First ER Visit

Stephen Laughing At Emergency Room

Stephen's New Cast

Broken ankle (fibula) and big toe bone growth plate. Stephen was playing and jumping when he suddenly started crying. We took him to the ER and they confirmed that he broke his foot in two places, although not too seriously. We'll have to follow up with another doctor on Monday and get a more permanent cast. He has not slowed down at all and wanted to keep walking on it even before he got is padded cast put on.

That night, Stephen started crying for the first time. He had fallen asleep in the car and got put to bed without dinner. He woke up and was crying that his foot hurt. It took us several minutes before we convinced him to eat something, but once he started, he kept going until he felt better, and then went happily to sleep.

Trash

While climbing up on the toilet in order to reach the sink, Stephen slipped and fell off, landing with his butt right in the bathroom trash can, with arms and legs sticking up in the air.

Stephen: I wanna do that again!

Career Choices

Sarah: Daddy, why do you want to be a nurse? Why don't you want to be a person that sells ice cream?

Poopoo

Stephen: Sarah! Sarah! You wanna come see my poopoo?

Sarah: No! Nobody wants to see your poopoo!

Stephen: Marlenne! You wanna come see my poopoo?

Marlenne: No, I don't want to go see your poopoo Stephen.

Stephen: Why?

Marlenne: Because it's stinky and yucky! Do you want to see my poopoo?

Stephen: Yes!

Marlenne: Why?

Stephen: To see how pretty!

Memorial Day in Chardon

Every year there is a special Memorial Day ceremony in Chardon to honor and remember war heroes who have fought for our American freedom. The Pilgrim Brass play songs, someone recites the Gettysburg Address, and the veterans stand to be honored. When I was little I think that there were still a few WWI vets, but now even the number of WWII vets is dwindling.

Chardon Courthouse on the Square
(Tree in Front Has Historical Significance)

Flag Flying On Square in Front of Fire Station

Bed

It's early in the morning, and Sarah is lying down on her mattress at the foot of our bed. We are still trying to sleep. Stephen enters the bedroom.

Sarah: Stephen, come lie down here with me in my bed!

Stephen: I lie down here on the floor.

Sarah: Look, there's no peepee in my bed!

Stephen: Oh!

(Stephen then lies down with Sarah on her bed.)

Nursing

Papa is getting ready to study nursing, and is often out studying as he taking time-consuming prerequisite classes at the local community college.

Stephen: I don't want you to be a nurse!

Papa: Why, Stephen?

Stephen: I want you stay at home all day and be Papa!

(Repeated daily. Sarah shares the same sentiment.)