Allen, reading like a big dog

Of course, I had to film the one where he had to read "league" and "debut." But trust me, he was totally wailing on these question cards. This boy can read.

At last, Emilyn's concert

Boy, these are big files! But Emilyn and her friends sang totally beautifully at their holiday concert this month, and I wanted everyone to hear!

Post-concert celebration... cookies! And good friends!



More good news: Emilyn and the fifth-graders were selected for all-district honors choir, performing in March! Whoo-hoo!

To watch and listen to the rest of the videos from this performance, click here.

A Christmas collage

So many random photos of fun this season... so little idea as to how to display them! So, another collage. We decorated gingerbread and made the tree picture-perfect and really-really loved our presents this year, including Allen's pop gun from Santa and Emilyn's fuzzy-monkey bathrobe and opal earrings. Because of my time off earlier this month, the holiday seemed to last a long time and was packed with fun every day. What a great way to wrap up 2009. Hope your holiday was a great one!

Happy holidays, from The Crabbe Trap

Images from our Christmas card shoot last month at the Jewel Box in Forest Park... Here's hoping your holiday is filled with warmth, love and laughter -- and let's hear it for a peaceful and prosperous 2010!

Emilyn's clean room

All done! First day, we did the desk. Second day, the floor, bookcase and drawers. Third day, closet and crawlspace. And here are the results! I really am envious. For more pictures of Emilyn's clean room, click here.

Steve vs. van: Done with therapy

Steve got signed off today by the orthopedic surgeon, and earlier last week by his physical therapist. So, it looks like he's all done healing!

He has no pain, except for the occasional ache when he exerts himself... and maybe when the weather changes. The jury's still out on that. And he certainly did not get back all his strength or his full range of motion.

So, after the holidays are over, it'll be in the hands of Travelers insurance and our lawyer.

Steve continues to do the exercises his therapist gave him, and I made a big box of fudge for Carla and all the people at St. John's Sports and Rehab! They've taken excellent care of him for these past... 3 1/2 months! Yikes.

It's safe to say that Steve is very anxious for some good weather and to get back on the bike. And his cycling buddies are already planning next year's big rides!

The most productive vacation ever

Well, today I go back to work. I haven't been to work since Dec. 8! But I got SO much done and had SO much fun, each day has been full to bursting!

The first day was dedicated to cleaning and organizing Allen's room, which led to the essential Christmas relocation of his toys from the living room to his room. Everything fit, I'm glad to say... but he hasn't been getting much sleep, since there's so much in there to play with! And thus the living room was ready for Christmas -- on Dec. 9! Whoopee!!

A big girl got kinda jealous that her boy's room was so nice and neat... More on that later.

Then, we had Emilyn's concert, "Sing and Dance for Joy." The finale was a real show-stopper. I'll be posting a video soon.

Friday night, we took Grandma to see Santa's Magical Kingdom. A little chilly for the wagon ride, so we went in the car instead. A lot cheaper that way, anyway!

Saturday was Emilyn's big late-birthday sleepover and pool party. Nice to have an indoor pool nearby for swimming when it's 25 degrees out! The sleepover was good, and the girls were very well-behaved. Lots of Rock Band and Wii Fit. They even went to sleep at 1! And sort of voluntarily woke up for breakfast at 8:30! (Sarah had to go home early, so we had to get an early start.)

Each day, when the kids were at school, was filled with lots of shopping for Mommy. Got all my Christmas presents bought in good time and with light crowds. I also squeezed in two doctor's appointments!

By Wednesday, it was time for tree shopping... We made our annual trek to Ted Drewes, where they sell very expensive trees but are much more famous for... frozen custard! Yummm! That excuse for ice cream used up, we actually went to a place very close to home and bought the tree. A great tree it is, too. And after all the decorations went up... Beautiful!

Thursday, we had pizza and salad with the Sirimaturos family, then took a ride back to Santa's Magical Kingdom -- for the wagon ride this time. Much nicer weather! And really, that's the only way to see that wacky place. We were so glad they could join us!

Well, before I'd mentioned that Emilyn had gotten a little envious of her brother's clean and organized room... She wanted help to clean hers, too. Boy, was that a big job. Starting Friday after school. Several hours on Saturday. Several more hours on Sunday. Seven Hefty bags of trash later, and countless toys and books marked for donation, we got it all done. She's really proud of herself, and we all hope she's ready to keep it this way! If it's still clean when my birthday rolls around, she'll be allowed to get a salamander as a pet. We'll see! If you talk to her, give her some encouragement!

Sunday, after the room was done, and I'd taken Emilyn to Target for new sheets and pillowcases to celebrate, it was time to slave over two hot pots of fudge and the BEST chocolate chunk/toffee/pecan cookies ever to come out of Kitchen Crabbe. We definitely have to make more of those! Maybe on Christmas Eve, when we make sugar cookies for the Big Guy.

Today, it's back to work. I really got so much done and feel great about the time I had off. I'll be off again on Christmas Eve... hoping for a little snow! We'll see. Here's hoping for the happiest of holidays for everyone. Merry-merry!

Zombie cannibal mice?

Steve trapped another couple of mice today in the garage... The first one: Found in the trap with its skull hanging open and brains and eyes removed. EWWWW! What?!?!? It's not bad enough that we have mice, but we have zombie, cannibal mice?!?

Steve vs. van: We have a lawyer!

Now that it looks like Steve's shoulder has nearly healed as much as it ever will, we decided to make the call -- thanks to Lisa G. for recommending family friend and personal injury attorney Robert Sweney (yes, only 2 e's) in Clayton.

Steve met with him today, bringing all the paperwork we've accumulated since the accident. One major outlay: We have to pay a $30 co-pay every single time he goes to physical therapy -- two times a week since September. So, we have all the receipts for that, plus the hospital, ambulance, and the accident report from the Ellisville P.D. Mr. Sweney, Esq., thinks we have a good case, and he says Travelers -- the van driver's insurance company, is pretty easy to deal with.

It'll be a while, after the first of the year, before we know more. Steve has a trip to the surgeon on Dec. 21 -- which we're guessing will be his last. We expect the PT to say she's done all she can and that his full range of motion will be lost forever. But the shoulder is stable and strong, and the surgeon will most likely clear Steve for full duty at work -- just in time for Christmas!