C'ville 10 Miler

Well, I finally did it. 17 years after moving to town (and 4 years after I stopped coaching Saturday soccer, which had been one of the main things keeping me from this race), I ran the C'ville 10 miler. It's a FANTASTIC race, even if the conditions this year (and apparently last year, too) were sub-optimal. And by sub-optimal I do mean a fair amount of pouring rain. But at least it wasn't freezing or sweltering, and once you get to be a certain amount of soaked I think you just give up caring? I made my goal time (under 100 minutes) and generally had a pretty good race though there were also a million little things that went just a tiny bit wrong that I was mentally cataloging how to fix for future years... wait, does that mean I'm running this race again? Maybe. Also of course 80% of the tweaks were weather related, so different conditions would be a whole different race. But you run the race you're given, I guess. Props to all of the volunteers and spectators, it really gives us runners a lift.

Also, thanks to Wesley for waking up early to give me a ride there, and then meeting me at the finish. Happy Anniversay, my Love!

WISL 2k24

It was my privilege and pleasure to "coach" this literal supergroup of soccer stars. I did almost nothing but figure out sub rotations, lean on people to play in goal (we had no 'natural' goalie) and really just had myself a delightful time watching them play (and very occasionally, suggesting they maybe nedeed to change a strategy or talk to each other more). Such much fun!

Happy 14th Birthday, Amity!

Happy Birthday to the coolest of kiddos! The teen years are for sure a little bumpier, and I know you miss having Zaza at home, but we've had some pretty good times this year. Looking forward to all of the ways you will undoubtedly impress and amaze me in the coming year (and also maybe make me go just a little bit insane). Love you SO SO MUCH!

Almost Birthday Kid

Last night with our 13 year old....

Look kids, another birthday!

I'm the primary picture taker (and blogger) so I have no one to blame but myself for apparently missing my last 2 birthdays? This year Z was still home, and we all went to a hike at Bearfence Mountain, which is known for having a very fun rock scramble. I went for a run, I got to hike with my faves, we had delicious ice cream at Kline's, and my parents came over for dinner. It was a pretty fine way to celebrate. Sláinte!

Pasta-bilities

Charlie came to visit for a few days, and one of those days we made homemdae tortelini. A good time was certainly had by all. Ah, winter break fun!

Games with Friends

Dinner with friends is good. Dinner with friends on a regular basis is better. Dinner with friends you have known for pretty much the entire time you've lived in C'ville is wicked jesus better. And playing games (in this case, Ransom Notes) after dinner? The best. Love you guys!

My Home is You

While there are no pics of me and Z, let's just say EVERYONE is happy to have them home for the next 5 or 6 weeks. They are having a fab time at Oberlin, learning and growing a lot (academically and otherwise) but nothing feels so good as to be able to snuggle both kiddos. And Z and A have gotten much closer since Z left. The sister love is strong.

Solstice Merriment

We've been celebrating Chanukah as a family since we've been one, but we've (mostly Wes) been working on some solstice rituals as well. At this point we've got a giant bonfire, smores, damper, a killer playlist, lots of good friends and the ever important yule log, held here by Zara, where we write down what we'd like to leave behind (physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, etc) and also what we want to bring forward into the new year. Each year we build upon our previous year's tradition and add in a little something more - as we should.

Drink your Gin and Tonica... here comes Chanukah

So, like last year was a year of many lasts, we've now circled back around to some firsts. In this case, it was our first Chanukah without Zara here the entire time. Like both kids have missed a night or 2 here or there, or we've all been travelling and MacGyver'd a night in a hotel room, or we've lit the menorah at my parents' house, but this was different. Zara did have 8 nights of presents queued up for them that we left with them over Thanksgiving, and their own menorah which they nearly had confiscated by campus security, but yeah, it's the new normal now. At least this year, when Chanukah was pretty early. I think next year it overlaps with Christmas through New Years, so we'll get to enjoy their company once again. But in the meantime, Ansel was over for not 1 but 2 nights, and I got to finally wear Amity's festive and cozy hat. Chag sameach, ya'll.