The Big Toe Year

Liam had a birthday, and can no longer show his age using just fingers. He got creative to add that extra digit.

Festivities were dampened a little by the fact that three of his brothers (Aidan, Andrew, and as of today, Colin) have what is most likely swine flu. But I allowed him to play the Wii this afternoon, usually a no-no on a school night, and he beat a game he's been at for months. So there were some perks.

He chose artichokes for dinner, a family favorite. Our second course was fondue-style hot dogs, which was a big hit. Both were traditions in Brandon's family while growing up.

Presents and cake rounded it all off (in that order--it drives me crazy! I grew up with cake then presents). He is such a great kid, and we love having him in our family. Hopefully his brothers haven't given him a present that oinks and lasts about a week!


UPDATE: Liam did come down with the flu the day after his birthday. How kind of it to wait!

Long Ago in the 70's

Colin at our ward party, August 2007

As I was driving with Colin the other day, he saw a horse.

Colin: Mom, I really love horses. I bet you really love them too. I mean, you used to have to ride them to get around.

Me: Uh, no, not really. Grandpa had some on the farm, but I never really rode them much. We had cars, just like today.

Colin: But I thought you were born in the '70s. Wasn't that a long time ago?

One Little Monkey Falling Off the Bars

This is what can happen when you lose a contest to see who can hang onto the monkey bars the longest during recess:

The first aid person at school didn't think anything was really wrong, and I was told over the phone that he put an ace bandage on it just to make Colin feel better. When he got home it was apparent, though, that he was really in pain. In his own words at the time, "It feels like nothing will ever be the same."

After giving him some Motrin and waiting a few hours, I ended up taking him to the doctor (where Colin refused a sucker), who then sent us to the hospital to get x-rays (where Colin refused a sticker), which then showed that he has a fracture near the growth plate on the thumb side. He also told everyone when asked that he does not like Batman (why on earth would they even think to ask?). It sounds like he was being contrary, but he was really just being overly serious.

He really wanted to go to the library to get a book he had seen that looked cool, but when we got there it was closed (drat Columbus Day!). Instead we ran to the grocery store and got donuts and cinnamon bears--enough to share with everyone. That seemed to work just as well.

The angle of the break makes it more complicated than the pediatrician's office wants to handle, so I'll be taking him to an orthopedist in the next few days and we'll have the first cast ever in our family. I guess I forgot to knock on wood one of the times I told someone that we've never had a broken bone or stitches (knock on wood!) in our family.

At least he's getting lots of love & attention from his brothers!

p.s. This would happen just a few weeks after he started violin lessons!!!