25 November 2022

Doctor Visits

This is the latest post in the series of William, grace and Juliet's journey with hypophosphatasia.

As November approached, and my mother was now in Oklahoma, instead of Michigan, I was getting a little worried about who would be able to collect the big girls from school during our quadruple doctor's visit in Grand Rapids.  My back up plan had been to use the Eatran, but they didn't run any routes this direction, that time of day, as they were short on bus drivers.

I finally asked my friend Natalie if she would be willing to pick them up.  She agreed, and that was the plan.  Then, my mom returned sooner than expected, so she did not have to worry about collecting them that day.  

With rides arranged, I was able to focus on getting the little ones to their appointments.  First up was a follow up visit for the curve in William's spine.  We were crazy early, since we left straight from Alice and Emily's school drop off, but they were able to take us back early.  After a few xrays, she told us that he had actually improved and that both curves were smaller than they had been!  So, she wants to see him back in a year, or if any concerns come up before then!!


From there, we went to have lunch, and then played.  


That still didn't eat up much time, and so we were quite early to the second appointment as well.  Sadly, they were booked solid, and were not able to bring us back early.  So, we finished the second part of Sonic 2, and got through the first half of Turning Red before we could meet with the Plastic Surgeon.


His assessment was also good news for now, no big changes yet. He wants to continue yearly checkups with them.  I was concerned about a lump that seems to be growing on Juliet's head.  He ordered a CAT scan for her.  I was surprised when we were able to schedule it so quickly.  So, about a week later, the day after Thanksgiving, Billy and I accompanied Juliet to a very short appointment.  


Since she had to give up part of her break, we decided to do some fun things with just the three of us.  

First up was a much busier mall than I had anticipated, despite being black Friday.  I guess I'm just so used to empty malls at this point, but the one in Grand Rapids was busy!  We found a booth that rents ride on animals, and she had her pick of the litter. (lol)


She and Billy also spent some time in the Arcade.


We were hungry, but skipped out on the Cheesecake Factory, because they too were swamped.  We drove out to an adorable town, not too far away, called Lowell.  We ate at the brewery there (because many things were closed!) and it was very pleasant.


I think Juliet had a good time, despite a less than fun task at the beginning of the day.  We didn't hear from the doctor (aside from the technical report in her online portal) which to me is an indicator of good news.  It's when the doctor calls himself, and promptly, that you have to worry.  So, I guess we'll be able to wait another year!

later days



edit: backdated for continuity

24 November 2022

Thanksgiving

We observed a very traditional Thanksgiving this year.  A few days before, our immediately family placed all of their handprints, and then on the day of Thanksgiving, Avia added hers.


This is our third year adding to the tablecloth!!

 

We had all the usual favorites, though the turkey was a slow poke and didn't finish until halfway through the meal. It seemed like everyone preferred the ham anyway.

William is kind of blocking poor Emily, but she is there in the corner.


We served the birthday wine that Erin Elise brought me all the way from west Texas!!!!


When we got out the Christmas tubs, I totally found some of the missing decor from our summer Murder Mystery party! = 0  We had plenty at the party, but I really thought I had extra tablecloths (which I totally did.)


I also saw a rabbit on my way to the car!


Low key Thanksgiving days remind me what I love this holiday so much!

later days

edit: backdated for continuity.

20 November 2022

Snow

A quick record of our snow so far this season:

11-15-22

 

11-18-22


11-20-22, enough snow on the country roads for the big girls' school to call for a snow day!


The twins made a snowman out of the first snow, and he looked a little like he was melting into the ground.


With the next snow though, he looked like he was rising up from the ground.  Much creepier.


I would imagine that this is far from the last snow post for the year, but this is all we've gotten for now!!

later days

edit: backdated for continuity.

11 November 2022

William Answers His Birthday Survey: 10-years-old

Well, it hasn't yet been a month since his special day, so I've got that going for me! 

I am 10 years old.
My favorite color is: green
The coolest person on earth is: me.
The thing I do best is: being awesome and cool.
If I could change my name, it would be: Harold
My favorite toy is: little strawberry
When I grow up, I want to be: an astronaut
I like to watch: youtube
My favorite song is: Void Whispers by Watergun Collective and ovg!
My favorite book is: Gerald and Piggie books, by Mo Willems
3 words to describe me are: awesome, cool and handsome
When I was little, I used to: snuggle up with a book
My favorite season is: Spooky Halloween
The food I like most is: BBQ sandwiches
One food I really don't like is: chicken noodle soup
My best friend is: Riley
For my birthday I want to: go to Zap Zone, again
My best memory is: going to the trampoline park

I still typed them up this year, but didn't encourage him to do so, because it is time for us to start getting ready for bed, and this is my last post of the night. ; )

later days

you can see his answers from last year here.

edit: backdated for continuity. 

William's 10th Birthday!

William turned 10 this year!!!!!

I asked his teacher if he could bring in cupcakes on the day before his birthday, which just happened to fall on a Friday!  So, Thursday night, we set out to make 48 cupcakes, as well as his birthday cake, that we would eat for breakfast the next morning.  I skimmed a bit of the batter off of the cake portion to make a few extra cupcakes, so that we could each enjoy one the night that I made the ones for his class.

I hadn't planned on putting any decorations on his cupcakes, but he requested rings, which of course I made happen.  (They are donuts, if you can't really see from the picture.)  We also placed umbrellas on the yellow cake cupcakes.


Here's his final night as a nine-year-old!

And our 10-year-old birthday boy!!!

To celebrate our boy a little more, we went to Zap Zone, just as a family, and spent a few hours doing fun things!!


A few days later, he got a very fancy gift from the Helterbrands!!!!

I hope our favorite 10-year-old had a great day and has an awesome 11th year!

later days

you can see his 10-year-old survey answers here.

and his birthday last year here.

edit: backdated for continuity.

05 November 2022

My 40th Birthday!

This year I turned the big 40!  I got to celebrate my birthday twice, once with a birthday cake for breakfast on November 3rd.


Then, Billy threw me a murder mystery party the weekend after!!!!  As if it couldn't get any better, Erin Elise flew all the way up to come celebrate with me!!!!!!

The twins loved having her here!

 

She even made sure I had a fancy cake with enough candles to catch the house on fire. lol.

It was set in Sherlock Holmes' London. We had a few people that had signed up to come cancel at the last minute, so we brough in some of the younger generation to play a part too!  A few of us had to switch roles, since we were lacking men, so I was actually 'arland the train conductor (hence the hat and tie.)

Everyone played their part so well, it was amazing!!!  In this company's mystery not only is there a murderer, but also a victim!!


I had a ball, and Billy even got some Chick-fil-a for our food spread.  It was just perfect!

That's the end of my description of the party, but I am going to reveal the murderer below, so spoilers if you are planning to play Murder on Baker St. stop reading!

****spoilers ahead****



















I got to be the murderer!!!!!!  = )  Poor Michaela was the victim...  she did a great job though!


Oh, and here's a cute bonus picture of Juliet who made up some sparkling grape juice with a cucumber garnish. ; )


later days

edit: backdated for continuity.