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Allen is 4!

The birthday boy had a most-excellent day yesterday... Thanks to everyone who sent such wonderful presents!

The day kicked off with this observation from Allen: "I'm 4 right now!??! Did I get bigger?!"

Then school, of course, where he got to wear a very cool star badge and special birthday sticker. Later, Daddy and I showed up with fudge swirl ice cream cups to decorate with sprinkles and Gummi bears (the birthday boy's request). I think his school friends appreciated it!

Then, everyone was enthralled while I read "The Big Orange Splot," one of my childhood favorites. Daddy and I stayed at school the whole rest of the day, playing in the writing center, mostly, and just generally having an awesome time. I think Daddy was particularly glad to get a chance to see Allen in full school mode. In case you didn't know it, preschool is the best place on Earth! Thanks, Miss Kim and Miss Marlene!

After school, we took Allen to the Thai place for his favorite "yellow meat on a stick." Beef satay, he truly loves it! Then he wanted to go to the birdie store, so I bought him a boo-been bird feeder and some bird seeds. We went to Dierbergs to pick up the shark cake, then it was nap for Allen and some shopping for Mommy...

After nap was cake! and a campfire! Fire on a stick! What a great way to wrap up a great birthday.

For more pictures and video of the candle-blowing, click here.

Steve vs. van: Therapy's working!

Steve has several therapy sessions in the books now, and he's really getting a lot of movement back in his shoulder. But what's this strange rash wrapping around half his midsection? Shingles!?

His doctor says it often comes about due to stress, when the ol' chicken pox virus reawakens and starts tackling those nerves... Sheesh. What else does the poor guy need to deal with?!

I hope he'll post a comment and tell us more about therapy. I know he's doing a lot of exercises at home to strengthen his shoulder. Glad to see him feeling better! We go to the surgeon again for a re-evaluation on Oct. 12.

Uncle Train is here!

Uncle Train rolled into town about 10 a.m., on his way home from another cross-country train-infused adventure. He's hungry... Where else would we take him for brunch?

Allen, Uncle Train and I had an awesome meal of pancakes, french toast and lots of coffee for Bill. We played with his cool new camera (some of these shots are his), and then headed off for... the Train Museum!

Bill had serious foot pain that dampened the day somewhat... but I think he really liked the museum. He said something about spending two weeks there... Every other thing was: "I'd like to build one of these." Or "... when I figure out how to cast bronze, I could..."

And he actually spent the night this time! I could tell, when he wanted to do a load of laundry, that he was serious. Up at the crack of boom, though, and on his way by 7 the next morning!

For more photos of Bill's visit, click here. He'll be back next year, this time with the Betty Lou!

Scott No-Show

We drove an awful long way in an awful lot of rain to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, ready to see Steve's coveted "Air Power over the Midwest" air show. When we got on base, they said nothing had been canceled. When we parked, "Show's still on!" After we trudged over a mile with our chairs and set up on the flightline? "Sorry, folks... We have a ceiling of 800 feet. No flying today."

This did not make Steve happy.

It was funny, though... A massive cargo jet quit the scene quite quickly after that, and it was true: Almost immediately after takeoff, it vanished into the murk.

Could funnel cakes cheer up the troops?

Well... the rain stopped, anyway, and we walked around the static displays for quite a while. Daddy and Allen got to see an A-10 up close... there was an old tank... We walked through another giant cargo jet. In the end, though, it really was a major washout.

To see a few more pictures, click here.

Scenes from the Bubble Picnic

On Saturday, we went to the Early Childhood Center (where Emilyn went to preschool and Allen had last year's Kids' Morning Out class) for the Parents as Teachers September tradition... the Bubble Picnic! (See the 2006 picnic and read about the 2007 picnic -- where apparently I took no pictures.)




It's the fun event where bubbles and water play take center stage. We saw Miss Julie (Allen's parent educator) and Miss Kim (Allen's preschool teacher) and had a lot of fun. (It was especially cute to see Miss Kim and Allen interact outside the classroom. He was very surprised to see her there!) For more pictures, click here.

Look who's writing his name!

With no help at all! After only three weeks of preschool!

Steve vs. van: No surgery?

Well, we went to see the surgeon today... Actually two surgeons, and a med student for good measure. Plus a well-meaning but frightening X-ray tech...

