2 months . . . . 2 long months! :)

It's been just over two months since I last posted.   Does this make a me a "former blogger?"

It might.

Since I last posted, we've had band concerts, banquets, AP exams, final exams, baton recitals/competitions, and the middle school end of year dance.  Gracie and I made a quick trip to Cali for BFF Alex's bat mitzvah.  Matt passed took (and passed!) Drivers Ed, we celebrated Easter, Orthodox Easter, Mother's and Father's Day.  Gracie became a teenager, I turned 40-something, and now Matt is off to the summer golf academy and Gracie and I just returned from band camp at UT.  

But most importantly we finished the 7th and 9th grades.   PRAISE GOD, Y'ALL!  

In some ways I feel like summer vacation is almost over, even though we're only about a month in.  Maybe its because marching band starts up so early, but I feel like it's going by too fast.  For goodness sake, we've only made 3 ice cream tour stops!

Here's a few quick peeks at what we've been up to.   I'll try to pop in more regularly . . . promise!

Dances and band woes

Survived another week.

Except it isn't quite over.

Gracie is off at her middle school dance tonight.  She went with a gaggle of girls, most wearing sleeveless dresses.   They looked adorable, except it's cold and rainy today.  Not ideal.  I also couldn't get Gracie's foot in a cute shoe or boot for the dance, instead she's wearing black high-top Converse.

Sigh.

Matt is off at his last regular season football game.  It's an away game, so we opted not to go.  It's also cold and rainy, as mentioned above.   #ThanksButNoThanks

Of course, the marching band fun continues tomorrow.   They have their last competition of the season and Matt has to be at school at 5:30 am.   They have one of the earliest performance times, which would be a great thing, except you don't know if you make the finals until 5:30 pm. 

Yes, 12 HOUR LATER.

If they make it, they perform again some time after 7 pm and the estimated return time to school is 12:15 am.

Yes, that would be over 18 HOURS LATER.

If they don't make finals, they will be home at 9:15 pm. #Save3Hours

I volunteered for the Pit Crew thinking if they didn't make it, I could get Matt home for his Confirmation rehearsal at 6:30, but honestly, even if we left 5 minutes after awards at 5:30, I'm not sure we can make it.   #VolunteerFail

I really want the kids to make it to finals.  I hope they have their best performance yet.   In my limited understanding of the world of marching band (because this isn't what my experience was back in the early 90s), as a smaller band, we need to win our division to ensure we make it to finals.

I hope it happens. Yet, getting home before Saturday turns to Sunday would be nice.

Like father, like daughter

Today was the first full day of school.   I packed lunches.  They remembered to take the lunches.   Marching band after school.   Baton tonight.  And of course, there is homework.

Homework.  I have not missed you.

Everybody managed to find and sit with their friends at lunch, so that makes for happy kids.  Right up until the point that they got homework.  Then, not so happy.  Easy come, easy go.

Have I mentioned that Charlie's dementia insomnia has returned?   No sleep for the weary.

And in slightly lighter news, we have discovered that Gracie's 7th grade science teacher (well known as the toughest teacher in the school) was also Bassam's 8th grade science teacher at a private school across town.

Let that sink in for a minute.

Big days . . . school days

So yesterday this happened. . . . .

15 years old and driver's learning permit in hand.   And no, he didn't drive home. 

I'm giving serious thought to how I can "fix" the DMV.   I'm only half kidding.  I also think I could be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize if I figure it out. #NotKiddingAtAll

Less than 24 hours later, the kids were back to school.   Both were up early (never an issue for my kids) and dressed and ready with plenty of time for me to "torture" them with pictures.  I do enjoy how they act surprised that I'm going to take them.  We started in preschool, so I've been doing this for the last 13 years without fail.  #BetterLuckNextYear

It was only a 1/2 day, so I managed to get nothing done while there were gone except for making a few phone calls, getting a haircut and picking up some last minute school supplies at Office Max.  Then it was time to get back in the highly disorganized middle school carline.   Between construction, confusion of new families, 100 out of zone families (can't take the bus), and the fact that it's the first day, there was all kinds of chaos.  And not controlled chaos.   Opportunity for another Nobel Peace Prize?

286 days until summer vacation! 

Band camp and more . . .

Last full week of summer vacation has come and gone.

