Jude being a teenager next to his mom

Yesterday Jude turned 13. He has building up to this day all month and he woke up very excited. He got to choose how we celebrated. He decided a pancake breakfast at home and then on to his favorite pastime, Minecraft on his Nintendo Switch. We watched some Premier League and Jude played with Olive in the park.

Showing off his birthday present, an iPhone 8

The big gift that Jude got for his birthday was a brand new smartphone. We bought him an iPhone 8, something he has been really wanting. He is the second last kid in his class of 25 at school to get a smartphone and at 13 we feel like Jude is ready. He has had a flip phone for a couple of years now and understands the importance of looking after it. We have a long list of rules for this phone, it is not a play toy, it is to be used primarily for communication.

Jude decided for lunch he wanted to go to Mustard’s, a hot dog place right by DU that is walking distance from our house. We played some table tennis at home and then some tennis at the local courts in the afternoon. And we went and bought an ice cream cake which we had in the afternoon. For dinner Jude wanted takeout Noodles & Co. and then we watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail. He said it was a very satisfying birthday.

Singing Happy Birthday to Jude

Today, we spent the whole day at home. No one had any commitments so we used this time to switch out Anna’s bed. She wanted her old bed that she had on Fairfax Street which had been in the basement. So, we switched beds, which took most of the afternoon and into the evening with Marcy doing the bulk of the work.

Anna working the store at her school book fair

I was in Philadelphia for a conference Wednesday to Friday this week so I missed a couple of things. Anna had a book fair at school and she helped to staff the book store. There was also an open house at South High School I missed as we continue to explore high school options for Jude.

We didn’t have much planned this weekend. Anna had gymnastics on Saturday, I took Jude to putt putt and both of them played with the neighbor kids. Last night we had family movie night and Anna chose Oceans Thirteen.

Anna and Elsie drawing caricatures in the park

Today, Jude played an epic game of football in the park with the neighbor boys while Anna and Elsie decided they would try to raise money for girl scouts by drawing caricatures. So, they set up shop in the local park and solicited business from the people out walking. They had one nice customer who was a good sport and waited around quite some time while the girls finished her portrait.

Snuggling with Olive on the couch

This past week was a big one for Olive. She had her surgery to make sure she can never have babies. She has to take it easy for 10 days so no walks and no running or jumping. And she has to wear a cone to bed. But the surgery itself hardly phased her. She slept great the first night and she seemed to be in no pain at all. The only trouble is she REALLY wants to run and play, she is still a puppy after all, but we have to keep her sedated much of the time.

Olive tries desperately to get Pickles to play with her

Jude racing in the Halloween school cross country at St. Mary’s dressed as Thing 1 & Thing 2

The week started off with the last school cross country meet of the season. This was the Monster Dash, a costume race and all of Jude’s school team dressed up as Thing 1 and Thing 2. Jude ran well, coming in fourth, despite not having his regular running shoes (they were misplaced).

Yesterday, Jude was invited to his first Bar Mitzvah service and party for one of his school friends. Jude went to the service at the Jewish Community Center in the morning and even though it was two hours long he said he quite liked it. In the evening they had a party at a really fun place with indoor beach volleyball courts, table tennis and pool. Jude had a blast and didn’t want to leave until the bitter end at 10:30pm.

Doing piggy back races at her friend’s birthday party

Meanwhile Anna had a birthday party at Xtreme Challenge Arena, a kids fun activity place where they do all kinds of challenges including “flying” through the air in the Superman challenge. After an hour they went back for more games and dinner at her friend’s house.

Jude enjoys a quiet Sunday watching soccer and football

Jude had low energy today after his late night. So, he spent way too many hours watching soccer and football today. At least he was able to spend some quality time with Olive and Pickles. We did get to the park once with Olive and both Jude and Anna raked some leaves in the afternoon. They also spent some time on the trampoline with the neighbors this afternoon.

Pickles found the perfect hiding place

We end with some cutie animal photos.

Olive looks so cute after her time at the groomers

Jude, Anna and Olive enjoying the snow day

We started this week with a snow storm that resulted in a late start on Monday, an early close on Tuesday (or a full day off in Anna’s case) and then a full snow day on Wednesday. This was from two separate snow storms that left a total of about 8″ of snow. The kids did some sledding and played some Minecraft. They were so thrilled to have snow days so early in the season.

Playing with Olive at the park

Thursday was Halloween and both kids had been planning their outfits for weeks. Jude was Megan Rapinoe (the US women’s team soccer player) and Anna was a vampire. Marcy was, apparently, an intergalactic sorceress.

Getting ready to trick or treat on Halloween

Both kids decided to go trick or treating in Park Hill, back in our old neighborhood. Anna went out with some friends from her old school and actually knocked on the door of our old house. Jude went over to see a friend from camp and trick or treated just a few blocks away from Anna. I picked them up quite late, around 9pm.

Anna and friends trick or treating in Park Hill

This weekend I had Ridhwan yesterday. Meanwhile Marcy took the kids on a hike. Today, Jude and I ran in the Day of the Dead 5K in Wash Park. Jude ran well but I think all the candy from the last couple of days caught up with him as he was a minute slower than the 5K he ran over the summer while my time was about the same. But we both had a good time and Jude ended up coming second in the 10-14 year old age group.

Jude running strong in the Day of the Dead 5K