Jackinator

Are you kiddin' me

We had to gather up items for Jack's costume for Seussical Jr. this week.  He's wearing soccer shorts, colorful knee-high socks (he chose mismatched ones from Amanda's bountiful supply) and black, red & white sneakers.  After he put those things on, he looked down at himself and said, 'Are you kiddin' me.'  Hehehe - can't wait to see the play!  The performances are next week - Wednesday, Thursday & Friday the 6th, 7th & 8th at 6:30pm.  For you locals, I have 4 tickets left for Thursday and 1 ticket left for Friday.  If you'd like to go, let me know!

Spelling Bee Champ!

Jack won his school's Spelling Bee!  First he qualified for his class to go to the school-wide bee, and then he won the whole thing!  His words were cosmetic, library and strategy.  Now he'll compete in the town-wide Spelling Bee on February 3rd, with kids in grades 4th through 8th.  Gonna be tough - I quizzed him last night and some of those words I can't even pronounce.

Mr. Mayor!

Jack got his part in his school play, Seussical Jr. - he is the Mayor of Whoville!  It looks like a pretty good part and he starts rehearsals today after school.  He doesn't know what his costume will look like but I picture a top hat and a tuxedo coat with long tails.  Jack is hoping for a cane and a monocle!

There is also a 'Mrs. Mayor.'  When Amanda found out about that, she did quite a bit of teasing, much to Jack's dismay.  It was getting out of hand, so I threatened taking away Facebook if she didn't stop.  Well, she decided it was worth it to give up Facebook for the evening to keep teasing Jack.  I must admit, it was cute to see Jack blush! 

Gifts

We received some early Christmas gifts - Jack made his school play Seussical Jr!  He won't find out what part he is until after the holiday break, but he's pretty psyched!  Believe it or not, Amanda is very excited for Jack, too.  She even texted me on the way to a basketball game to find out if he made the play.  Sisterly support - quite a gift; something we don't receive very often :)

Another gift came in a middle school basketball game last week - Amanda scored 37 points!  This is apparently a school record.  In the 3rd quarter of that game, they were tied at 21 but then Amanda just kept putting the ball in the basket; they ended up winning by 18.  They also beat their cross-town rival today, which they haven't done for a few years.  At half-time they were down by 8, but after switching defensive tactics, they ended up winning 58 - 39, and Amanda had 19 points.  They are currently undefeated and have beaten everyone in their division once.  Go Lady Dragons!

Theatrics

Hello everyone - I spruced up the Jackinator blog for the Holidays so check it out!  As for Jack, there are a few things to report.  After his basketball practice yesterday (they do drills for 45 minutes and then have a free-for-all scrimmage for 15 minutes; more like tackle football than basketball), the track at the high school was open.  Jack asked if he could run on it and since it was warm (mid 40's as opposed to mid 20's like the past week) we said sure.  Well, he ran a 400 with a great pace & form, and then sprinted at the end!  No limp that I could detect and he's starting to get some lift in his steps, so that means his calves are getting stronger.  Looks like the water park boot camp really helped.  At least that's what I keep telling myself to keep the guilt at bay.

 

Next week, Jack is auditioning for his school play,Seussical Jr.  At first he was excited about it but now he's convinced he'll be the only boy.  We told him, if that is the case, then at least he'll get the lead male role! 

 

We also got the date to get the plate removed from his hip.  It'll be February 8th.  We have a pre-op appt. with the orthopedic doctor on January 14th so I'll get all the details about the procedure then.  Supposedly it's not a big deal.  Compared to a body cast for 7 1/2 weeks, then I guess it won't be a big deal!  I just hope he'll be able to participate in a spring activity, besides swimming.  His school hosts a 5K every spring.  I am coordinating a program for the 4th & 5th graders to train for the 5K and would love if Jack could participate.  The goal of the training program is to be able to complete the 5K, not necessarily to be able to run the whole thing.  I think it would be amazing if Jack could do this but of course we'll clear it with his doctor first.  We certainly don't want to undo everything we've done.  And there's always next year, a phrase Perthes families are very familiar with.

We would also like to wish Nana, Mom-Mom in Florida and Pop-Pop Tony a very Happy Birthday!

