November 2022

Since COVID created a bit of chaos during the month of October we weren't able to celebrate Claire's birthday when we had hoped, but thankfully were able to reschedule for the beginning of November. Claire invited a few friends to have dinner with us at Mo's in Malone, followed by a sleepover and then a movie day at home the next afternoon. 

We often aren't able to join our Girl Scout Service Unit for organized activities but this year a group of us visited SLU for World Thinking Day, hosted by a student organization on their campus.

Randy is a huge fan of Point Guard College and staffed a shooting clinic this month in Essex, VT that both Stella and Bri attended. While Claire and I didn't originally plan to go to VT, Claire's house league basketball game was cancelled at the last minute Saturday morning just when Miss Sue was about to leave with the girls. Claire and I quickly got overnight bags together and headed out. We did some shopping, ate out, and enjoyed some time together:

Hiking Sucker Brook Hollow Trail in Williston, VT with Caroline's family

Delivering Can tabs to RMH:

Other happenings this month:

Volunteering at the BFUMC Free Will Meal:

Sorting GS Nuts & Candy:

Stella was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society and was a speaker at the ceremony:

Completing a Girl Scout Journey:

                                           
                                            Paper snowball fight:

                                            Group work:

                                            

Plus:

Practicing Piano 

Loving (and spoiling) our Lily Cat!

Stella baked some Thanksgiving treats for her teachers

Thankgiving Dinner Cheesecakes

Decorating for the holidays!

Trey's tree is getting really tall!

October 2022

 As the school year moves along and schedules get busier we find it's necessary to be more intentional about family time. With the traditional family dinner at home around the kitchen table not able to happen every night, when it does we want it to be meaningful! Hence the "Let's Taco Bout It" themed dinner. The girls aren't as thrilled about these things as they are getting older but they humoured me!

Stella decorated for Halloween

October started out with our first case of Covid, and it hit hard. Randy was out for the count for several days. He rarely gets sick and it was sad seeing him so wiped out. Claire also tested positive and while only sniffling for a couple of days, had to stay out from school for an entire week. I made her stay busy!

Reading in the Hammock

Chillin with Lily Cat

Getting some exercise and fresh air

I caught Lily enjoying the sunshine
one afternoon while working from home.

Somehow Stella and I continued to test negative and never had any symptoms of illness. Covid is a strange virus, impacting people on such a wide range. Thankfully after a week or so we were all back on track!

Our local rinks have opened for the season!

Other October happenings:

Fixing a plumbing issue - thank 
goodness Randy is handy!

A trip to SUNY Plaza for work:

Exploring all the local Haunts with Stephen and Sophie and others:

More swim meets:

Painting our Shed:

Backyard fun:

Date Nights with Friends:

Not wanting to put the Mini away just yet!

Loving on LilyCat and enjoying Extended Day guests:

Celebrating Ayisha's Birthday:

Stella made her a painting

End-of-Season Swim Team gathering:

Wooden sign Stella painted for her teammates to sign

While we didn't keep stats throughout the season, for comparison next season I did capture some data from the final Invitational on 10/22 at OFA. Stella competed in three events and we were super proud of her this entire season for her committment, attitude and effort!

Girls 50 Yard Freestyle: Seeded third with a time of 34.86 and swam 33.14

Girls 110 Yard Freestyle: Seeded third with a time of 1:22.33 and swam 1:21.39

Girls 200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Team seeded first with a time of 2:27.57 and swam 2:22.03; Stella's split was 36.32

We are looking forward to seeing how the rest of 7th grade athletics goes for Stella, and to watch her keep improving!

Carving Pumpkins and Trick or Treating with friends:

Randy's Work Crew

Trying out Pepperoni Rolls

Mom's work crew - minus a couple!