Welcome to our World

Here’s part of Michelle’s fan club for her first middle school orchestra concert. Our neighbor who used to give her lessons even gave her chocolate for good luck!  We were very impressed with how well these students played considering each grade level they were at. This may look like an ordinary kitchen but I wanted to take a picture because I want to remember a magic moment that happened there. I was doing the dishes while my three middle schoolers were at the island talking to each other about math classes while Natalie did her math homework at the white table.  I felt such an overwhelming feeling of joy simply being together.  This is what I pictured motherhood to be.  This was a glimpse into what I had imagined my home would be like - a dream come true.  This isn’t the only time my kitchen has seen times like this but for me, the world just seemed right that night. Back by popular demand, we did skits for Activity Days again but I had to slip in a “secret se...

I am sure I’ve already conveyed how proud I am of Danny for working hard and trying new things but I’m going to say it again.  I feel like Danny has risen to the challenge of being on a 13U baseball team and dealt well with the major adjustment to being on the middle school basketball team.  It has been a joy watching him play on both his intramural team and the B travel team.  Danny gives it 100% and doesn’t give up even though he definitely gets frustrated.  During an intramural game (where he wore 32) he made a layup to win the game with only 5 seconds remaining. I wish I had a video of his team reacting to winning such a close game! Due to some quarantined players Danny got to be a starter on the A travel team in a match up against our middle school’s rivals. Hubby, Michelle and I were all there to cheer him on.  He felt like he didn’t play up to his potential but the next day my co-worker who was keeping score said she thought he did great.  No matter ...

 One week before Halloween you could find girls carving pumpkins and making final costume plans and see our maple tree in all its autumn glory. Cyclops and Camp Half Blood jack-o-lanterns made by Michelle, inspired by Rick Riordan books.  Vomiting jack-o-lantern by Natalie and A.   Danny got to use his annual pass to Elitch Gardens again, this time with T. and her grandma.  Sounds like they got to ride lots of rides and have a wonderful time! For school on Friday half of my children were Hufflepuffs while the rest of us didn’t wear costumes.  Michelle opted for her Hufflepuff sweatshirt instead of her robe after the photo and was kind enough to lend her tie to her little sister. It was pretty fun to send Hogwarts students off to school. I highly enjoyed seeing many different great costumes at work and volunteered as a mom at the concession stand for the middle school’s fall social from 4-5:30. After changing into our costumes and Kate taking our picture we Harry...