11, 44, Wendy

Paul and Elise are now 11.  They were treated to Lolo flying in to help celebrate, a movie birthday party, Jimmy Johns surprise for school lunch, and Super Deluxe burgers for dinner.  Unlike Paul, Elise also really wanted to have a small sleepover with friends.  Paul is more like Nate that way; he has fewer requests than Elise when it comes to this kind of stuff. Elise has been taking notes watching me celebrate my birthday; she wants to live it up big time.  

 They like to play "spin the bottle" to determine the order of which gift to open.

Even though I included a wresting picture, this past year has definitely been a year of these two bonding more. They look out for each other more and enjoy giggling together (in between their fights).  It used to be the Paul & Lily show with Elise left out most often.  That dynamic has shifted - Lily prefers more alone time now.

 

Elise recently earned a blue belt in Karate and performed in her 2nd piano recital.  We are especially proud of her since she is a home body and doesn't like to be in crowds or in situations that could produce conflict like competitive environments; her nerves are front and center beforehand. Elise is very sensitive and sometimes has a hard time handling her strong emotions.  It's made her a bit too risk averse (hence being a home body) which we say we are working on but honestly at a loss on how to best help her.  We'll get there.  Elise's biggest change over the last year has been stepping it up with her comedic chops and her way with words.  I gifted her a journal to enter all the zingers she comes up with. 

Mom: "do you want to be princess Elise or queen Elise?"

Elise: " President Elise."

She continues to be incrediblyn detailed with her drawings and clay sculptures.

Paul recently started doing a 2 minute abs routine before bed.  His tennis and baseball training includes conditioning and a little bit of weights which he is a big fan of.  Paul is quite social at school but isn't a big fan hanging out with friends outside of school and sports.   We have had to rein in his You Tube watching and push him to read more.  He is a goofball and very much into light sexual humor like "that's what she said."  We are okay with it but sometimes it's just too much.  Like swearing, the timing and frequency is critical.  He's the most reliable when it comes to following rules and completing lists.  He has a tendency to lie a bit more than we'd like because he is a bit of a mom/dad pleaser and doesn't want to get into trouble.

Lily's time has been super packed with her holiday Panto play and volleyball practice.  She decided to give volleyball another try after quitting when COVID first hit and made the top 14U team.  Sports is more my language so I can't help but be thrilled to see her on a sports team again.  I'm equally as thrilled to see her light up the stage with her smile.  It is as obvious as I am tall that Lily loves being up there.  She performed in 9 shows as Wendy in Peter Pan - UK Panto style.  It's her 4th time with her Panto crew and her meatiest role yet.  We can't keep our eyes off of her when she's on stage.  We are so clueless with the theater world but regardless, we're super proud.  

I am now 44.  I went big this year and escaped to Palm Springs with my sister Lolo.  It was incredible and getting my Lolo time and me time in warm weather only wants me to press repeat on that set up more often.  Keeping this trip on my memory shortlist.  

Nate's highlights from the past couple months include a couple of concerts with Nicole and with Elise.  The White Album Christmas show was quite an experience, with a live Beatles cover band performing at the same time as circus acrobats.  Other than that there has been a lot of getting kids to their sports and activities, and sneaking in gym workouts during Elise's karate classes.  He's looking forward to time off during the holidays to catch up on 2022 new music releases and hopefully getting in a day or two of skiing.

A few more random photos from the last couple of months.  

Advent calendar tradition. 

New Years Eve Fondue Tradition early this year so we could do it with Lolo. 

And just a couple more photos that I personally love

Them showcasing their personalities in their Halloween costumes

I was sick with COVID soon after Thanksgiving and couldn't go along to pick out our Christmas tree.  I asked them to take a picture.  You'll notice they almost forgot because this is in front of our home after they returned.