Solstice Celebration 2019 and Holiday Concert

     The stars aligned so that we could all participate in our first winter solstice celebration together! The predicted bitter winds held off, nobody was sick, I was strong enough after going through chemotherapy for the 4th frigging time since July 2016 and your dad had custody of you both the same night the event was offered, just 2 days before the actual solstice. We met at Bertucci's in Andover, another first for the Oakridge boys and had time to get silly and eat before heading over to the parking lot of Ward Reservation in Andover. Noah had pizza and I managed to divert his attention to snag a piece while i waited for my roasted vegetables. Not so much luck with Dylan trying to get to his lone meatball he didn't seem interested in eating. Your dad read the poem, The Shortest Day written by someone else, yet we of course lied and said he wrote it. But when he misread one of the words, I started giggling so the gig was up. In the description of the activity sponsored by Trustees of Reservation, it said they'd be reading the poem on the way up by candlelight to the top of Holt Hill. We were hoping to get you guys to say "My daddy wrote that poem!" but you are now 12 and not quite as gullible, nor would you easily express your pride for your dad anymore. More often we are all teasing him for his behaviors, such as having dinner rolls in his pocket.
    Anyway, there were 40 participants that met in the parking lot, some with Christmas bulb necklaces, others with headlamps, many wearing Trax on their shoes which i ended up putting on after i almost fell. Uncle Joe and you guys bombed up ahead. I started out with you guys but inclines kill me now so i kept falling behind, breathing heavy. Your dad stayed with me while i rested and let the group pass us, except for a couple with a toddler. I was at least faster than the toddler. The leaders took 2 breaks on the way up to talk to the everyone about the solstice and history of celebrations. On the way to the 2nd stop, the trail skirted the hill's ridge along a field and the sky had already cleared to show the very tip of the Boston skyline. The view got even better at the summit where they had a fire pit and table set up with hot chocolate and s'mores. The winds were just starting to pick up which made it a challenge for the fire dancer to get started, but once she did it was spectacular. I was completely mesmerized by her, but not enough to become a pansexual. (I horrified Noah at dinner when i mentioned i had just learned that word from a former student's facebook post....meaning "loves all people regardless of gender."...which I do, but it doesn't mean i want to suck face with them!) Her spandex pants caught on fire and people started yelling "Your leg!" since she didn't seem to notice. Some other dope thought it was part of the act. I screamed the loudest, "YOUR LEG!" and she bent down to put it out but a hole had burned through. Hope she is ok. I imagine the clothing is specialized fire retardant since the flame did start to go out before she whacked it. The hike down was  easier and shorter, on a salted access road.
   Two nights earlier we went to your winter concert at Timberlane High School. Dylan played sax in the second group with the band and Noah sang in the last act with the boy's choral group. Both of you did great and Noah even sang despite Dad's prediction he wouldn't. Emily was with your mom, screaming out throughout the concert. They were seated fairly near us in a very packed auditorium. One wise guy kid in the boys' choir was cracking me up. He could not stand still and after each song, bowed, showed strong arms, danced, adjusted his crotch...yet the director had the grace to announce to the audience how proud he was of them all and what a pleasure it was to work with such students that embodied Timberlane's motto. (I forgot what that was)
    We hugged you both on our way out when we saw you trying to cross the exiting mob but Uncle Joe and i left and went out to a chinese restaurant nearby since i was starving. You were going home with your mom that night. She had a friend with her that was holding Emily and took a lot of pictures of her there. She looked adorable in her little red dress! So glad you are enjoying having a little sister and being so loving with her. Your mom is coming with her and hopefully Nick for Christmas Eve brunch at our house. She will get to meet Carlos, Frida and Katie!

Happy solstice 2019,
Auntie Kim