Soccer

Our Soccer Princess

Hanging out with the team before a game.

Made a goal right after this kick.

Sticks her tongue out just like Grandpa P.

(Gpa - click on it to see it bigger)

Team Photo

The soccer season ended a little while ago - luckily Abby's broken leg only interfered with two games this season. This year, Abby's team played on a larger field, gained 2 new players, played for a longer period and started playing positions. Abby's two strong positions were defender and striker. It was a great season and looking forward to Spring soccer.

Trophy shot with the coach. We love Coach Patty!

Disco Dancing

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Who knew we were so talented?

Random Thoughts as I Procrastinate Cleaning...

1. Got to eat at Costa Vida twice in 3 days! Yum! Saturday I went shopping for bunk beds for the girls and to get a new vacuum, while I was out I had to get myself some lunch. It's nice going to go shopping on your own. Todd worked from home on Monday and after presidency meeting a couple of us made the drive over to Costa Vida to get lunch. Todd took care of Olivia and Kaitlyn so I could go alone. It was so nice!

And you know you're old when you are excited about a new appliance. This new vacuum better last me a good 20+ years.

2. Kaitlyn has gone on a dinner strike. No matter what I make, even if it's one of her favorites, as soon as I set it on the table she says "YUCK!" and will only eat the sides. I have to make sure I have a couple sides so she at least eats something.

This morning Kaitlyn woke me up at 3 AM to tell me she was hungry and wanted breakfast. Unfortunately for her, she had at least 4 more hours to wait. I was nice enough to let her climb into bed with me. However, at 4 AM Olivia cried out for Mom and ended up in our bed too. I was sandwiched in between both girls and did not sleep well.

3. Olivia does not like napping in her crib she prefers taking naps in Kaitlyn's toddler bed. Last week Olivia threw such a fit when I put her in her crib for a nap, she flung herself over and took a nose dive to the ground. Scared me to death. Now she has a nice carpet burn on and under her nose. Got to get some new beds for Abby and Kaitlyn quickly! New beds for everyone for Christmas.

4. Abby had her first grade performance tonight and it was so fun to see them sing their Thanksgiving songs. Her name was flashed on the TV screen as being a WOW writer. I need to find out more about what that means.

Book Reviews

Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South: I heard about this book from a friend and was surprised that I had not heard of this book before. The book explores the difference between South and North England. Our main character, Margaret, moves to an industrial town after her minister father leaves the church of England on a matter of conscience. Margaret is a very strong, smart, and beautiful girl. Margaret is shocked at the differences between the industrial North to the more wealthy South. She has a difficult time fitting in with the different culture of the North. A tradesman, Mr. Thorton, is rough and does not have the manners of the South, often finds himself on the opposite view point of Margaret. They have a love/hate relationship throughout the book. There is quite of bit of pride and prejudice on both Margaret's and Mr. Thorton's sides that they finally do overcome.

The beginning is a little slow and some of the language she uses for some of the commoners took a little while to get used to. Overall it was a wonderful read and I loved it. The more I think about the book, the more I like it. 5 out of 5 (If you would have asked me when I first finished I would have given it a 4 but over a little time, I've liked it more.)

Donna Cross- Pope Joan: Set in the 9th century, Joan is a very bright and intelligent girl. But since she is a girl opportunities are not given to her like boys. She is privately tutored along with her brother for awhile. And several years later, runs away from home to go to school. As she grows older, she disguises herself as her dead brother and rises up through the church hierarchy to finally become the Pope.

I was fascinated by the character Joan, she was very courageous and intelligent and I liked that about her. This book is fiction because it is debated whether or not she really existed. The author did have a lot of historical events in the novel and pointed out what she did change for the flow of the story. Great read I give it 4 out of 5.

The Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld: In a future world everyone undergoes an operation at the age of 16 to become a pretty. However, there are side effects with the operations, you become a "bubble head." Tally, our main character, can't wait until it's her turn for the operation. A little before she turns 16, she makes a new friend Shay who tells her all about the Smoke. A place were uglies run away to so they don't have to have the operation. When Shay does manage to run away, the city enlists Tally's help to find the Smoke. In order for Tally to get her Pretty operation she must help the city. When Tally does find the Smoke, she no longer wants to turn them into the city after she learns the truth about what happens to you during the operation.

I really enjoyed reading Uglies, thought it was fast moving and fun. Pretties was good and I wanted to see how it all ended and so I read Specials. It was okay. By the time I read Specials, I was a little tired of Tally and all the things that continually happened to her. I had really lost interest. If you could just read the first book that would be great but they all leave you on a cliffhanger so you really need to read all three to have any real closure.

Uglies I give 4 out of 5, Pretties 3 out of 5, and Specials 2 out of 5. Overall for the trilogy - 3. Teenagers might enjoy this far more than I did.

Bones Update

This week has been very busy with going to various doctor appointments. Olivia had a double ear infection that caused her ear drum to burst so I had a follow up with her and then we had 3 different appointments with Abby. Thank heavens for good insurance.

On the advice of our pediatrician we took Abby to a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon to get a second opinion on wether or not there is something wrong with Abby - 4 breaks in 2 years! We actually went to two different pediatric orth. drs. this week on Wed. and Thurs. to see what they said. None of them were worried and said that the radiation in a bone density test would be quite a bit for something that they don't think she has. Her blood levels looked good and they just said she's unlucky. And unlucky she is.

I brought her back to school after her Dr. appt. on Friday. An hour later I get a call from the school nurse saying that she got stung by a wasp that was in the classroom. Of all the kids, why did it have to be Abby!? The nurse said there was a softball sized bump on her back and that she was keeping her in the office for observation for a little while before deciding to send her home or go back to class. Good thing Abby felt a little better, she went back to class. She's missed so much school already.

Friday was finally cast day. We just stayed with the practice we've been with for all the breaks and did get her casted. Abby wanted a silver cast but they didn't carry it so she was going for orange and I talked her out of it. I thought florescent pink was better than florescent orange. (It will look great in family pictures in 2 weeks!) She was happy with the cast but she is still scared to try crutches since she fell with them on Sunday. Little by little I'm sure we'll get her to use them. I'm already tired of lugging the wheelchair in and out of the car. However, Abby loves it and can get around really well in it.

I felt like this week I had a newborn again because at night, just about every 4 hours, Abby would cry out in pain and want more pain medicine. It's getting better but she's been taking the pain meds on a regular basis where with the arms, she only had to take it for 2 days and then she said she was fine. Day by day, that's all we can do.

Halloween

Friday afternoon Todd's office had their annual trick-or-treating. I took the girls and Abby was in quite the somber mood. She did enjoy herself, but not as much as if she was able to run around. Olivia just opened the candy as it was given to her and left covered in slobbery goodness down her shirt. Kaitlyn was yelling "yee-haw" or as she really said it "ne -haw" down the halls.

From the office party we ran over to our "ward's" trunk-or-treat. Boy did the girls load up on candy! It was a fun evening and perfect for our little group. They didn't have to walk far and didn't tire as easily.

On Monday, Kaitlyn decided that she wanted to go as Jessie. The costume was very hard to find, they were sold out everywhere- we went to many stores. We did luck out (and at half price too!) and she was thrilled when we later met up with Buzz Lightyear at the trunk-or-treat. Unfortunately, Woody did not want his picture taken.

Sunday we finally carved our pumpkins and the girls helped hand out candy. We did let them go to a few houses but it was so crazy with kids running everywhere, it was safer for Abby to just pass out the candy. The girls wanted to go back home after 6 houses. It was perfect.

Helping carve her kitty cat pumpkin

Kaitlyn told us what she wanted, we looked at a few pictures and this was what she picked- something scary! She was very happy with the results.

"helping" Dad

Olivia our Minnie Mouse - midriff showing, wanted to wear rain boots, and took off her ears and wouldn't put them back on after pictures.

Belle in her chariot

Don't mess with cowgirl Jessie!