School Board Meeting, Theo COVID Test, & Ghostbusters

We are in the final countdown! Our trip to Disney World is coming up fast, but we still have a lot to do (Theo's angiogram, sending in the mask exemption to the airline, getting Theo multiple COVID test, etc.) before we leave. 

After attending the Public Safety Committee meeting I decided it would be a good idea to also attend the local School Board meeting. On Monday, November 15th, I headed to Theo's school where the meeting was being held. I was very surprised (and encouraged) that so many people were there, but that was a fluke. Turns out everyone was there because they were doing some awards for the kids. After the awards the board dismissed the parents and it was just me, a small family, and some teachers that were left.

The meeting was long, but I'm glad I went. It's important to be involved in your community and I hope to attend more meetings (school board and community) in the future.

Theo is continuing to work VERY hard at his food play. He is actually "eating" some of the food and enjoying it. We are still a LONG way from him getting any calories from his food, but we are hopeful!

Josh has been spending a lot of time in the basement lately. He has been studying hard for Part A and Part C of his CWI test, which he takes on November 29th. On Tuesday, November 16th, Josh had a deposition (it's a work thing - sorry, can't talk about it) with a bunch of lawyers. It was on Zoom, but it went on for HOURS! He said it went well and hopefully he doesn't have to go through that again.

[Daddy should be #1, but other then that this is very accurate!]

On Friday, November 19th, Theo worked hard at PT and then we headed to Ottawa so he could get a COVID test.

Poor kid. He knew what was coming.

The nurse was quick and gave Theo a HotWheels car. He was upset, but got over it pretty quickly!

On Saturday, November 20th, I sent in the letter that Theo's doctor wrote, so that he could have a mask exemption on our flights to and from Orlando. I was contacted a few hours later by the airline saying that he could have the mask exemption as long as he had a negative COVID test 72 hours before the flight.

Phew! That helps relieve a lot of stress for sure!

After sending in his letter I went and saw Ghostbusters Afterlife! It was amazing! I cried and laughed and cried again! Ghostbusters is one of my favorite movies and this new one was just full of fun references and throwbacks! Go see it! And make sure you see the mid-credits and after credits scenes 👻👻

On Sunday, November 21st, Josh, Theo, and I headed to our favorite hotel in Peoria. Theo's check-in time for his angiogram is 6:30 AM, which is just a little too early when you live 2 hours from the hospital. On the drive we witnessed a beautiful sunset over the cornfields and windmills. I guess Illinois isn't too bad.

Girls Weekend in Indy with Missy

Traveling is hard. Traveling with a child with Special Needs can be downright difficult. If there is a way for that difficulty to be reduced then I will take it. 

My parents are driving to Florida for our family vacation while the rest of us are flying. They told me if I wanted them to drive down some diapers and food for Theo that they would. All I needed to do was get them the items. I talked to Missy and we made plans to meet in Indianapolis for a weekend in November. I would bring her a few boxes of things for Theo and she would take them to my parents. I got the boxes ready to take to Missy, but then my parents decided that they would come and visit us the week before I was suppose to meet Missy in Indy. My parents ended up taking the boxes with them after they visited us, but Missy and I still wanted our Girls Weekend in Indy! And we did!

On Friday (November 12th) afternoon I headed down to Indy. Missy and I arrived at the hotel within a few minutes of each other. We checked in and got to our room. There Missy surprised me with the worlds best apple cider doughnuts from Iron Fruit Farms! AND she brought me one of her homemade orange rolls! It was shaping up to be a great weekend!

That night we went to dinner at a local, family owned Greek restaurant which was delicious!

The next morning (November 13th) we went for a walk around town. Our first stop was the Indiana State Capitol. 

We then walked down to Cafe Patachou to get some brunch. We had our fill before heading back out into the cold. Our next stop was the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. There were crews there turning it into a giant Christmas tree and Santa made a brief appearance. I'm sure it'll look great once all the lights are up and on.

Next, we headed to the Central Canal,

the White River State Park,

and to the White River Pedestrian Bridge.

[So cold and windy!]

After our walking tour of town, we headed back to the hotel to make plans for that afternoon. We tried to get appointments for pedicures but everything was booked. We then looked into getting tickets for the "Bands of America" competition that was happening that weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium. The tickets were $45-65, which was a little much so we decided to pass on that. Missy then suggested that we go to the NBA Pacers game. I was shocked and very excited! I looked up the Gainbridge Fieldhouse rules to see if we needed to have our vaccine cards or a negative COVID test in order to get into the arena. It didn't say anything about that on their website (only that mask were recommended), so we decided to drive down to the arena and buy some tickets. Construction was terrible so I had Missy drop me off at the front entrance while she made a lap around the block. As I approached the front doors I saw this sign and my heart dropped:

Oh poop. Luckily, Missy had her vaccine card, but I didn't have mine. We then drove around town looking for a place for me to get tested, but everything was closed. We then headed to CVS to see if I could get a rapid test. They were all booked up for testing, but the pharmacist suggested that I buy a "do-it-yourself-at-home-COVID-test." So I did. I thought that if I had a picture of my vaccine card and a negative "do-it-yourself-at-home-COVID-test" that I would be fine and be able to go to the game. 

