The Prathers: December

Saturday, December 20, 2025

December

We started the Christmas season with a soccer tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Caroline stayed with Nana and Papaw and got to have a sleep over with Kaden.

Tulsa was unbelievably cold. Ali enjoyed playing with a different set of girls. It was good for her to see other players and to hear a different adult coach her.

Downtown Tulsa is really incredible

Ali finished the weekend with one goal and one assist.

Caroline and Kaden had a sleep over at Nana's house. Caroline said Kaden woke up and wanted to play a few times in the night.

On Monday at school Emilie McCartney from the Texas Tech soccer team came to eat with Ali. Emilie is dating one of my friend's sons and when she found out Ali loves soccer she came to eat with her!

Ali convinced Emilie that she needed to come play soccer at recess.

I know it was a small act for Emilie but it was a HUGE deal for Ali to have someone she looks up to take time and come to school just for her.

On a sad note: Tuesday, December 9th my family buried my granny in Harker Heights at the veterans cemetery with my grandad. How that works is my granny was able to be laid to rest on top of my grandad. (I know there is an inappropriate joke my granny would have made about this arrangement.) My granny's best friend from Harker Heights came along with some of her church friends and old pastor.

My dad and his brother told hilarious stories some I have heard before and some I had not and we all talked about about the loving nicknames she gave us!

What a wonderful women.

My cousin, mom and aunt are planning a really fun Christmas day party honoring my granny with all her favorite games, wearing her muumuu and eating all her favorite foods.

Back at home:

Tonks has really gotten into Christmas and loves to "help" wrap presents. She sat in boxes, played with ribbon and tape, and unwrapped the paper with her teeth and claws.

Caroline's youth Christmas party

Friday was the school Jingle jog. 3rd-5th ran a mile around the school. My job was the corner by the nursing home to make sure kids ran down the side walk and not into the street. Ali made me a good pump up Christmas music playlist for my speaker to play while kids ran and walked by.

Ali ended up getting first place out of all the kids. She passed a boy on the last straightaway that I was told was pretty dramatic.

Friday afternoon we left for the last soccer tournament of the year in Oklahoma City. It was really cold.

Ali found a piano in the lobby and played Angels we Have Heard on High from memory a couple of times. She should have put out a tip jar.

Her team tied both games on Saturday. Ali scored a goal and played really hard in that first game. The 2nd game on Saturday was hard to watch. While both games were extremely cold the wind picked up in the 2nd game. The main ref let the 2nd game get mouthy and physical and not in the- going for the ball using your body to push through.

I saw our players and the other teams swing fists and pull jerseys to the ground, trip on purpose and talk very ugly to each other and adults. I do not enjoy dirty soccer- players are getting out performed so they cheat. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

We did get to see downtown Oklahoma City which is very cool.

Saturday night we went to the Melting Pot

Caroline's favorite place to eat.

Sunday morning we woke up to get ready for one more tournament game and the organization canceled it. The temperatures did not get over 20 degrees which they consider dangerous. So we came home.

The last week of school had lots of Christmas fun!