These moments are few and far between these days. As the kids get older, their social lives are way more important than their families, so we were so thrilled when Jack joined us for a night of cards early in October.
For Jack's birthday, Tatum, his girlfriend, bought him a zip lining experience. Because Tatum is only 15, an adult had to go with her. Well, I couldn't be left out, so both her mom and I went along. It was so fun!
Beach volleyball came into our lives this October. It was the inaugural year for all of the 6A teams. Jack and his partner, Will, had great success. Jack dreams of playing on the beach professional circuit at some stage. We shall see.
This beauty third from the left is growing up too fast. This was her first junior high dance. She got ready at her friend Andie's house and then had a sleepover. It was reported that she had a blast. The following day Jack had a club tournament. I got a call in the middle of the tournament from Millie. She said that she and Andie were talking the previous night. She said Andie asked her if there was ever anything Millie hadn't told her. Millie said 'yep'. Andie proceeded to ask what it was. Millie said, 'Well, it starts with an 'a'.' Andie the said, 'Did Gia (Andie's cousin) tell you?' Millie said, 'tell me what?' And then Andie said, 'that I am adopted'. Millie said, 'I'm adopted!' I guess from then on they just solidified their bond, and I think her mom and I did the same. What an amazing experience for her, to have a friend who is also adopted. Wow!
Ken turned 60 this year. For his birthday, we went to the Game Show Room in Tempe, which was a blast. Then we went to dinner at Smokin' Fins. Yummy!
Stuart came to visit my school and read my book to my book to my second graders. They loved it and he loved my school.
Did we sneak off for a beer while Millie was at a volleyball clinic? We sure did. And how cute are my new specs? I got them from Pair Eye Wear, online.
Did my Frankenstein and his wife and kid blow-up die the afternoon it rained? Yep. But Stuart ordered the sliders, the web and the ghoul and put them up the same day.
We watched Beetlejuice, the original, one Sunday night in the middle of the month. Just after the movie, we made Jack go to Tatum's to tell her why he broke up with her via text. Dang this was a rough lesson and a very emotional weekend for sure.
Vero's pizza night. We decided to go here for dinner one Friday night when both kids were out.
This is Jack's club coach. We were twinning. This seemed to bind us, which was good because the way he spoke to the team the previous tournament was less than impressive.
Chris, Kristi, Vicki and myself went to the Basha by Casteel for a meal prep class with Citrus Pear. There is no skill involved, you just fill your ziploc bags with ingredients and take them home to freezer for later meals in the crock pot. It's a beautiful thing.
Jack's team dressed as the Minions for Halloween.
My neighbor Elise and I dressed as witches and had very little traffic. I had so much candy left over.
Here is a never before seen photo of the legal marriage Stuart and I had 18 years ago, on Halloween. We have told some people throughout the years, but kept it a secret from most. We had an actually ceremony 5 months later. But to be honest, he needed to get a job for his own self-worth, and this was the easiest way to do it. Surprise! Liz and Vicki were our witnesses. My family still doesn't know we did this. I think we will tell them in two years when it's our 20th anniversary.
This is Jack's club coach. We were twinning. This seemed to bind us, which was good because the way he spoke to the team the previous tournament was less than impressive.
Chris, Kristi, Vicki and myself went to the Basha by Casteel for a meal prep class with Citrus Pear. There is no skill involved, you just fill your ziploc bags with ingredients and take them home to freezer for later meals in the crock pot. It's a beautiful thing.
Jack's team dressed as the Minions for Halloween.
My neighbor Elise and I dressed as witches and had very little traffic. I had so much candy left over.
Here is a never before seen photo of the legal marriage Stuart and I had 18 years ago, on Halloween. We have told some people throughout the years, but kept it a secret from most. We had an actually ceremony 5 months later. But to be honest, he needed to get a job for his own self-worth, and this was the easiest way to do it. Surprise! Liz and Vicki were our witnesses. My family still doesn't know we did this. I think we will tell them in two years when it's our 20th anniversary.
Millie went trick or treating with her bestie Andie and their 'friends' Walker and Beckham.
Naturally, the day after Halloween you get out your Christmas decorations. And although I was due to leave for New York City for an impromptu trip with my sister in law Louise, it still had to happen.
Saturday morning Millie had tryouts for her club team. There weren't enough 13s to have two teams, so they took a few girls from the 13s and a few from the 14s and made a 14-2s team. Well, Millie's friend Andie didn't make the 1s team, but Millie did. I cried because I wanted them to be on the same team. On the way home I asked Millie if she still would have wanted to play had she been put on that team instead of Andie. She said, 'I would, because I just want to play and get better.' Up until that moment I wasn't entirely sure she was convinced that volleyball was her sport, but those words changed my mind.
We got home, I did some things around the house and then headed to the airport. My sister in law, Louise, had invited me to meet her in New York City for two days, actually more like 40 hours, so I jumped at the chance. Here's to two incredible days of adventure.
