Random Updates through February 7th

 Things are starting to pick up again around here as we finish out the slower month of January and head into the indoor track season while also watching Marissa finish out her second season of swimming.  Melayna has also stayed busy completing scholarship applications and finalizing the details of finding a roommate.  

Here are a couple of other things that have happened in recent days...

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Nolan was invited to a birthday party last week at the local ninja gym.  His friend was celebrating his 13th birthday so he invited about 20 of his friends to this gym where they could play and climb and throw things to their heart's content.  He really had a fun time.

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On another day when school was cancelled, he spent a short while building a fort out of our couch cushions and a bunch of blankets and pillows from his sister's beds.  Then he spent more time laying inside and reading a book.

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On Sunday the 1st, Morgan drove down from her school to spend the afternoon with Marissa and a couple of friends.  They all have a lot of work and projects to work on, so they spent their time "together" studying and doing homework, but I'm sure they needed the time together and I love that they are so close and always try to find ways to get together.

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After a couple of weeks, Noel finished the puzzle that he received for Christmas.  I think this was one of his largest puzzles to date.

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I put together my February care packages for our two oldest and got those mailed out last week.  This is the first month that I will have mailed the package to them as I usually just give it to them on one of their visits home.  Since they haven't been home since Christmas break - and may not come home for a couple more - I'm mailing it to them and hopefully they will enjoy the sweet surprise.

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I was able to spend three days in Danville, KY where Marissa was competing in her Conference meet.  I'll post about that meet in a separate post, but it was an exciting time with a lot of new memories made!!

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Noel had a track clinic in Indianapolis on Thursday and Friday and then he joined me at the swim meet.  

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Nolan and Melayna were home together for most of the time that Noel and I were gone (when they weren't in school), but Nolan spent a couple of hours with Grammie C on Thursday while Melayna was at an event.  (And thank you to Amslie for jumping in and picking Nolan up from school.  It's really appreciated!)

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And finally, in some other big news... I received a text from a friend on Friday afternoon.  She wanted to send me a copy of the WCHS Student Spotlight where Melayna was being highlighted for her work in the STAR room.  I am always being told by others about how good and patient that Melayna is in the classroom, so it was exciting to see her being recognized by her teachers and peers.

Congratulations "Miss Howett".  We are all so very proud of you!!