The Cox girls only saw pyramids and sand storms through countless hours of video chats with Dad. However, the month was note worthy and worth getting on paper.
The first week Justin was gone, Alexa had soccer try outs. It was single handily the most stressful week in the last few years. Crazy, right? Something so minor like second grade soccer compared to the real life adult issues we have dealt with sound off. However, bare with me. This week started with our new routine of getting everyone out the door by 7:20 every morning. There is no back-up, no, oops I will bring it to you at school, and certainly no sick days allowed. Somehow we managed to get to school and work every day for a month. Yes, I am tooting my own horn.
We are so blessed to have our Nanny, Jena. She makes sure the girls are where they need to be after school and even gets their school items put away. Monday morning that first week she took Alexa to try outs. Alexa did great. We were so pumped! Alexa is great at a lot of things.. sports aren't typically one of them. She of course wants more then anything to stay with her friends and have fun. This isn't the normal 8-10 weeks of soccer. This is 12 months of training, tournaments, parties and then the season in the fall. (Big deal stuff in the eyes of an 8 year old) After the second day of try outs we began our wait... and waiting... and waiting. On the third day I was feeling the gray hairs pop through my scalp. (I have actual evidence of this) I called the coach. After a discussion I don't wish I relive, Alexa had a spot on the team. Crises diverted, onto the next big deal.
A couple months back I did the math and realized Alexa was going to be 100 months old soon. Addy and I surprised her by decorating the house. She was so excited. It is silly and doesn't have significant meaning. However, in our house we choose to celebrate life whenever we can. For 100 months I have been blessed with the sweetest daughter I could have ever asked for. She was more then I could have imagined a child would be. I pray that she knows her own worth.
Addy plays B-Ball now. She was asked to play on a team with her friends a few months back. She instantly said yes but made it clear she had no idea what basketball was. Her first practice she stood under the net and took a ball to the face. Once she had a bit more time to understand what was happening she started to really enjoy it. Addy's strengths include arguing with the ref on technicalities, making team chants on the bench, lots of water breaks and defense. We are focusing on the last one the best we can. She understands if she wants her team to win, she needs to get the ball from the stinky boys as quickly as she can. She hasn't quite gotten the strength to make a basket yet. She does put up a fair number of attempts. It's been a fun experience for us all. However, if I was betting person... I would put my money on soccer.
Rugby! Alexa finished her first season of rugby. Such a fun experience. She learned something brand new and wasn't afraid to make a mistake. She even played her first outdoor game in downpouring rain. Not many San Diego kids can say that.
There were more birthday parties then I can count. The girls are in the sweet stage of life where everyone is friends with everyone they have ever met or even just shared room air with. In turn it means weekends packed with bowling, pedicures and birthday cake.
The last big thing this month was Lego League Expo. Alexa's team, the Coyote Astronauts competed for the second year at Legoland. The kids did a great job and showed huge improvements from last year. Afterwards we rode rides and played with our friends. It was the first year that the second graders were able to ride rides alone. They are getting so big!
After a busy month, Justin made it home. At the time it felt like a very long time. In the grand scheme of things, it was just a blink.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Christmas 2018
The Christmas season started with the girls school parties. Alexa's class had candy cane fishing and lots of crafts. Our little artist loved it. Addy's class decorated gingerbread houses. She enjoyed putting lots of candy on her house. She even ate some along the way.
The weekend before Christmas we drove to Williams, Arizona to take a trip on the Polar Express. We went in 2014, 2015 and 2016. It was fun to return again this year. This year the weather was very cold, but no snow. The girls enjoyed bundling up with hats and big jackets. We explored the town, ate lots of yummy food and took endless pictures. This year we even did the Santa sleigh zip line for the first time. This is the first year both girls were tall enough. Alexa and Justin went first. They enjoyed it with lots of laughs along the way. When it was time for Addy and I to go we were both nervous. I tried to act tough, but Addy could read right through it. She was requesting to go with Justin (who is clearly braver). I knew it was a good opportunity to show how tough we could be together. We ended up having a great time. Addy even wanted to go again.
That night we put on our matching PJs and headed off to the north pole. Addison still didn't want to go near Santa. She settled for sitting on my lap next to Santa for our traditional photo. Maybe next year... Once we got on the train we drank hot chocolate, ate cookies and sang songs. Addy took a nap but woke up in time to see the elves. Once Santa boarded the train, the girls excitement went even higher. It was a magical ride that I hope to always remember.
Once we were back home in San Diego we attended and volunteered at our churches Living Nativity. This is our second Christmas at Horizon and it's probably my favorite part of our church. Both girls enjoy being in costume, heading the kids that attend and talking about Jesus. What more could you ask for? The girls helped in the craft area for a few hours. Later they left me to help in games. By the end of the night, both girls had their own booths. Somehow there tiny statures have the confidence of full grown adults.
On Christmas Eve we attended church. The girls went into the children's service and had a great time. That night we went home and opened on gift. Before we opened them, Addy stopped us and reminded us we should pray first. Both girls were eager to give each other their gifts. After laying out milk, cookies and carrots (shredded of course) they were fast asleep.
Christmas morning was magical. We opened gifts, played, ate, video chatted with Grandparents, ate some more and watched Christmas movies. It was relaxing and fun and perfect in its own way. I used to be sad about not having family around on big holidays. Now I realize I enjoy just spending time with the people I love the most in the world.
The weekend before Christmas we drove to Williams, Arizona to take a trip on the Polar Express. We went in 2014, 2015 and 2016. It was fun to return again this year. This year the weather was very cold, but no snow. The girls enjoyed bundling up with hats and big jackets. We explored the town, ate lots of yummy food and took endless pictures. This year we even did the Santa sleigh zip line for the first time. This is the first year both girls were tall enough. Alexa and Justin went first. They enjoyed it with lots of laughs along the way. When it was time for Addy and I to go we were both nervous. I tried to act tough, but Addy could read right through it. She was requesting to go with Justin (who is clearly braver). I knew it was a good opportunity to show how tough we could be together. We ended up having a great time. Addy even wanted to go again.
That night we put on our matching PJs and headed off to the north pole. Addison still didn't want to go near Santa. She settled for sitting on my lap next to Santa for our traditional photo. Maybe next year... Once we got on the train we drank hot chocolate, ate cookies and sang songs. Addy took a nap but woke up in time to see the elves. Once Santa boarded the train, the girls excitement went even higher. It was a magical ride that I hope to always remember.
Once we were back home in San Diego we attended and volunteered at our churches Living Nativity. This is our second Christmas at Horizon and it's probably my favorite part of our church. Both girls enjoy being in costume, heading the kids that attend and talking about Jesus. What more could you ask for? The girls helped in the craft area for a few hours. Later they left me to help in games. By the end of the night, both girls had their own booths. Somehow there tiny statures have the confidence of full grown adults.
On Christmas Eve we attended church. The girls went into the children's service and had a great time. That night we went home and opened on gift. Before we opened them, Addy stopped us and reminded us we should pray first. Both girls were eager to give each other their gifts. After laying out milk, cookies and carrots (shredded of course) they were fast asleep.
Christmas morning was magical. We opened gifts, played, ate, video chatted with Grandparents, ate some more and watched Christmas movies. It was relaxing and fun and perfect in its own way. I used to be sad about not having family around on big holidays. Now I realize I enjoy just spending time with the people I love the most in the world.
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