Merry Christmas!

Fifteen (Sara's Version)

Sara turned 15 and, after all these years, I didn't have a birthday post ready to go on her birthday. I completely forgot (about the post, not her birthday) ... I can't believe it. Just the story of our lives these days, but here it is, better late than never.

We started December 11, 2023, at the DMV where Sara obtained her driver's permit. Next up is the big task of getting her behind the wheel, which Steve and I will start doing over winter break. Sara headed to school after her DMV appointment, her beloved Starbucks in hand.

At Fifteen (Sara's Version), Sara has adjusted to life as a high schooler. She loves being on the cheer team ... and she's really good at it. So fun to watch! While she's met her match with some of her courses this year, she's learning valuable lessons, working hard, and achieving.

Her favorite people are her friends, with whom she spends most of her free time. Whether it's at the mall, the movies, or just hanging out, she has some amazing young people in her life and loves spending time with them. It's a gift to watch her navigate and grow meaningful relationships, some of which I know will last into adulthood for her.

Sara Noel, at Fifteen (SV), is smart, beautiful, funny, sometimes moody, full of life and personality. We could not be more proud of this wonderful young lady, and we're excited to see all the big and little things this year holds for her!

November

It's Thanksgiving week! November has been another whirlwind month - with everyone running in different directions each night of the week and on the weekends. Sara and I snuck away for a little date night a couple of weeks ago. Soaking up these opportunities!

Emma's second softball team wrapped up their regular season with a first place finish!

She also had her final elementary field day. She was so excited to be able to help the younger kids this year, and I know she did a great job.

They had to move most of it inside due to weather, but it was still a fun day.

PE has been a happy place for Emma through all of elementary school! Many of these 5th graders have been together the whole time, too.

Per tradition, 5th grade celebrated Colonial Day on the day before Thanksgiving break. The old dress that my mom made for my sister came back out! Sara used it in 5th grade, and now Emma did, too (a lot less willingly than Sara). We tried it on the weekend prior, and Emma sort of allowed this photo from a distance.

She ended up having a fun day once she realized that lots and lots of kids do dress up and make the most of it!

They practice calligraphy, made colonial crafts, and played games from that era.

Friday night, Sara's team had one last dress rehearsal before Regionals. They competed JV Game Day, and worked so hard leading up to competition. Hours and hours each week - and it shows!

Last team huddle before competition!

In the end, the girls came in 2nd and didn't get the bid to Nationals that they really wanted. They left Saturday disappointed, but seriously put it all out there. They performed cleanly and I'm so proud of them. It's been years since their school has had a strong cheer program and they are building a new foundation!

Full Routine (click for video)

Meanwhile, Emma's team was playing up in a competitive tournament. They didn't have any wins, but they truly improved with each game. The new level of competition against older girls was tough, but good for them. 

Of course Emma gave every last effort, and was wiped out last night!

So, so happy that it's Thanksgiving break! Doing some catch-up around the house, and preparing to head to Broken Bow for a few days of peace, rest, campfires, and fresh air before the rest of the holiday season hits (or, really, hits harder than it already has)!

Halloween

For the first time in a while, we had a chilly Halloween! Thanks to the rain the weekend before, softball and soccer were rained out and we had time to enjoy carving pumpkins, and then eating a homemade meal together while watching "The Great Pumpkin". 

Out that window, there was pouring rain and whipping wind ... the perfect ambiance!

As usual, Jim sat nearby waiting for pieces of pumpkin to fall.

Finished products ...

After finishing our pumpkins, we all gathered for our annual viewing of a classic. Both girls requested seconds of the dinner I made, and nobody complained about this forced family fun. A victory for the ages!

Once again this year, the Daffon dads did morning carpool in costume.

Emma wore part of her costume to school (the pants would be too hot, she said). It's technically supposed to be book character today, but I guess as a 5th grader Emma felt she could buck the system. She did so successfully, bringing just a little album booklet with her rather than an actual book.

I went easy with a little witch hat and black clothes. Lots of creative costumes at school, though, and the kids had fun!

Sara went as a "frat guy" and Emma, of course, as TS. They looked great!