When we got there, there was of course the interminable paperwork to fill out... Steve's birth date was wrong on one form, resulting in MORE paperwork... Then, he went off with the X-ray tech. Keep in mind, he has lived in fear, for 10 days, of his shoulder popping out of its socket. And this woman tells him she wants him to extend his arm straight out to 90 degrees!! The terror! He did his best, and she got her picture, but he was very shaken by the experience.

Then, the med student walks in. Nice kid, but not the person we wanted to see right then! She examined Steve, and had him do some movements -- again, the first time he's moved his arm, essentially, since the accident. She studies his X-rays and heads off to find the doctor.

In walks a different doctor, Dr. Otto. He asks, again, how this injury happened... He tells us it's more rare than your usual dislocation, being posterior rather than anterior. Posterior dislocations, in the back of the shoulder, almost always come from traumatic injury... Umm, yeah, like getting hit by a delivery van. He "ranges" Steve's shoulder again... much discomfort and fear, but it didn't pop out.

In comes Dr. Kaar, the man we're here to see. He announces, the first time we've considered this, that Steve won't need surgery. He says the posterior dislocation, coupled with Steve's age, mean it's highly unlikely he'll have a repeat dislocation.

But it might! Dr. Kaar conceded that much. But he prescribed four weeks of physical therapy, two-to-three times a week, and he'll re-evaluate Steve at the end of that month. Meanwhile, Steve is actually feeling a lot more comfortable. Now that he feels like he's not in danger of a re-dislocation, he's testing the shoulder more. Dr. Kaar cleared him to drive and go back to work, but no lifting, pulling, pushing or climbing (basically, Steve's whole job description). So, they're going to have to find a spot for him answering the phone and working on the computer, for the next four weeks at least.

Oh, and the exam table looked like it was straight from Ikea...

He drove home from the hospital and everything! First PT appointment is Thursday afternoon.

Tuesday update: Steve pulled a T-shirt on over his head this morning! Whoo-hoo!

Steve vs. van: The story so far

Well, it's been eight days since the accident... You might as well hear the rest of the story!

It took two orthopedists and a wiry Bosnian RN to get Steve's shoulder back into place last Friday. Dr. Williams then said, "We've got to 'range' it." That means test it out to see how it will move. Well, it failed. It popped right back out, and Dr. Williams said that meant surgery would be needed.

But, once it was back in, again, it was feeling a lot better. And, eight days later, it is not giving Steve much pain at all. What is frustrating, though, is the notion that it is unstable and could dislocate again at any time. And not being able to see the surgeon until Monday... which will be -- count them -- 11 days after the crash.

So, he's not moving it. He's not doing much of anything! Which I think is fine, but he finds horribly annoying. We are so very grateful for all the help and kindness we've received from our friends... Good cycling buddy David came out and mowed the lawn yesterday -- it looks great! But Steve is really not very comfortable feeling so helpless. I told him to relax, be grateful and gracious... and of course dwell always on how lucky he was not to have been seriously hurt.

The other wrinkle... insurance adjusters. And phone calls going unreturned. And being out of work. And lawyers. And police reports. And panicking about being taken advantage of. Should we sign this? Should we pay an ambulance chaser to rake this guy over the coals??! It's just not Steve's style, and he finds the whole idea very unsavory. But we're very worried about having enough money to cover all these expenses... Did you know that we're expected to pay back UPS for Steve's lost time, if we get a settlement from the driver's insurance company?! HUH?!

So, it's a waiting game. Next up: Get to the surgeon. Get well as soon as possible. We'll let you know how that goes on Monday.

Steve vs. van: The gripping, firsthand account

Now that I got this phone call, I kind of realize that I've been waiting for this phone call for a long time.

The friendly voice from Metro West EMS told me that Steve had been hit by a car... he was OK... he was talking... and they were going to St. John's ER.

Steve was riding his bike westbound on Clayton Road, near the new Straub's. The van was coming east. Steve tells it this way:

I saw the van. There was a car that passed behind me going west. The van started his left turn, which would have crossed my path. He started out slowly, and I thought I could pass in front of him. By the time I realized I couldn't pass in front of him, it was too late. I tried to go right to glance off of him, but I guess we were going faster than I thought.

I remember hitting the front right part of the van with my left side. I remember my helmet hitting the ground -- which is weird because there's not a scratch on it. I remember seeing my water bottle rolling away -- and then I was lying on my back under my bike. I tried to scoot backwards to get out of the way of cars turning in to the store.

