The week of the pink candle, last week of school for 2022 and we are in full party mode! Monday might have been my most calm day. I went to tennis clinic, finished my book in time for book club, made the ornament for the exchange and celebrated Tracy’s Birthday at the park. I picked up Regan for the book club party. Sunny and Elizabeth had a marvelous spread. In addition to the ornament exchange, Sunny brought out a box of clothes to give away (mostly with tags). Another fun book club night! Early to bed though because Kerri and I had a tough match to play. We nearly beat Beachwalk. Ugh! Third set and we couldn’t close. We won the first one 6-3, the lost the next two 4-6. They were good and it was such fun. I barely had time to do a grocery run and early pick up for Ellie’s ortho appointment. Phil graciously had by tire replaced (yet another nail!) I loved wearing my new red skirt (thanks to Sunny) to our tennis party. Fun conversations with all my tennis pals. I was happy to give a Rethreaded necklace and receive cloth napkins in the gift exchange. We closed it down in the living room with the most seasoned players. So fun! Luckily, Voss didn’t mind that I missed his zoo field trip. Friend’s send me photos. Just too much happening at the same time. Wednesday was STEM day at the elementary school. I peeked in to see Voss’ class learning chromatography with nerds. I helped in Abby’s class with a lesson on carbon dioxide gas blowing up a balloon with Pepsi and pop rocks. Lauren and Leah did an awesome job coming up with candy experiments to match the school theme for the year. It was a half day. I headed to the middle school next to help with the teacher cookie exchange. So much sugar! Loved the time loving on those awesome teachers! Oh speaking of, I spent that afternoon embroidering pashminas for teachers. Way to wait til last minute! My brother, Matt flew in that night. Phil and I popped over for a visit, but I was wiped. Thursday morning the rain and chill came. Perfect timing for my Women Supporting Women brunch. I had frittata, shrimp & grits, fruit and donuts for a bunch of mom friends. It was a steady flow of amazing friends passing through to visit all day. I loved it! That evening Voss had a holiday sing along at school. It was cute and short and Phil and I decided, our last one! We had surf and turf at my parents with my brother and sister. I stayed late for a nightcap. I’ll just sleep next year. Friday I did last minute dashing to Target for teacher gifts. I met my parents and brother at adoration then lunch at Larry’s. I spent the afternoon at school to run the elf yourself photo booth for the class parties. Abby got to go to the symphony Nutcracker on a field trip the first half of the day. Matt came over for a visit with the kids. It was a low key Friday night. Marly went to dinner with the Knoepfels. Ellie babysat the Hayes. Phil and I met the Hogans and then Keith & Chris for dinner and drinks. El Jefe was delish then we checked out the German market. Another late night with our Friday crew. Saturday morning, I skipped out on the MOPS cookie swap to just have a breather. I was worn out. Suzanne hosted us for a family brunch. It was nice to get the whole gang together. Ellie babysat Wyatt. We went to Sacred Heart for confession. I got the times wrong but Fr. James saved us and did a VIP confession for us before mass. We met my parents and brother there. Ellie had another babysitting gig. The rest of us went to the McDonald’s holiday open house. We got the kids situated and donned 80’s attire and headed to the Harmon’s Radical 80s Christmas Party. They went all out! It was amazing! I didn’t want to leave but Sunday morning came early. Here are our photos of the week- https://photos.app.goo.gl/uZWC4XpFtessJcET8