postcards from California

Resurfacing

After tumbling through the month of November, we--should I say I?--are coming up for air. Pictures to follow, as soon as I figure out the software that came with the new camera.

Thomas has the line of the day, though. Anna, Thomas and I were talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up; Thomas was debating about an area of specialization in the medical profession--starting with, oddly, the comment that he wanted to be a "blood" doctor. When we got to obstetrics, I explained that obstetricians deliver babies. That sounded good, he said, "but I don't want to deliver babies; I want to deliver big kids."

Halloween

Iain didn't really see the point. His expression says it all: "Mommy, put down the camera and pick me up. Now!" He did look cute in his costume, but he wasn't interested in being photographed.

Anna enjoyed being a fairy princess. A pink, frilly costume was just the thing for her. She liked the whole event--dressing up, saying, "Trick or treat!" and collecting candy. So far she has not shown much interest in eating the candy, which is probably just as well. Even after it was offered, she asked for more pretzels. One day that will change, and then I will long for the pre-candy days. I'll enjoy this while it lasts--and try not to eat too much of the candy myself. (Iain has discovered he likes Three Musketeers bars--but he isn't likely to get many of them!)

Thomas will not be of any help with the candy-eating, although he probably enjoyed Halloween even more than Anna. He chose his fire-fighter costume with glee, and Saturday he went to a costume party at a friend's. By Wednesday he was fully prepared for every aspect of the holiday. He frequently said, "I'm so excited!" And so he was. He happily trotted up to the few houses we visited, and announced, "Trick or treat!" Even while amassing his candy, however, he admitted he didn't really like it. But he wanted to make sure he got some all the same. I guess for him full participation in Halloween rites doesn't involve actually eating the candy. His fourteen M&M's, which he counted proudly at the dinnertable tonight, still sit there long after he's gone to bed! He unfortunately removed his costume before I got to him with the camera. But since he still wants to wear it, I will most likely get a photo in the next week or so!

Between October the 19th and today, we've been going non-stop. I have focused my writing on the projects at hand and scribbling teaching notes. Despite my best intentions, there just hasn't been time to blog--or much time to take photos of the kids, for that matter. It is certainly the case, though, that no news is good news as far as Anna is concerned. She continues to improve, and will return to her usual schedule (which means leaving on the bus before 7:00am) Monday. Her eye surgery has been postponed until the 14th of December. While she may have been physically recovered enough to undergo surgery last Friday, we felt that it would have been too much emotionally and psychologically. Recovery from the surgery she will have (to correct a lazy eye) is generally quick, and Anna should not miss more than a day of school. The surgery will be on a Friday, and, if all goes as expected, she should be back to school the next Monday.

But there will certainly be photos and news aplenty between now and then.

Thomas's birthday

Thomas's birthday party was a great success. All the kids seemed to enjoy themselves. Lots of cupcakes and a super playground--what more could a preschooler desire? It has been a busy week for us. Between teaching, Lewis's current book project (the deadline looms) and the kids being off school Monday, we have not stopped! And the busy time of semester occupies our usual help--babysitters from Candler!

Enjoy the photos and check back for more over the weekend!

Anna gets ready

At least it looks like she's ready to go out--shopping, perhaps?! One hates to ask. What isn't obvious from this distance is that she's got those sandals on the wrong feet. All this to show that she is really getting back to her usual self. She still doesn't like getting undressed at bath time, and protests, "I got hurt!" To which one can only say, "Yes, you certainly did."

We have no idea how long it will take to wean her off the TV. She was allowed to watch TV constantly in the hospital, and has been allowed rather a lot of 'screen time' since coming home. Slowly, we're reducing her hours, if for no other reason than that the Doodlebops are driving us absolutely mad! More time at school this week will help, as will her steadily increasing energy and interest in the usual range of things.

Iain's birthday!

Iain's birthday was a great success. In the morning he experienced forward-facing car travel for the first time. This was probably rather more exciting for the parents, but he seemed to enjoy it as well.

Iain's party guests began to arrive around 4:00 in the afternoon. Tommy treated those daring enough to his own mojitos, and there was enough food to feed twice the crowd we had. It comes of being Italian, I suppose. A couple of brave souls (in the under 10 set, of course) even went for a swim! Thomas finally admitted defeat, and asked for a towel through chattering teeth. Anna had to content herself with a new Doodlebops DVD, since she is not cleared for swimming for 5 more weeks!

The party itself had two high points, especially from Iain's perspective. First, the cake:

Iain regarded the cake first as a new toy of sorts. He explored the texture and consistency before considering tasting it! He did enjoy smearing me liberally with icing and crumbs as well.

Second: his bear.

Anna goes back to school

Yesterday Anna went back for her post-op check-up with Dr. Kanter and was cleared to return to school. I took her for an hour on Tuesday, but today she went back from 9:00 to 1:15. Her normal school hours are 8:00 to 2:30, but we thought a couple of shorter days to begin with would help ease the transition back to school. For the next six weeks her activity level is restricted (insofar as one can keep Anna quiet), but she can partcipate in normal classroom activities.

Iain's big day is tomorrow: he'll be a year old. I will certainly post the obligatory cake-covered-baby photos over the weekend! Although he's not likely to understand what all the fuss is about, we thought he should have some anyway. Besides, it seemed like a good excuse to invite a few grown-ups for drinks on a Friday afternoon.

Thomas, on the other hand, is practically counting the days until his birthday. Next Friday, he'll turn 4! I can hardly believe it. It is a school holiday, so there may be a special trip as well as the party on Saturday morning. Unlike Iain's party, Thomas's will be all about the kids!