Bumpy Beginning

Advent is an important time of year and I try to make it really special.  One traditional part of our advent celebration is to go on "Mom's Wild Goose Chase Adventures" to see the Christmas light displays around the Triangle.  Last year's trip went two hours longer than expected for a five hour drive.  As a result, we thought it might be better this year to try something new and drive only three hours round-trip to see the light display at the Greensboro Science Center.  Unfortunately, life and the weather kept getting into the way of these plans until we only had one day left - January 1st.  Since we had season passes, we didn't have to leave too early and arrived at the zoo about 1:30pm.  We weren't the only ones who thought a day at the zoo was a nice way to spend Sunday/New Years Day but as we all milled about confused, we realized the zoo disagreed.  After some phone calls and some searching on the internet we discovered the light show would begin at 5pm, but the regular zoo was closed.  Now we had to figure out how to spend the next four hours.  Since it was New Years Day it seemed everything was closed.  Then Jared had a brilliant idea, to go walk around the Guildford Court House Battlefield.  We had seen the park and walking trails next to the zoo, so without even having to get back in the car we began our walking journey.  This turned out to be a great idea.  The weather was perfect and exercise invigorating.  

After the first memorial, the kids really started to get into the mood.  Everyone found a stick and started doing stuff with them.  Next thing Chris and I knew the kids were doing a mini-reenactment, including marching in-time and multiple dramatic charges.  

Needless to say, all this activity worked up everyone's appetites.  We had been given recommendations on where to eat the last time we came to the zoo, so we preceded to the first one on the list.  It one was in a sketchy part of town in a shop attached to a gas station, so we kept driving to the other options; they were either closed or equally sketchy.  Chris parked outside the last one and I got on my phone to find somewhere to eat. Thankfully, I found a place close by that was open and had GF options. The restaurant was called "Wicked Burger" and boy was it good!  They even had goat cheese option and awesome sweet potato fries.  Once we were all stuffed it was time to head back to the zoo to finally see the lights. 

The lights were very pretty.  Chris and I had a big laugh, when the spinning globe was playing "Christmas in Hollis" with dancing reindeer and other animated animals - we of course jammed a little with the tune.  The kids then ran down the psychedelic tunnel and it was time to bring our trip to a close - or so we thought.  

There were one more treats on the horizon, the gift shop they filter you through at the end was 75% off and the carousel outside was free!  Titus and we girls girls took a ride while the other boys enjoyed watching on a comfy bench to the side.  Holly said she couldn't remember the last time she rode a carousel.

On the way home, Jared said with a smile that it was the first time in years we had told to him to "Pause" - playing with sticks and nerding out about history was so much fun.  Lance said the day was so great; he felt like a kid again.  Titus loved getting his little stuffed penguins to add to his collection.  Amber loved the lights, stars and carousel.  Chris and I were just thankful to see our kids so happy.  What a wonderful day of "making lemonade."

Then the month started to get back into a traditional flow.  The Mc-Family was over for dinner on the 4th. Titus tried-out and made the TKD Demonstration Team and had a great time at the Teams party afterward playing dodgeball and dancing. Additionally, we finally finished up the Christmas puzzle (less one missing piece) on the 11th.

On the 13th was our first FIAR Field Trip of the year to the Museum of Natural Science Downtown to go on a Creation based docent tour.  

After this, I went down for the count with some serious health issues that took into February before I could even manage to get out of bed and go downstairs.  During this time, Chris did an incredible job of keeping the house running with the help of ALL the kids.  Lance and Chris took turns getting Amber to riding and the boys to TKD.

Amber and Titus spent the sunny days outside, working on trying to make a creek dam that could handle the water load of the rains, moving all the daffodils into the backyard to concentrate their beauty and creating a fire pit for the back yard with old bricks we had laying around.

Titus spent the rainy days trying out new recipes; he even managed to make fresh linguini from scratch.

These are the times I'm really thankful we homeschool.

Let it Snow!

That was Amber's honest Christmas wish. Unfortunately, though the month had plenty of cold days and plenty of rainy days they never quite matched up.  We also had our share of unwanted "snow" (ie. challenges) throughout the month but in the end we managed to wrap up the year rather well.

We started the month rather under the weather but Grandma "took precautions" to bring over her famous chicken noodle soup and we all started to feel better.

 

Lance attended his first corporate work party.  It was a semi-formal event at a big country club, complete with ice sculpture, food and 60K in prizes.  Lance didn't win any of the prizes but he and Emma had a great time people watching.  Later in the month he finished his first semester of college with straight "A"s.

Amber started leasing "Boogie" (her instructors horse) two days a week.  Boogie is a retired Thoroughbred with a great personality and lots of buttons for her to learn.  In a lease, she rides the horse by herself, though her instructor does give her a format and things to work on each ride.  Since her instructor has gone back to work during the day, she is only having formal lessons once a week.  Amber really loves the freedom and responsibility of riding on her own and I enjoy working with her those days.  She even managed to get a free lesson one day, from the matriarch of the barn that was very helpful.  She's also trained Boogie to run to her (for treats but it works) so she doesn't have to trudge through the muddy paddock to go get him each time.

Mid-month Lance and Jared were invited as surprise guests for our family friend Lilli's birthday party at a nice Italian restaurant.  

Afterward, the whole family was invited to join them ice skating afterward in Fenton Square (think Rockefeller plaza in miniature).  Titus was enamored with the area and really wants to go back.  All the kids had a marvelous time.

Jared completed his forth Tip Test this month, making him ready to test for Black Belt in the New Year.  He still loves working at the dojang and attended his first work sponsored Christmas party.  His long-term goal is still to make a living off his youtube channel.  Toward that goal he finished out the year with over 10K in subscribers and launched his merch store.  In the New Year he's going to focus on getting more people to watch his long content videos so he can finally monetize his channel in 2023.

