Spelling Bee

 Adam and Matt participated in their school spelling bee last month.  Adam won the whole thing!  His winning word was 'complexity'. 

 Matthew also did well.  He got 2nd place for the 2nd graders.

Adam then went on to compete in the county spelling bee.  There were 60 students, from grades 3-8.    He finished in the middle of the pack.  He didn't want to do this, but we were proud of him that he did it anyway.  

Broken Ankle

I thought these two photos offered a good picture of our experience with Robert's broken ankle.  The first is of him and Gavin at the hospital.  Initially Robert was supposed to come home after the surgery, however, he had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and pain medication so he had to stay overnight.  Gavin and I visited him the next morning.  Gavin was mainly interested in which cartoons were playing on tv. 

 

While at our post-op checkup, a lady (who had also broken her ankle) told us about a knee scooter.  So after the appointment we went to the home medical supply store and rented one.  It definitely helped Robert get around the house quicker.  The boys thought it was great fun, too. 

Name Train

Gavin received this train from Germany for Christmas.  This is the perfect gift for him because he loves trains and he loves letters.

Sledding and Surgery

This year has been very eventful already.  And for that reason I am WAY behind on my posts.  It started out great.  We got a New Years snowstorm and took the boys sledding.  Hard to believe there is actually a hill in western Kansas (yes, the hill is man-made).  The boys had a great time.  I thought Gavin might be a bit tentative but nope, he kept up with Matt, our daredevil.  Most of the time Matt, Gavin and I would squeeze onto a sled and ride down the hill.  Usually about half way down we would start spinning and Matt would fly off. 

 

 Isn't Matt cute?  He looks like an elf, with his ears and hat.

 Here goes Matt, at the top.

 

 Halfway down.

And at the bottom--with his hat cocked to the side.

 

 

Adam was a great sport, often taking Gavin down.  It was great fun.  However, the fun soon ended--as in the next day.  Robert was headed to his bishopric meeting and slipped on some ice on our walkway.  He fell and broke his ankle.  He had surgery on it.  A plate and four pins are now part of his anatomy.  He had a cast for 6 weeks.  Once that was removed, he still wasn't allowed to put any weight on it.  He is now starting to put weight on it.  He goes to physical therapy three times a week and will be extremely happy to get rid of those darn crutches.  There have been many days I have felt like a single mom with an extra child with all the help I give to Robert.  I must say, though, I have been amazed at how much work he has still been able to do.  Being self-employed we do not have paid sick leave.  If he doesn't work, we don't get paid.  Heavenly Father has really blessed us.  He's worked mainly from home, taking appointments by phone instead of in his office.  I've driven him to court many, many times, and he's hired a young gal from church to be his courier.  So, it's all worked out.  Hopefully only a week or two left before he's fully functioning again. 

The other day he told me he would do dishes for a month once he was better.  I joked he should do them for two months, since he hasn't done any chores for two months.