Michelle’s high school hiking club is now official! This hike (Lion Gulch - 6.6 miles - 1,354 feet elevation gain) Hubby went in my place because I wasn’t feeling well but Michelle now has sponsors (high school teachers) signed up for future hikes. Maybe since I work for the school district they will still let me come along when I can?
Michelle also had me walking the dog in a new, beautiful location while she and her friend, Aidah, went for a run. Maisie was in heaven being in a new place and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t walked her there before.
Kate also had me doing things I had never done before. She and I met her friend, Willa, and her mom and little brother at Northeastern Junior College. She and Kate were thinking of getting their associates degree together there to save money. It’s a nice little place that is perfect if you play a sport or going into animal science like her friend, W, or just want to save money before transferring somewhere else. I think Kate would do well there but she’s been accepted elsewhere so we will wait and see what actually happens.
The next day was Natalie’s end of season tournament. We both felt like the fall season went by too fast. Both Hubby and I were able to go and watch part of her first game but sadly he was called away to a work emergency before picking up Michelle and A from their LHOC ropes course day. (She had a great time in Gennesee and loves the LHOC program!) Hubby was sad to leave the softball game and I was sad for him, especially when the game went into extra innings. The game ended with an amazing diving catch… from a player on the other team. Kind of a heartbreaking loss but you just can’t be mad that a 12U girl was able to make a catch that magnificent. The team knew they had one more chance but sadly they had another very close game and were done for the season just like that. One thing that I think really tells you how much she enjoys being on this team is that she already misses them and was happy they were meeting for strength and conditioning once a week in the off season and was really happy when she heard they are having a holiday party in December. There may be a lot of driving involved with this team but it's totally worth it.
My parents and I got to attend Michelle’s first orchestra concert with the new director, Dr. P, while Hubby took Natalie to off season strength and conditioning. It was a joy to see Michelle smiling on stage, being in the higher orchestra group for the first time, and being stand partners with Sarah L. They performed W. A. Mozart’s Divertimento in D major op. 136, Andante, A. Dvorak, arr. J. Hoffman’s Themes from "American" Quartet, and A. Ginastera, arr. R. Longfield’s Danza Final from Estancia. It was a nice concert. There were even cupcakes, cookies, and SC orchestra stickers given out afterwards. Danny was done with his basketball game by the time we got home so he came out and gave my parents hugs before they drove home. He has been so understanding about us not being at all of his fall league games. Hubby has made it to most of them (he did go the next night while I was at book club) but Danny has been very supportive of Natalie going back to CSA for softball and was cute asking Michelle about how her concert went. I loved it when he asked her about being 1st chair and he said he hoped everyone knew she was the GOAT on viola. We are so lucky to have the children that we do in our family.
Friday was the first time Hubby and I got to cheer on Creek’s volleyball team this season. It was so great to see Kate’s friends like Ava and Presley playing varsity together. Hubby is excellent at cheering and yelled Parsley! Intentionally and made her smile. Ava sent Kate a text saying she loved having us there to support her. I was texting Kate and her friend Will updates the whole time and I had them laughing when I said I was going to have a heart attack in set 5 when the game was so close and so back and forth. It was a nail biter and it was great to see girls we love win such a game. Afterwards Hubby and I chatted with Kate & Will in the basement for about an hour. It was so nice and miraculous that Piper, who we were dog sitting for my parents, looooved Will. Not only did she let him pet her but she also snuggled at his feet while we talked. They said it only took 20 minutes for her to be his best friend! I took a picture because I didn’t think my parents would believe me when I dropped Piper off the next morning. Lol
Saturday was demo day at our house. With the money left over from paying off debts, we are redoing our backyard, basically from scratch! Only the trees and the rose bushes are safe back there. Even our concrete patio, which was sinking and cracking, is getting replaced. Imagine the sound of the jack hammer getting rid of concrete for hours on end. Holy loud noises. It was bittersweet to see everything go, especially the swing set. We watched as my children’s childhood got bulldozed in about 60 seconds. No more garden beds, no more bin of toys, and the sofa got added to the front porch. Hopefully 2 weeks from now I will have photos of the finished product along with Halloween photos. Fingers crossed.
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