Titus continued practicing with his baseball team, doing Redline and TKD; getting ready for a great 2023 season.  Titus' big accomplishment this month was lighting up the back yard much to the delight of our backyard neighbors.  Frankly, I think his light show was better than most I've ever seen.

 

As a bonus, with the help of Lance he put up the ultimate bird feeder as well.  One day we had seven Bluebirds at once!  We're happy to see Cooper back as well, along with a huge variety of other birds.

We had a condensed advent this year due to illness.  During our four days of advent (instead of four weeks) we lighted our new (to us) Christmas Carousel each night and listened to part of a Lamplighter Christmas story.  Each of the four days I tried to cook one child's favorite meal and desert.  We ended Christmas Eve in style with the K Family.  We first went to their house for dinner and games.  Then off to their church to finish the season with my favorite advent traditions; Bells and Silent Night sung by candlelight.  

Christmas day we had our traditional lasagna dinner and spice cake with the "Legacies" - No Soap...Radio LOL. Thank you to all who sent cards this year to decorate our tree so nicely.

Before lasagna Titus decided to test the structural integrity of the ice on the pond, it held for about three seconds before he fell in but his spill did create some neat icebergs as the day froze on.

December 30th saw Lance and Jared off to a formal English Country Dance.  As you can see the boys chose to dress 1920s gangster style.  All six boys were named "Tony" for the night.

AROUND THE HOUSE

This fall we made some much needed updates around the house.  Titus took the initiative to paint the hall upstairs and foyer (including the door which really looks great) a beautiful Colonial/Admiral Blue, just a few rooms left that need the ugly puke-yellow-grey color replaced.

Finally, I got the Tiffany chandelier I've wanted for 26 years but couldn't find one for a price I could justify.  Isn't it beautiful!

Got rid of the "college furniture" in the school room and the kitchen ie. milk crates with wood planks stretched across them.  This table I found on Nextdoor is just perfect for all my indoor plants.

The dogs are still going strong along with their alter egos the cats (Hunter is the subject of many "Find the Cat" photos, Chomper would rather sleep the day away).  

Rainbows are happy in the 75 gallon and the shrimps are prolific in the 11 gallon.  

Drago finally woke-up/stopped bruminating and is active again.  We still have 16 laying chickens and 3 retirees.  Looking forward to really planting out the back yard in the Spring.  The backyard was such an eye-sore for years and now its so pretty I've turned all the FL Room furniture to face and enjoy its beauty; thanks to Titus again for taking the initiative to start the project with his ever ready cohort Amber.

Wings of all Kinds

The first week of November was all about TKD.  Titus and Jared had their normal classes/work, plus Titus had a prep-class for his Black Belt Test and his Black Belt Test (click here for more on that) and the day before that the boys attended a Sparring Seminar held by Master Kim's Sparing Coach and current coach of the US Olympic team.

Needless to say we were "flying" around a lot the first week but we still managed to squeeze in a Field Trip to Hawk Manor.  This was one of my favorite field trips four years ago and the repeat visit did not disappoint.  He brought out a Red-tailed Hawk (beautiful and much better choice than falcon), a falcon (loud when not under his cap), an imprinted vulture (quite comical as it hopped around the room) and a cute owl to pet at the end.  We learned so much about the habits of these birds, their quirks and features if you will and Chip did it in an incredibly entertaining manner.  Chris was very glad he was able to come this time.

Then it was back to Taekwondo.  This time the focus was Jared as he successfully completed his Third Tip Test on 11/9.

Then we managed a little decorating for Veteran's Day (I didn't know about putting green lights out till this year) before more TKD.  

This time TKD was an all day tournament in which Titus and Jared participated and then assisted in all day on 11/12.  This was their first tournament (about 150 participants) and it was great that it was at their dojang.  Both boys did well and we look forward to more formal tournaments in 2023.

While we were all busy at the tournament.  Lance was busy at home putting the finishing touches on Homer.  Homer has been apart in the garage while Lance fixed....Engine mounts, transmission mounts, rear wheel bearings, sliding door rollers both sides, window regulator driver side, passenger side brake light housing, valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, PCV valve, new brake pads, resurfaced rotors, new front bumper, and new front left quarter panel.(Try to say all that in one breath)

Today he put him all back together.  Chris did a nice detail job of the interior and then Lance touched up the engine paint.  Now all that is left is to paint the Shark Teeth on the bumper and replace the timing belt when the weather warms.

You'd think a TKD tournament and fixing a car would be enough activity for one day but Lance and Jared thought otherwise.  Soon as the tournament was over they cleaned up, picked up four friends and headed out to an English Country Dance; as always, they had a marvelous time.  

Okay you say, now is a good time to take a break, at least for Sunday right?  Wrong.  William stayed over night after the dance and went with us to "Warbirds over Monroe" on Sunday.   This is our third year attending this event and this year did not disappoint either.

Lance remembered to be in his seat for the finale this year :-)  The heat was very welcome.

In between all the TKD Amber was certainly not left out.  She was busy riding twice a week and improving her craft just like the boys. (I just love this photo)

In between all the chaos above we managed to go out for our anniversary.  We were originally going to go alone but in the end we really just wanted to be with the kids, together as a family.  Therefore, we went to everyone's favorite restaurant Alpaca.  It was definitely the right decision.

We finished out the month with a huge Thanksgiving celebration.  This year we actually had a friend grow our turkey for us and grow it did, topping out at 27lbs (without the neck and giblets).  Cutting took a little longer for Alex and Chris this year but like big little boys they had great fun doing it. This is my favorite holiday of the year and it was wonderful to spend it with so many friends.