Once on This Island

Kade was beyond excited to be chosen for the semester-long Theater Production elective! Washington Elementary’s production of Once on This Island gave our family a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible amount of effort, collaboration, and talent it takes to put on a show.

As a longer elective, students have been working since September, practicing songs, dances, and monologues, along with participating in numerous after-school rehearsals. Two electives combine to bring this elementary production to life: Theater Production students perform on stage, while the Behind the Scenes elective handles stage decorations, lighting, and music, making the show a true team effort.

Finally, the students were ready to show off all their hard work with FOUR performances! On Wednesday, they performed in the morning for Kindergarten and First Grade, and again in the afternoon for Second and Third Grade. Then on Thursday, they took the stage for Fourth and Fifth Grade, followed by an after-school evening performance for parents. Amazing!!

Kade had two roles = Daniel's Father (with a mustache and white shirt) and one of the peasant people (where he wears a tan shirt). 

Kade is on the far left in the shadows in this scene. 

The main character is in the blue skirt with purplish sash and she was amazing - so many lines to remember and sing! I told Kade to get her to sign his yearbook at the end of the school year - this girl might be a big actress one day! 

The two main characters - "Daniel" being one of Kade's friends. 

Finally - Kade's big part - Confronting Daniel that he can't be with that peasant girl!! 

Kade actually had a really quick third part - as Daniel's son sitting under the tree that Ti Moune, the main character, eventually turns into. So quick that he was practically standing back up by the time I got my camera out! 

Alas, it was time for the bow out! I love their little synchronized arms! 

"And this is why we tell the story....." It was super cute, but I think a little hard to follow the story if I didn't already know the story. :) 

So, so, so, so incredibly proud of Kade. He was a mixture of excitement and nerves, but he did an amazing job! We were also so glad that my Dad and Phyllis were able to come watch him perform. I think they were truly impressed by Washington GT Magnet Elementary School—and they even got to meet some of the wonderful teachers who helped guide them to the Media Center!

Brock's 13th Birthday

A Wednesday birthday for Brock meant he got to celebrate ALL week! We started on Sunday night as Brent was unfortunately scheduled to be out of town for work on Brock's actual birthday. 

A Carvel Ice Cream Cake in the middle of January - why not? 

I surprised Brock with his big number balloons for his birthday. Numerous people asked me whether we were celebrating 13 or 31 at the store - do people still get number balloons for those birthdays?? 

Brock chose Red Robin for his birthday dinner, but he did not want anyone to sing to us!

Brock received some pretty awesome gifts!

He loved this creative experience gift from Uncle Brian and Aunt Nancy - he is so looking forward to his week in Charlotte this summer! 

The immediate Saturday following his birthday, we had originally scheduled a fun sleepover. The weather had other plans so it ended up being a full afternoon/evening birthday instead so everyone could get back to their homes. 

We still had fun - bowling with three of his best buddies - can you tell they are all swimmers?

Brock is actually the youngest in his friend group - the last to turn 13. Look at these boys doing what teenagers do! (They are all playing a game together with various electronic devices!)

Papa Johns pizza followed by homemade cupcakes! I made the "mistake" of putting all 18 cupcakes down at the table and between the five of them, they DEVOURED every last one! 

We all woke up on Sunday to an icy winter wonderland! The streets were all frozen and the grass had a light dusting of sleet. 

Thankfully Monday was already a teacher workday, but this ice resulted in two days of remote learning and two days of 2 hour delays! Brock thought it was a wonderful extra birthday present! 

Happy 13th Birthday Brock!!

Ranger Rookie Wrestling Tournament

Kade has been working exceptionally hard at this new sport! Practices are one hour long, three times a week and he is SORE when he leaves. The wrestling club we joined in September seems semi-new - the coaches were all former college wrestlers and working to grow their business.  Triangle Wrestling Academy meets in a rented warehouse/office space with new kids joining each week; they are finally expanding the facility in the Spring! 

Kade said he was ready to compete so we signed him up for the Ranger Rookie Wrestling Tournament! This was all new to me, but Brent seems to be in his element! 