Field Trip

The 4th grade at Jack's school visited Slater Mill today.  This ended their unit on immigration, so when they got there they pretended they were just arriving to America.  Jack was Abraham, a 23 year-old shopkeeper from Russia.  They had to perform several physical and mental tests to see if they would be admitted to America.  Jack passed the tests today but would not have been able to pass the simple physical tests (walking a straight line and stepping up onto a box) a year ago.  And, 100 years ago, he would not have been allowed into this country because of Perthes Disease; it would have affected his ability to get a job and support himself.  That made me appreciate where and when we live.  After that, they learned what it would be like to work in a mill or factory.  Hard work and long hours!  I said to the kids, "Remember this the next time you complain about going to school."  Jack replied, "Well, school is like a factory, too, with someone always telling you:  do this!  go there!"  What a wise guy!  He certainly doesn't get that from me!  At the end, they learned how to put a fire out at the mill using a line of people and some buckets.  A great way to spend a gorgeous day. 

 
 

 
 

Happy Fall!

Happy Fall everyone!  There's a new banner on Jackinator.  I would've preferred something more fall-ish, like pretty leaves, but the Boss chose a Football theme (surprise, surprise.)  My other Boss (Amanda) was complaining that I haven't posted in a week, but there's not much to report on the Perthes front.  Which is good, I think.  Jack is going about his business - school, a fun swim class on Wednesdays, and running around outside with friends on nice days.  I am back from PA.  The kids (and the house) survived my absence, and Nana is doing pretty well. 

Here are some other tidbits:

When I got Jack from school one day this week, the Principal said every time she sees Jack running around, it makes her smile.  Me, too!  Here's a school pic from a year ago: 

One of Jack's Perthes Pals just had surgery this week.  Her name is Izzie and she's 10 years old.  We hope she recovers quickly and is back on the soccer field soon! 

School's in Session

School started today!  It's been exactly 6 months since Jack's last day of school, right before his surgery.  Seems like a lifetime ago.  And last year, he started school in a wheelchair.  This year, he was hanging upside down on the monkey bars!

Last Hurrah

We've had a nice last week of summer vacation.  Amanda went to a camp that does different cool things each day, like Six Flags, a water park and Block Island.  She still has a beach day tomorrow since the rain cancelled it last week.  Jack had some play dates and we got to Gooseberry Beach again with Grace and Ethan.  We also went to a Welcome Reception at his school, Forest Park.  He got the teacher he (I) wanted and Isaac is in his class!  So is Lia, who is Jackinator's top Blog Commenter.  The kids loved seeing him playing on the playground and the girls seemed to enjoy chasing him around.  So, back to 'normal' for this school year (I hope.)  Jack said he is strangely looking forward to school starting on Wednesday and Isaac even wanted to start today.  He asked his mom, since she's on the PTO, to pull some strings and have school start sooner!

Jack and Dad had Saturday to themselves since Amanda had a sleep-over party and I went into Newport with friends to celebrate my 40th birthday.  We did a tour and tasting at Newport Vineyards, had dinner on Bowen's Wharf, did some shopping and then finished at O'Brien's Pub, where some people thought it was my 30th birthday!  It was tons of fun; makes me want to turn 40 again next year!

Today was our last day to sleep in since we'll have to get Amanda to the beach bus tomorrow morning.  Jack, though, is normally up & alert before 7 and school doesn't start until 9:15 this year, so it won't make a difference to him.  Later today, we'll be going to T's (the kids' favorite place to eat) to mourn the loss of summer, just like how we went there on the first day of summer vacation, to celebrate.

On Wednesday is the annual Back-to-School lunch for the moms.  This year we are going to KON in East Greenwich.  A fun way to kick off the school year, at least for the moms!

Finishing Up

Nothing new this week - just finishing up school.  Monday is the last day.  Jack is attending school full day today and Monday, his first full days since March 1st!  I'll be filling this void by getting a haircut and pedicure today and a massage on Monday.  Later on today, we're meeting friends Grace and Ethan at our pool club, and on Fathers Day, we're going to try out a new mini-golf place in Exeter.  As long as that is doable for Jack, then I'm going to see if a bunch of friends want to meet there next week, as a little celebration of Jack walking.  Once I know for sure, I'll send out an email.  Thursday the 24th is an open day for us, so hopefully that works for others, and the weather cooperates.