Week in Review: Homecoming Weekend, 45 Years Young, and Fall Sports

Last Friday night, we went to the high school Homecoming Football Game where all Senior fall athletes walked out at halftime with their families to be recognized and have a photo taken:

And then there were six

The high school posted some photos from earlier that day and I spied 2 Martins:

Maggie not mine + Maggie mine

Xan the Fresh-Man

The Homecoming dance was the next night, and I was able to get a quick pic of my Senior and my Freshman before they went in the building:

Not on purpose, but they both wore navy.

Maggie got ready at a friend's house (she wore this dress) and they took lots of pictures:

Such sweethearts

Besties for the Resties

Volleyball Caps

While she was busy doing that, we went to the Vigil Mass then took the BIRTHDAY BOY MAN out to dinner:

Phil started the day with a Spin Class and breakfast from the best bakery around:

Then we went to Maggie's Volleyball game in the city nearby where they lost pretty bad, but my niece was home for a college break so we got to catch up with her in the stands.  Phil finally got his own set of AirPods and a few other nice presents, and had a peaceful and bellyful 45th birthday overall.  We love our husband/Dad extraordinaire!!

On Sunday morning, we knew the rain was coming so we went for an early-ish 5 mile run through our beautiful town and cemetery where fall is finally trying to peep out.  Fall running is my absolute favorite!  Also, we are so slow now!

The rest of Sunday and Columbus Day Monday were really gross rainy days...which means...lots of house cleaning and organizing chores!  We did a deep clean of the little boys' room and a little redecorating (new rug and new comforters) as well as a deep clean of our bedroom, some kitchen and bathroom cabinet cleanouts, and a mudroom declutter (aka throw out lots of old shoes).  It felt sooooooo good.  Phil took the littles to a trampoline park for an hour to burn off some puppy boy energy.

It was a crockpot dinner kind of day, and Phil made this Korean Beef with coconut rice that was delicious on a stormy night.  Side note - how much easier and cheaper is it to cook for only 6 people each night?  SO MUCH!!  But we'd still rather have the added expense and hassle to have everyone at home eating together :)

Monday's storm brought a tragedy in the town where we work and our kids go to high school:

It was so sad and scary because we drive that highway every day.  May they rest in eternal peace.

Phil was working out at the gym while at swim practice with Brendan on Wednesday, so Declan and I took Lucy on a walk on a beautiful evening.  Declan (11) is our kid who is always always willing to go for a walk or play outside or come to the grocery store with us.  He loves the one-on-one time and literally talks the whole time, having to tell us every single detail of his day.  I love him so much and I hope he's always this open and available.

Meanwhile, in Ohio, Eamon and the fellow household intents had to sleep outside for a night.  Eamon said it was freezing but so fun!  He's always loved to hike and camp which does not come from his maternal side.

So that's why he had me send him a hammock!

On another day, they had to pretend they were secret service and walk people to class:

Aren't you glad I didn't say Banana?

Maggie had home volleyball games on Tuesday and Thursday this week (tough Loss and easy Win) and I am going to miss watching her play so very much.  I've had kids who barely played on a team and kids who play every minute of every game and the latter is definitely more fun.  Watching her volleyball games are seriously the highlights of my week.  My kids will always be able to say that their parents were there supporting them in the stands, and that was definitely a parenting goal though a logistical nightmare sometimes.

Xander had his last home Cross Country Meet on Thursday and it was very exciting to cheer him on:

He shaved over 3 minutes off this course from the beginning of the season!

Tonight I am bringing a meal to my friend who had her 9th baby!  Can't wait to hold that new squish.  The littles have a Halloween Dance at their school tonight, so Phil is taking one for the team.  Tomorrow is a soccer game for Declan in the morning, followed by basketball practice, and then Brendan's first swim meet of the season in the afternoon, about an hour away in Rhode Island.  Never a dull moment!

P.S. I just ordered my adorable Saint Nicholas chocolates to have on hand for Dec. 6th, in case you wanted to get ahead as well.  No affiliate link, just a friendly reminder :)