Even better than going to a Christmas party is getting to be with Sophia, Avery and Carson while their mom and dad go to one.

Friday night is game board night. First up, Parcheesi:

Then we picked up Sophia from volleyball practice.

A few games of Chutes and Ladders. Guess who got the number he wanted to roll?

At Thais and Lenin’s.

In the background, Uncle Lino carving a turkey and Thais. Foreground: Rita, Gina, Leah, Hans:

I made sure ALL the meat came off the thigh bone even if it didn’t make it to the serving platter.

Rita, Lauren, Holly, Leah, Sophia, Thais (Leo in the background):

Jeff organized the bingo game:

Leo, Jeffrey, Sophia:

Early morning, three of us on the couch each on our own devices but still chatting. He-who-shall-not-be-ignored, Charlie, wasn’t satisfied being 3 feet away, climbed up and sat across our feet … until Dad noticed. “Charlie! Get down!” Charlie listened immediately!

In the afternoon, I went to Justin’s to gather walnuts. I only harvested from 5 trees this year. My back now prefers that I rake, scoop and fill bags for just two hours. The cows came to watch what I was doing.

One small area looked like it was the daily gathering spot for meals. Lots of empty shells.

Lots of leaves and twigs were also scooped up which meant there was more sorting at home until there was a good layer of walnuts drying on the chicken wire rack on the patio.

Tonight was the 8th grade annual spaghetti dinner at St Ignatius. Lilli, Sophia, Esperanza:

Thais co-chaired the event.

Raffle winners:

A special treat at the end of the evening, a visit with one of my 4th grade students, Becky, whose own 3 children are in or just graduated college. She and her husband are now empty-nesters.

At Thais and Lenin’s.

Carson-Groot:

Avery-sumo riding a flamingo, Anthony-wizard, and Ethan-Marshmallow Man:

Emma, DD, Sophia – construction workers (?):

St Ignatius played in the finals at Christian Brothers HS this afternoon and won! Sophia serving:

Lenin (scorekeeper), Joie, Sophia, and Coach Dickerson (Joie’s dad):

September was just too busy to celebrate three birthdays: Justin, Jennifer, and me. Today we all got together for brunch at Justin’s.

at St Ignatius.

After the welcome reception, the classes came in one by one and students went to find their grandparents. I happened to be sitting with Zane’s grandparents, one of Carson’s good friends.

Then we all went to mass. Avery wasn’t with us because the 5th grade was in charge of the service. Leo, Jackson, Sophia, me, Carson. Hudson and his grandma Margaret (Jackson’s grandmother also) sat with us.

After mass, we visited every classroom and the upper science lab

I picked up Sophia Avery and Carson after school. One of Carson’s favorite games is Memory..

.. because he always beats me. His right hand is thumbs down over my very short stack.

Later, we all went to Sophia’s volleyball game at SI.

Thursday at St Ignatius:

Saturday at Our Lady of Grace in W Sacramento. Avery was one of the line judges.

Multi-tasking on the sidelines: patting Grandma’s knee while singing in an unrecognizable language and playing a game on the iPad with his left hand.

The tournament continued on Sunday and SI won.