It was hardly "vacation" for Matt, who spent 48 hours at marching band camp.  12 hours a day for 4 days straight.   Sorry, football team . . . you've got nothing on the band.   The parents got a sneak peak and what they've been working on and it looks good.  Marching band is a whole lot harder than when I was in school.  We marched.  Left. Right. Left. Right.   They march front, back and sideways.  Sometimes they run.  Sometimes up on their toes.   Always while playing their instrument.   I'm in awe.

As the teachers reported back to work today, my friend Colleen and I were busy with PTO hospitality.  This morning, we did a breakfast at the middle school and then a lunch at the high school.   Both went well, but it sure was strange doing an event at the high school.  We fed over 100 teachers, and other than the band director and a math teacher who is the ex-wife of a college friend of Bassam's, they were all strangers. 

Incidentally, the math teacher I know will be Matt's teacher for Algebra II Honors this year.  What are the chances?

Since Gracie didn't have band camp, we knocked out some back to school shopping, she picked out a new pair of glasses, new shoes and she spent 5 hours at school with me sorting school supply boxes. Gracie also managed a couple trips to the pool with friends, so it wasn't all work and "boring errands."

As for this mama, I'm desperately trying to get my calendar organized,  paying school fees left and right and gearing up for lunch making, carpools and homework.

It's not even over yet and I already miss summer.

School's Out for Summer

School's out for summer!   And now you have Alice Cooper stuck in your head all day. 

You're welcome. 

Last half day of school today.   For Gracie that meant yearbook signing and taking pictures with her friend.  For Matt it meant 8th grade promotion. 

Y'all, I have a high school student now.   

Nooooooooo! 

Wearing the unofficial boys uniform of khaki pants, Sperry's and a button down shirt, Matt was promoted to 9th grade and picked up some nifty honors for straight A's, band, Math club, geography bee and Math Olympiad.  He also got to perform with the brass quintet.  Proud of him!   

He immediately came home and immersed himself in Fortnite (the current game that EVERYONE is playing!).   I let him fry his brain for a while and then took him and his pal, Sam, to the pool to burn off some energy and potentially protect him from carpal tunnel and the need for eye glasses due to screen strain.  #MomoftheYear

Tonight we're off for a celebratory dinner at Shogun so we can all smell like hibachi for the rest of the night. 

The end of middle school was much needed for Matt.  It's been 30 years since I graduated from junior high (as we called it in the olden days!), and I'm not sure it's improved much.    I'm not sure it's improved AT ALL.    But I have to keep a positive(ish) attitude because Gracie has two more years.  Two.  Long.  Years. 

So, there you have it.  I am the mom of a high school freshman.  

Frenzy Friday

It's Saturday, it's sunny and hot, and we had nowhere special to be today.  My.  Kind.  Of.  Day.

Yesterday was 9 kinds of crazy.  Right after dropping the kids at school, I was in party planning mode.   My friend Colleen and I were hosting the retirement reception for the middle school principal on Friday after school.   We held it at the big Catholic church across the street from the school.  There were tables and chairs to be moved, trays of food, drinks and balloons to be picked up, and tables to be decorated. Everything turned out beautifully, if I do say so myself. 

In the middle of the afternoon, we took a quick break to head over to school for the last assembly of the year.   Both Colleen's kids and Matt & Gracie got to accept a gift to the school from the Nashville Predators for their leadership the Treats for Troops program that the Preds sponsor with us.  Given the fact that only the night before the Predators lost game 7 in the 2nd round of the playoffs, it was incredibly classy of them to be out making public appearances.  Craig Smith (wing) and Gnash both came to the school and all the kids gave them a super warm welcome. 

After the assembly, it was back to the church to put final touches on the reception.  The guests started coming in right at 3:30 and everyone seemed to have a great time, especially Mrs. Fizer, the principal.   

Unfortunately, I had to leave early because Gracie's baton recital was at 6 pm.   Naturally she had to be there early, so I rushed home, did her hair and we headed over for last minute practice.   Gracie performed three times, including her show twirl from competition.  She had several drops in her solo, so wasn't thrilled, but she still looked great.  I realized at the end of the night I hadn't taken a single picture of just her the whole night.   3 different costumes, and no picture of just her.  Way to go, Mom!  Luckily, we had a photographer at the event last night (my neighbor, Ray) and he snapped a zillion pictures of every routine and every girl.   I usually try to just watch Gracie perform at competition . . . not take pictures, so I can really enjoy it.  Plus, when I do mine always seem to be a blurry mess.  It was a huge blessing to have some beautiful action shots capture by someone with professional equipment!  This is one of my favorites! 

