Maria and I celebrated her birthday in Indianapolis. Her team went for a tournament there. I really don't like out of town tournaments, but we went anyway. We left early Saturday morning and drove straight to her first game, then to the hotel, then another game. All the parents brought food for a taco dinner so we ate at the hotel. Maria got to swim and we took some time to relax and watch HGTV. Her team did not do well AT ALL, but they aren't all that great. It was COLD all weekend, so we did a lot of dancing on the sidelines to stay warm. Maria plays the whole game almost every game. She sat a few minutes one of the three games. Maria plays well and still seems to enjoy it.
We arrived home and we set up her scavenger hunt. She wanted Toms shoes, so we had ordered a pair for her. We had birthday supper later that week, a friend came over to celebrate. She chose mashed potatoes and meat loaf with green beans! And for dessert - marshmallow brownies. We also had a chocolate bundt cake everyone likes with ice cream another night.
She was also the only one that wanted to Trick or Treat this year, so off she and I went. The others actually did hand out candy instead of turning off the lights and hiding in the back room like they have the other years we have lived here. Jessica went to a friends and they handed out candy at her house.
Jessica had a choir concert one night. She much prefers choir to band and is already mad at me that she can't be in choir in high school. Middle school and emotions are so much fun.
Another night there was a band concert, both the high school and the middle school bands played. Jessica is a trumpet, Anika a French Horn, and Brandon is percussion.
The highlight of the last few weeks was probably our trip to Wicked. I thought by going I would get it out of my system, but now I just want to go again. It was amazing. Aunt Kathy, Aunt Mary, and our friend Dr. Connie came with us.
Brandon and I head out on the road every so often. He is only at 12 hours - we are not close to 50 but we have until August. It works out to one hour a week, but we don't keep up with that. Hopefully he will drive some extra time over Christmas break to get him caught up.
He, Anika and Maria have all started basketball. I am coaching Maria's team and will be coaching Jessica's team in January and February. It makes for a busy week and kids all over the place.
Anika, Brandon and Jessica just finished their first trimester, had exams this week, and start their new trimester next week.
