high excitement

There has been some high excitement around here. First of all, Lucas got new shoes. (He needed new shoes in the very worst way.) He picked out these Vans and a pair of basketball shoes. He walked around with a huge smile and told us numerous times that he can run faster and jump higher now.

Also, he went back to school today, after missing 6 days due to another sinus infection! Oh, happy day.

Max is going to the state competition for his cello solo! He has worked hard and long on that piece, and we are so proud of him.

Recently, it was finally Eva's turn to bring the "Sound Box" to school. (Somehow, the only picture I have is on my phone, and I can't figure out how to get it here...) Each child takes a turn with a different letter of the alphabet. Hers was T, so she had to fill the box with things that start with the letter T. Even though she brought the box home several days before she was to return it, filling it was of the utmost importance, and we had to drop everything to hunt for T objects. We put in a bag of miniature Twix bars for a T treat.

Yesterday morning, she badgered Marc and I into putting together quick sound boxes of our own, for her entertainment. The girl has got skills.

A rather frightening photo of one of my new leg braces.

I got my new, super-expensive, custom-made leg braces. My family teases me about my "cyborg legs" – they really do make me look part machine. But the combination of the braces, the physical therapy, and the injections must be working, because I can now walk down stairs normally most of the time! And I no longer avoid putting on the brake in my van for fear of not being able to release it. Cause for excitement indeed.

As for Marc, he has been having a rough go of it, and I'm not sure that he's all that excited about anything right now. Well, maybe his spring study abroad program that he'll be splitting with another professor...