Back to school!!!

The cheese-wagon pulled up to 1768 Fox Downs Lane on Monday morning. It was a beautiful sight! Trippy starts first grade and James is in second grade at Randolph. Sara P started at the Middle School and Adrianna is in 10th grade. Everyone got up and outta the house the first day in good humor. Mom is especially happy!

Sans Souci!

The Hardy Clan went on their annual pre-school trip the the Sans Souci Motel in Buckroe Beach. It is a Hardy tradition! We went down Saturday morning and stayed that night. We all had diner at Joe's Crab Shack on the waterside in Norfolk. We then took the gang to Busch Gardens on Sunday. We felt sorry for Adrianna for having to be in a wheelchair, but then we found out it got us to the front of every line!

http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?AttrID=38811&pf=1

Apostle Vow Renewal 8/9/08

We went to Drew & Tiff's vow renewal service on 8/9/08 and all of the cousins got to play together!

Bert's trip to NYC 8/20/08

Bert went to New York on business where he got beaten up by all of the vendors, bankers, creditors, etc., but at least he had a great hotel. Check out the view:

Good news and bad news

So, the good news (or GREAT news!) is that Adrianna does NOT need surgery for her foot. Her Doc said that there's really no surgery he can do that will help it and he expects that Adrianna will heal fine on her own. She is wearing an ugly boot for 6 weeks and then should be fine with minimal residual issues.

The bad news is that we had to return Buddy to his breeder today. It turns out he is unilaterally deaf - and his "good" ear isn't even that good. It was a very difficult decision because we all had already become very attached. He's so sweet and lovable, but we were concerned for his safety. It was a long drive there and back, with lots of tears. We'll keep in touch with the breeder as she looks for a special home to accommodate his needs. Boo hoo hoo! We'll wait awhile before starting our search for another pup. It's just very hard for us now.

Strawderman ends on a sour note

Adrianna and Sara Parker are returning from Camp Strawderman after two fun-filled weeks. This is a planned homecoming for Sara P, but not for Adrianna who was injured in a horse fall on Thursday. Adrianna is OK. Beth and YiaYia spent Friday with her at camp watching her sister and friends in the horse show. She is in high spirits, her right foot is wrapped and splinted, and she is traveling well on crutches and hydrocodone! We will return to Richmond Saturday and see the orthopedic surgeon on Monday.

Her horse, Rosebud (whom we now call Rosethorn!) spooked at something and fell, taking Adrianna with him and landing on top of her foot. She has a Lisfranc injury to her foot - so named for Napoleon's field surgeon who saw many of these injuries when soldiers would fall off their mounts with their foot caught in the stirrup. The incidence of Lisfranc joint fracture­ dislocations is one case per 55,000 persons each year, accounting for fewer than 1 percent of all fractures. (Figures!) We are fortunate the ER ortho surgeon caught it as it is frequently misdiagnosed. We are praying for news of no surgery, but will find out next week.

Overall, the girls had a great time at camp - crafts, archery, swimming, playing Indians, riding, laughing, etc. They are both anxious to get home but look forward to returning to beautiful Strawderman again next year.