Tall Brother turns 17

 10.9.20

17 years

NGD

Happy 17th birthday to my hockey-playin’, leftovers-eatin’, Yankees followin’, cookie-makin’, Blackhawks-cheerin’, DQ-workin’, church-servin’, Dad joke-tellin’, engineer brain-thinkin’, chill, kind, gentle, thoughtful boy we call Tall Brother. His name is the truth: Nathanael=Gift of God.

His birthday fell on a Friday, so somewhere between school and work and youth group and serving, we (minus Trevor who was at his football game) gathered for traditional birthday pie.  Pop and Kiki joined us last minute.  It was a lovely hour!  Haha!!  Ninny and Papa stopped by at some point to drop a card and countless people reached out to wish him the happiest of birthdays and say sweet things about how they know and love him.  It filled his heart, and mine.

The next night, he had an evening game in Enfield, where there happens to be an Outback.  So we all converged at 8p up there.  Two tables, of course.  They can seat 6 people from 6 different households, with 6 different circles of germs, but 8 from the same house is far too dangerous.  I digress.  At least our tables were close enough that the no child was unable to successfully hit their targeted sibling with a a spit ball launched through a straw.  Lots of laughs, lots of fun.  Lots of sweet cards and words about Nathanael.  

Because of Covid, the staff cannot sing with masks on, but again, this is no problem for us.  We know the Outback birthday song well and created our own fanfare.

He is such a gift.  No surprise to most who know him- he is the quintessential "Nine".  He is a peacemaker.  He would prefer that everyone around him is happy and comfortable before he voices any of his desires.  He is laid-back and goes with the flow. He's fascinating to have a conversation with, getting into deep waters quickly.  His brain is a machine.  He is consistent, dependable, bright, charming, handsome, witty, athletic, competitive, sensitive, kind, respectful, thoughtful, smart, loyal, and all the things that make the best kind of gift.

What was your favorite gift you received throughout the year?

My AirPods.

What's the last thing you were sad about?

My AirPods.

What makes you happy?     Playing hockey.

Are you scared of anything?     The basement.

What do you want to be when you grow up?  An engineer.

What does Dad do at work all day?  Makes money.

What is something you dislike about yourself?  Nothing.

What is something you do well?  Play hockey.

What is something that really bugs you?

Whenever I open up a screen, whether it's to do school or just to use, 

I have all the kids huddled around as close as they can.

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.  We get to see family that we don't always see and 

it's a weeklong thing without school.

What makes you feel sad?  When the Blackhawks lose.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

If you don't learn to manage your time, somebody else will for you.

What is your favorite day of the week?  Saturday.

What makes a happy family?  Patience.

What makes a good friend?

Being willing to do something you don't want to do but your friend does.

If you could be someone in history, who would you be?

Ronald Reagan

What makes you laugh?     "Try Not to Laugh"

What do you think the world needs now?     Unity.

Which room is your favorite?     My bedroom.

What are your nicknames?

FanMan, Fan, Colombo's brother, Tall Brother, Dingus

What do you like to do?

Street hockey, Xbox, golf.

Give me 3 words to describe yourself.

tall, smart, Dairy Queen

If I were 5 I would...   ...sleep.

If I were 40 I would...   ...take my kids onto my boat.

I wish I never...   ...procrastinated.

Who are your best friends?     Josh, Derrick

Tell me what you think of when I say these words:

Home- love          

Love- home

Bedtime- tired          

School- boring

What's your favorite...

ice cream?  DQ   

character?  Dwight Schrute

thing to eat?  Moe's queso  

thing to drink?  chocolate milkshake

candy?  Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

movie?  Avengers End Game

color?  blue   

song?  Bummer Land

artist?  Panic at the Disco   

snack?  chips and queso

What's your favorite memory from the past year?

Getting my license.

What are your hopes and plans for the upcoming year?

To get into the schools I apply for.

Week 41

 Monday, Oct. 5th

For my personal documentation, I want to note that this day, Lisa and I started Camille LeBlanc-Bazinet's 30-day fitness challenge.  Blogging now 2 weeks in, I must say, it's been a "challenge".  The workout piece, the nutrition piece, and the time piece.  But it's been fun to laugh at ourselves and to figure it out together!

Ollie wanted to FaceTime Renna.  That sweet face!

Renna's snowman, Rocco's mountains.

Tuesday, Oct. 6th

There are countless gifts to homeschooling, but moments like this rank high.  She's brushing his hair while he reads aloud to her.  Days spent together allow for moments like this.  And these moments are the ones that anchor your commitment and get you through the hard days.

Renna was 2 1/2, sporting her sister's purse, and immediately loved this guy in Walgreens.

Wednesday, Oct. 7th

Maddy's first week back in The Space.  Was nice to start to see pictures and videos coming.

A little noon-time action at the neighbor's.  Sigh.

