MayCember Isn’t a Joke

Gracious me, where did the month of May go? It is a relentless bullet train to the end of the school year to be sure. But here we are! I now have a senior and a sophomore… How in the world did that happen?! I am delighted to report that we ended the year strong.

Bubba end of the year at the tech center in culinary really thriving. He also finished up the hardest part of high school in that second semester of January to June where they really tried to put you through the wringer. I’m so proud of him.

KK slammed through her first AP test, will get the results here soon. And she got out of school yesterday at 10:55 AM to get on a bus at 11 AM to head to Canada to start a regatta first thing this morning. No rest for the weary!

I took a quick field trip with some of my colleagues to St. Louis to work on expanding their franchise business. And sweet husband continues to slay the day getting more schools on board to offer stem exploratory classes for middle school schools. Summer is here though and we look forward to a slightly slower pace. I’m ready. Let’s go!

It’s Not for the Weak

​This rowing thing, it’s not for the faint of heart. Because it’s 4:30 AM wake up calls and six days a week practice and nutrition guidance, and collaboration, communication and connection. And that’s just the parents.

What’s interesting is that it quickly becomes a community. It becomes something that your child loves to do. Softball was a fabulous sport for her, and she had natural athletic ability. But she was exceptionally hard on herself. And most practices and game days would end in fifths of anxiety and levels of stress and tears that were not worth it.

So last summer when her friend, Olive, asked her to join Crew camp at the last second and we willingly threw her in with no time to spare, you could not have paid me $1000 to realize that I would be up before dawn, driving across the state to learn terms like regatta, Cox Quad, and catching a crab. 

I am somewhere on the east side of the state at a preparatory Academy where the starting tuition is $45,000. The campus is stunning. The families are warm and engaging. The private boathouse leads out to multiple docs where the students launch in rapid succession.

Boat one is on the water by 8:20 AM and it is a constant stream of eight person, four person and two person votes gliding across the water as the clouds float by. It is a brisk morning starting out at 33° on its way toward a high of 47°. In May.

She even had tears this morning after the eight person race that she is the coxswain for. They bumped oars while sitting in lane six waiting for the firing gun with the boat in lane five. And the boys got mad at her. Yes, she is screeching at the top of her lungs across a huge lake to eight freshman boys who would probably not like to take direction from a girl. And it bothers her sometimes. They still finish second. They’re on their way to the finals. And I’m exceptionally proud of her.

Because this is what we do for our kids when they find something they love. In the meantime she’s found a love. Her very first one. He’s in the same boat as she is. And he pushes her to be a better human and he adores every inch of her. I can’t complain.

It is a Crew romance… And it might last two weeks, two months or maybe even longer but for now it puts a smile in her face and a spring in her step.

Rule #487

​When you go on date night, be silly. And take the top off the Jeep! Because when you can, you should. 

We Are Going to Japan!

​I am pretty excited to announce that we are going to head to Japan! It is Bubba‘s wish to go - and next summer as his graduation gift in lieu of a graduation party, we are going to make his wish come true! One of the things I want to use this space as is a location to keep tips and tricks that I am learning as I begin to prepare over the next 14 months.

Moreover, a place to ruminate on ideas and thoughts that he has as he approaches a senior year, turns 18, and spreads his wings to leave the nest.

Essentially, I’m starting senior Sunday a little bit early… As the countdown to his junior year completes and his final year of high school is on the horizon!

KK will continue on as well… Finishing her freshman year of rowing, and excelling at all things in her sphere. So it will be fun to start writing again, taking note of tips and tricks, and managing the changes that come our way.

Tip #1 

I really had no clue that you could use your wallet on an iPhone to add in transit cards- especially International cards! Thank you you too a random stranger who posted this tip!

Huron Sprints Regatta

​For her very first regatta as a member of the high school crew team, we are headed to Kensington Metro Park today… It was 77° and sunny yesterday but this morning found us at 52° and rain.

4:45 AM wake up call for a 5 AM departure to be to the park by 7:15 AM in order to see our girl get on the water by 7:30.

Not the exact times she had hoped for. They lost out on the finals by one second… But, as bittersweet luck would have it, the finals for the novice rowers were canceled due to winds and weather delays.

