Seventeen in Quarantine

COVID-19 cares not for the calendar and milestones, which means Clare turned 17 in the midst of a stay-at-home order and virtual schooling. This was, in essence, a big fat bummer. 

Still, we celebrated. The Testanis sent beautiful flowers. Abby made a covert visit. There were gifts, cake, calls and cards from friends and family. It will never be her favorite birthday, but it will certainly be memorable.

She requested a cityscape for her birthday, reflecting her fascination with them - and looking ahead to a future that will include travel and adventure...eventually.

We love this girl so much, and I can’t complain about the extra time to be with her. A silver lining for this seventeenth birthday.

Hunting Colleges in Boston

While Danny enjoyed sunny relaxation in Florida, Tim, Clare and Abby headed north to explore schools in the Boston area. Tim mapped out the itinerary, which had them start with an exploration of Marblehead before heading to Holy Cross, their first tour.

As this trip unfolded at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis that would eventually shut down much of the country - and most universities - their experience was a bit surreal. They were fortunate in that they were able to tour each school, with closure notices announced moments after they arrived at each. 

Altogether, they toured Holy Cross, Tufts, Harvard and Boston College. BC emerged as the favorite for both girls. I’m pretty sure the fact that it has its own T stop was a big plus as far as Clare was concerned!

They also saw enough of Boston to really like the city, and to get up to some of their usual goofiness - the hallmark of any good trip! We are so glad that they managed to make this trip before the world closed down, and look forward to the time when such trips are possible once again!

Danny’s Solo Spring Break in Sarasota

With Danny’s first year at a Marist falling at the same time as Clare’s junior year - a critical time to visit colleges - he opted to skip to Sarasota by himself. As I suspected, he was treated like a king and throughly enjoyed the sibling-free life, as perhaps only a middle child can!

While I believe he enjoyed the variety of activities, from visiting a military museum to the zoo to golfing, we primarily got pictures of him enjoying food! This would account for the fact that I am certain he grew at least half an inch while he was gone!

He and Grandma also enjoyed nightly rounds of Banagrams,
at the end of which he crafted this message:

And he very well may have! He came home just as the coronavirus frenzy was gaining steam, so we were happy to get him back under our roof. But really pleased that he had such a memorable week with his grandparents!