ER Trip 2010

It's a given when you have kids that SOMEONE is going to end up in the ER, right? But it does take you for a loop when it happens. It all starated on a typical Thursday afternoon. I rushed the kids home for a quick homework session before ushering them out the door to Peggy's soccer practice at 4:30 and David's football practice at 5pm.... mom's taxi was at your service. One more kid swap as Dave took Sarah to their first art class. On the way home... the phone call. "David fell at practice and his arm.... well it looks a little funny." A quick u-turn and I was at the field in minutes. I could tell by the stoic look on his face, he was in pain. A helpful fellow parent/paramedic helped stablize his arm. That first aid kit in my trunk CAME IN HANDY! This paramedic also suggest going to the County Hospital instead of our usual haunt. THANK YOU!

We weren't in the waiting room long enough to sit down. 4 people helped cut him out of his pads (and jersey... hence the halloween costume!). We had e-rays and an IV in about an hour. 30 mintues later, the ortho on duty came in to tell us the news. The humorous was broken. The little nob at the end by the elbow... sheared off. And since it was an unstable fracture, he'd have to spend the night. The surgeon, luckily, would be in town tomorrow and could do the surgery.

2 hours after walking in the front door, we were up in a room in Pediatrics. The wonderful staff that night made David feel safe. Dave stayed with him (remember those great looking recliner beds in the maternity rooms? Just like old times, huh Dave?). Surgery was at 8am Friday morning and we were home exactly 24 hours after arriving at the ER.

In hind sight, not a horrible experience. But it's not over yet. This Friday will be 4 weeks and we'll get an x-ray to see how things are going. Hopefully, if all looks good, the pins will come out and a new cast on for another 4 weeks.

October 2010

Happy Birthday to half the family! We celebrated Emily's, Dave's, Peggy's, Sarah's and Kerri's birthdays' last weekend at the pumpkin patch here in Ventura. Faulkner Farms put on a great event with pumpkin chucking, pony rides and, oh yeah... pumpkins! Nana and I even got to tour the historic house! Lived here 20 years and that was a first!

Peggy and Sarah both had their birthday parties last Friday. Peggy's theme was "5 Little Ladybugs Jumping in the Jumpy House." It was more like 25 little girls jumping and 1000 little ladybugs crawling in the back yard. We released ladybugs for the girls' entertainment in back, while they got their wiggles out in the front yard jumping and sliding. Pictures? Oh, that would have been nice. Then Sarah's closest friends took over the jumpy house. The followed that up with pizza, nails and a movie. All three girls were angels for their first sleepover!

Halloween 2010.... a beautful day followed by a ghoulish night. Yes, I have pictures of that!
David - Football Zombie... complete with REAL cast and REAL ripped jersey... the rest is fake.
Peggy - a Little Witch
Sarah - Little Red Riding Hood
Dave and Me.... The Big Bad Wolf and Grandma to complement Sarah's character.

The whole family is looking forward to Thanksgiving in San Francisco and Christmas in Colorado.....

Ventura County Fair

I almost forgot! The girls entered a variety of things into the fair this year! We pick up the ribbons tomorrow... I'll be sure to post more pictures!
Peggy entered the Glue a Shoe Contest
Sarah won first place for 2 stories she wrote, 3 pieces of artwork, and her banana bread!!!

2010 In Review

Need more updates from the Thompsons? Join Facebook! Really, that's where the good stuff is. Obviously I don't get around to updating this site very often! But I'm trying!

Just returned from a great 6 day camping trip at Shaver Lake... check out the slideshow.

School starts in one week.... where did the summer go? It went to the beach, Boston, the library, the fair, and the lake! It had cousins visit and a couple of trip to Mimi's pool. It didn't make it to ANY water park... near or far. The kids are kinda bummed about that one.

This fall starts a whole new adventure for all of us on many fronts. David is playing football! TACKLE football. HE LOVES IT! Peggy is playing AYSO soccer with Dave as her coach. Sarah is continuing her private swim lessons.

The big news is that Peggy starts KINDERGARTEN! She's so excited!

The Aftermath

We're so lucky to have the cousins here after the holidays. It helps with that after holiday let down that happens after all the hype is over. And it gets me motivated to clean up all the chaos of gift opening! We also went to the zoo today, so we got out of the house. Thanks for keeping us sane!
So the big winners of the holiday gift giving frenzy were:
1. The giant life sized tiger that Sarah bought for Peggy.
2. Satin sheets that we bought for Sarah.
3. The dog science kit David received.... this is the DOG'S favorite!
4. Diamond earings that are still coming in the mail thanks to the snow storm back east.
and last but CERTAINLY not least...5. the new truck that Dave is buying TOMORROW!
It's quesadillas and used clothing for a few months, but the skip in Dave's step is priceless!!

Traditions

The season is in full swing. The cards are out, the decorations are up, the presents bought, the wrapping paper is out and the parties have begun! The kids have seen Santa twice already. The first weekend in December we went to Dave's work party (shown in picture). Then this weekend we had breakfast with Santa at the Y. These are two traditions the kids just arent' ready to give up yet. Sarah went to see Nutcracker this weekend and Peggy and I go this week. David had finally said he's had enough of ballet.

The "family" started a new tradition that I hope doesn't last very long. Peggy and Sarah pooled their own money and bought their own tree. It's about 4 feet tall and it's in Sarah's room. Sarah's explanation was this... "It's too confusing with all those presents under the tree, I can't find mine." She even wrote a note to Santa asking him to leave HER presents under HER tree. Yes, we tried to explain that the tradition of a tree promotes the idea of family bonding.... yeah, that didn't work.

A Christmas Letter

I've been struggling as I do every year soon after Halloween is over with what to do about our Christmas letter. It occurred to me that nothing spectacular has happened this year... no one learned to walk, eat, or read; we went our our usual trips to Denver and Disneyland; and we're all happy and healthy. In addition, Facebook keeps us pretty connected to most of our far off friends and family. So what is there to write about? In lieu of hurting myself trying to witty, this year I wrote a personal note on each of our cards. Sometimes it's the sentiment, not the content that matters. So the Thompson Family wishes all of our friends, family and foes a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2010.