We returned home from our Europe trip on January 4, which was Leah's 14th birthday. This dear girl didn't complain at all about spending her entire birthday in airports/on planes, and we surprised her by upgrading her seat to first class on our final flight into Charlotte. While Luke, Mark, and I were crammed into steerage with the other economy class ticket holders, Leah was living her best life in First Class with snacks and comfort!
Once we were settled back in NC, we continued Leah's birthday festivities with presents and a celebration with her friends:
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| Millie helps open gifts just like her big sister, Winnie, did! |
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| Birthday cash! |
Leah chose to take her friends ice skating to celebrate her birthday, and they all donned their matching hoodies from Italy:
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| They chose Costco for ice cream after skating 😂 |
Mimi gave Leah a gift certificate to have her ears pierced for her birthday, and this appointment and ear care have been easy peasy so far!
L&L had 3 normal school days in the month of January. THREE. There were delays, early dismissals, and multiple cancellations/remote learning days due to weather, and there was little to no structure to our routine for the month. Everyone enjoyed the snow, but it was challenging to constantly reschedule activities:
This is how we felt about snow at the beginning of the month:
And this is how we ended January, after all of the last minute changes and disruptions to our routines:
In another unexpected turn of events, I spent a week in Charleston with Grandpa after he received a sudden diagnosis and hospitalization. Thank goodness Mark's current work situation is flexible and he was able to hold down the fort while I was gone. We are grateful for Facetime, which allowed us to watch Leah receive a special award in January. She was named Spotlight Student for Leadership (just like last year!), and we are so proud of our natural born leader.
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| These 3 friends were all recognized for their leadership and are such great girls! |
Leah is involved in so many extracurriculars that aren't pictured. She goes to school early two days each week for Jazz Band rehearsal, participates weekly in Impact Club (a Christian student organization) and Fusion (a Wednesday night youth group with friends), and plays in the Pep Band during home basketball games. She is a Student Council officer, serves as a Student Ambassador, and is starting spring soccer next month. Her schedule keeps us on her toes, but we love these activities that bring her so much joy.
Both kids auditioned and were selected for All District Band again this year, and their concerts were held at the end of January in Durham. I transported the middle schoolers, while Luke stayed in a hotel with the high schoolers on Friday/Saturday:
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| When you have extra time before your All District clinic begins, you stop for morning treats! |
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| Middle School All-District Symphonic Band |
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| Our favorite horn player! |
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| Central District 11/12 Band |
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| Tuba Mom Life = sitting in the balcony and hoping you can see your kid in the back row |
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Luke changed out of his tux so quickly that this is the only post-concert photo that we have of him with his tuba:
Luke was also spotted in the wild in January working at his new(ish) job at Chick Fil A. We are anxiously awaiting a shift when he dresses up as the cow mascot, but until then, we'll settle for glimpses of him behind the counter and in the drive-through lane. When asked at his interview if he was interested in being the cow for special events, Luke emphatically exclaimed, "ABSOLUTELY!". I can not wait to see this in action...
We squeezed in College Visit #4 with a day trip to Charlottesville to check out the University of Virginia:
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| Posing on the Lawn at UVA with the Rotunda. |
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| Will he be a Wahoo?! |
There was yet another band concert for our tuba player, as he was selected to be in the UNC-G Honors Band in February. They sounded great and this is a special opportunity to work in sectionals with clinicians and collaborate with talented musicians from several states:
February marks three years from the mammogram that saved my life, and there are several dates that I remember and honor each year. I am thankful for my health and for the ability to guide and mentor other women who are facing their diagnoses and treatment:
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| Puzzle delivery to the cancer center. |
It wouldn't be a proper update without mentioning Millie, who at age 5.5 remains the happiest dog in the whole wide world. She is affectionate and snuggly, and still has the enthusiasm and energy of a puppy. There's a lot of personality in our house, and we love our fluffy girl!
