Fred (do over)

This post has been sitting in my draft section of nearly a year.  Not because I didn't want to post exclusively about Fred, the timing just never seemed right.  This blog has a life of it's own and timing is everything.  Well, today our focus is on Fred and it seemed like the perfect time.  She broke her big toe yesterday in a horrific freak accident at the gym that makes me giggle just writing this.  

Now, I'm not heartless, I was very sympathetic as I diagnosed her injury and made the necessary arrangements to get her in to the doctor. I just couldn't stop laughing because there I was lying in bed with throbbing pain from my broken and torn up ankle and John was in his recliner ready to crash because he has over exerted himself (his concussion is more severe than we originally thought.  He is under some strict limited mobility.)  We were talking about Tank's fall at school and the school nurse's diagnosis of his head and strategizing the nights sleeping arrangements with Loaf, Rock, and Dash sick.   Arnold and Gus are also sick, but they are pretty self sufficient.   All this was happening when Gus helped a weepy Fred into our room.  

I giggled.

It seemed like the best option with our lives right now. 

So, Fred is now sporting a nice boot to keep her toe immobile for the next 6 weeks while her longitudinal break heals.  She gets to come with me next week to see my orthopedic doctor (a piggy back appointment).

I am considering bubble wrap attire for our family or some force field, as Rock suggested, until spring comes.

That is the do over part of the post, now to the Fred focus.

Fred might not like me posting this photo with her braces and such, but it has been sitting in my file waiting for this post.  It is such a classic photo of who she is: delightful, full of fun and joy even in the face of adversity or in this case cleaning the boys bathroom.  The boys do clean their own bathroom, but sometimes it needs a deep cleaning.

John once asked Fred what made her happy to which she scrunched her nose and said, "Happy things!"   She was seven or eight at the time.  The same is true today and there are so many things that make her happy and most everything for Fred is happy.

Fred has many talents, she has a beautiful voice and some amazing natural artistic abilities.  She is organized and thorough. She was John's assistant basketball coach (for Rock and Tank's team) and she was amazing. She would keep stats, email and call the parents when necessary.  She loved it and it was so much fun chatting with the different parents about how wonderful she is.

One of her most unique talents is her ability to stack things.  Not sure where it came from, but she is good.  One night when it was her turn to wash the dishes rather than put away the clean dry dishes she began to stack  her dishes onto the ever mounting pile.  As you can see, it's an impressive display.

Fred always wanted a little sister.  She was the most excited when we learned about Loaf.  She reads "Fancy Nancy" to her almost daily. Fred used her book fair credit on books for Loaf. She sews dresses for her little princess and they have tea parties with the American girl dolls.  She is such a great sister.

I loved this sight the other day when Fred took Ellie, Loaf and her new stroller on a walk to take our neighbor their package that was accidentally left at our door step.  I know I have exceptional children. I forget to tell them on a regular basis, but today Fred, I remember. I love you sweetie!

Comments

[Holly]

Wow you've had a lot happening! Sorry to hear you are all in various stages of miserable. Glad you found a giggle amidst the trial. ( :

[Karen]

I am one of those people who read your blog on a regular basis but don't comment but today I have to say what a wonderful post so full of love.

[Eileen Taylor]

Thanks for letting us meet Fred, Allison. She really is a beautiful and talented young lady.

Hope you're all feeling better soon.

[JRoberts]

This is the sweetest post. Full of love. That last photo made me miss my baby sister. Now I have to call her and tell her I love her. :)