Ear Infection, School, and Christmas Cards

  • Post category:Holidays / School
  • Reading time:3 mins read

This will be the first of two posts this weekend. This one will be a regular post covering the past two weeks of James’ life. In the second one, which I will try post tomorrow, I’ll share pictures from an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime trip we took last weekend.

 

Ear Infection

We did have a little concern that James wasn’t going to be able to make the trip. After Stacy got James up on Monday the 7th and was getting him ready for school, she sensed that something was brewing. He had some ear drainage and was a bit congested. The pediatrician’s office wasn’t open yet so she was left with a decision: keep James home from school, call the doctor’s office when they opened, and see if he had an opening to see James; or take James to school, call the doctor’s office when they opened, and see if he could squeeze James into his schedule. She ended up dropping James off at school, waited in the parking lot until the doctor’s office opened, called, and they had an opening. Stacy went back into the school, grabbed James, and went to the doctor. Stacy was right. The doc thinks it was the start of an ear infection and started James on a round of antibiotics and ear drops.

 

School

Do you remember that rather bad school picture that I shared with you in October? In case you have forgotten, here it is…

 

Close‑up of a printed photo bordered in green, showing James seated in a supportive wheelchair, wearing a green‑and‑blue plaid shirt with a black harness. Wooden paneling forms the background, and partial text from the printed page appears along the right edge.
Original 1st Grade school picture

 

Pretty bad, huh? Stacy asked to have his picture retaken without the vest so that you can see more of his shirt and with his eyes more open if possible. His new picture looks so much better, doesn’t it?

 

A framed school portrait of James wearing a teal and blue plaid shirt, seated against a wooden backdrop. The frame includes the printed label “1st Grade” along the right side, marking the school year. Another framed portrait is partially visible above it, suggesting a display of multiple school photos.
New 1st Grade school picture

 

James won an award this week for being respectful, responsible, and safe.

 

A printed school certificate recognizing James for showing the Commitment key of excellence, decorated with three horse silhouettes at the top. Below it, a second announcement features a cartoon figure with raised arms and explains that the class earned their monthly reward by demonstrating the 3 B’s—Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe—during arrival, dismissal, and bus routines. The notice shares that students may celebrate by wearing pajamas on Friday, December 18.
Reward for being respectful, responsible, and safe

 

As a reward, he was able to go to school in his pajamas on Friday. Say hello to Jimmy the Elf:

 

James lies on his bed wearing a green and white elf‑style outfit, with a green top featuring gold buttons and a black belt, paired with striped pants. He rests on a white sheet with a pillow under their head, and part of a stuffed animal is visible near the upper corner.
Jimmy the Elf

 

A kindergarten teacher at a school in Chicago contacted us through James’ Facebook page and explained that her class was learning about caring and compassion for all. She asked if her students could make and send James Christmas cards as part of the lesson. Here is James with those cards:

 

James lies on a cushioned surface surrounded by several hand‑drawn Christmas pictures, including decorated trees, ornaments, and colorful lights. Some pages include handwritten notes such as “To: James” and “Love”. A stuffed monkey rests nearby, adding to the personal, cozy feel of the scene.
Christmas cards from students in Chicago

 

How awesome is that?

 

Christmas Card

Speaking of Christmas cards, ours have gone out. I think I say this every year, but I wish we could send one to all of you, but that just wouldn’t be reasonable. While only our closest family and friends will get a card, don’t think that we don’t appreciate all of the love and support each of you has sent our way.

 

Two stacks of printed holiday cards rest on a wooden surface with a cardboard box behind them. One card is black and white with a red banner reading “Merry Christmas — Love Stacy, Jeff and James 2015,” showing them sitting close together outdoors. The other card is in color, featuring Stacy, James, and Jeff seated on a red couch indoors with the message “Peace Love & Joy — Love Stacy, Jeff and James.”
Our Christmas cards

 

All this talk about Christmas has me wanting to start working on our “special trip” post this afternoon. It was such an awesome trip, and I can’t wait to share it with you all.