5.Versluys'.us

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

And a very special Happy Birthday to a talented and handsome 12-year-old… Roma’s guitar-playing Uncle Ben! We love you!

Above is Roma carrying her pink carnation from Papa in one hand, and clutching part of the stem in the other. If you look closely, you’ll see tape around the base of the flower, holding it onto the stem.

Roma loves receiving, holding and smelling flowers, but she also enjoys whacking them on the ground. Thus, the decapitated carnation. And Mama’s bang-up fixit job.

I don’t think she notices, do you?

Roma is finally cast-less, and I probably wouldn’t even mention the fact (since it was two weeks ago that she had it removed) except that we hear about her cast every day. So it’s still fresh in my mind.

The typical cast conversation with Roma goes like this:

“Casht.”

“Yes, Roma, you had a cast.”

“Boo-boo”.

“Yes, your boo-boo is all gone.”

“Casht. Bye-bye. Doctor.”

“Yes, it went bye-bye at the doctor’s office.”

“Vacuum.”

“Yes, the vacuum took it off.” (the machine that the cast saw is attached to scared the bejeezers out of her, and I think it’s indelibly marked in her memory)

“Mama. Papa.”

“Yes, Mama and Papa were there.”

“E. Casht.” (points to foot)

“Yes, Aunt Nettie drew on your cast.”

Folks, we have been having this conversation with Roma for the past 2 weeks, about 5 or 6 times a day. It was closer to 10 times a day, but she’s slowly moving on. And I mean slowly.

Check out the photos of her in the doctor’s office just prior to cast removal – they’re in with other random February pictures in the latest gallery.

In the gallery, you’ll also see Roma playing outside. That kid could play outside until her feet freeze off. She has an affinity for airplanes and tractors, and you’ll see that reflected in her chosen pastimes:

Finally, I’d like to announce that I am officially “Mommy”. Roma (out of the blue) has been calling me Mommy along with the original moniker of Mama. She has also been saying “Mom” for a month or so now, to which I respond “Rome” – so “Mommy” gets a response of “Romy,” to her immense delight.

I’m not sure if she’s going to add “Ma” to the grab bag here soon. I hope not – “Ro” sounds a little too gangster.

Here’s to hoping you all have a fun Valentine’s Day, and if you don’t do anything else, at least treat yourself to a big chunk of good chocolate.