Finally, Robert had a real day off to do the “transition to winter” work around the house – raking leaves, replacing screens with storm windows, cleaning out mudroom, garage, etc. He had many willing helpers as it was still a school day and a Friday and there wasn’t much interest in finishing schoolwork at all!

And I spent the morning at the pediatrician’s office with Cooper. On Tuesday, he was lying face down on our stairs and his brother thought it would be fun to lift his legs up and then drop him back on the stairs. Coop came down on his ribs and has been complaining ever since – even waking at night with pain. The verdict? No fractures, but severe bruising that will probably be painful for the next month! The prescription? No more roughhousing from big brother, and no tackle football with friends!