It was a different Halloween for Steve and me ... the girls both took off with their respective groups of friends. Aside from needing a couple of rides (and a "find my phone" momentary debacle), they asked nothing of us. Steve and I stayed home and passed out candy to the most trick-or-treaters we'd had in years, and watched World Series baseball. It was a great night and a Happy Halloween for all!

I blinked!

September ended and October came and went ... we've been consumed with a lot of cheer and softball, and plenty of fun. Near the end of September, Emma was asked to guest-play with a team that needed a catcher for an upcoming tournament. She had one opportunity to practice with them before the tournament, and we followed it up with some nachos!

The following weekend, my parents came to town and got to see the tournament. It was a LONG day on the opposite side of the metroplex, and Emma was not feeling well, but she played her hardest. I was proud of her for earning the MVP medal on a new team!

While in town, G&G also saw Sara cheer. For this particular game, the girls wore cute jerseys with their names on the back.

I'm so glad they got to see Sara on the sideline - totally in her element!

Of course it wouldn't have been a complete weekend without a soccer game, too! Emma's team beat a tough opponent that morning! We were all reminiscing about the fact that the last time my parents came for a "sports weekend", Emma had a broken arm and Sara's cheer competition was cancelled ... so this visit was much more successful and eventful!

During October, the cheer squad wore their Pink Out uniforms several times. 

Dinner at the ballfield ... a hot dog or pretzel between games is a pretty standard part of our lives these days.

We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month at school and wrapped up before fall break with a Ballet Folklorico performance. It was so amazing and I loved seeing so many of our students' faces light up seeing their culture celebrated. I had to get a pic with these sweet ladies!

For the first time in several years, our district had a true fall break. At one point, Steve and I had discussed going out of town, but in the end decided against it. I'm so glad we did - the low-key days at home were just what we needed. Emma baked, of course.

She also spent LOTS of time biking around with friends. It included a trip to one friend's house to see his new puppy!

Among several other self-selected bike adventures, their time on the town included posing with Halloween decor ...

... and randomly running into a friend who recently moved away but who was in town for an appointment!

We had amazing weather during fall break. Warm (but not hot) days and cool nights. We broke out the solo stove for its inaugural fire this season (and made everyone hang out together outside)!

Sara hit the State Fair with friends.

They ran into some of my favorite RMH teachers who of course sent me a pic!

While the students had a full week of fall break, staff had three days ... it was just enough time to rest and refresh for the stretch til Thanksgiving! A science teacher at my school found some eclipse glasses from our first day viewing several years ago, so although they were on break, we embedded a little science lesson. Steve's not pictured but he was in on the action too!

Near the end of October, it was back to the softball field for Pink the Park 10U with the Diamond Darlings. Sunrise softball games with Emma at catcher!

In between games, Emma managed to make it to a birthday party. While many, many things come naturally to our athletic girl, roller skating is not one of them. She had a great time and Steve and I had a few laughs with her!

She also made it to Conner's show at Genesis Theater. 

After lots of games (9, I think, but Emma missed a couple for soccer), the Diamond Darlings ended the weekend with 1st place rings! The team has changed a lot over the years, and we had to bring in some guests for this tournament, but somehow they always manage to pull out the W in the end!

In the game that put them in the championship, Emma hit a three-run homerun!

The following weekend, Emma was supposed to participate in Pink the Park 12U with Edge, but lots and lots of rain kept the tournament from happening. Although the girls who play on both teams were hoping for back-to-back rings, the rest forced by the rain was welcomed, too. The girls finally had time to go see The Eras movie!

This past week, Sara cheered her last freshman football game. I have loved watching her blossom this season. Next up for her squad - UCA Regionals on November 17, and then onto basketball season.

We also wrapped up the Diamond Darling's MBSA season with playoffs on Friday night. Emma had an awesome hit down the first baseline, a tag-out at home, and a throw out from catcher to second! Undefeated season and first place in playoffs for these girls!

Fall has been SO busy - full of all the good things. Next weekend, we have a couple of soccer games and an Edge softball game to make up for all of the rainouts that occurred last week, but then those seasons will close. Emma's soccer team will play winter indoor, and basketball will start back up. If Sara's team does well at Regionals, they'll be preparing for Nationals. We'll squeeze the holidays in there, too - ha! I'm thankful for the full calendar in our kitchen and apps that remind us where to be!