Go, Go, Goers!

We love that the kids are getting older and more independent. They're at that great place where they can both stay home alone (G just for a short time), but it gives us the freedom to run errands, or shuttle the OTHER kid to an event.  Ava's been a little obsessed with roller skating over the last few months, and decided to gather up a group of friends for a Saturday afternoon at a local skating rink. I think there were 6+ teens meeting up for a fun roll around the rink for a few hours. It felt a little strange to let her out in the parking lot and let her lead the way from there...but I know she can do it. She texted me about 7 minutes later to let me know they were in...whew! We're counting down the days until Ava takes her first independent trip to DC...she is excited to check it out, but I warned her not to talk politics while there. The look she gave me was awesome...like I was crazy to think they could avoid that while in DC. Ha! Her Global Studies class is, completel...

We ended the weekend with an afternoon/evening full of yummy snacks and commercial-viewing for the Super Bowl. I don't think we watched most of the game, but we had fun eating and laughing at the ads! We also started Valentine's Day a bit early...look at the lovely gifts my sweet Scott bought for me. We enjoyed watching the Puppy Bowl before the big game, so G thought his Puppy should get in on the action (and notice our puppy in the background?) I was amazed when I saw how many cards were exchanged within our family for Valentine's Day...so much love to share! G had a blast at school opening the valentines from his friends, and seeing what goodies they gave to him. They don't exchange cards in middle school, but Ava came home with a flower...one of her friends bought one for everyone in their friend group. So sweet! We had to move a few activities to different nights this week to accommodate the final travel meeting for Ava's upcoming trip to Washington DC. We can...

Scott suggested we did a make-your-own pizza night on Friday, and it was so much fun! It had been a while since we had done that (early pandemic, I think?) and it certainly wasn't a quick process, but it was a great family bonding activity. We had conferences for both kiddos this week. I enjoy the opportunity to check-in with their teachers and see how both of them are doing in their classes, as well as socially. So far, so good this year! The kiddos also look forward to checking out the book fairs at each school, and getting some new stuff to read. We picked up a book that Ava's English teacher recommended, so I think it's great that she's expanding her genres. Ava was the Chinese Student of the Month for January - way to go, sweetie! Ava finished up the last afternoon of Art Club for a few weeks. This was her final drawing for Art Club...love it! Our sweet little Pria is feeling more and more at home with every passing day. She's just such a sweetheart! She loves ...

Another chilly and windy week has passed in the upper Midwest...brrrr! This winter has definitely been cold, but for some reason, it's not bothering me this year...and I am outside WAY more than usual to take Pria on walks. Usually at this point in the year, I'm ready for spring but it seems so far away. But this year is different...I'm enjoying the winter mood, and have started to think about snowshoeing with the family and perhaps some cross-country skiing. I mean, we live here, so we might as well get outside and get fresh air for a bit and try new things. Ava had another great TKD session this week. She broke two different boards (although the 2nd board was really stubborn, and it took her several tries for it to break...her hands were bright red by the end) and she earned her final stripe for her gold belt. That means that in an upcoming session, she should be presented with her orange belt...hooray! Ava has done a great job at focusing and learning the form, and being...