Last holiday post, I promise!
One
Will flew home a day earlier than Tom, Hallie, and me so that he could make it to the next day's morning practice and evening alumni game. Due to a series of interesting events, he almost missed his connection and had to run through the airport like he was in Home Alone. The following day and due to another series of interesting events, the three of us almost missed our connection and had to run through the airport like we were in Home Alone. It was NOT fun. Also, I'm not in as good of shape as I thought I was, so getting better at jogging/running/sprinting is on my to-do list for 2025.
Made it! |
Saying "hi" via the Ring doorbell on his first-ever night at home alone. |
With Jeremy at the alumni game. Check our their cool story here. |
Two
I think my favorite holiday tradition is Second Christmas, when just the four of us celebrate Christmas at home. We of course want to travel to and celebrate Christmas with our extended families. But years ago I decided that I also wanted my kids to have memories of celebrating Christmas at home, so that when they're older (like when they go off to college 😭) they'll want to come home to relive those memories. It's a lot of work to plan for and coordinate a second full Christmas - complete with stockings, a Santa gift, presents, etc. and while I'm also planning for and coordinating a first full Christmas - but I love it.
And then...as much as I adore Christmas, I find so much peace and calm and comfort in putting it all away and switching to "winter white" in January.
Three
We had a great New Year's Eve with friends. Moms and kids wore their pajamas (dads went with their own stylist choices) and we snacked on great food, savored our favorite Prosecco and sparkling grape juice, played games and musical instruments, and just enjoyed each other's company. Bonus: after a year off from attending, Will joined us for a little while before heading off to his own gathering. No photos to document his presence though...
Four
Though the Lads annual trip to the Kilt Cup soccer tournament usually takes place the first weekend back at school, this year it took place the last weekend of winter break. The Lads had a great showing, ending up with two wins and a tie, and Will wrapped up the weekend with - wait for it - two assists and a goal. He hadn't scored in two years, so he has more points right now - three games into the pre-season - than he's ever had during a Lads season.
A "fun" picture of Will going full horizontal. |
It's tradition for someone to shave their head or get a bad haircut courtesy of another Lad during this tournament. So...here's a progression of what Will looked like each day.
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
It's tough to tell from the photos, but the "Friday" cut was actually a bowl cut. Or better put, the "Friday" cut was an ice bucket cut - they put an ice bucket upside down on Will's head and went to town.
It's tough to tell from the photos, but the "Saturday" cut included quite a few mistakes - primarily an attempted fade" in the back - so when Will got home our only option to fix his hair was to quite literally take it ALL off. Many people are missing Will's gorgeous hair, but it grows fast and I'm sure it'll be long and luxurious without a few months. (That said, he looks kind of bad a$$ and he's playing pretty well with a bald head, so he may or may not let it grow during the season...)
To be clear, no one forced Will to do this - it wasn't hazing or anything of the sort. He willingly allowed teenage boys with no experience to cut and shave his hair to keep this Lads tradition alive.
Five
Happiness Highlights
Wearing in his new custom cleats. |
What. A. Buddy. |
She missed her boy. |
One of the many loads of stuff I cleared out during my annual (during the Lads trip to the Kilt Cup) cleaning of Will's room. |
Ahhh... |
A gorgeous pic Hallie took as we departed Dallas. |
It's audition season! Hallie with friends and their ballet instructors after their NSIA audition at TBT in Fort Worth. |
A teaser for Hallie's upcoming High School Musical! |
Happy weekend, friends!
No comments:
Post a Comment