Christmas with more family

We gather next down south at my parents's. We first had dinner what was as usual wonderful. After too many dishes, we had our photo ops, followed by the opening of the gifts.

My brother in law brought his minorah. It was so pretty and he explained the story behind it.

Christmas at home

Sara made sure we were up VERY early to get to the goodies.

The night before Christmas.....

we are establishing a tradition . First we drove around and looked at the "rich people's" christmas lights. It would have been fun to watch their electric meters go around! When we got home, the girls wrote letters to Santa, and then got silly and wrote letters to each other. Jeff lit the fire and we listened to Christmas music.

Sara's B-day party

Yesterday was Sara's 15th birthday party. We always have it early because it is right after Christmas. We had 5 girls for a sleepover and a lot of gossip and other teen things. I did not know that girls can put down so much food, I really mean chocolate!

We played a came where they were two teams of 3 and they had to decorate one of each team like a Christmas tree w/ things provided. It was really funny because they only had 7 mins to do this. Ruth got to be the judge which made her feel included to an extent.

It is funny how they always find the twister game. This has been used in every party we have had.

First Special Outting

This evening Sara and her boyfriend went to his football banquet. They were both so very nervous and cute. His father is the football coach at another school where he attends. They had a good time but everyone was amazed that Sara was not eatting like the football player, but rather like a mouse...you think? Look at her? When Sara got home, she was so tired that she put on jammies and went straight to bed. The dress~~~~size 0!

Cyn's B-day

....yea yea yea, so I am another year older.....

THE CLAW

Sara got a new splint today at therapy. It is to put equal pressure in streaching out the muscles in the wrist. She wears it 30 mins with the wrist bent down, and 30 minutes with it bent up. This is supposed to be 3X a day, but due to school and soccer, we are lucky if it is once a day. She tries to do the other exercised during school, which is mostly flexability.

Jeff's B-day

Today is Jeff's birthday and the girls once again made him great cards, along with receiving many from family.

Thanksgiving

We traveled once again south to my parents house. My aunt from Missouri was in for the week also making it a very special gathering numbering 21. My mom is such a great cook and we all walked out as stuffed turkeys. Followed by the great game as UT (University of TX) beat A&M by 1 point. Jeff and I were very happy, but the rest not so much. Of course we had our marathon of card playing with continued good eats through out.

Of course my dad makes sure that the dogs get their take of goods as he carves the turkey.

Therapy begins

Sara has begin her PT for her arm. She will have 6-7 wks of this. Looks like she will not be done this year and we are already 3 months into it. When we first get there, there is 10 minutes on the machine which is like a bicycle for the arms and they set it so it is an effort.

She has to work the left wrist out. After so long in the splint, it is locked up and she has lost her strength.

Soccer

Rec soccer season is finished for the year. The team did not win any games, but they did play their hearts out. They are playing U17 level-meaning most of the girls they played were 16 and over. This is based on the age of the oldest girl on the team. Remember, Sara is 14 and we also have 2 13 year olds. By this age, most of the girls are playing " select" meaning parents paying a LOT of money, practice times doubled, along with # of games and tournaments. Also in select, the coach does not have to play the girl if he does not want to. In rec, they must all have equal playing time. I feel that school is more important.

growing taller

Thought we would try on the items that Sara had when we first saw her.

Yes, it still fits, though a little fashion forward now showing bare midriff and capris. She says it fits because she does not have her woman hips yet hahaha
Check out the shoes we bought for her in Guanghou.

Halloween

This year the girls did not go trick or treating. Jeff surprised us by driving in for the evening. Ruth and Jeff cut up all night and it was nice for me to get a break. Sara was dressed as a ladybug and Ruth was a cowgirl. Sara was off in the side yard with her boyfriend, with me frequently checking on them hahaha.

We tend to go all out for Halloween including 12 strings of lights that the girls put out

happy year 5!

This is the 5th anniversary of Sara's Gotcha Day. Once again, a cake was in order...marble of course. Note the "frankenstein" arm. She had just taken a shower and got her splint wet and it was drying. She has to put it back on ASAP.

Another doctor visit...and 2 more months!

Back to see the surgeon today hoping for good news. We had the stitches removed with lots of fussing but they came out clean. Only 7 which was good, but it did leave a huge scar. Bad news is that the dr said it would be two more MONTHS until the brace can come off. Back in two more weeks for more X-rays.

Sara's first homecoming

Sara has begun dating the boy next door....literaly. He attends a different HS where his father is a football coach, so we had two homecomings. The first was for his school. He made the mum for Sara and it was beautiful. Sara and I made his garder which was pretty good for a first time try. Notice on his garder we put both school's colors...recyclable for next week too.

The following week was Sara's homecoming and she wanted a mum that had her school colors, so I made her one for her school.

Sleepy time

Sara has to get up at 5:30 to get ready for school and catches the bus at 6:15 AM. Sometimes when she gets home, she falls asleep on the couch. Today I guess the cat was tired too.

another dr visit

Went back to the surgeon for a follow-up. Once again another cast came off...ouch. The stitches will come out next week. Based on the X-ray, all is aligned well.











Just like a teen, nothing is going to stop that texting. I guess that at this point it is a good distraction.