Time

Esther: MOM! Three o'clock!

She's a little excited. She sneaks into her brother's room to check the time to find out if she can come downstairs on the days she has skipped napped. She knows her numbers...even digitalized thanks to her brother teaching her.

Earlier today as I went upstairs, I heard her RUN to her bedroom and close the door. By the time I opened the door, she was getting covered up in bed. When I asked her if she was in Evan's room, she bit her lip a little, and said yes. When I inquired further, she explained she was looking at the clock.

I think we need to buy the girl an alarm clock!

Artistic Children

Every mother should think her children are the best. Today I'm sharing the artistic and creative abilities of my kids.

Hairy, Mopey Ghost, by Esther age 3

(That is Esther's description, not mine.)

 A Notebook for Mom, by Evan age 6

 It even includes lines for writing.

 Yellow Oragami Paper Crane, by Meghan age 8

We made the paper cranes together. I made the orange crane, and she made the yellow.

Smarty Pants

I had forgotten I took ONE Christmas picture. It's from the Candlelight Service at church. 

I suspect Esther is going to be just as smart as her big brother and big sister. Today after church we stopped for gas.

Upon pulling into the pump, Esther told us we were at 16. She was right. the pump's number was 16. Clever girl!

She has been spelling her own name for quite a while...maybe 9 months. (Though at first she would spell it STHER because when you say Esther, it sounds like it begins with an S.) However, she can now spell (and often read) Evan's name.

Please note, Esther is age 3. She is wearing the Christmas dress Meghan wore at age 4. You can see the video evidence here.

Christmas

We've had a wonderfully long break. Derek and the children have not had to work/school since the day before Christmas Eve.

 We had a lovely Christmas at home, though Evan had a low-grade fever. By bedtime, Esther also had it. Esther also woke up from her nap with intense leg pain.

The following day Evan still had a fever. We didn't leave for NE PA as planned. Esther still had leg pain, but was walking, even running. We could get her into the chiropractor sooner than the pediatrician, so we went that route thinking the hip was out of joint or something like that.

He adjusted her a bit and was not concerned. She left his office smiling and walking independently.

The following morning, Saturday, we left by 8:30 for Warren Center. The family was gathering at Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas dinner. We arrived a bit late, but still enjoyed seeing the family.

Sunday we spent with my dad and Amy after dinner at GnG's. Monday after rest time we went to Amy's again and visited with Mom.

All during this time Esther would complain off and on about her knee. We decided to cut our visit short (by a day, though we arrived a day late) to return home on Tuesday to get Esther to the doctor. She didn't even complain on Tuesday of any pain though she did still walk like a little old lady a couple of times.

The doctor could tell there was a problem and though the limp was not obvious, could see it. She sent us for x-rays and blood work the following day (New Year's Eve). Esther didn't complain that day about pain...except regarding the blood work. The x-ray showed fluid on the knee.

Since then, she has dramatically improved. Today I explained to her that we had to return to the hospital to see the doctor tomorrow. She told me her knee doesn't even hurt her any more. However, the nurse I spoke to suggested keeping the appointment since her blood work was normal.

So we will.

The children made a high chair for the teddy bear. Then they turned it into a highchair-wheelchair. So clever!