March Madness: St. Patrick's Day, Soccer, RAIN, and Sad Day for Owen

For a full year, Zachary reminded us to keep some moving boxes so he could create the perfect leprechaun trap.  He wondered if anyone had ever caught one, and brainstormed solutions that would keep the leprechaun alive (i.e. he axed the idea of trapping them in a large pool of water in case they couldn't swim) but also keep the sneaky creature around until the light of day.  He stayed awake March 16th as long as he could and was convinced he heard tiny footsteps on the stairs.  (Incidentally, just days before, I wrote Brady the following petrified text, "Someone is in the house.  Come home now.  The person is in our master bedroom.  I seriously sat that way for 30 minutes on the couch, unsure how to protect my family and hoping the predator would leave.  Brady finally convinced me that it was the refrigerator making unfamiliar sounds rather than the more obvious and rational explanation that it was footsteps.)

Zac worked on the trap here and there for a week, perfecting it before the big night.  Alas, they escaped again, but not without some mischief.

Kate's hat trick, and a little confusion about the number of goals scored.

Cruising the hood.

Sweaty kids but I had to snap a few pictures.

March meant rain and more rain.  We had hardly any sun in March, which is one reason our house is still unpainted.  No paint.  No landscaping.  My favorite comment from a neighbor boy recently, "Wow!  You are so lucky your landscaping is already growing in!" as he pointed out the dirt and foot-high weeds.  Ha!

The rain made it hard to find fun activities on Spring Break.  This ended up being the one and only day we made it to the beach, on Day 1 of break.

It was so cold, Owen wouldn't even let me suit him up.

Rain meant many playdates.  This was taken Tuesday, a couple hours before...

...the accident.  Owen was walking down the driveway after Brady got home and parked his truck, obstructing the view.  We were both talking to neighbors as the kids zoomed around on their bikes.  Zachary took a sharp turn into the driveway going too fast, and collided with Owen.  I watched it happen in slow motion.  It was obvious the moment it happened that Owen broke his leg.  He refused to put any pressure on it and cried abnormally long and loud.  Brady rushed him over to see our friend Spencer, who confirmed the need for an ER visit and made him the cutest makeshift splint out of a Belvita box..  It took 1 hour in and out to get his x-rays, splint and diagnosis (which is 2 full hours faster than it took a week later to see the orthopedic specialist).

Bowed bones and fractured tibia.

Owen was so sad, we were so sad, and Zachary was the most sad.  He wished again and again it was him and not Owen in pain and in the hospital.  He felt so much guilt and grief, and working through it with him has been a memorable parenting experience.  He has a tender heart.  He asked if we could run to Longs near our house and put together a care package, and at the store, he ran from isle to isle locating treasures and spending his own money.  Kate also contributed and was excited to get him gummy bears and a light-up ball.  They both made him signs and prayed sincerely for him before bed.

Owen was so excited to see his doggie, eat his gummy bears, play with his balloon, and roll his new car around.  

The kids popped out of bed determined to make Owen happy.  They colored, played games, read stories, and rushed for anything he needed.

Two weeks in, Owen is losing patience with his immobility.  He throws more tantrums, the cast itches, and it upsets him how little control he has over his environment.  Sadly, most breaks are on the fibula, which includes a weight-bearing cast and the ability for a child to get around independently.  Where Owen's bone is so bowed and on the weight-bearing bone, he has to keep it completely immobile for another 6 weeks.  We were pretty overwhelmed with the news initially but so grateful that the timing works so well--he broke it after we moved and before we leave to go to Italy.  Also, when he was in the accident, his head slapped the concrete--hard.  Luckily, he was wearing his helmet from biking earlier.  So grateful it is not worse!

 Those bones are supposed to be straight up and down.  Thus, no weight-bearing of any kind.

 So pitiful that he lays down to play.

 Adding art to his injury.

 He kept saying, "I wanna WALK!" and laying his head down. Oh, love, it will be over before you know it.