AUGUST
The school year began days after summer swim season with the Sharks ended. While we decided against the AAU circuit for now, Caeli laid the smackdown on her events and even set some nationally ranked times this season.
But this is a school post, right?
I need my only child to be well-balanced and a decent human as well as a superb swimmer, hence Life Skills Summer.
She began fifth grade on the bus - and one of the few days she beat us awake, dressed, and ready to go for morning pictures. We said that this is her senior year of elementary school; I kind of wish we framed it slightly differently because of the mounting expenses of everything and the impending pushback regarding some things such as chores around the house.
SEPTEMBER
The morning handshake was shortened to dap from the much more elaborate ones from earlier in the childhood journey. Those are now reserved for bedtime after fish are fed and prayers said. With the initial struggles of having a longterm sub to start the year since her actual teacher was on maternity leave, Caeli eventually found her footing - and Chick-fil-A most Thursdays during lunch - as the expectations became more clearly articulated for her. 
OCTOBER
One of Caeli's many talents is singing, and she truly enjoys the youth choir at church. It wouldn't be the same if she did not get to participate with her friends at Saint Mark Baptist Church. To witness her own spiritual journey is nothing short of phenomenal! She hasn't decided yet on baptism, but since she is ten (at the time), that call is hers and hers alone. All we as her parents get to do is guide her along and raise up a God-fearing child to the very best of our limited abilities.
If you recall 2025 in Review, I briefly mentioned that I had a valley and a peak within a 48 hour period. The valley: I was losing my job at the end of the month. The peak: I had beaten prostate cancer. How did that affect Caeli? She still had a normal life, and the only difference came the following month.
Coached by her momma, the Volley Queens ran off with the plug again to an 8-0 start to defend their first team championship from last year. When I say those girls are good, I mean it.
Remember, this girl makes friends easily and almost everywhere.
NOVEMBER
Volleyball season ran into a couple of late-season losses before the tournament and those hard-fought matches which finally led the Volley Queens to their second league title. Shout out to coaches Chastity and Zac for keeping the girls focused on the moment, and the girls themselves for playing for each other.
Aside from that sport and a bit of an off-season prior to basketball in the church league, life began to shape differently for Caeli due to my own work situation. After my job ended October 31, I reluctantly took a position in the organization that I came to hate quickly; for Caeli, she still had her weekly lunch at school with Dad, and for the first time in her lifetime, I was also at home at night unshackled from the graveyard shift.
DECEMBER
Our Christmas present continued to sing, play, paint, consume anime, and otherwise be a kid. The weekly lunches continued for one more month as were those rare sleeping Saturdays.
Christmas Day also marked a milestone as it was my final day at Arcwood. The next move happened a week later, to be announced.
JANUARY
Speaking of “see, what had happened was…”, a few things happened - and one was an ice storm that kept us at home for several days. The other thing was I became a substitute teacher within the district: Wish me luck with this adventure.
Basketball season began with a hodgepodge of practices before the games were played. While the record clearly stated otherwise, hoops served as a cardio workout and the offseason her teammates sorely needed since this is a third or in some cases, fourth sport they participated in.
FEBRUARY 
As January closed with an ice storm, February welcomed the most fun eleventh birthday party yet at the River Center with her classmates, basketball teammates, cousins, and friends from church. All enjoyed themselves, and since this is the best option at a reasonable price, the pool party was a good idea. Speaking of partying, the final father-daughter dance came and went as a blur. It’s always fun to be arm candy more so for the girl who sees Dad in a suit on Sundays or whenever the occasion calls for it.
She went to work with me twice this year: That’s something I never would have anticipated.
MARCH
We don’t talk about basketball season: The Saint Mark All-Stars went 1-6 this campaign (fortunately, I didn’t coach against kids who effectively used the league as AAU practice), and over time, the love of the game hasn’t translated from parent to child - and I’m okay with that. Caeli and the other emerging hoops stars had fun, though.
Spring break to Houston, Galveston, and Great Wolf Lodge in Webster wouldn’t be complete without a day spent at NASA or Buc-ees on the way back. I still haven’t walked into a HEB yet but it wouldn’t have done me any good to buy meat sans a dedicated cooler. Maybe next time…
APRIL
‘Twas the end of ATLAS testing and the associated headache that came with it: At least we made it through the boot camp and four days of stress inducing tests. If anyone shows up with blue Takis again after being told not to eat in the classroom, I swear I’m going to scream!
MAY
We made it to the end of the elementary school years albeit the actual elementary transcript continues to the eighth grade frazzled and relieved at the same time! Whenever the future takes Caeli next at Bethel Middle School will be prayed upon and with all of the successes for the next steps.
We’re proud of Little Miss Sunshine from where we started in the midst of COVID to becoming an independent young lady willing to stand on business. Keep pushing - and we’re out!
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