November update

November was a bitter sweet month. It marked closure on some very important people in our lives but also was a time to celebrate family. We hosted Beverly's memorial service the weekend before Thanksgiving. Steve's mom- Beverly, Step-dad- Skip, Grandmother-Phyllis all wanted their ashes spread together in the Chesapeake Bay. Steve called the yacht club in Annapolis which Bev and Skip belonged to when they first moved there and they allowed us to go in and fulfill their final wishes. Steve's step siblings, Suzy and Micky came for this. On Friday night we just hung out with Suzy and Aiden at the house. We talked about their memories growing up. Saturday morning Sophia had the final horse show of the series which Suzy, Micky and his boys came to. We then all met at the beach to spread the ashes of Phyllis, Skip, Bev and a couple of dogs. It was beautiful. We shared a few words about each person before letting them go. We then came back to our small house and all eleven of us gathered to have Skip's famous wild rice dish and share more memories and pictures. On Sunday we hosted family and some of Bev's friends at Maggianos for a family style lunch. More memories were shared. It was really a beautiful weekend.

 But I jumped ahead. Let me back up to the beginning of the month. Sophia turned twelve years old on November 1st. I don't know where the time has gone. She is becoming a young women right before my eyes. She is incredibly funny, kind-hearted, brave and loving. She is excelling in middle school and become more independent every day.  We opened her gifts on Halloween but gave had the traditional cupcake and balloons in bed the morning of her birthday. Otto and Mr Twinkletoes even took part in the celebrating each having some frosting from her cupcake. We also gave her the gift we bought her in China in the morning. This year she received a beautiful set of chopsticks.

Last picture of Sophia at 11 years old.

Gift from China

Sophia left for a three day trip to outdoor education the morning of her birthday. Steve went along to chaperone. This was the first birthday that I did not spend with her. Guess it is practice for when she grows up and goes to college. She had a blast at outdoor ed. She did some high rope courses, took part in science classes and just had a blast hanging out with her friends.

Sophia had her 12th birthday party at a place that just opened called NinjaBe. It was a blast. The eleven girls played for 90 mins and then had pizza and cake. They were all quite skilled in these ninja warrior moves. They even all got a chance to ride a mechanical bull.

Katlyn slept over after the party. Sophia and Katlyn always have fun together.

Sophia competed in the November show and did really well. She earned the series Grand Champion for the English Pleasure Division. 

Sophia rode Wilbur in a lesson. She misses jumping on school horses but her Sunday lesson, which she pays for with the money she earns working at the barn gives her the chance to ride school horses. 

We went to the MOHSS banquet. Sophia won sixth place in the Junior Trial Class. She got a huge ribbon and a plague. This is a huge accomplishment. She saw some of her 4-H friends, as well as the CHC show team there.

Thanksgiving was very quiet this year with just me, Steve, Sophia and Leslie. Not having Bev there was hard. We played a game of Big Bang Theory clue and had a wonderful dinner.

The month finished out with Sophia performing in her first middle school choral concert. She even had a small solo in one of the songs. She did beautifully.

Until next month

Boba in Kae's bed with Kae allowing it!