Somebody showed up and said they were calling 911. I asked him to block traffic from coming into the lot. He said it was taken care of. I have no idea how much time passed, but a cop showed up, and then the ambulance showed up. I can't imagine it being more than about five minutes. Somewhere in there, I heard that the van had driven away.

I knew I couldn't move my left arm, but everything else seemed OK. The EMTs put me in a collar and backboard. Then we headed to the ER; I was focused on keeping my arm steady. Before we left, I told them my wallet and keys were in the bag under my seat. They asked me what year it was, how old I was, what day it was. They asked me what happened -- over and over. The next thing I know, we're in the ambulance. I asked what time it was -- 11:15 -- and I told Tom, the EMT to call Jennie on the cell phone. I remember him telling her that everything was OK... I refused morphine and kept asking for ibuprofen.

The ride seemed very quick. They wheeled me into the room, Room 5, and some nurse named Tommi asked me again those questions... A couple of doctors came in... then Nermin showed up, my trauma nurse. They cut my shirt off pretty quickly... they sliced up my favorite shorts!

Jennie came in and then I went to CT first, then X-ray. After that, they told me I could sit up, and that was great. I also got to pee in a bottle, which would later greatly amuse Allen! (His first words when Jennie brought him in: "That's so cool you got to pee in a bottle!")

Warning! Disturbing image follows!


Stay tuned for Part II... in which three guys and a lot of wrenching gets Steve's shoulder back in place... for a minute or so, anyway.

Curriculum Night, fifth grade

Emilyn has had a mix of veterans and brand new teachers. But I felt like Mrs. Ketteman really taught me something on Curriculum Night (what you may know as Back to School Night).

She laid out every single thing they'll be doing in fifth grade. And, in her 21st year at Sorrento Springs, it's clear she hasn't lost her enthusiasm for filling these little heads with the knowledge they'll need to get them off on the right foot in middle school. (And she really got a makeover since our last post about her!)

She thanked us for sending her such well-behaved fifth-graders... She said the class had agreed upon some expectations for the year: Be responsible. Be respectful. Be ready. She's computer-savvy, so you can even click on her picture above to find out what Emilyn's doing for homework this week!

In science, the kids will be learning about the water cycle, environments, the solar system and levers and pulleys. They will switch units off among the three fifth-grade teachers (to get used to the idea of switching classes in middle school).

Mrs. K was especially excited about their history unit (colonization, Revolutionary War and the U.S. Constitution) and (drumroll, please) their field trip to Biz Town! It's the Junior Achievement's introduction to work and money and all that fun stuff that goes with it. The kids (and a bunch of parents) will go to BizTown and spend the day running about a dozen businesses, including... wait for it... a little St. Louis Post-Dispatch! I am stoked!

Leading up to this, the kids have already started getting paid for fifth grade! They're getting paychecks, having taxes and rent and utilities deducted... and they have to write checks for demerits, such as not having homework done. Let me tell you, Mrs. K was just gleeful at the prospect of teaching these beautiful little children about the (insert evil laugh here) real world!

I think it's going to be a fun year, and there's always more to learn. Stay tuned!

Cabela's = Gun heaven

My little boy likes guns. Now, his grampy was *intellectually* pro-gun. Allen? He's *viscerally* pro-gun. Guns shoot stuff. And go boom. Coooooool.

So, the boy lucked out big time when we got to the Mills today and discovered they'd built a giant Cabela's store there. (Haven't been up there in a while!) All the guns and tents and fishies that a little boy can stand. All safely out of reach. Except the pop guns, of course. An unmistakeable sound that echoed through the rough-hewn rafters -- it seemed like *every* kid in the store had to try them out.

Lego crab... free!

Just when you think it was ridiculous to go *right* back to Wal-Mart after just being there an hour before... you see they're giving out free Lego crab kits! Daddy constructed it while we were at lunch. (Sorry I didn't also take a "top" view. But those front claws are so menacing!!!)

Allen, put to good use

Allen told us he had a job today at preschool... He was the Sweeper! In charge of sweeping up beans from the bean table! When he was telling Daddy about this, I kinda got misty. My little man has a job! Next time, he said, he wants to be Bell Ringer.

Morning at the Magic House

Daddy was off early this morning for another long bike ride with his cycling friends... So, what do the rest of the Crabbes do?