After recital, I made a quick stop back at the church to help with the last of clean up before heading home.   Needless to say, I was asleep by 9:30 and slept until almost 7.  Much needed. 

Today we ran a few errands, Matt studied for finals, I got a pedicure and we pressure washed the porch.   Also much needed.    

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but I'm really, really, really looking forward to summer!

The final countdown . . .

5 1/2 days of school left. 

5 1/2 days. 

We're in crunch time.  Projects, tests and final exams.   In the evening, band concerts, band banquets, club parties, hosting a retirement reception for our principal and baton recital.  Next week it's honor assemblies and 8th grade promotion.  Matt has started marching band practices at the high school and today he played a try-out round with the high school golf team. 

5 1/2 days.   If the kids can do it, so can I.

On the seventh day, we rested

It's Sunday morning as I write this.  The house is very quiet as both kids are still sleeping, Bassam is on call--so already off to work.  Charlie is sitting patiently at the front door waiting for our neighbor's dog and cat to come over for their usual morning visit.  

I should probably get the kids up for church, but it was such crazy week, I'm going to let them sleep.  Friday was the end of the 3rd nine weeks at school, so needless to say it was a busy one.   I think some of Matt's teachers were short on grades, so all of his classes had not only a big test last week, but also one (or in a couple cases -- two) quizzes.  Needless to say, there were lots of late nights studying.  He is especially glad to be finished with "To Kill a Mockingbird."  I think Bassam is, too.  He read it (I never had), so had taken the reins for reviewing it with Matt for quizzes and tests. 

Incidentally, I am finding  I am one of the only people I know (around my age) who hasn't read "To Kill a Mockingbird."  I'm left to wonder, am I lucky?  Should I read it now?  Was my public education in the western suburbs of Chicago seriously lacking?  

Speaking of books, we closed up book fair on Thursday morning. For three days of work, we did pretty well.  I still miss the excitement of book fair at elementary schools.  And in middle school you don't get the kids who come in to buy books with a ziplock bag full of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.    Next week is going to be even busier with Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week, but after that it's SPRING BREAK, so I just need to make it through Friday! 

This weekend Gracie and I drove to lovely Milan, TN (2.5 hours west of Nashville near Jackson) for a baton competition.  Since it was an early start on Saturday, we left after dinner on Friday stayed in a hotel.  The last 45 minutes of the drive is decidedly off the beaten path, which wasn't ideal since it was pitch dark at the time.  Also because we lost our GPS signal multiple times.  But we finally made it, both exhausted and ready to sleep.   I never sleep well in hotels--too loud.  But the pillows were comfy (always a plus) and they had a free breakfast, so I won't complain.

The competition was a LONG one.  We arrived at the gym at 8 am and left at 5 pm.  A long day for Gracie twirling and a long day for me sitting on the bleachers.  Ouch!!  It was a big competition, especially in the morning when the teams were performing.  Gracie was thrilled that her pal, Callie, who we met last year at a competition and then became friends at twirling camp last summer, was there, too.  Better yet, they weren't competing against each other since Callie is in a different age and division.  Biggest highlight of the day was Gracie's NO DROP solo at the very end of the day. It was her first of the season and the last of 5 solo performances!  The biggest disappointment was probably dropping her baton during one of her struts earlier in the day.   In a strut, you march with high knees and she hit her baton with her knee and it literally flew out of her hands.  She picked it up and recovered beautifully (noted by the judge on her evaluation, not just the opinion of this mama), but disqualified her.  Since it was a part of a title event (the biggest one of the day, no less) it took her out of the running and landed her squarely in last place.  

Having said that, the day was otherwise successful. She left with three other titles for her division, Hall of Fame Solo Champion, Strut Queen and Miss Majorette, plus 3 first places and a second in open events.   

We don't compete again until late April.  The next one is an NBTA competition, a different organization than today.  It doesn't allow any tumbling/gymnastics, which is one of Gracie's specialties.  Needless to say, she has to spend the next month revamping her routines to remove tumbling and add other skills.  It's also a state competition, so sure to be even bigger!

