Of mice, breaks, and birthdays

Cooper turned ten this past weekend and celebrated by having a sleepover and shopping outing with his Grandma T, going to the movies with his family, and fracturing his arm.

The fracture occurred Saturday morning, the unfortunate result of a failed attempt at a leapfrog jump over a coffee table in Grandma's living room. After much inspection and debate, we decided to wait on a trip to the emergency room because we thought (hoped) it was just a sprain, and with some ice and a borrowed wrist brace from a cousin, Cooper went the rest of the weekend without much complaint. By Sunday evening however, Cooper was babying his arm pretty carefully and finally starting to show some swelling.

And that's when I heard the little voice inside my head saying "YOU ARE AN IDIOT."

So yeah, I took Cooper into the doctor's office yesterday morning, the day of his birthday party that was scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm, with a good sized dose of mom guilt and a super-sized dose of we're-never-going-to-get-out-of-here-in-time-for-the-party doom.

(nervous that a shot may somehow be involved)

(slightly swollen appendage to the right)

Sure enough, the xray showed a fracture, but fortunately nothing needed to be reset (and just like I had assured several times, no shots were required) and with a few phone calls and a little finagling the party was able to go on, with only an hour delay in the start time.
 

Cooper declared the day "the best day ever!" and "better than Disneyland!"

You see, at ten years old, nothing beats the excitement of getting your first cast and then almost immediately getting to show it off to seven of your friends, all while receiving gifts at the same time.

And if that's not enough... guess what was Cooper's first present?

Eeeeeek!

(cousin Drew for the win!)

 Her name is Nick Fury and no, I haven't touched her, but yes, I gave my permission beforehand. 

Although my bet is on the dog eating it.

For Cooper's party we went to the Wunderland Arcade for an afternoon of nickel gaming! The kids loved it and all I had to do was bring cupcakes and "drinks with lids". So easy.

(with cousin Mark)

(please excuse my sad cupcakes, I had 15 minutes to decorate them)

Russ managed the crew of boys so well and was the hugest help. Sadly this is the only picture of him I took:

(Awkward picture of an almost-over hug)

It was taken right after Cooper found out that his birthday gift from us was tickets for him to go with daddy to a Blazer game tomorrow night, sitting on the TENTH row off the floor. (Thank you friend-of-a-friend-of-a-coworker at Russ's work!) He was pretty excited, although I still don't know that we topped the mouse. 

Honestly, I don't know if anything will be able to beat yesterday in Cooper's books :)