November Happenings

I mentioned in October Happenings that we had an Emergency Room visit while Paul was gone for 2 weeks.

With that in mind, it was no great surprise when Paul called me to ask, "Which ER do you take the kids to?"  These things tend to come in 2s and 3s.

Brianna went in October, and this time it was Eli.  I was really glad it was Paul's turn.  (Small families probably don't argue over whose turn it is to do the ER run, do they?)

Eli was telling me the story later, and he said the doctor walked in and asked, "So, what did you do?"  I told him the doctor was asking if this was an accident or if your last words prior to the incident were, "Hold my beer."

So this is how he went to school the next couple of days.  (It actually occurred during weightlifting, he was maxing and strained his wrist.)  I told him if any of the administrators gave him the hairy eyeball to put on his innocent face and say, "Root beer, of course!"  He said, "I'll just tell them 'My mom wrote it.' "  Pretty much all the teachers just laughed at him.

Paul and I decided that, as much fun as it is to go to Costco and the auto parts store, just the two of us, it would be even more fun to go somewhere different.  So we went to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Folsom.

Grammy and I took the kids here, ages ago, when we first moved to the area and were exploring all the fun stuff.  But it's been a long time.  Somewhere, there's a picture of Zach on the giant fish climbing structure.  From like 2005?

You can't really see them, but there are monstrously large fish in there.  Salmon and steelhead.  After this, we went into the visitor center.  I was a little put off by the guys whacking the fish with a rubber mallet on the other side of the glass.  I know the fish die, I just don't need to see it, you know?

Then we went for a walk.  That building down there is the visitor center.

Fishermen in the American River.

Old people selfie.  I was trying to get the arch of the walkway in the background.  Instead, I got my finger.  Wrong generation.

When we went to Apple Hill, I bought a box of apples.  They were starting to turn, so Josiah peeled them and we made applesauce in the instant pot.  We made it on Friday, and I put it into single serving containers, thinking I'd put it into the kids' lunches the following week.  By the time I pulled out the lunchboxes Sunday night, all the applesauce was gone.  I'm told it was really good.  It was super easy to make, so maybe I'll have to make it again.  Literally 5 minutes cook time in the instant pot.

I don't want to get too excited, just in case something changes, but I've got a new bed set up in the corner of Josiah's room, anticipating a special visitor this month!  I'll have to get a couple of pillows for him.

I had told the girls they couldn't wear pants until it started raining.  Call me a big meanie.  We had our first rainy day, and upon coming home, Katie's brand new pants looked like this.  I suppose duct tape would be tacky?  If I tossed every pair that got holes in them, they'd go through 40 pairs a year!

This picture had gone missing when I posted the Marine pumpkin and the Army pumpkin last month.  I found a copy, so I thought I'd share it.  I thought it was pretty cool that Brianna and Boy chose to carve all the branches represented in our family.

First quarter ended, and I had conferences with the younger kids' teachers.  I'm pleased with how well everyone has transitioned to school life, and I think out of all 5 students, we only had 1 D on report cards. 

Eli made my day by bringing home leftovers from my favorite pizza place ever, which is too far away for us to patronize with any regularity. 

Hannah and Katie collaborated to color this autumn book that I had printed ages ago. 

Part of Katie's homework is to read for 20 minutes each night.  This is not a problem.  Katie likes reading.  In fact, I'm having her read through our baskets of readers one last time before I do a big purge of them.  I had a hard time paring down our collection of board books when she outgrew those, but I'm dumbfounded that it's time to say good by to the level 1 and level 2 books, as well.  I'll keep a handful of favorites, of course, but we don't need the rest any more. 

Wheeling and Hannah, sharing a sunbeam. 

My little zombie children, watching an unfamiliar movie at Shriners. 

We're working our way through the "new leg process."  Paul took them to their last appointment in October, where it was decided that they would have to recast Katie (basically, start over).  This was another long appointment, but we're getting closer.  We should take delivery of the completed legs in December. 

This time, we brought homework with us, since the girls were missing a day of school. 

While we were there, we talked with the film crew doing a new promotional video for Shriners, and they got some footage of Katie's fitting.  If we end up in the finished piece, I'll be sure to share a link. 

May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for. 


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