A Tale of Two Cities

In Philadelphia, Sophie takes a break from PT

Mirror art is good for developing balance

In Mechanicsville, Mama Martha and Annabelle are knitting away

In Philadelphia, Sophie is working a Little Mermaid puzzle

In Mechanicsville, Jacob is tanking up on Gancyclovir

In Philadelphia, Sophie is coloring mermaids

In Mechanicsville, Jacob and his dad wonder if those Angry Birds will ever forgive and forget

In Philadelphia, Sophie's plush cat is the life of the party

at the Ronald McDonald House

In Mechanicsville, Samuel adds sea horses to his aquarium

In Philadelphia, Sophie plays with Stella (local therapy dog)

Then Stella takes kitty's place as "life of the party"

Wednesday in Hanover County

A Tale of Two Dinners

Mechanicsville

Thompson House

(including celery-fied chicken casserole; yummy!)

Am I the only one whose kid made them a turkey vulture in art class today?

Lucy, hanging with Samuel's pink bunny

Samuel brought out his imaginary binoculars when he heard the

other children talking about a Tornado Watch for our area.

Fortunately, he never located any.

Meanwhile in Ashland, VA (the center of the universe),

Luke was praising the LORD with his friend Allison

Wednesday in Philadelphia

For lunch, Sophie had some delicious soup and was serenaded by a musical group

with a Chinese vocalist, a band leader keyboardist, and several octogenarians.

Sophie, trying to pack all her items into her princess canvas

New leg brace and back brace for sleeping,

practicing being comfortable at bedtime

Don't you just love Sophie's new plush kitty?

Meow!

A Tale of Two Dinners

Philadelphia

Ronald McDonald House

(including fried pickles; yummy)

Pasta, Prizes, and Princesses

Sophie had a quick noodle lunch in between multiple therapy visits.

Gotta carb load for all that work! Go Sophie!

Later, she won a prize playing games at the Ronald McDonald House.

Who better than Sophie to accessorize with some Glitter and Shine?

At bedtime Sophie sported her fashionable new brace,

surrounded by princesses and butterflies. Heaven!

Princess Sophia: A Visit with Royalty

Hanging with Slapshot

(mascot for the Reading Royals hockey team)

Autographed photo for Sophie

The Royals are the proud affiliate of the Washington Capitals

and at 30-10 are firmly in first place in the Atlantic division.

Brrrrrrace Fitting.

Today in sunny Philadelphia, Sophie was fit for this cool butterfly back brace.

Unfortunately, the room was quite chilly and Princess Sophia got the shivers.

Grace and Samuel

Grace is all about childcare: 

with multiple siblings, a daycare job, and many babysitting adventures

Long Distance Relationships

With Susan back in Philadelphia with Sophie, FaceTime is again my favorite 

Apple application. Today, a back brace and more PT for the Mermaid Princess.

Funny breakfast face

Watching Mickey Mouse with a mirror

Samuel was taking photos of dad

"Yes, I'm adorable"

Back to School

After several holidays, snow days, half days, delays, and teacher work days,

the children are finally back in school for the usual duration.

The cold has lifted and it will be in the 70's tomorrow.

Go figure.

The theme for breakfast this morning was apparently GLASSES.

So bright!

Sophie Goes to Philly

Susan took Sophie up to Philadelphia for an assessment at Shriner's Hospital.

Sophie will undergo intensive physical therapy to prepare her for subsequent

treatments which may help her walk on crutches in the future.

It will be hard work, but she is determined.

When the work is done, there is fun to be had at the

Ronald McDonald House.

On day one, Sophie had some delicious cake at a birthday party!

On day two, Princess Sophie hung out at her castle,

showing off her improved ability to balance on her right leg.

Today when they returned to the house, Susan found her headboard

was no longer accompanied by her bed. Hmmm. Curious.

Apparently a pipe burst in the attic and flooded the house.

It's always something.

Susan and Princess Sophie have now been relocated to drier climes.

Sophie aspires to be a mermaid but prefers sleeping out of the water.

Meanwhile back home, Lucy is blowing bubbles

and Keith is walking the dogs.