Russell's "Portrait Studio" and Email to Thomas (Grandparents) About Ross's Tonsillectomy

Hi-

How are our world travelers doing??? We hope you're enjoying your big
adventure in South America.

Anne Elise, what do you think of the revolution in Egypt? I imagine
the news coverage includes many places you know well.

Ross has been at home all week with the fever and sore throat illness
that had Lydia at home for 3 days last week. He looks to be all
better today and is enjoying the DVD Secretariat at the moment. John
is having a very busy week at work. He went to their planned new
office in the Triangle yesterday and today he's in Charlotte. He
finds this leaves little time to prepare for his client meetings- also
heavily sprinkled throughout this week. His boss will be away next
week which provides for fewer meetings. Whew!

I'm prepping for my 4 talks in Wisconsin on 2/11 and 2/12. Hope the
weather will be manageable up there! We only saw rain here this week,
of course.

I'm attaching some photos from Christmas, one shot of John and Ross
waiting for Ross's tonsillectomy surgery, and a photo of Russell with
his toy dog. In that photo, Russell had set up the cardboard to be a
backdrop (like our McCain family photo in December). The yellow car
is the chair in the portrait studio and his dog is, of course, the
subject of his portrait. Pa, you might have another photographer
there!

Love to all-
Jen

Lydia Sings the Months of The Year- Age 3.wmv

December 2010 at Home

Ross's Tonsillectomy

We had Ross's tonsils removed due to repeated cases of strep throat. None of our kids seem to snore but I've heard that the surgery would also help that and sleeping or behavioral problems.

Pre-Op Ross played on his 1st electronic gadget- an Ipod he saved up and bought from Noah L. Mom and Dad (behind the camera) waited somewhat nervously.

Post-Op visit with the Bishops. Thank you for the ice cream!

Ross and Dr. Kraus (above). Ross stayed in the Day Surgery Center overnight with J.T. They watched sports on TV.

Dr. Kraus gave ear tubes to Lydia when she was 2 so this is our second procedure with him. He reported after the surgery that Ross's adenoids had been blocking 90% of his airway. Writing this 5 months later, Ross has remarked to me that it is now easier for him to breathe while swimming.

Scotty Humphries kindly delivered a milkshake for Ross.

Ross's pitiful look here was typical of his recovery period. He returned to school 11 days post-surgery.

Brownies Fall 2010

Lydia is enjoying her Brownies Troop. Above, they had an American Girl Doll event at a house on Fleming Rd. in Greensboro.


One day, Lydia studied my wedding ring and asked if it is a crystal. I said that it's a diamond. She asked me how much it cost. I asked what her guess might be. She said $5. When I looked surprised, she raised her estimate to $10. When I said that most diamonds cost more than $100, she clapped both hands over her mouth in surprise.

Go Far 5K Race

This was our 2nd year competing in this local 5K race.
This year, it moved to downtown High Point. Above: our school's team. My kids are both near the center of the 2nd row. Ross is wearing a hat and Lydia is sporting a black headband.

While I ran beside Lydia and pushed him in his jogging stroller, Russell exclaimed:
"I'm not even sweating!"

Lydia Fall 2010

Lydia has exchanged only a few emails in her 8 years. Her first email was sent to her friend Caroline T. Today, she asked if she may send a message to her teacher who had gone home sick. I agreed and the message she wrote touched me:

Subject: love you
Message: I really missed you today.I hope you can come back tomarow.I LOVE YOU and i hope you feel better.
Lydia

I'll summarize her teacher's reply here:

Lydia,

I am feeling better and I should be at school tomorrow. I missed you too!

Thanks for your note.

Mrs. L.

That is sweet. Honestly, we've had one great teacher after another in our public school system.

Photo of Lydia with her buddy from school, gymnastics, and Brownies at their school's 50th Anniversary celebration.