Friday, November 22, 2024

Past Month

Another college visits, applications, homework, volleyball and pets.


We drove to The Bronx for an open house at Fordham. Nothing like a day trip 3+ hours away. 

Ally likes Fordham. 


Cloey spent the day at her friend Monty’s house

Cats are always happy to see us.



Lots of volleyball 







Senior night. Here’s Ally with her friend Delilah 

School fit

Saturday afternoon with Aunt Beth 

Halloween came and we carved a pumpkin together.



It came out great



Cloey was the only one who dressed up, this year she was a lion. 

It was so warm, Ally wore shorts on November 1! That’s our family Offrenda (altar to dead loved ones)

We drew Day of the Dead pumpkins as a family thing together. 

Election Day was next. We tried to be optimistic and have a positive attitude. 


But unfortunately our candidate lost and we’re dealing with the reality of living in a country where over 75 million people voted for someone who wants to abolish our family and send Ally back to Guatemala. It was heartbreaking to tell Ally the morning after the election. We talked about it and I showed Ally the electoral map and it shows how every place she is considering for college voted blue and her rights will be protected in those states. I told her we need to continue to be the best we can be and we need to work to send light and love out in the world.



I got a hair cut.


Even Cloey was sad

Ally had senior pictures.

We started to foster 3 kittens and their mama.
Only 3 weeks old. 
Ally kept her momentum up and worked hard on school work and her college applications. She submitted applications to 8 schools. The waiting game begins.





The mama is Chess and her kittens are Trouble, Clue and Backgammon. So adorable.



Monday, November 18, 2024

18 years old

Ally turned 18 on November 16. It’s just so crazy that she’s a legal adult. 18 years has really gone by so very fast.


We had a simple celebration with Ally, Becky, me and Beth at home. It’s what Ally wanted.


Of course we had to decorate!







I was so happy she agreed to a selfie with me!

18 gifts this year. All were related to things she could do now that she was 18. Becky worked really hard wrapping all the gifts and labeling them by number. We had an envelope for each “adult task” and they were numbered and then she opened that number gift. 
Ally appreciated the aesthetics and the gifts!


Off the shoulder matching pose with Aunt Beth!




Here is the list of things and their gifts. 
  1. Buy fireworks POP ROCKS CANDY
  2. Enlist in military  GREEN ARMY MEN
  3. Serve alcohol BOTTLE OPENER
  4. Watch R Rated movies MOVIE GIFT CARD
  5. Be an organ donor SOCKS
  6. Purchase lottery ticket SCRATCH OFFS
  7. Get a tattoo TEMP TATTOOS 
  8. Vote TSHIRT
  9. Donate blood BAND AIDS
  10. Go to Jail INMATE PUZZLE BOOK
  11. Adopt a pet (PET DNA TEST)
  12. Get a piercing EARRINGS
  13. Get married RING POP
  14. Jury duty SVU COMPASS NECKLACE
  15. Obtain a 10 year passport RFID PASSPORT HOLDER
  16. Work without restrictions WIRELESS KEYBOARD
  17. Purchase cold medicine ZYRTEC D
  18. Sign Legal documents MONOGRAMMED PEN

















She’s been asking for a wireless keyboard and was thrilled.





An adorable hand made card from Grandma Debbie.

Books from Poppy





Her first birthday. 







So smart and strong and beautiful and kind. Loved so very much.