First order of business, IHOP. Mmmmmm. Emilyn ate her eggs trucker-style, and Mommy was SO proud! Then, because we had two free tickets, we were off to the Magic House. We wanted to be on the big, beautiful porch when the doors opened at 11.

We made it, with time to spare. As soon as we got in, we rushed right to the bubble room, then the fish pond (no one to share fishies and poles with!), the sand table... then back to the new half with its giant musical contraptions and excellent sucky-tube monstrosity downstairs.

Emilyn was feeling poorly with nose problems, so we cut the inside part of our visit short, then headed outside to check out the garden (we eventually found the right door to go out!). They have a tiny hedge maze, a fountain with an island in the middle, a tree swing and a new sandbox. You can even write on the stones with chalk!

It was a really beautiful day, and we had some fun with some old House favorites and some great new stuff. Click here to see more pictures, and check out a video of the sucky-tubes. Fun!

First day of school

Off to school, for both my kiddos! I am so proud! (Although I just realized that we'll be away from Sorrento for a whole year next year, while Allen is in Preschool 2 and Emilyn goes on to sixth grade! Ah, well, we'll worry about that later!)

Let's start off with fifth grade... Emilyn's the queen of the bus stop now, and we have so many more subjects this year! They must have realinged the bus routes.

And check out this space-age new bus they've got!

No pictures from Allen's first day at school... I left the card in the laptop and thus had no memory in the camera. Sigh. But, it was a lot like Friday, so that should cover it.

What was exciting, though, is that Daddy and I rushed right home, cleaned up Allen's room, took down his crib and put up his stunning... new... Big... Boy's... Bed!

That was a nice suprise to come home to! He's still talking about how cool it is. I think bedtime will be a smooth operation around here for a while. AND, he stays in bed, even though he can get in and out! What a good boy!

Feel free to take a walk down memory lane with the first day of second grade, the first day of third grade, the first day of fourth grade and the first day of Allen's Kids' Morning Out class!

Last hurrah at IPC

It's Sunday, and Mommy worked the day shift. So, when I got home at 5:30, it was clear that a trip to the Incredible Pizza Co. was in order, to celebrate the last night of summer.

Allen just wanted to celebrate this giant orange gun!

He and Daddy took a crack at those marauding dinos... Daddy made his way on to the high scorer page!

Emilyn scored big tickets on the bass fishing wheel and the SpongeBob wheel. They walked away with some cool prizes, and we had a lot of fun.

It was a great summer! From AshFest to Hershey to MOSAICS camp to strings... Want to relive the fun? Click here for June posts and here for July.

Meeting Mrs. Ketteman

Emilyn also had Meet the Teacher Day, aka "Popsicle Day," today... We met Mrs. Ketteman. It turns out, she shares Daddy's passion for history, so they'll get along just fine!

She has a very old desk in her room from an old schoolhouse... It's a place of honor for the kids during independent reading time, and Daddy, of course, was impressed.

Mrs. Ketteman lets her kids pick where they want to sit... for the first few days. She says she'll move anybody who starts trouble. Emilyn is sitting next to her friend Caroline.

It's amazing to stroll through Sorrento and see all the little kids... knowing that yours is one of the biggest on the block!

Mrs. K seems like a no-nonsense teacher, and I just bet that Ketteman's Kids are uber-prepared for middle school when the time rolls around!

Allen's preschool open house

Just got back from seeing Allen's new classroom for the first time... He gets started on Monday morning. It was nice to see Miss Kim and meet Miss Marlene... and check out the sensory table:

"My favorite part was the bean table," Allen says.

Some people just never get tired of filling and spilling the beans (August 2002):


For more shots from Allen's classroom, including his swell cubby, click here.

Miss Veile gets hitched

Before fourth grade ended, Miss Veile invited all the kids in her class to attend her wedding. Saturday was the big day!

The event was at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in St. Louis. Beautiful church, beautiful Mass. The pastor was a friend of the groom's, and he made his homily fun. "My favorite part was the homily," Emilyn says. "It was beautiful."

In the receiving line, there was time to snap a picture!

The bride's new name is Mrs. Book. How's that for a teacher name?

Because the wedding was in the city, and so close to the time I had to go to work, Emilyn got to come with me to the paper and stay for the whole shift. We ate a lot of bad food out of vending machines... She played a lot of video games... Helped me choose a Billy Mays story for the website... and helped me check the lottery numbers for the paper. "I love your work," she said. "It's so peaceful." I guess it is, compared to spending the evening with your baby brother!