Jack

Jack had his winter band concert. He did really well, said he played every song except two. It was great to see him playing. He is now almost a yellow belt on the clarinet. Although he hasn't really practiced at home too much; he has started again so that he can pass his yellow belt test.

Jack

Jack made a goal at the beginning of the school year to be a top runner at the school's Franklin Feet program and to get a marathon t-shirt. Well this last Friday Jack completed his marathon! 5 cards totally filled plus five more punches, 105 laps. I am so proud of him. Jack actually stopped running the Friday before so that I could be there when he completed his marathon. At the end of his last lap he sprinted in with a couple of his friends. He ran straight over to give me a hug; it was a very sweet moment for me. He continued to run, since he wants to be a top finisher so he just keeps going.

Amelia

Amelia had her first basketball game! She was so cute running out when they called her name to slap everyone's hand. When she first started playing she was soooo nervous. She kept picking at her fingernails, looking more at her hands then the game. She did however catch the ball when her teammates passed it to her and made the first basket of the game!  Actually she made several baskets in the game. By the end she was running up and down the floor, trying to get the rhythm of the game down. She said she had fun even though the snack wasn't very good.

Jack

Only a kid could "accidently" run into a wall.

Goodbye 2019!

Last school day of the decade! 

Grief

Tonight on the way home from the store Amelia made this observation. “Mom, you know when someone dies you change a little bit. Like if you and that person do something special together and when they die you have to change a little bit when you do that special thing.”
I was a little wowed and said, “Yes,you do.”
Jack chimed in to say he talks back more since Nana Kim died because he is sad still. We all decided that it is ok to grieve but not talk back.
This will be the second Christmas without Nana Kim. I need to remember that the little hearts in our family are still grieving.

Amelia

For the past couple of years Mrs. Stephanie from next door has gotten the kids a little something for Christmas; nothing big, just socks or a little puzzle. Today the kids and I went over to open their presents and have some treats. This year Amelia got Mrs. Stephanie a present. When I got there I was surprised since I didn't know anything about it. What she got her was a yellow and green paper chain that she made at school, plus a smaller green one. Oh the joy on Amelia's face, as she jumped up and down, as Mrs. Stephanie opened it up! It was such a precious moment to see her be so happy giving her a paper chain. She said, "I made this because you love to decorate!" Oh so sweet. Of course her and Mrs. Stephanie draped it on the tree a little while later.