Weigh-in's started at 7am (an early start for all of us!) and then we could sit and have some breakfast. When Kade was mostly digested, it was time to warm up. Brent helped ease some nerves and started the warmups with him. 

I love that Brent loves to give his little wrestling advice. It's adorable to see these moments. 

The team met at 8:30am to properly warm up - running, stretching and shooting drills and then finished with a group huddle. 

Kade was awarded a bye in the first round, so we had to sit awhile before his first match. But here it was! And I was so enthralled, I was so focused on the video - I took no pictures! 

Kade used a half nelson to pin his opponent! Just amazing!

I thoroughly enjoyed re-watching the video and watching his coach really go through the motions and yelling directions to Kade. I also loved how Kade looked up mid-hold, had enough power to hold his opponent, and then followed through! 

Now we are getting the hang of it! One wrestler wears red around the ankle and the other green so the referee knows whom to score points. 

The next opponent was a little more of a challenge. 

Kade did fight really hard in this match. I so wanted to reach out and give him the extra boost of power to help!

He made it to the second period of this match before succumbing to a pin. 

The third match was a surprise - he was paired against another TWA (Triangle Wrestling Academy) friend. I think it put both boys at a disadvantage because the Coach could not help either boy and simply told them "Good luck boys" before the match! 

The boys were very evenly matched though and they took it through all 3 periods before Kade finally won on points. Tough match!

As this was all new to us, we assumed we would be done at a certain time, however that was not the case and we were still there waiting for Kade's final match well after lunch! We were all exhausted from the loud crowd and sitting around - and Kade was physically exhausted. 

After his opponent was a no-show at match time, Kade had to wait and watch two other matches until he finally arrived. We definitely saw a difference in "first/second-match-Kade" to fourth-match-Kade." Poor guy wasn't completing his attacks which left him vulnerable. 

Neverthless, Kade had a great first tournament winning two and losing two, earning him a Third Place finish! 

Kade scooped up his Bronze metal and posed for a picture on the podium. Great job Kade!!

Christmas 2025

 

Christmas Eve is always a time of preparation for me, from setting the table to making the meatballs and making sure everything is just right for Santa's arrival! It’s not until we leave for the 4pm church service that I can finally relax and enjoy the holiday.

I love this picture from the day before Christmas Eve - the boys had a few last things to wrap and Kade amazes me with his ingenuity using his foot to help wrap the gifts! 

After delicious spaghetti and meatballs, it was time for Christmas jammies (and Halloween bottoms Brock?) to hang the stockings. Brock was also so good and poured Santa's milk in one of Brent's good scotch glasses! Nothing but the best for Santa!  

Santa did not have to wait too late this year to bring all the gifts, thankfully! Moose was not being as cooperative and refused to pose on the hard floor. He kept moving over to the rug every time we positioned him; I finally relented and put a cushion there! Silly pup!

I had to wake our almost-teenager up at 9:30am to open presents! He got moving faster than any other morning I've done that though - with a smile on his face! 

One present to open before our epic breakfast of pancakes and bacon. 

Back to opening gifts - Brock received a brand new TI-84 Graphing Calculator in Trinomial Teal (his favorite color is cyan) from Grammy & Grandpa. 

Brock also received several articles of clothing this year, not as compelling as a Farting Boxing pen - soooo exciting for an almost thirteen year old. 

Kade seems to like to wear his clothing gifts! Here is unwrapping his wrestling dummy while wearing his Under Armour hat and new Crocs! 

Kade received Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon and loved that you rub its head like a real pet! 

The dragon does favor a certain someone..... 

Christmas table is all set - Kade even helped me fold the napkin bows! Christmas Dinner menu included Prime Beef Filet Mignon, Chilean Sea Bass, baked potatoes, and green beans. 

Kade's favorite gift was his new headboard and bed frame. Brock's favorite gift was his fifteen pound weighted blanket. My favorite gift would have to be tied between cozy socks and our new Electric water kettle. Brent's favorite gift was fixing the heater core in his truck - after 10 months, the heated seats were not enough to overcome the chill of this winter!!

Our Apex home on Christmas night. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!