2015 in Review: Happiness
We learned about the Junior Ranger program when we were in Colorado. We promptly came home and earned another badge at Grant's Whitehaven.
We gallivanted around the STL Zoo after hours at the Zoo Parent Picnic. (The picnic is the only time we do actions that cost money, like taking the train or seeing the sea lion show.)
Additionally, we took tours of the Veterinary hospital -- canine birth control is pretty fascinating -- and the Nutrition Center. Samantha and I sampled primate biscuits. They were awful.
We celebrated MICDS Homecoming with the MICDS-JBS Fun Run, lots of free food, and the Carnival. The inflatable obstacle courses were wildly popular and the life-size bowling game was hysterical to watch.
Lola did another season of soccer. Her time on the field saw her chasing the ball, actually getting aggressive and kicking the ball, dribbling a fair amount, and playing goalie. She has really progressed in her soccer abilities. Her time "on the bench" was really time where she played on playgrounds, rolled down hills in the grass, and practiced her cartwheels.
Eric ran his first official half-marathon. We trained for this race together, and it was absolutely wonderful to have designated weekly one-on-one time together to exercise and talk. He pushed us to run faster and faster during the actual race; he was determined to chase down the person in front of him, and was super excited when it was another pace runner. The Halloween Half was an awesome experience for both of us.
I suggested that Eric be Bill Lumbergh for Halloween. He delivered.
A $3 investment in wood and nails resulted in a two-day extravaganza of hammering fun.
Pneumonia hit the Whomptons hard this year; Raina, Eric, and Krystal all fell victim to it. Disease did not stop Eric from trekking to Austin, TX, to celebrate Andrew McDiarmid's wedding, though, and we are so thankful he was able to be there to reconnect with old friends and honor Andrew and Cynthia. The ceremony was incredibly personal, funny, and touching. We wanted to applaud during the vows because they were just so good. This weekend was a 2015 win.
I won the Worldbuilders lottery. Pat Rothfuss sent me a personally inscribed book AND a copper jot (currency from The Name of the Wind's universe). I totally geeked out.
Lola put on ice skates for the very first time. She fell down a lot but picked herself up each time and tried some more.
Raina and Lola had another successful Navigators year. Raina raked in a LOT of patches at the final ceremony, which is awesome (just like Raina) and troublesome because she doesn't have any more space on her sash. She's grown so much in her Scouting adventures since she began Girl Scouts and Ethical Navigators five years ago.
Lola performed in the MICDS Winter Concert. It was weird to have Lola be the only Whompton on stage that we were cheering for, and it was absolutely fitting that Raina asked to come watch and support her.
Wonderful friends joined us to celebrate the return of light and longer days at the Ethical Society's Secular Solstice event, Good Cheer. My heart fills when thinking of Mini, Tina, and I together in the same space.
We gallivanted around the STL Zoo after hours at the Zoo Parent Picnic. (The picnic is the only time we do actions that cost money, like taking the train or seeing the sea lion show.)
Additionally, we took tours of the Veterinary hospital -- canine birth control is pretty fascinating -- and the Nutrition Center. Samantha and I sampled primate biscuits. They were awful.
We celebrated MICDS Homecoming with the MICDS-JBS Fun Run, lots of free food, and the Carnival. The inflatable obstacle courses were wildly popular and the life-size bowling game was hysterical to watch.
Lola did another season of soccer. Her time on the field saw her chasing the ball, actually getting aggressive and kicking the ball, dribbling a fair amount, and playing goalie. She has really progressed in her soccer abilities. Her time "on the bench" was really time where she played on playgrounds, rolled down hills in the grass, and practiced her cartwheels.
Eric ran his first official half-marathon. We trained for this race together, and it was absolutely wonderful to have designated weekly one-on-one time together to exercise and talk. He pushed us to run faster and faster during the actual race; he was determined to chase down the person in front of him, and was super excited when it was another pace runner. The Halloween Half was an awesome experience for both of us.
I suggested that Eric be Bill Lumbergh for Halloween. He delivered.
A $3 investment in wood and nails resulted in a two-day extravaganza of hammering fun.
Pneumonia hit the Whomptons hard this year; Raina, Eric, and Krystal all fell victim to it. Disease did not stop Eric from trekking to Austin, TX, to celebrate Andrew McDiarmid's wedding, though, and we are so thankful he was able to be there to reconnect with old friends and honor Andrew and Cynthia. The ceremony was incredibly personal, funny, and touching. We wanted to applaud during the vows because they were just so good. This weekend was a 2015 win.
I won the Worldbuilders lottery. Pat Rothfuss sent me a personally inscribed book AND a copper jot (currency from The Name of the Wind's universe). I totally geeked out.
Lola put on ice skates for the very first time. She fell down a lot but picked herself up each time and tried some more.
Raina and Lola had another successful Navigators year. Raina raked in a LOT of patches at the final ceremony, which is awesome (just like Raina) and troublesome because she doesn't have any more space on her sash. She's grown so much in her Scouting adventures since she began Girl Scouts and Ethical Navigators five years ago.
Lola performed in the MICDS Winter Concert. It was weird to have Lola be the only Whompton on stage that we were cheering for, and it was absolutely fitting that Raina asked to come watch and support her.
Wonderful friends joined us to celebrate the return of light and longer days at the Ethical Society's Secular Solstice event, Good Cheer. My heart fills when thinking of Mini, Tina, and I together in the same space.
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