Wednesday Wheels- 4-5 moms meet in the church parking lot and throw open there minivans.  Kids, scooters, bikes, rollerblades, and unhealthy snacks fall out.  It's a wonderful version of community and sanity.

Trevor got his football jersey!

Thursday, Oct. 8th

I watched the live feed (no parents allowed) of Nathanael's Book Awards which is should have happened last spring for the junior class.  

"The St. Michael's College Book Award- presented to a male and female in the junior classes who demonstrate a strong commitment in volunteerism and leadership in their communities."

First apple pie of the season- Nathanael's traditional birthday pie.

Friday, Oct. 9th

Happiest *17th* birthday to Nathanael.  I will definitely post him soon!

....and three more cruisers at the other end of the street in the middle of the day.

A really stressful evening after learning about a positive Covid test at Launch which ultimately led to us finding a hotel room for Maddy at 11:00p and the eventual loss of her housing out there.  Long story, but in the end, she's good, she's safe, we're confident, and there is peace throughout our little land.

Saturday, Oct. 10th

I think every game this season Renna has played keeper the first half of the game and then gets to work scoring goals in the second half of the game.  She is fierce, fearless, and so athletic!

This is Covid hockey.  No locker rooms, so you change in the street while your parents meet with prospective tenants.

Faithful Papa.  Can't imagine how many hours he's logged standing in a rink.  He rarely misses a game.  AirPods in, watching at whichever net we're shooting at.

Then Nathanael had a game.  Our weekends are beginning to fill up and feel semi-normal again.  

Then dinner for Nathanael's birthday.

Sunday, Oct. 11th

Renna coaching the the coach. [insert eye roll]

Renna scored so she shared an "air chest bump" with Sienna.

Lisa photographed water baptisms, so she snapped a couple of Tall Brother, doing his thing.  He is so faithful to the weekend services.

Week 40 & bonus content: Nathanael's Senior Pictures

Monday, Sept. 28th

You'll see in this week of pictures that my kids had my phone/camera a fair amount.  Any dog pictures are solely because of Renna.

It's getting dark at 7:00 soccer pick-up.

Oh my heart!  I thought I was ready this time.  A) we've been here before.  B) she's been home for the last 6 months (bonus time!).  C) I was so excited for her to get back to the 'bubble' of dance.  But, when it came time for hugs before the sun rose, I only had tears.  In some ways it gets easier.  In some ways it stings the same way it did in 2018.

Covid has its perks...like your own row all three legs of the trip!

Watched the debate on the big screen since the neighbors were away.

Wednesday, Sept. 30th

Wednesday Wheels--We've been gifted with some beautiful Wednesday afternoons and a gang of us gather at the church in the name of sanity.

Thursday, Oct. 1st

OCTOBER.  Can you even believe it?  Happy pants make for a happy workout, right?

I met Dad at the Main Moose.  Highly recommend if you're looking for a greasy burger, fried seafood, or ice cream.  Order at the window and eat outside with trees, pond, river as the backdrop.  They've got a good thing going over there!

Two crazy girls half-dressed for hockey practice.

Colombo surprised me with an amazing arrangement.  Check out how many petals make up this rose:

Friday, Oct. 2nd

Rocco and Renna got creative with my phone.  

Love him!

As annoying as he is, he is as loyal as the day is long!  He did not leave her side the whole time she was in the corner.

Saturday, Oct. 3rd

Divide and conquer...I was on Rocco hockey duty.  He's playing "up" with the A team occasionally.

Colombo took "the boys" to the Main Moose and the batting cages and Fish Family Farm for ice cream.

We ventured down to Nathanael's game in Norwich.  Got turned away at the rink (please take notice how 'dangerous' it looks to sit in that rink!) but my husband sweet-talked the girl into letting us both in.  I agreed to remain outside the rink.

We all had the same idea for dinner afterwards.

Sun. Oct. 4th
I drove Fan to his game.  One parent per player is the rule of the land.  Also, no locker rooms.  I have seen more bare-chested boys in their boxers than I care to mention.

I'm going to start a list of the most ridiculous rules around masks and social distancing.  I'm not saying they are all dumb, I'm just saying that there are certainly some that defy all common sense.  

This certainly makes the 6'x8' bathroom so much safer!  Cuz you know how Covid likes to travel down, under the stall separator, and then UP to the person sitting on the next toilet.  Safety first!

BONUS CONTENT:

Wednesday night, Lisa coordinated with Nathanael and his buddy, Josh, to do senior pictures.  What a gift!  I was uninvolved and had the best photographer east of the Mississippi take them!  I'm always grateful for Lisa's talent and her willingness to share it so generously.  Here are a few of my faves:

Love, love, LOVE this one!

Love him so much!  

So nice of Lisa to do these.  She did both boys together, which generated genuine smiles, and turned around and had them in my inbox the same night!  Thank you, Lis.  I will cherish them always.