Playing cards

Josh had the brilliant idea to gift playing cards to the Chisholm, Fujimoto, and Hucke family members.  Here are the photos that are on their cards. We cannot wait to play Peanuts together!

Oh Christmas Tree (not sung)

Oh, Christmas Tree.  You have been quite the project this year.  

Knowing that we have wonderfully mischievous kittens in the house, we decided to get a fake tree in the hopes that it would be hardier if a cat attempted to climb it.

It looked so nice for an entire 10 minutes before its durability was tested as the cats climbed all the way to the top.

Therefore, we decided to put all Christmas lights outside our house for the neighborhood to enjoy.  And we booby-trapped the tree with string and wire so they couldn't climb it ...

... and begrudgingly let the cats (mainly Dylan) eat the lights.

Until we decided to pivot in our plans -- we CUT ALL THE LIGHTS OUT OF THE TREE and then put strands of soap-covered lights in the tree.  It was a lot of work and was effective ... for an entire hour before Emma climbed to the top again.  Happily, Dylan is no longer eating the lights.

Then James received a game about cats (Stray), so now the cats are TV heads and too occupied with that to bother with the tree.  

Next year, we will have mature cats who know better than to play with fun dangling ornaments, right?!

Happy Birthday, James!

 Happy birthday, dear James.  You have matured so much in the last year, and we are so grateful that you are still very much yourself, our little spitfire who is either fully enthusiastic or deeply against most topics (rarely a middle ground). You are a joy who often speaks his mind to fight for what you think is fair and sensible.  We love your fun logic and silly questions about the world.  

This birthday month was made a little more complex when you tested positive for COVID the morning of your family birthday party.  We were planning to celebrate you and Alma at the bowling alley with your Thompson cousins, grandparents, Uncle Brian, and Aunt Bridgette.  Since you had a slightly scratchy throat that morning and we were seeing your grandparents, we tested you before we got ready for the party.  We were so surprised (and disappointed) when the test indicated that you were positive.  

For the next five days, you stayed in your room -- gaming, coloring, and daydreaming your way through the week. Happily, I could work from home, and we enjoyed my lunch hour passing the soccer ball in the yard.  We ate meals with you via video calls (see below -- look closely and you'll see your sweet face). We were impressed with your vigilance, which allowed Dad, Alma, and me to avoid your infection. The saddest part was the fact that you missed your last WCDS winter concert.  We were all looking forward to that evening and were all disappointed that you could not attend and perform.  You still have the Spring play and the end-of-year performance, but missing the winter concert stings.

Once your isolation time ended, you continued to mask to keep us all safe.  We could notice how anxious you were for company, especially from the kittens, who were also desperate for your unabashed love.  The first thing we did when you were allowed out into public again was go to Target to purchase Christmas gifts for the cats, which you happily wrapped. Your time with COVID exemplified all of your great qualities: ensuring you keep others safe, your love of physical affection, your ability to entertain yourself with video games and reading (usually about video games), and your mature acknowledgment of your disappointment at missing the birthday party and concert.  

You had a great birthday, masking the entire time (except for meals and the occasional photo).  You were so happy to receive a variety of Dungeons and Dragons related gifts, including several books, cool dice, clothes, and the Essentials Kit you have been mentioning daily.  You happily jumped into helping our entire family create new characters, which takes a lot of reference work to get all the facts straight. 

Before you got sick, your school hosted an open house.  It was great to see your creative approach to your work and hear about all the progress you have made in all the subject areas.  While you have some apprehension about going to public school next year, I know that you will step up the challenges -- both academically and socially.  You are such a fun, kind, smart, and funny kid.  I have faith that this upcoming year, which includes this big transition will go well.  We love you and look forward to supporting you.

Merry Christmas!

 

Christmas card 2022

 

Happy Birthday, Alma!

Alma, when did you become a young lady?  Sometime in the last few years, you became a thoughtful, slightly-more-reserved-in-public, still-playful, beautiful young woman.  You have a great sense of style, are good at applying your minimal makeup (mascara and eye shadow on special occasions), and have a love for shoes.  Your bedroom is the cutest room in the house, your nails often match your outfits, and you feel exposed without earrings.  While these are admittedly not my priorities, I'm so glad that you seem to feel comfortable having different interests.  Moreover, I'm grateful that you provide feedback on my clothing purchases, daily outfits, and you truly seem delighted when my hair looks nice.  All these superficial bits aside, one of your greatest gifts is making those around you feel loved and cared for.  

A small example that shows your thoughtful approach to life: On your birthday, you took so much time and attention to ensure that James also enjoyed the celebration.  James, struggling with his Christmas birthday more this year than in past years, burst into happy tears when he read the note you wrote him before our family celebration began.  The note (addressed to Bubbers, our family nickname for James) said: "Dear James, Happy early birthday.  I can imagine how hard it can be to have your sibling have a birthday before you, and you do such a good job about keeping good energy about it!  I LOVE YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!!!!!!  Love, Alma"  James explained that his tears were because you are such a great sister and he loves you so much.  We have always known your relationship with your brother is special and are so lucky that this unique connection continues. 

Now bragging to readers: The other element I want to note about Alma this year is her remarkable relationship with her friends at school.  She found a tight-knit group that welcomed her with open arms.  During Alma's ice skating birthday party, I could see how much they know her, appreciate her, and the care that they all take to support each other.  I know my best friends from my childhood still mean so much to me; therefore, I'm tickled that Alma seems to have a supportive group of like-minded friends to navigate middle school.

Speaking of middle school, Alma is a top student.  During teacher conferences, we hear what a delight she is in class. Also, we recognize that her grades come with a great deal of independent, self-driven determination.  She is a hard worker, which we have always known. It's neat to see it play out in many areas of her life. She is also learning the importance of balance in all the critical areas of life, which can be such a life-long challenge for so many individuals: nutrition (especially as she packs her own healthful lunch every night), helping out around the house (handling clothes shopping and weekly laundry), and getting regular athletic movement in a variety of ways (no team sports since the pandemic began but lots of fun pursuits as a family).

Alma, you are a joy, a problem-solver, a dedicated love, a humorous conversationalist, and our beautiful daughter.   We love you so much -- today and always.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

It was great to celebrate my mother's birthday all together at a cute inn in Bucks County.  Happy birthday, Mom!