Pop Goes the Finger

There's been a lot happening since Christian's birthday celebration on the 13th. It all started to snowball on June 19th. As we got to after care to pick up the kids, I went out to the playground to get them. Tori was out there, but I didn't see Christian. The woman out there told me he was inside. No big deal, they are allowed to get drinks from the fountain. Unfortunately it was a big deal. I went inside and Christian was at a table crying with 2 of the other care takers and an ice bag on his hand. His Mom was trying to console him, but it wasn't working much. As I got closer I could tell it wasn't good.

His pinky was swollen from his hand to his first knuckle. I asked him to lay his other hand flat to compare it with the swollen finger. I could tell then that it was broken. He twisted it slightly (it wasn't flat like the other fingers) and it was pointing out more than usual. He told us a known ruffian on the playground slid down the slide and into Christian while Christian was getting off the slide. The kid kicked him in the nuts as Christian was getting off and his pinky was still on the slide. Apparently this caused his hand to bend back in an awkward position and break his pinky.

We took him to the prompt care after we dropped everyone off at home. He was still upset and crying, but eventually calmed down. He was OK as they examined him and did well with his first x-rays. Then it came time to set his finger. Before the fun could start they had to numb the fracture area. The only way to do this was with a needle. I took his left hand and kind of covered his face so he wouldn't see what was happening. The doctor injected one side of his broken pinky, then the other. He cried in pain, but he didn't wail, scream or thrash around. While the injection was taking effect, he was a jabber box about commercials and worrying too much about things like the weather and money. Eventually the doctor came back in to set his finger. He watched this time as the doctor twisted and turned the finger back into place. There were a few pops when he put it back. Christian said "Ow" a few times, but wasn't in a great deal of pain. They wrapped in in a splint and sent us home with directions to see an orthopaedist.

Luckily for Christian the ortho said he wouldn't need surgery. His finger may be a little crooked, but it would straighten out over time. He'll have the splint on for 2 weeks then he'll begin stretching the muscles in his finger. That is going to hurt a bit. We are just glad it isn't a lot worse.

Happy Birthday Christian

Christian turned 8 on Friday, but he’s been celebrating for about a week now. It all started last week with the getting of his birthday presents. He had been wanting a Lego set for so long that we had him go get it the moment it came out. He got Grandma Marie’s gift next. Then he got some money this week, so back to Target he went on his birthday. He got a remote control bug and is waiting on the Cars 2 Lego sets.

I made him cookies (he hates cake because of the icing) and Huts got him Avanti’s food. We took him bowling on Saturday night, and he seemed to have a good time. He also got a new loft bed this weekend, which of course he has decided is a little scary. He is toughing it out, though. I took several photos of him on his new bed. The first was his “sexy” pose—his words, not mine. Christian is 8, going on 13!

Field Trip 2

Christian has a field trip to Sommer Park tomorrow—whew it is going to be hot. And he has another field trip to a farm next week. He cannot wait. He had lots to tell Tori about her field trip in first grade.

Christian turns 8 on Friday, and he is ready to play mini golf and bowl. No party this year—just fun with us. He already chose his presents—Legos of course. Annie is giving him money, so I am sure we will be back to the toy store soon. !

Boy Scouts

Christian wanted to join the Scouts, Huts gave it a shot; it failed miserably. The school tried again to start a troop, and that didn’t pan out. So we asked our next door neighbor about her Scout troop, and she invited Christian to join it. Tonight is the first meeting. Huts is taking him to the school and sitting in with him. Christian says he is not interested in the Scouts anymore, but we’ll see. Tonight just might jump-start it!


Update: We got a call when we got home that a pack would be created at Charter Oak. Christian decided that he wanted to try his new pack before joining a new group.

Toothless Joe

Happy Easter

The kids could NOT wait for Easter. Tori woke up early on Saturday morning asking if it was Easter. We sent her back to bed pronto and kept them up late that night so they would fall asleep quickly. We helped the Easter bunny do his thing, and Eli got up around 6 on Sunday, followed by the other two half an hour later.

Eli and Tori were floored with their goodies. Christian, not so much. He got what he asked for, plus, but wasn’t real thrilled, though he told me later he had a good time. He was more interested in hunting down the eggs, and away he went, with Tori not far behind. Once that was over, he got down to business, putting together his Lego fortress and checking out all of his other goodies.

He ended the day by telling me that he wishes Easter were on a Saturday so he could have one more day to play with his new stuff!

Nearly Toothless

Christian lost his bottom two teeth a few months ago. The permanent ones are now in. He has lost one front tooth and another is about to come out. He looks pretty funny right now with a big gap and one VERY loose tooth hanging down. He is wiggling it like crazy, so maybe it will come out soon and he can stop eating on the side of his mouth so much. The Tooth Fairy better get ready to make another stop at our house.

Update: He lost it at school today...the Tooth fairy is not prepared!

Another One Bites the Dust

Christian lost another tooth, but this time it was at Grandma's house. He was wrestling around with another kid and got hit in the mouth. Naturally blood flowed and Christian fretted as he hates the sight of blood. The tooth stayed in, even though Grandma offered to pull it. He was having none of that! It fell out later that night and he has it in a bag all ready to come home for the tooth fairy. He didn't want to have the tooth fairy visit him in Olathe, so he's saving it for the trip home. On Saturday night the tooth fairy will be visiting him while he's sleeping in his bed.

Cub Scouts One More Time

The school is attempting to start another scout troop. Huts and I were not positive about the outcome, but Huts says there are a lot more people interested this time around. So, maybe it will work. Christian sure seems excited about it. He was anxious all evening, thinking they weren’t going to make it to the meeting. Then he brought home a couple of magazines and showed me lots in them. Hopefully it will work this time around. Keep your fingers crossed.

Right On Target

Christian is doing well, if not better than expected in school. All A’s and on a fourth grade reading level. He has a higher advanced reading goal this semester, but his teacher says he will make it. We got through the teacher-parent conference in 5 minutes. Eli halfway behaved and took off with candy from the teacher and the papers Christian made for us.