January happenings

Blake turned 16, Taylor got braces on the bottom, and there have been a couple snow days so far! The kids love the snow days, even though they haven't played outside like they used to. The dogs enjoy them getting to stay home from school, so Millie isn't crated as much, so there's that. PLUS, little Millie started training at Petsmart, she is such a smart girl!

Billy found out the the Nashville Songwriters Association had a St. Louis chapter and that they hold local events. There was an open mic night for NSAI members at a small coffee shop called Picasso's on Main. Billy couldn't wait to join in! The only stress was choosing which 3 or 4 songs to play. Mike, Mandy and Max decided to go so I went along with them. That way, Billy could focus on networking and deciding on songs and I could have some friends to hang with. I am glad I went, it was fun and Billy did awesome! He played,  Livin' in a John Prine song, One way road, The Stranger, and Drinking Scotch Whiskey. He got to network before he makes his trip to Nashville in March!

Blake's Sweet 16

A couple of weeks before Blake's birthday, I asked him if there was anything special he would like to do for his big special birthday. He said, "huh?" and I said, "Blake, you're gonna be 16!!!" He was like, "Oh yeeaahh" in a kind of blah way. I asked if he felt 16 and he said he didn't. This makes me sorta sad because you are only a kid once and if he doesn't feel 16 then I feel he shouldn't be expected to fit into that mold. I just realized that it sounds like I'm saying, "if he doesn't want to identify as a 16 year old, he shouldn't have to. He can identify as the 14 year old that he currently feels like" lol. It just all flies by so fast, what I would give for time to slow down with these kiddos.

Blake said he really didn't want to do anything special for his birthday this year. I was trying to figure out what I could do to make it special without any suggestions from him. Ideas did not come easy. He finally admitted that he would like cinnamon rolls and maybe a steak dinner at Texas Roadhouse. His bday fell on a Monday, so we decided to celebrate it with Aunt Sissy and Uncle Danny on Sunday.  Dad and I went on an early morning cinnamon roll hunt around town. It took us 3 different stored, but eventually we found some great big ones at Sams Club in St. Charles. When we got back to the house, Taylor helped us get his gifts wrapped and the house decorated. When Aunt Sissy and Uncle Danny arrived, we got the candles lit (which was a real struggle..lol) and then we called him down. I could tell he was excited even if he didn't show it. He came down and blew out the candles, they left behind quite a bit of smoke and it almost choked him..lol. Anyways, he got a lava bead bracelet, a phone case and a pc monitor from us and he got a $75 Amazon gift card and a brass wishbone from Aunt Sissy and Uncle Danny...he was one happy camper. He got to have warmed cinnamon rolls with a iced coffee for breakfast.

He actually decided that he didn't want to go out to eat on a busy Sunday night so we decided to push that off for another time.  He was really excited to get upstairs and get that new monitor hooked up.

When we woke up the next morning, on his actual birthday and last day of Christmas break, I felt bad because all the gifts had been opened and I had nothing else planned with the exception of Taylor's orthodontic appointment..lol. I did end up going into stores to try to find the proper adapter to connect the new computer display, but otherwise, he didn't want anything else. We did go get him Culver's for linner, yes, that's what we call the meal between lunch and dinner. And that was it. My boy is 16, he's not ready to become a licensed driver yet and that's ok, he has time to do that. Slow down time, slow down.

A December to Remember

Taylor had her first band concert and she did amazing! She is our little clarinet player and we couldn't be more proud of her. Blake came along to support her band career and it made her a little nervous that "the pro" would be judging her. He assured her that she has to start somewhere and he kinda coached her...love that. Evie got to join us and she did amazing at her percussion parts too! They played........It was a great concert followed by a treat at McDonald's with Max and Mandy.

December days filled with puppies playing, fighting, cuddling on the couch, watching Christmas movies and overall, just being cute.

ONE time of getting to go with Billy & Milo...she
is ready and waiting with her collar! lol!

Finally, peel the fridge day! lol!

Blake also had his holiday band concert and it was wonderful too! The jazz band played a rendition of Sesame Street, while much of the other songs were fold/holiday songs from around the globe. They were long, very intricate pieces...we have a very talented group of band kids here!

Blake will do just about anything if it has to do with band...even bake and shop for the annual band Christmas party potluck and secret Santa gift exchange! We took some time that afternoon, to bake our famous crispy sugar cookies and wrap the gift he found for Wren. She loves the color yellow, cocoa, peppermint and blankets. We found a way to envelope them all into one cool gift...a no-sew yellow floral blanket kit, a chalkboard mug with Starbucks cocoa and a peppermint spoon to boot! Score! And when he came home from the party, he said she really loved her gift, I am so happy! He got a Starbucks gift card and a Spiderman plush...he was really happy too. It's really awesome that Mr. A plans all these cool events to do with the kids. He really loves his job and it shines through. Love this second family Blake has become a part of.

Me and my girls got to do our Christmas thing too...I sure love these ladies. These are the friends that love you for who you are. There are few and far between and I am blessed to have them as my friends and neighbors! LaShana is pointing to the table let because, before I got there, the table was wobbly and she KNEW it would bother me so she asked for extra napkins so I could put it under the leg to stabilize it! lol!

My work Christmas party was at Top Notch Axe Throwing! Shane made sure to feed us well with bbq and special cake. It was a fun time! He is very generous, we all got Christmas bonuses and gifts from the sales people...everyone is so great to work with. Go J&S Tool!!