Ethan and Ehlana:
Happy 24th Birthday, Chris Rice!
Happy 21st Birthday, Madelana Brooks!
Since we’re beginning this report with birthday best wishes; let’s take a moment to include updates about Chris and Madelana.
Chris and Sadie are keeping busy with their architect jobs with Uncle Blaine in Granite Park, and while they’ll need years of experience and successes before they’ll earn the kind of reputation that our Uncle has now – at least in this region; they are getting to learn from one of the best in the country; and have the talent to be amazing architects too. Madelana – and Stefan – are happy too; and are each near the top of their respective classes. They haven’t been spending as much time with Cassie and Michael so far this year, but that has more to do with Michael’s football and Cassie’s T.A. duties with the team than anything else; and that will change once football season is over. Their study group has changed over the years, but Cassie and Michael still have their core group of friends with the additions they’ve made over the years and only a few losses; so their friends are always there to help each other even when Cassie and Michael can’t be there to help or join in on the fun too. Madelana and Stefan are also continuing their part-time jobs through the family business; and we will work with them after they graduate – either with jobs or helping them to set up their own business and then getting contracts from us.
Moving along, while our day hasn’t been birthday-party-rated fun; we have had a pretty good day. Tai Chi by the river was a tiny bit warmer than in recent days; Mom opted for a hot breakfast that was in-part because we won’t see her again until Thursday; and then we headed for school while she got ready for a two-day trip to the city. She’s staying there for the extra day to do some extra shopping that might be Christmas-related, but we’re not supposed to know that; so we’ll pretend that we don’t – at least in public. We will predict that Mom will have some extras of the hottest Christmas gifts when she comes home – if she can get them; and there will be some happier kids or teens this Christmas because of her efforts. Mom won’t make a habit of doing that sort of thing – like she did the year she helped out with hard-to-get video game systems, but there are advantages to having our family business; and helping our friends and neighbors will always be an important part of our lives.
While Mom was having fun shopping, we had a good school day. The weather was sunny and warm; we spent extra time outdoors; and our lessons were all Halloween-themed and entertaining. We are at Aiden’s house tonight – along with Naomi, so after dropping our bags off there; we met up with our friends and went biking on the trails. We rode out toward Quarry Lake again today, and while we didn’t go as far as we can on the parts that are finished so far; we should mention that they’re making good progress this fall; and will definitely have the trail completed all the way to the campground by next May and in time for the summer camping season. We’re going to love that; and hope that our parents will let us do more of our own day trips out to Quarry Lake with our friends. We got back to Aiden’s house in time to help out with making dinner-for eight; our evening fun included a walk with Silkie and a music practice for Naomi and the Phantoms; and now we’re getting ready to watch a Halloween movie that we might not finish because an ‘unplanned’ co-ed sofa sleepover would be more fun. Hailey and Leah have already taken Silkie to bed with them for the night, so they wouldn’t notice our change in plans; and they wouldn’t care even if they did – except for being okay with having us continue to set precedents that they may choose to use in the future.
We’re ready for the movie now and just waiting for Naomi and Aiden to take their turns getting ready for bed, so we should wrap this up; since they’ll be back with us soon. This really has been a good day, and ending it with some quality cuddle time with our favorite cuddle buddies will be awesome too, so we’ll go and do that; and, until next time...
...this is Ethan and Ehlana Proctor; live from the hidden home of the Magi of the Light – and May the Magi Force be with you!
