Christmas Tree Storage and Cast Care

It's January 6 and I ordered our holiday cards. Shutterfly had a discount so I went ahead and ordered. The card is clever. It indicates we are late with Christmas cheer, but right on time for new year's wishes. Well, right on time after we receive the delivery around January 20. And, then I address the cards and then find stamps and then mail. Happy Spring, all.

Last year we didn't get a card mailed. The gift of cooperation didn't make it into my stocking so the pictures had more grimace than glee. Initially, I struggled with not sending out a card. I think we have sent one every year since we've had children (maybe, I can't remember, I'm old now). Then, I filed it away as it was OK and moved on.

We took this year's picture Christmas Eve on our way to dinner. We adjusted our Christmas Eve schedule this season with a 9:30 a.m. church service, mid-day shopping and an early El Jarro dinner. I worked off the margaritas while wrapping gifts (and running out of tape -- thank goodness my sister lives a couple of houses down).

This holiday season felt a bit different than those in the past. The two trips took up time that might have been used for preparing and shopping. Chris worked a lot over the break. Camille had gymnastics practice regardless of holidays and I had work trips up until the end of the year. We still ate more than we should, introduced new and exciting cocktails, enjoyed time with friends and family, but it was different.

At least I planned for the holiday card picture. Fourth part planning at it's best. Oh, and we fit in a visit to Santa. And, yeah, we went to Colorado a few days before Christmas to visit our dear friends and surprise the girls' best friend on her birthday.

We had such a fun time. The girls played and we explored Colorado Springs. It is a beautiful place. Now, fourth part planning is being dedicated to figuring out a summer trip back. That will have to fit into gymnastics training because summer is when we start our season.

Which has been interrupted by a distal fibula Salter Harris 2 fracture. And, a cast.

The best part of seeing your best friend is playing with that friend. Pillow fights. Barbies. Laughing. Watching movies. Swimming (heated pool).

Jumping on the trampoline.

The last day of our visit, Camille rolled her left ankle while jumping on the trampoline. (Insert groans from all the coaches and doctors who don't like trampolines). It was a bit swollen and she walked a bit slower, but it seemed to be something temporary. When we woke up the next day back in San Antonio, it was swollen so we iced it, she stayed off it, we wrapped it.

Sunday, Christmas and the day after . . . swelling was gone. She was getting around no problem.

Gymnastics practice was back up and rolling December 27. We told the coaches. The ankle was wrapped. Practice was modified. Fine, fine, fine.

Another few days off because of New Year's, but back again Wednesday, January 3.

An hour before practice ended, I get a phone call from the gym.

'Camille landed in her floor routine and started crying.'

'You can pick her up now.'

'Take her for an x-ray.'

Well, there you go. No fourth part planning for this. I pick her up, we are off to the med clinic. The doctor saw nothing. The nurse wrapped the ankle. Ice and rest.

Thursday morning, the radiologist calls.

'I think I see something.'

'I think you should pick up the films.'

'I want you to call a pediatric orthopedist.'

Well, there you go. While at Thursday practice (modified) with a wrapped left ankle (notified she will only do beam and bar at the meet this weekend) -- I get an appointment for Friday, January 5.

I'm at a funeral. Gervais has doctor duty.

Friday morning, Gervais calls.

'She's getting a cast.'

'She has a fracture in her fibula.'

'She can't compete.'

I talk to the doctor.

'The bone is in the right place.'

'This is common.'

'We'll fix it now.'

It's a hot pink cast. Camille is in good spirits. Sad she won't compete this weekend. Sad she won't compete in Orlando in February. She likes people signing her cast.

I emailed the coach.

'She can't compete.'

'We will miss Friday practice.'

'We'll come to the meet Sunday to cheer on the team.'

There's no planning for a cast. There is planning for follow up visits, cancelling flight and hotel reservations in Orlando, modifying practice (still can do upper body work -- thank you Hillary for thinking I should ask for 1/2 price since we are only working 1/2 the body) and figuring out outfits that can work over a cast (no jeans).

The cast will slow Camille down. It will keep us at home which we all enjoy. It keeps me looking around at the Christmas that has been taken down but not put up in the attic.

Christmas has been down at our house since before New Year's. The wreath remains on the door, the art work the girls made at school hangs above the dining room window. Everything else, down. And, a few boxes are still in the house waiting to be taken to the garage.

It's basketball season so there are few evenings and weekends available during the holidays to pack it all away, but this weekend Chris doesn't work, there is no practice and we have no meet.

But, we don't have a Christmas tree storage bag for the main tree. It's splayed all over the living room floor -- kind of tucked into the corner, but nonetheless splayed and in the way. The box it came in is open and broken and torn. The tree is sitting in that dysfunctional box waiting for a new home.

Amazon Prime comes through at Christmas. (Gervais ordered my gifts December 23 and they arrived December 24 -- it's basketball season.) Amazon Prime comes through after Christmas spending gift cards. And, Amazon Prime comes through after, after Christmas when there is a need for Christmas tree storage.

Bag to be delivered by Monday, January 8. School will be back in session but there are no games that night, practice is not late and there won't be gymnastics because it is the day after a meet in which we won't compete (that rhymes, remember, I'm clever).

Here's hoping all Christmas but the main tree will make it back into the attic this weekend.

Here's hoping we'll figure out how to shower with a cast on the left leg.

Here's hoping we'll get through this next season with modified gymnastics and full-on basketball.

Here's hoping we'll chillax Ethan in this New Year.