December: Audrey's 13th Birthday

Audrey couldn't wait to turn 13.  For her, it meant entry into the much anticipated teenager world.  However, thinking of Audrey as a teenager was a hard pill to swallow.  Before Aggie, she was definitely my baby, and if I'm being honest, still holds a small share of that spot.  Like a lot of middle schoolers, Audrey still floats between elementary land and the desire to be part of high school land.  It will be fun watching her mature over the next couple of years.

These are the things I want to remember as Audrey transitions from 12 to 13 and beyond. 

1.  Like your siblings, you do your homework with Beats in your ears.  How your homework gets done with music playing in the background is a mystery to me, but it does. 

2.  When you get a chance, you sneak away to watch either the Green House Academy or Wednesday on Netflix - a sure sign that you are officially a teenager.

3.  You started wearing contacts for games but have slowly transitioned into wearing contacts for special events as well.

4.  TCA is your school of choice.  You love your school days and semi-loath all of the homework on homedays.  However, you wouldn't trade a thing.  TCA is your jam.

5.  On homedays, when it's just you, Aggie, and myself, Finn can be found at your feet most of the day.  You love Finn, and he loves you.

6.  Like both your dad and myself, physically you are on the slower end of the developmental spectrum.  At times, with other girls having the bodies of high school freshman & sophomores, basketball games have been physically challenging.  However, even though you sometimes feel beat down, you always pick yourself back up, put a smile on your face, and move forward.  It's one of your most enduring qualities.

7.  You are a pretty awesome big sister.  You play with Aggie, help her when she is struggling, take her to the park, and share in some of the babysitting duties.  You are the bridge between Aggie and the older siblings and do a great job of linking everyone together.

8. For the past two years you have happily volunteered with the XYZ crew at then zoo.  I was somewhat surprised when you announced at the end of the summer season that while you enjoyed it you might not do it next year.  Also, becoming a vet is not tops of your career list anymore.  It will be fun to see where your interests lead you this next year.  

9.  Books continue to be a big part of your life.  You enjoy reading every evening before bed and, at times, sneak away to engross yourself in a good book.  However, like your older siblings, there are other things attracting your attention these days (activities, media, music, friends).  Once in high school, I do fear reading will fall by the wayside.

10.  TCA house competitions are always on your mind.  You are a Perpetua and often remind me that I am a Perpetua sage.  You proudly wear your Perpetua pin and have a Perpetua sticker on your water bottle.  I foresee the Greek system being part of your college experience.   

 

November: Christmas Tree & Santa

The weekend after Thanksgiving, we headed to Mulhall's to pick out our Christmas tree.  Even though Mulhall's is always a fun stop for the Christmas season, this year the inventory seemed to be down.  Regardless, the kids were able to find a tree in need of a good home, and the one below became ours.   

Lucky for us, Santa was in-house for a quick visit, and Aggie was able to share what she wanted for Christmas.  She still is not overly fond of Santa in-person and flat out refuses to sit on his lap.  Ten years ago this might have bothered me;  however, at this point in life, I could care less.  Feeling super pumped to have checked both our Christmas tree and Santa off the list, we headed out with bell's ringing on our toes.      

November: Thanksgiving Pie Contest

Because the cousins are usually game for anything, while in town, they joined us for our Thanksgiving pie contest.  This year, Avery made a gourmet pumpkin cheesecake with raspberry sauce on top.  Amelia whipped up a cranberry-apple pie that was oh-so good.  Audrey picked out rocky road recipe and went all out by making her own crust.  The cousins made a yummy chess pie and also made their own pie crust.  After complaining about never having sour cream raisin pies, Aggie and I threw one together for Shane and used it for the contest.  Once the pies were sampled by everyone, votes were cast.

1st - Audreys' Rocky Road Pie

2nd - The cousin's Chess Pie (lost by 1 point)

3rd - Amelia's Apple/Cranberry pie

4th - Avery's pumpkin cream cheese raspberry pie

5th - Aggie's Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Hands down, my favorite was Amelia's Apple/Cranberry pie.  It was clear by the voting that some people are fruit pie lovers and others are chocolate lovers.  Avery is rethinking his strategy for next year and looking for something less gourmet. His audience likes chocolate and comfort foods, and that is his aim for 2023;)

 

November: Thanksgiving

Aggie made a Thanksgiving card for Rollie and delivered it on Thanksgiving day.  

We signed up to deliver meals on Thanksgiving morning.  Avery, Aggie, and I went in one direction, and Shane, Amelia, and Audrey went in another.  We enjoyed meeting back at the house to share stories. 

Taylor and Ashely hosted Thanksgiving at their new house.  With her family and the Dieckman family, it was a big affair with plenty of food.  That night we headed home and watched Knives Out which turned out to be a perfect movie pic for Thanksgiving.  The kids enjoyed it so much, I'm thinking Glass Onion will be on the docket for Christmas. 

 

November: Gingerbread Party

Over Thanksgiving break, Audrey hosted a gingerbread party for her classmates.  Several of the boys turned their gingerbread houses into a serial murder's crime scene, but for the most part, her classmates worked to decorate their houses with Christmas cheer. 

November: Round-up

Aggie having an in-door recess. 

Aggie and Rollie, a kid in our neighborhood, enjoy sending letters back and forth. 

Man's best friend.

No more mullet.  

Audrey's art project after reading Pilgrim's Progress.

Barbies and dinosaurs are a perfect match.

Avery traded in his basketball jersey for a mechanics uniform on the robotics team.  They placed 4th in their first tournament. Was it beginners luck?  That is yet to be determined.

We always enjoy putting together a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.  However, to make things more entertaining, the kids were dropped off at Target with only 30 minutes to round up shoebox items.  Avery somehow managed to stuff a small cooking pot in his box.  Amelia filled her box so full the lid barely closed.  Audrey struggled staying within the 30 minute timeframe.  Because Aggie really wanted one herself, she insisted that we get a yo-yo.