Celie & Bob's first Snowman

'Twas the day after Thanksgiving when Bob was going stir crazy.
He decided to take Celie outside so she wouldn't be lazy.

They gathered what snow might be left on the ground.
To create their first snowman to show all around.

It wasn't very big - actually quite small
But the best snowman so far this fall.

Our Tiny Dancer

Dance class has been a challenge for Celie. She doesn't like to listen to what the instructor is saying. She wants me to be in class with her. She makes in hard for me to want to keep taking her back, but I do because I know it is good for her and me.

Tonight, I had to take Anna with us because Bob is off hunting. So, Anna was the perfect excuse for me not to go into the class with her. That sort of worked - but she still came to the waiting area - she banged on the glass to make Anna laugh. It was definitely trying - not only the Celie part, but also to keep Anna entertained while trying to have some kind of coherent adult conversation with the other parents.

In the nights prior, I had just dressed her in leggings and a t-shirt. She does have dance shoes thanks to her cousin Makayla. As I was going through some boxes to re-organize and pack and store, I came across a leotard from Makayla. So, I thought that and tights would put Celie in the mood to dance. I don't know if it really did - but she did look pretty cute in it - stocky as all get out - not necessarily a ballerina build - but she can boogie with the best of them. Just ask her to shake her tail feathers.

Here are pics prior to class in her outfit.

By the thanksgiving morning light

Turken for Thanksgiving

What does one fix for Thanksgiving dinner when you have an ill equipped kitchen with a double oven that could only fit a couple of cornish hens - a Turken - Or my rendition of a Turducken. I have tried a turducken in the past and found that the duck portion of it really didn't turn out that well - so this time, I opted to omit the duck part.

So, Wednesday night Aunt Sue and I wrangled Tom and Chuck and their appropriate stuffings and set him up to roast - low and slow. We started him at 11:30 pm and he was done at 11:45 am. He might not have been the prettiest bird in town, but boy was he tasty. How did I manage such a feat with a dinky oven? Thank goodness for a plug in roaster. It works wonders on turkey and anything large. Phew.

Here is tom & chuck prior to roasting.


Here is Tom & Chuck being cut up and served up on a platter. Can you see the layers? They are a little obscure.

Hmmm Hmmm Good

Hip Check Up

Yesterday, Bob and I took both Cecilia and Anna to the Orthopaedic Surgeon here in Ohio. I was a little concerned as we entered the waiting room because there seemed to be A LOT of people. We have experienced 4-5 hour waits in the past and do not like to subject the girls to that. At least the front desk notified us that there would be an extended wait - 30 60 minutes. Bummer - but hopefully, I had brought along enough snacks and bottles to keep everyone occupied.

After going through most of the snacks, we were called back into the room. We had started to break out the portable DVD player - so we had to continue it in the room. I gave the nurse Celie and Anna's X-rays and a letter that our old Surgeon had written about Celie's condition. We met with the Dr and then an Xray technician came in the room to let us know that he was ready for us. Both girls needed x-rays. Here is where the challenge came in. Once Celie saw the room, she freaked out, then Anna became weary of what was going on. Arghh!! I took Anna, changed her diaper and got her ready for her x-rays. After several tries and her beginning to cry uncontrollably, it was Celie's turn. She began crying the moment she went in. Thank goodness Bob was there to help hold her down. For me, it was torture to here her inside and not be able to do anything about it. It is still hard for her to understand that this is necessary and that she will have to do this every 6 months at least until she is 18 years old. The same for Anna.

After the x-rays were ready for viewing - all digital (very nice). The Dr. showed us what was going on. Anna's hips are still shallow. Her left pocket is better than her right - but both will need to be watched. She doesn't have any dislocation - just shallow hips. She might have to have surgery when she is 4 but they will determine that when she is 2. So, it is a wait and see game. Celie's hip is doing o.k. It is measuring right at 30 degrees. So, we will definitely have to watch that one as well. She might have to have another surgery at some point. But again, it is a wait and see game.

It was a little disheartening to hear the news about both girls. However, we are blessed with two very smart and beautiful (yes we are biased) girls. And these problems are fixable. It was as evident at the clinic yesterday, but after our many visits to Mott's, Bob and I keep reminding ourselves - it is fixable. For so many kids at Mott's, things aren't as fixable. We are blessed.

Celie's 1st Dance Class

Since Bob was VERY groggy from his trip back home - I took Celie to her first dance class. I didn't take my camera with me because I didn't want to be one of "those" moms. She was very shy even though she knew one girl in her class. She liked looking in the big mirror, but she freaked out a little bit. I had to go in the class with her. She didn't follow the directions very well, so I had to help her with her warm up and her various dance moves. She has the potential to learn a lot. But it was good that I was in class with her because now I can help her with her moves and we can practice before next week. She started warming up toward the end. I do not think that it helped that she just woke up from a 2 hour nap right before leaving for the class.

Hopefully, next week will be better. It is very fun to watch all of the girls dance around in their tights. We will continue to post her progress. It can only get better. Hopefully.

Snowing in OH

I thought that maybe the winter blast of weather wouldn't come so soon to OH. Boy, I was wrong. We are definitely trying out the heat pump for the house these last couple of days. It definitely is wintery feeling weather. The leaves are dropping quickly with each rustle of the wind and we actually have some white fluffly snowflakes f
allin
g fr
om the sky.
3.+

I hope that things won't stick. But we will see. I hope we can find the scrappers and the shovels.

(the odd spacing and extra's in this post are courtesy of Anna - trying to help me type).

Tiny Dancers

I am not the type of person that thinks our girls should be in a bazillion activities that require careful coordination and precise timing like a synchronized swim team. My goodness, they are only 3 yrs old & 13 months - but the potential for them to be in a lot of activities is huge. I, quite frankly, was hoping to slide on by until Pre-school. However, many of the preschools in this area require potty trained 3+ year olds and ours isn't quite there yet. So, what is a mother to do? Well, I have found a class for Celie to take at the local Arts Center - Tiny Dancers. Yes, that is right. Celie will be taking a dance class that starts this Monday. She will be joining other 3 year olds and shaking their little bodies, probably more like moving around in a semi controlled chaos state. Bob will be back from India on Monday, so I am sure that we will be fighting over who gets to take her. She will know one other little girl in her class. I hear it is hilarious to watch them. I can't wait. I just hope that she has fun. I am concerned about Celie not wanting to interact with other kids. Time will tell.