A Bed Party

I’d seen in social media that sometimes parents have a “bed party” when their child gets accepted into college. A way to celebrate the goal accomplished. 

After Ally’s acceptance to Syracuse I started buying Syracuse merchandise and some other orange and blue items to round out the party.  Becky set it all up for Ally and got Cloey dressed for the celebration.

An old school pennant, lots of Syracuse clothing; sweatshirts, T-shirts, pajamas, ball caps, winter hats, a pair of Nike Dunks in Syracuse Orange, a Syracuse puzzle some chips in orange and blue bags, a cozy navy blue blanket and some bunting flags in the school colors. I even got Syracuse shirts for our pets. 

Ally had no idea.

Then she saw the bed.

And was so surprised 

She literally stopped in her tracks to take it in

Then she got Maggie dressed

She worked so hard for this and we wanted to celebrate her accomplishment. Ally is not a go out to dinner and celebrate kind of person so this seemed perfect. 

We even got a special edition of Monopoly.

Can’t wait to play this with Grandma and Poppy on their next visit. 

Gear for Becky too was on the bed, because we want to support Ally. 

Better picture of Maggie in her ‘Cuse T-shirt 

Daisy has a matching one of course

A cute winter hats for me. My Syracuse Mom shirt is on backorder but of course I’m getting one.

Then this came in the mail. It was a lovely admission packet…welcome to Syracuse. She’s so excited to spend the next 4 years there. 

But first, need to finish high school. Today was her first day back after two weeks off. 

Happy New Year!

The time between Christmas and New Year’s is always a little weird to me. For many years we would drive to my parents and spend time with them. But it’s been a while since then and the last couple years it’s been a little boring. 

This year we’ve all needed some time to rest. 

Becky finished the final Christmas puzzle.

Ally and I went to a new Romance Book Store in Harvard Square. 

Ally went to the mall with friends.

Becky finished a 1000 piece puzzle all by herself!

Ally met up with friends again. 

We love our kitten named Trouble. 

We had a quiet New Year’s Eve at home just the 3 of us. We made it to midnight to see the ball drop in Times Square. 

Here’s hoping for a fabulous and healthy 2025!

Christmas 2024

It was a lovely Christmas Day.

Santa came!

Ally still likes to have matching pajamas with Cloey.



Daisy was not loving her leg warmers and sweater. But she does love Ally.



Ally had some specific requests for Christmas this year. Most were beauty-related gifts like this Shark hair dryer with curling and straightening attachments.

Beth made these garden mushrooms for Debbie in her ceramics class. They are gorgeous.

Great Aunt Martha and Uncle Phil got Ally some new sneakers she’s been wanting. 

Beth also made this quilt for Debbie. It’s from White Christmas. 

Lots of pictures of Santa Cloey. This one is grumpy 

Sad

Happy

The kittens are still with us and they came upstairs to play for a while.

So fun that my cousin Kimn could spend the day with us. 




All cuddled up watching Muppets Christmas Carol.

Pre-Christmas Fun

We did a 15 day advent for Ally this year. She got some pajamas, tank tops, hair stuff, school supplies. Just some fun things.

My view one night. 

Cloey in pajamas!

Dave and Debbie arrived on December 23. They got to see the kittens again. 

We did puzzles! One each day. This was the first.

Look closely for Cloey under the tree

Puzzle #2



Cloey was a fashion plate this year with multiple outfit changes. 

We decorated cookies. Ally and I ate some too

Such concentration. 



Beth made a lump of coal!

Debbie and Beth collaborated on this nativity.

Our masterpieces

Selfie at church at home. We did virtual live church again this year.


Rudolphopoly! Grandma Debbie won this year.

Night before Christmas!