For Isaac's 12th birthday, he wanted to go hiking so that we did with his friend and friend's mom. We went to Windy Hill Preserve and hiked several miles. His friend and mom had to leave about halfway through. We continued to the summit and then crossed to another summit. I don't think the boys enjoyed the mom conversation, but we let them walk ahead and away from us sometimes. I also took him out for pizza and pho on different days. We then celebrated with cake at home. He chose the strawberry guava cake from the Asian home bakery that I had gotten my cake from.
It's been a while since I've baked the birthday cakes, but I got a few more supplies while I could at the store closing sales for Joann's Fabrics and Party City. It's so sad to see them go, and especially Joann's. I didn't think it was doing that poorly business-wise. We frequented the store when Naomi was taking fashion design, and it was always full of customers. I later learned that a private equity firm had acquired it in 2011 and so it went the fate of many of those types of acquisitions, basically a slow death. It does make things much more inconvenient for us, and I had a $5 gift card they would not accept with the closing sale or online, so that just added insult to injury.
I can't recall how much if anything I have said about Isaac's orthodontics issues, but in March after I had escalated his care situation due to repeated issues and delays in his treatment, with two major incidents, the CEO finally released us from our contract. We transferred to another orthodontist that is quite far away but worth it (the one who filled in temporarily, when our original orthodontist left the practice, and had discovered Isaac's cyst). It was almost a wasted year of orthodontics treatments. Even in our very last appointment, the assistant broke Isaac's bracket and didn't fix it. Said next time they'll fix it. When we went to the new ortho, he just assumed Isaac had broken it, even though Isaac never broke any and is super careful with what he eats. He (new orthodontist) is still friendly with our previous one, so I don't bring up what happened, but it was pretty bad.
I actually consulted with friends in healthcare, and they felt it was definitely wrong what was happening and recommended if I couldn't sue (I wouldn't unless it was even worse; it's too expensive and time-consuming), to contact the ADA, which I did as well as Better Business Bureau and within the orthodontics practice. I think it would have been better to go to a private practice than a group practice with constantly rotating orthodontists, which I didn't know when we signed the contract. I won't name the group, but I'm just so thankful that after a year we could be released. We had paid the entire portion upfront and signed a contract, so it was hard to break the contract and get the refund. I know people may find it hard to believe, but I generally do not file complaints. I don't send my food back at restaurants if there is an error or I don't like it. I have never given less than a five-star review on Yelp (I only review what I really like). Isaac also tried to just live with it, told me not to make it worse, but even in the end he said it was getting out of hand. I really just wanted the nightmare to end and thankfully it did. The practice was apologetic and understanding, and I appreciated that.
On another note, Gather25 happened in March, which was an online global Christian worship event. I think it really benefits us to see people from all different nations singing praise songs and praying. I think we can get stuck in this idea that there's a certain Western way to do church. I didn't get to watch all of it of course as it ran through the weekend, but it was very uplifting and also just a reminder that the world is so much bigger than our little bubbles.
I celebrated St. Patrick's Day very minimally this year. I made an Irish stew with beef, which was just beef stew, since besides me only Naomi eats lamb. It did have some Irish beer in it, though. As the years go on and the kids get older--and I get older--the holidays become more simple and I suppose more centered on special foods than decor or traditions. I stopped making corned beef and cabbage because not everyone likes it, but a friend made me some anyway.
Lucas continued with sports class. I had a break from coaching for a few weeks and just assisted. We played kickball and badminton, both new to Lucas, so that was fun. He continued with his card game meetup and music class. I am so thankful for these outlets for Lucas, and I'm still hoping some friendships could come out of them.
Naomi was very busy with school and finish her portfolio application for an elite program at her college. She came home one weekend in March for Isaac's birthday, and she and I went out for some sushi and Meet Fresh.
A friend from our previous church came back for a visit, so I stopped by another friend's house for the lunch reunion. It was very nice, and certainly noticed a difference being the only non-white person in the room again. She was telling us about retired life in North Carolina, and I'm glad she and her husband love it there.
Last but not least, Manny and I went out for a nice dinner in March. I can't remember the name of the place, but it was really good. The pita bread was much larger than we'd anticipated. I guess we were on a bit of a roll with going out, but I think that was the last date for a while.
I was helping play outfield so couldn't get a close-up of Lucas at kickball. We continued to be blessed with great weather on the days we had our class.
Friend made us some corned beef and cabbage
Empty shelves and empty hangers where my friends will shop no more (not to make light of the song from Les Mis that wrecks me)
Irish porter cheddar, "Irish" stew, some green (mint) coconut ice cream, kiwis, and snap pea crisps for St. Patrick's Day
Badminton
A kind parting gift from the orthodontist's office that really messed up Isaac's treatment. It was nice of them, and I'm just thankful we were able to leave.
Giving away our homeschool math manipulatives from RightStart and Saxon Math. It was challenging at times, but rewarding to teach my kids (and other kids) math!
Delicious lunch for retired friend Maggie's visit
Gather25, Christian worship around the world. Thank you, people of Rwanda.
Early dinner at [I'll have to ask Manny and fill this in later]
Pita charcuterie
We made room for dessert
Another nostalgic goodbye
Hanging out with the family dog while Lucas was finishing his Magic game
Birthday meal #1 Legends pizza
Birthday meal #2 pho and fruit lemonade
Happy birthday to Isaac!
Happy not birthday to Pluto!
Birthday hike for Isaac and his friend
Seat or table made from a tree stump
Fun with friends (but who are starting to not always want the moms around)
This marks the summit
Birthday boy on top of the world
