The Soash Adventures

January was a slower month for us. The kids got back into the routines of school by the 4th week in January. Christmas break went through the 4th. Then the second week they had Monday and Tuesday off for snow days. The third week, they had Monday off for MLK Jr. Day. We have discovered it doesn't take much to cause a snow day or a late start here.

Obi has been playing with the Middle School Boys Basketball team. They have been doing well, and Obi enjoys it. Obi is about the tallest kid on his team at 5'10". But as you can see, he was dwarfed by another 8th grader from the other school. We all just laughed, as did Obi about the situation.

Gavin is in the final stretch of swim team season. He's been doing well, and generally improving every meet.

Cora was able to make a trip back to Iowa last weekend. She was able to visit her church youth group friends, spend some time with close friends, and see many more Ballard friends at the Winter Formal dance.

You can see Athan trying out some new dance moves at time 2:22 in this video taken at school.

This weekend we're off to the Norfolk, VA area for Gavin's robotics team competition. We'll have to take a new route for us, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. I've been told the secret is to only look straight forward.

We're looking forward to a fun weekend of cheering on Gavin and exploring the area.

Thanks for reading!

Because the people of Maryland are obsessed with their flag, we did our annual family photo accordingly.

The Lower School at SCS did All About that Baby for the Christmas Program. The 3rd grade was part of the choir. Athan did a great job, and it was very fun to watch. Gavin had two swim meets this month, and has shown so much improvement since beginning the sport this summer!

Gavin also had a birthday, and is now a teenager.

Phil's mom, Linda, arrived late on the 20th. The kids had a half day of school on the 21st. Athan's grade had a Happy Birthday Jesus party, and the older three went rollerskating with the upper school. Between the 21st and 23rd we did some beach walking and shell collecting at Chincoteague, walked the board walk in Ocean City (but Thrasher's was closed 😞), some more beach walking at Assateague, made fresh clam chowder, enjoyed some fresh oysters, and painted ceramic Christmas ornaments.

The night of the 23rd we opened presents and the kids had fun playing a new game together.

Saturday the 24th we drove to Jersey City, NJ. It was a 4.5 hour drive, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The photo on the right is the view from the kids' room of the Hudson River and Manhattan. We really had a nice view from Jersey City.

Christmas morning we started with a ride on PATH train over to Manhattan. We did the downtown loop on Big Bus Tours and saw many, many sights.

We had a nice lunch at a small diner in Chelsea. Then attending part of Christmas Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. I loved the organ!

Our last visit for the day was to the 9/11 Memorial.

Then we boarded the train at WTC transportation hub, and headed back to the hotel.

The 26th we did the uptown loop on the tour. It was neat to see the mix of old and new architecture. We did a short walk through Central Park, had lunch at a little Chinese restaurant, and took the subway to Grand Central Station.

We hopped back on the bus tour for downtown. Then we got off to do some walking to the Brooklyn Bridge, then a walk down Wall Street, and took the train back to the hotel again.

Tuesday, the 27th, was the day for visiting Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We left from Liberty State Park near the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal. Our first stop was Ellis Island.

Our second stop was Statue of Liberty. We did the Pedestal Tour. It was neat to see the statue up close, and get a great view of the city.

After returning to our hotel, that evening we took a walk down to the river for one last night view.

Wednesday morning we made our trip into the city for some shopping. Our first stop was the Nintendo Store.

We ate lunch at Nippori. Athan got his sushi fix, but most of us enjoyed some authentic ramen. Another walk by Times Square to see the 2017 in place, and catch a photo of the hustle and bustle of the city.