The One With Wreath Making

 

 

 

Emmie decided to sign us up for a fun holiday craft similar to one we did when the kids were young. Similar to that one, it involved using real evergreens to make decorations. This time, we were building wreaths.

 The activity was a blast. Similar to the one we did years ago, we made the wreaths at Endicott Park. This time. we made them with the Busheys, which made it even more fun. Getting used to fashioning the wreaths was a bit of a challenge. There was some maneuvering and writing. And, of course, there were efforts to balance out the small evergreen boughs...which was not my forte. I did have a slightly humorous wreath. But, I had a blast making it.

Emmie seemed to know a bunch of people there from school, which added to the fun. And, they served hot chocolate....and it was pretty good. 

 We celebrated with the Busheys after the wreath making, spending the night at the Berry Tavern, which always has some good food.  It was a great time with great company.

The One With the Band Banquet

 

 

This year, the Danvers Falcons Marching Band decided to do something a little bit different. They invited parents to the annual banquet. It is part of the new principal's idea of creating a larger community at school. And it was a success.

We spent some time in the auditorium where students got some awards. There were a few speeches. We also got the chance to see a neat slideshow, complete with Kiff's amazing leg balancing while standing on a chair, holding G's hand and playing his trumpet in the other moment.

The food and company after were great. It was a fun way to honor an amazing season! 

The One With the Beverly Parade

 

 

 

Once again, the annual Beverly Parade descended upon us. This time, only one of our kiddoes was going to be in it. Kiff was taking to the streets to do the honor. He was wearing a classic, and new, ugly sweater for the occasion.

 The parade was as lovely as ever, though the weather was a bit miserable. It was cold and rainy, which dampened the moon. However, the Falcons band did a stand out job as they performed holiday hits as they marched down the street,

 We talked to a neat lady who was connected with the Beverly marching band. She even recommended local bands that Kiff could join if he wanted to be part of a student orchestra.

Bri was impressed that Kiff was in the middle of the front line. According to her, they only put people who can help keep time in that spot. Kudos to him.

It was a great parade. We then went to Tony C's to get lunch and then I took Bri back to UMass. Overall, it was a great day! 

The One With the Last Thanksgiving Game

 

 

 

The Danvers High band performed today at the DHS Thanksgiving game (which the football team did not win). It was the last time the band had the chance to perform their half time show. And while it was great to see it again, it was slightly bittersweet. It will mark the last time we see one of our kiddoes perform at a Thanksgiving half time show because next year they will play in Gloucester and the band no longer travels there.

 It has been a fun few years watching them on Turkey Day!!! It will be weird to have the day fully to ourselves in the future. 

The One With the Celtics Game

 

 

 

Tonight, we did something new on Thanksgiving Eve. We attended a Celtics game.

 Now, with this being an off year because of Jayson Tatum's injury, the team has been average at best. As a result, I didn't expect much from this game. Along with that, the team was playing the Detroit Pistons, who were on a 13 game winning streak. I assumed it would be 14 by the end of the night.

 Because it was a release day, I zipped home. The game was an NBA cup game, so it had a 5 PM tip off...which was wild!

We had our foray to Outback, like we do most Thanksgiving Eves and then went to the game. We arrived with about 20 minutes to spare. We had seats behind the basket on the team bench side. The seats were great.

However, even better than the seats was the excitement of the game. It was the best game I had been to since the Celtics played the Pistons in Double OT years ago. The game went back and forth with multiple lead changes, horrific officiating, and a raucous crowd.

The Celtics pulled off the win in the end...which meant we weren't leaving early like normal.

Great game!!

 

The One With Sentimental Value

 

 

Kiff and I went to see the movie Sentimental Value tonight. Truth be told, I wasn't too sure what to expect....but when Kiff told me there would be subtitles right before we left, well I was not quite as excited to be there.

But, as he reminded me, the last two times I saw movies with subtitles with him, I enjoyed them. And, lo and behold, he was right. Despite the fact half of the movie was in Norwegian, the story was compelling and moving - showing how a fractured relationship between a director and his daughters is slowly repaired.

 Overall, a good movie. While we were enjoying, Emmie was out at a paint night, and Bri was at UMass enjoying a play. All of us had a fun night. 

The One Where Kiff Performs at Danvers Veterans Day

 

 

 

On Veterans Day, Kiff had the honor of performing in the Veterans Day ceremony at DHS. It was a poignant ceremony, complete with speeches, dance performances, singing, and the DHS band.

 Following the ceremony, we had the chance to watch Kiff perform Taps outside. Last year he was the shadow, but this year he was the lead. For some reason, I was unable to attend last year, but fortunately, I could be there this year and it was an amazing ceremony.

Kiff did great!!!