All in all, still a good day!

And She's 12

A mishmosh of photos - from the day she came until now - and here she is...the last year before she's a teen.

She's strong and brave. Stubborn and cheeky. 

She's insanely aware, smart, tries hard, falls apart easily, works herself well, pushes herself on occasion, is an avid reader, has a huge vocabulary, is a helper and a doer. She cares little of fashion, lots of Hurricanes and Daddy and Maggie and Softball.

And she's my girl.

I love every inch of her. Even the parts that drive me nuts. Because I am sure I do the same to her!

 

And the Band Plays On

He's growing up so fast...and he's learning so much. Sometimes I can't keep up.

He likes trombone. Sort of. 

I'm not thrilled with his teacher who insists on placing students to the very last chair. When you know your last chair, what does this do to you mentally?

But he plays on. Maybe because we force him.

Maybe because he likes it.

I keep hope for Marching Band and the joy that might come with that. 

 

Gobbles and Joy

I'm writing this months later and dating it back to the accurate time for publishing - so I really don't remember any of the stress or changes last minute - or ebbs and flows to stupid Covid or cancellations and postponements.

I remember turkey. Lots of it.

I remember Dan coming in for it. Which fills my heart.

I remember pie and stuffing. Luna walking and laughing.

I remember a toast to my family whom I love more than anything.

And I remember love.

And I can't wait to do it all again in 2023.

 

That First Snow

When it's still pretty, fresh and fun...it won't be in Janaury!

 

Random Moments

That freight train to 2023 is full motion - but I force myself to slow down....and be with friends.

First, one that has been in my life for only a few years. But she is a true delight and pushes me to be a better mom.

Then a moment to work on that with my kid. More than ever, she just needs my presence. It's strange, I thought tweens pull away from their parents.

Nope, not in this house.

Then it was one of my oldest and dearest...I have know this girl since we were tweens ourselves. And almost 40 years later....we're still laughing.

After that, we got a surprise visit from one of my cousins up from FL. And I was able to talk my mom and brother in to joining us for a little snack. We're so glad he came!

Life is moving fast - and we're taking intentional moments to slow down. It's worth it.

 

A Visit and What's to Come

In an attempt to help a new grandma out (my sister-in-law) - I purchased some items from the fall JBF consignment sale. With her grandbaby coming for Thanksgiving, it was time that we meet up and have dinner. So I surprised Hubs and the kids with a trip to see their family....and pizza and an exchange later, it was a fun way to spend a night!

Also that day, big news for KK....she needs a Herbst appliance to reset her jaw so her teeth line up on each other. We've got a truly compassionate orthodontist who walked it through with her, answered the questions and convinced her that a year would be worth it for the next 60 to get her jaw to line up correctly. December will be a big month for this girl!

 

Halloween

For my memory book: Freda Khalo and Muchiro Tokito from Demon Slayer.

I can't get over their creativity...and the fact that they BOTH got invited to hang with friends and trick-or-treat. Which fills this momma's bucket to overflowing.

Happy Hooliganing, kiddos!

 

Friends

The world is just better with good friends. The kind that laugh and scheme...but also do good for others, watch out for others, show kindness to others.

There is no greater wish I could have for my kids in their youthful years...than for them to be kind to others, and to have kindness bestowed upon them.

You don't need to think the same or do the same or be the same.

You can still respect and show grace and mercy.

And you can walk humbly with God.

Go be light, girls... because heaven knows, we need it.

 

For 5 Minutes

Fortunately, for a little longer than five minutes....it's just glorious this time of year. I'll take every ounce of it...because, come February....

 

Softball Done!

Another wonderful season for KK - she really came into her own this fall with Fall Ball in the NorthEast Little League. She's got gumption, that's for sure. Along with nine or ten other girls who will brave rain and sleet and double headers that take ALL DARN DAY on a Sunday...just to play.

I love this.

Go, girl, go.

 

Tennis is Done!

We are done for the season! And he ended with a W! Heck, he ended his last 6 matches going 5-1. Not bad for a kid who only won one match last year.

He tried something new.

He worked at it with decent effort and energy.

And he WON'T STOP GROWING!!!

This one below is him on tip toes...but "it's my life goal" - 

keep growing, kid.