The Show Went On

One of Clare’s favorite experiences at Marist has been performing in the various theater productions. Each year she participated in a show, and each year had so much fun. We feared this might come to a screeching halt with the Covid restrictions, but thankfully the theater director and administrators got VERY creative. With two different casts, five different small plays, and online and then masked rehearsals, culminating in an outdoor production, “Unprecedented” lived up to its name - and satisfied Clare’s yearning.

She is shown here in her different roles in an extremely truncated version of Hamlet. She was also a waitress in a cute skit called “Surprise,” and overall we were very impressed with her performing skills. We are so glad that Marist is doing what it can so that the show will go on!

Pandemic Pumpkin Procurement

Unlike in years past, there was no major outing to a big pumpkin patch this year. Of course we like to blame the virus, and 2020 in general, but if we’re being honest our soccer schedule is largely to blame. With games on most weekend days, occasionally including double-headers, there hasn’t been many blocks of time. Frankly, we might just be aging out of it, too. 

Still, Laura and I wanted a pumpkin to carve! We took advantage of a half-day from school and seized the moment. We did try Home Depot first, but it seems we were a bit late to the game. So, we drove to the local Presbyterian church “patch” that we have driven past for years and found ourselves a jack-o-lantern-to-be. Stay tuned!

A Labor Day Getaway

As the days of limited movement and activity continue, our departures from routine feel extra valuable. So we were very glad that Tim took the initiative to find a house in Highlands, NC for our Labor Day weekend. 

With highs in the mid-70s and lows in the mid-50s, with no humidity, it felt like paradise! In between enjoying the house, we rented a boat on Saturday and hiked on Sunday. A great blend of fresh air and leisure.

The views were gorgeous, and Clare, Tim and I logged a fair bit of time in the screened-in porch. We also enjoyed a fire each night, but alas no photographic evidence. A lovely getaway that has us feeling refreshed and recharged!

Fired Up for Soccer

Despite the disruption of a whole lot of life, both Danny and Laura were able to resume their soccer careers - and both for Concorde Fire this year. By wonderful luck (more like Divine intervention), Danny was given the opportunity to move up a level, playing with two bffs from Marist. Similarly, both Laura and Natalie, who have been playing together for the Y since they were five, made the move to Concorde and were placed on the same team.

After summer training and now the resumption of regular season practices, both kids have experienced tournaments, and both teams competed very well. In fact, Laura’s team went 4-0 to win their bracket!

While Danny’s passion for the sport is obvious to anyone and everyone, Laura was more uncertain about making the move. However, she now feels very bonded to her team - and *really* enjoyed earning some bling! Here’s hoping their seasons can continue uninterrupted.

Danny the Eighth Grader

Truthfully, Danny’s Eighth Grade year is going to be frequently overshadowed by Clare’s Senior Year - a fact that will repeat itself when Danny is a Senior and Laura is in Eighth Grade. But when I look back to Danny as a Seventh Grader, it’s hard not to be amazed by how much he has grown! Cheers to a great year ahead for a truly great kid!

First Day, Senior Edition

So much has changed since Clare’s first day of Kindergarten- but not her enthusiasm for the first day, nor her love of school. (After all, you don’t earn the Class Medal for your junior year without loving school.) With the added complexities and disappointments that COVID threw our way, there was even more excitement surrounding the first day of Senior Year - and a tremendous gratitude for the fact that it happened in person.

Abby spent the night in anticipation of their early wake-up call to attend Senior Sunrise...which, in true 2020 style, was cloudy and rainy. But their hopes for the year remain bright, and we pray they stay that way.

Look out world, here comes the Class of 2021!

First Day of Fourth Grade, Third Edition (Also Pandemic Edition)

When schools closed mid-March, it was *mind-boggling* to me to think we might not return in the fall (or, mid-summer but commonly referred to as “fall”). And here we are, one of the lucky (in my estimation, at least) few to be returning to in-person school full time! It looks different, clearly, but even my slightly-reluctant student was more than ready to return. The early reports have been very positive, too! No doubt the masks will grow tiresome very soon, but for now she’s all smiles.