It’s been a pretty cold winter so far. We’ve already had a few snowfalls, one pretty big one and the others just a dusting. Lauren is very happy about this! No skiing or snowboard yet, but everyone is looking forward to it in the coming weeks/months. Here’s a picture of our house after the first big snowfall.
At the beginning of December, Lauren hosted a cookie exchange with a few of her friends. They all brought their favorite cookies and then decorated sugar cookies together. The dogs also enjoyed the get together 😉
Ashwini participated in Girls on the Run for the first time this year and each runner needs a running buddy so Lauren joined her as the buddy. They ran a 5K together at the Navy Yard in South Philly. Both did a great job!
Amazingly, another school year has come to an end! The girls wrapped with some final activities before the summer break.
Sophie had her Philadelphia Girls Choir spring concert at Temple Performing Arts Center in June. It was their first concert without masks. It was great to see their smiling faces and really hear their singing voices again!
The full choirOur beautiful singerSophie with her friends Jojo and Ella
Sophie also went to her first school dance!! I can’t believe it either. She had a good time, but we heard about some girls drama too – I guess it wouldn’t be a middle school dance without it.
Sophie with her friends Jojo, Camille and Rachel.
Sophie also did band again this year, continuing with percussion. This was the first in-person concert we got to see since they were either recorded and shared with families, or submitted via zoom over the last two years.
Lauren did Girls on the Run again this spring and their 5K was held at Montgomery County Community College. There were a ton of schools participating this time and many runners. We’re not sure how many, but one of the coaches told us it was over 1,000 girls. Dave was her running buddy again and they killed it. Lauren came in 10th out of the girls running! She loves it and we’re so happy about it.
Lauren and Dave before the runLauren with her teampost very hot runLauren with her coach and teacher Ms. D’Orazio
We also attended our first Bat Mitzvah for Sophie’s preschool friend Rachel. The party was held at Germantown Cricket Club and there was a special candle lighting ceremony for all of her preschool friends, which was really sweet.
Candle lighting with preschool friendsMe and my girls
Dave and I got away one night for a night out with the college crew, most of whom we haven’t seen in a long time. It was a really great night!
The college crew!
And finally, at the end of June, Dave, Don and I did the Rock Hall sprint triathlon – my first since my leg injury. I hadn’t planned on doing it, but decided to just give it a go – I’ve been feeling good – and ended up taking 2nd in my age group! Booyah! Actually, I was totally suprised and super excited about it. I’ve spend the last 11 months doing so much PT, strength training and mobility – I felt like it really paid off. I’m really looking to training throughout the summer to compete in an Olympic Distance in the fall.
2nd place, baby! Oliver, Sophie, Lauren & Liam
The girls both had a great year, we all had a great spring, and we’re looking forward to this summer!
In December, both of the girls had their respective end of year performances/races.
Lauren did Girls in the Run this fall for the first time. She was extremely reluctant to try it (as she is with all new activities), but ended up loving it. She’s also a very strong runner, no surprises there. She had practice twice a week for about 2 months and then a celebratory 5K run. Each girl runs with a buddy so Dave was her running buddy. The day was beautiful and she did really well. Out of 600 girls she came in 10th!
Lauren’s Girls on the Run teamLauren and Dave (her running buddy) after the race
Later in December the Philadelphia Girls Choir had their holiday concerts. They did two this year – maybe to make up for not having any last year. The first was in a church in New Jersey and the second was at Temple Performing Arts Center. Both were amazing. Even though they had to sing with masks on, they still sounded amazing. This is also the first year that Sophie is performing with Cantata, the next group level up.
The first performance at a church in New JerseyThe second performance at Temple Performing Arts Center Sophie with her friends Ella and Jojo
Now we’re enjoying a few activity free weeks before everything starts up again in January
