2017: My Highlights
I had a feeling that 2017 was going to be filled with a lot of ups and downs. I was right. BUT and this is a big BUT...I am thankful to report that overall 2017 was a great year! Here is a little stroll down memory lane - 2017 style.
January
Santa surprised Ben with Boston Bruins tickets for Christmas. Thankfully he took me and my dad! Nothing like kicking off the New Year with some good ol' fashion hockey featuring two original six teams. We also finished putting together the LEGO® Star Wars Millennium Falcon. Fun fact: It is still in one piece and happens to be the centerpiece on my kitchen table.
February
Spent an epic and I mean EPIC weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine. Do yourself a solid and check out the White Barn Inn. Easily in the top 5 for most amazing places I've every stayed. The service. The Food. The fireplace. Yeah. Pretty sweet.
March
Big Ben's hockey team played for the Mite 3 Championship. It was nail biter. Unfortunately they didn't get the W. More importantly, the team was gracious in defeat. Teaching Ben to be a good loser is just as important as celebrating victory. He was proud of himself and that's a victory of it's own.
April
April gets my favorite month of 2017 award. It was jam-packed with fun and travel. Up until April 2017, I had never been to Washington, D.C. What a fun city! I had an amazing meal at Founding Farmers. Met up with an old college buddy for a few adult cocktails at the POV Terrace and took a selfie with my favorite president of all time. Not to be outdone by Washington, D.C., we also took a family vacation to California. It was a trip for the ages. I could easily do a separate post just about our West Coast jaunt. It was filled with sunshine, good food, Star Wars and Harry Potter. April - you will be a tough one to beat! Oh and did I mention I played dodgeball in a bikini? I swear it was for a good cause!
May
Celebrated Ben's 8th year of life. My life changed the day he was born for the better. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. I'm lucky to be his mom. Baseball season is also underway! It's pretty special to watch your son play a sport that was just a big part of your life.
June
Summertime is finally here. It is so easy to enjoy summertime in this part of the country. Beaches galore. I also hit the golf course a few times with my favorite guys. I finally got Ben out on a "real" golf course. Kid killed it! Ben also received his First Holy Communion in the same church that I did.
July
We celebrated Chris's 40th birthday! So fortunate to have him in my life. Chris and I also took on the Blackburn Challenge. The Blackburn Challenge is a 20+ mile open water circumnavigation of Cape Ann. Participants row or paddle small boats in the open ocean waters around the Cape. Neither one of us are experienced rowers so taking on the Challenge was a huge deal. We were able to finish the challenge and not in last place! Woot.
August
Road trip! We traveled to New Hampshire for a long weekend at the lake. Jet skis. Tubing. Friends and fun. We also officially said good bye to summer. School started at the end of the month. I've been blessed with a child that enjoys school. Ben was all smiles on his first day! He was thrilled to be back at school with his buddies. Right where he belongs.
September
Happy Birthday to ME! Yes I am one of those people. I love my birthday month! Took on the Beehive Trail at Acadia National Park. Man. That was a doozy! Can't beat the views from up there. Pretty spectacular. Oh and hockey season started! Go Mite 2!
October
Spent some time volunteering at Ben's school. Did my best to celebrate the Fall season despite not having my little Harry Potter on Halloween night. We also celebrated with Kara and her family at Jenna and Valentino's wedding. It was nice to put on a sexy dress and dance the night away with friends. Nothing beats a good wedding!
November
At Chez Scola, November is a whole month to give thanks. We have a dry erase board in the kitchen and keep a growing list of thing we are grateful for. My Nana Doris was known for her apple pies (among other delicious treats). Ben helped out with the baking this year. I use the term helped out very loosely. BTW. Hockey season goes international! Ben participated in his 1st ever friendship tournament with a team from Canada. Next year is our turn to travel there. Trading pins and making friends. Nothing better for a team of 8-year-olds! Ben also scored his first goal of the season. Talk about some heavy Mom guilt. It's the only game I missed because of work. Whomp.
December
There really is something magical about the holiday season. As I was putting this list of highlights together, it made me appreciate all the good in my life. Sure there were some pretty lousy moments and maybe I'll write about them someday but not today. What were your special 2017 moments?
