another foot updates

6 weeks post surgery and I couldn't be happier with the healing. I am SO sick of the boot and I have to wear it 24/7 for 3 more weeks before starting PT but the incisions look great. Its incredible to look back at those first pics and realize how far I've some. This is the one up on my calf

 Tarsel Tunnel and Fascia - the skin on this foot and leg have totally changed and are peely and gross but if you think its cooped up at all times except for showers, I get it

 This is the big one. The bunion. Did have a minor setback with my pain when the stitch at the bottom became infected. The rubbing and the weight of the boot on the top of the foot was terrible painful....but after two kinds of antibiotics, I'm golden! I'm really moving the big toe too!

 Outside ankle still looks like a cankle and is swollen still but the incision looks great. Doc says the ankle may never look the same.

 But all in all, 6 weeks out- I'm looking and feeling great!

Dying Yarn! Kindergarten at Meta!

Mara got to stay for kindergarten time last week because I was volunteering at school.  It just so happened to be the day my dear friend, Kristi and Ms. Heather were doing the lesson with the children on dying raw yarn.  Kristi is the most amazing professional knitter ever!  You can see some of her knits and her beautiful family life at http://treefrogknits.blogspot.com/   She has her own three kids ( all under age 7) dye yarn all the time.  This week she taught these kindergarteners.   

After doing some inspirational painting with watercolors on paper, they used their inspirational paper as a guide when using the dye.  mara called hers "rainbow"

Kristi took them all home with her to cook and set in colors and dry and look at these masterpieces!!!!All gorgeous and ready to be turned into something amazing!

Amara loves hers so much.  She declared Grammy must make her something with it.  Can't wait for them to plan what it will be.  In the meantime, I'm teaching the kids finger knitting and loving all the incredible experiences Mara is getting that I could never give her alone!

Pancakes & PJ's!

You all know I love The Moms Group!  One reason is because we host a Mommy/Daughter event once a year and a Mommy/Son event once a year.  I LOVE having a beautifully planned event to share with my kids.  I love even more when I don't have to plan it and I can simply enjoy!

This morning was Pancakes and Pajamas!  Mara and I ( and Bitty Baby) all dressed up as triplets and headed out the door early!

The morning was amazing!  There was a photobooth with tons of dressup items and a photographer 

( pictures still to come)

Incredible pancakes with all the toppings!

A super happy mommy and her favorite little girl,

Pillowcase decorating

tons of books and soft places to read stories with other mommies and daughters

And lots of sweet, giggly girls loving all the extra time with their moms!

Stone Soup

Today at school was Stone Soup day.  The kids loved reading the story and today we made our own for lunch....

Anytime we can, we have the kids do as much as the work as possible...its not the easiest way ( actually, its much more work for me) but it is incredible to see them take ownership and rise to a challenge.  The children love to get involved and DO.

Here Mara cuts celery

Other children cut carrots and peel and cut potatoes

Even scrubbing the stone ( for hours) was a job!

All the work and supplies were on the shelf for the children to choose.  Most knew what to do already from previous lessons, but could ask of they needed help.

We put the stone in for the final ingredient!

And we all enjoyed an amazing lunch together!

Cubs Convention

For Christmas this year, I got Brian tickets to the Cubs Convention.  An opportunity to celebrate a guys weekend with my brother, beer, baseball,good food, and friends! They had a great time!

Ronny Woo Woo- famous Cubs fan.  Brian sat next to him at the playoffs in 1998

They took in interviews

played games from prizes

 met players from now and the past.  A highlight for Brian...Fergie Jenkins-Hall of Fame pitcher!

Update on my feet

4 weeks post surgery...doing really well

Check out the atrophy that has happened to my right leg.  

 Still swollen and still pain but the incisions look great and are healing nicely!

Chugging along...no more crutches ( except during the night when I'm out of the walking boot)!

I hired the very best help!

My kids have not complained ONCE about helping since my surgery.  The have done absolutely everything that has been asked of them.  Because I have been by myself for the first time in weeks since Brian is back at work, I have needed lots of help and the children have done it all.

We've trained the children to do many tasks around the house.  And they don't mind doing REAL work.  They know it needs to be done, they knows its important work for our home to keep running, and they know that everyone needs to help to make it all happen.  

Being trained to do real work has given them confidence and self assurance and to see them shine is priceless.

Today is garbage prep day.  Bubba combined all the trash in the house, took the bag out to the garage and re-lined the kitchen trash.  After I tied off the bag, he was able to drag the trash can and all the recycling all the way to the corner. 

Mara got her own cleaning kit for Christmas so she got moving on the bathrooms.  She is able to use her own spray to wipe mirrors and counters.  She can use a scrubby for the toilet and sweep the floors.  While I did have some re-cleaning to do to make it "guest worthy", she took care of the heavy cleaning and she is an amazing helper.  For this strong willed child, helping her help herself has changed all of our lives- this girl can do anything ( and she knows it!!!)

Thanks to my precious children for being such amazing helpers everyday, but especially when I needed it most! I love you!

SNOW!

Last night we got a tiny dusting of snow.  The kids were desperate to outside but it was COLD.  SO....we spend 20 minutes layering the kids up and doing all I could to get them warm ( bread bags on feet and sock tubes on hands) and send these two monsters on their way.  They lasted 9 minutes before they asked to come back inside.  I gave them a few commands from the front porch ( get some sand toys and create, etc) and held them off for another 5 minutes but before you knew it, they were inside, stripped down and enjoying hot cocoa!  

CURLERS!

Santa brought Amara soft overnight curlers so tonight we tried them out.  This sweetheart was so very excited to put them in and even more excited to see how they turned out.  BEFORE....

AFTER!!!!  Look how cute!

New Years Eve

What a fun New Years it was.  In the afternoon, we headed to the bowling alley to meet a ton of friends and bowl with the kids.  Best Friends Lauren and Amara loved getting to spend extra time together!

Same with Reagan & Alaric!  The kids LOVE being with their friends!

While there really was bowling going on, there was also lots of running around and giggling and talk of Christmas gifts, etc. 

Have I told you lately how lucky I am to be married to this man?  

We left there and raced home to put on our PJ's for our annual NYE party at the Jacksons.  Usually we wear regular clothes but this year the women decided PJs were the way and that made me SO Happy!  

Some of the boys!

Everyone got into the theme, Adam got the prize for best PJs- even has a trap door in the back!

The Jacksons have a great house for entertaining.  Adults could stay upstairs and the kids could play downstairs and then we were all able to come together to play video games, dance, etc.  

Some of the families...The Shaws!

The Jacksons

The Johnsons

The Fultons

Some of the kids!

The kids (and adults) rocked out the JUST DANCE on Wii

There was lots of laughing and silliness by all!

We love these friends!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS...looking forward to an amazing 2013!