This is Mason's first wrestling match. Unfortunately, it was also the other kids first match. It was also our first experience as wrestling parents and didn't like the "baby seal" sound this kid made as Mason's arm pressed on his throat. The coach explained to us that it is just a panic response. I think it was that moment Mason fell in love with the sport.
Our favorite Santa was fully booked by the time we got there, so we had to find a replacement Santa. By the time we got there the kids weren't in their best moods, so neither were the adults.
At the Heroes for the Homeless ten-year celebration Cindy and I were standing in the back when we heard a familiar voice calling numbers over the microphone. Somehow Ermias was up on stage and stayed there throughout the presentation.
Mason has a girlfriend. We've been trying very hard to encourage open communication and honesty, so when he asked if her family could visit us at the beach, we only hesitated for a second. I think it was weird for both her parents and us, but we are navigating together. Her family is really great, and so is she. We watched them (carefully) on a kayak ride (in plain view) as he rode backward across the bay so he could talk to her as she paddled. Then she fell backward into the water as she got out of the kayak, which he thought was hilarious.