We then headed back to the arena so I could talk to the box office people and see if they would let me in the arena for the game. I told the guy at the box office what my plan was and he looked at me like I was crazy. He told me I didn't need a negative COVID test or a vaccine to get into the game. I then showed him the picture of the signs that were outside. He sighed and said that those were from the comedy show that was there last night and that rules change according to what is happening in the arena. He apologize and said that the signs should have been taken down. UGH! He told me that I was good to go and he helped me buy some awesome tickets!

I then ran back outside and told Missy what had happened. We then headed BACK to CVS so I could return my "do-it-yourself-at-home-COVID-test." PHEW! Crisis adverted!

After we secured our tickets and got some drinks from CVS we headed down to Amelia's Bakery. We got a bunch of tasty treats and then went back to the hotel to eat.

[Lucas Oil Stadium]

[All of our tasty treats]

After consuming our snacks we took naps and then headed back to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Pacers vs 76ers NBA game!

We entered the arena and headed first to the food stand to get some chicken fingers and drinks. Once we got our dinner we made our way to our seats. 

Center court and second row of the Club Level. Can't complain about that!

The crowd was fun and the game was entertaining!

[Band section]

Yay! It's always fun when the team you are rooting for wins!

On our way out of the arena I stopped by the gift shop and bought a pin. It looks great on my map!

The next morning (November 14th) we went to Long's Bakery to get some highly recommended doughnuts. I got a glazed twist and a chocolate long John. They were both very tasty and reminded me of the doughnuts from Dad's on Balboa Island.

[Waiting in the snow for some warm doughnuts!]

After getting our doughnuts Missy dropped me off at the hotel and she headed off to Ohio. I then got ready, packed my things, and headed north. It was snowing hard and the roads were pretty slushy for the first hour, but then things cleared up. While I was driving I was able to listen into Kenna and Porter's Primary Program. Luckily I stopped to get gas right when it was Porter's turn to speak. I could hear his cute voice, but the adults forgot to point the camera down for the kids. Oops! 

Thanks Missy for joining me for a fun weekend! We need to do this more often!

Trying to be Involved in my Community & Disney Plus Day

Monday, November 8th, was Theo's final day of his COVID-19 exposure quarantine. YAY! We Zoomed with his class and worked on school work at home. 

[He's getting more comfortable with food]

[Dada helping Theo with his school work]

Because Theo gets up so early I actually like that the sun comes up earlier now. I'm sure I'm in the minority. Welcome to winter in the north! It gets dark early here!

My fitboard is upstairs in the family room and I will sometimes use it multiple times a day. I love jumping on it while I'm watching TV. I've had it for a few years and it finally cracked.

I love all of our red leaves!

[Theo and his adorable class on Halloween]

Art from school:

Josh has been working out in the corn fields for the last few months. This morning he got to witness this beautiful sunrise!

I've been on the hunt for good apple cider doughnuts and I have not been successful this year! But I came across these Oreo's at the store. I was tempted, but I'm still holding out for the real thing.

We have been putting food on Theo's spoon and encouraging him to feed himself. He's not into it, but he's not upset about it. So that's a win!

This week I attended two town meetings. One was on our future water crisis and where we should get our water from. It was on Zoom, which was good because it was boring! 😬 The second meeting was the Public Safety Committee. I wanted to attend this one because they were going to be talking about some dangerous intersections. I was the only person there besides the committee, but I'm glad I went. They are going to get some quotes from engineering about installing new signs at two of the intersections. I am looking forward to seeing what comes of it.

November 11th is Veterans Day. We love our veterans and are grateful for their service. I sent in a picture of Papa so Theo's school and they put a slide show together. It was fun to see his picture pop up!

[That's my Papa! He's so handsome!]

[We love our Tonies and Theo has a great collection!]

I talked to Theo's teacher because Theo's feeding therapist and I feel like it's time to have Theo participate in "snack time" at school. It would be good for him to see other kids eating and to smell all the smells. His teacher said he did well and played with his Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

[The most accurate ID photo ever taken]

Theo sat up in his cube chair for 17 MINUTES at OT! Ms. Laura was so excited to tell me all about it and we are so proud of his progress!

November 12th was Disney Plus Day. I watched their IG very closely for all the news. They announced some great new shows and movies for Disney and Pixar and some cool shows for NatGeo.

Honestly, I was just waiting for the Marvel and Star Wars news. We were hit with some AMAZING MCU news and I am so excited about all the new shows.

After the Marvel news we waited for Star Wars... but the only thing we got was a sizzle for the new Kenobi show (which actually leaked a few days ago). We were all pretty bummed, but hopefully we will get more Star Wars news from Celebration next May. We do have the Book of Boba Fett starting in December and three High Republic books coming out early next year, so that will have to hold us over until May.

What Theo is thankful for:

I just love this:

After Josh got home from work, I headed down to Indianapolis to meet Missy for a Girls Weekend! Woot woot!