But for today, we rest. 

Middle school dating . . . dos and don'ts

So a few of the girls and boys in Gracie's crew have started to like each other.   I suppose it was inevitable.   Amelia "went out" with John for a couple weeks.  Mia and Caleb "went out" for a hot second.  Nobody actually goes anywhere.  They might sit by each other before school and maybe at lunch.  It's usually that they just think the other one is cute.

No disagreement. They're all cute.

But what they're not is very good at "breaking up."   One boy told a friend to tell the girl he was "going out with" that he didn't want to go out with her anymore.  A couple days later, he told her he likes someone else.  Ouch.   Now word on the street is he likes the first girl again and is going to "ask her out" on Valentine's Day.   Then today, Gracie told me a story about how one of her male friends sent email to the girl he wanted to break up with.   Since he wasn't sure if she read her email regularly, he asked another friend to tell the girl to check it.

Oh bless.

I reminded her this is exactly why she's not allowed to date.

First day of school!

Today was the first day of school.

Today I sent two kids to middle school.  MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!!!!

I have a 6th grader and an 8th grader.  When did that happen exactly?

I was up at school doing an event for PTO and caught a glimpse of both kids during their lunch.  Matt was sitting with his best pal, Sam (who he has no classes with) and Gracie had hooked up with her squad, too.

Relief.

Both brought home piles of paper, requests for signatures, money and promises that they will always use the correct heading on their homework.

Sigh.

I think 8th grade is going to be a tough one for Matt.  He's taking two high school level classes, plus an accelerated ELA/reading combination class, which allows him to take foreign language.   As for Gracie, it's too early to tell.  She has managed to skate by with very little work for years.  Surely her luck will run out sometime.  I say that every year, but it hasn't happened yet.

And don't tell the redhead, but this will always be my favorite first day of school picture.  I don't know what possessed that little nugget to put his hand on my face on his first day of kindergarten, but I love it.

Wrapping up 5th and 7th grade . . .

This has been a busy week.

And one more busy week to go.

We kicked off the week at the 7th grade honors assembly.   Matt got recognized numerous times; Straight A's, Beta Club, Top 10%, numerous math achievements, Duke TIPS scholar, outstanding 7th grade musician AND 2 years of perfect attendance.

We're especially proud of that last one.

Okay, confession:  Bassam and I kind of looked at each other and said, "He hasn't missed school in 2 years? Really?"

We clearly will not be winning "Observant Parents of the Year."

Love this kid to pieces.  But y'all, I am ready to wrap up the 7th grade.   NOW!

Meanwhile over at the grade school, it's been equally busy.   Last week, our principal, Dr. Webb, announced her retirement.  While I am so happy for her, the announcement meant the addition of a couple of large events to coordinate with my pals Colleen and Lanesia.  On Thursday, we hosted a retirement reception that brought in current and former students and teachers, colleagues from around the district, as well as students and teachers from previous schools she had worked at.  Dr. Webb is an avid photographer who is looking forward to traveling, so we had a beautiful travel theme with maps and an awesome spread of small sandwiches, desserts, fruit and cheese to feed 300. It was a lovely event and I think she was so delighted to see so many people to come out and wish her well.

As soon as that was finished at 7 pm, we cleaned up and then set up and decorated for the volunteer breakfast that was the next morning at 7:45 am.  It is a little odd for volunteers to set up the volunteer breakfast? Maybe.  But since the teachers have to get there early to set up all the food (they put together an awesome spread for all the parent volunteers), it was the least we could do.

Now we're in full-fledged 5th grade promotion mode.  That ceremony is Monday morning, with set up on Sunday afternoon.  My dining room is a staging area with things for the lunch and party, plus diagrams for the seating and numerous to-do and shopping lists.

Being so busy with logistics of promotion, I haven't really had a chance to let it sink in that Gracie is leaving elementary school.  Or that this wonderful school, that has been such a big part of my life, won't be a part of my day-to-day life.    I feel like she should still be a 2nd or 3rd grader.

Regardless, after 5th grade promotion, one more luncheon to host on Tuesday afternoon at Kenrose and one at Woodland on Wednesday.    And guess what?  On Thursday, Gracie goes to middle school orientation.

As much as I want to get through the next few days, I wouldn't mind time slowing down just a teensy bit.

First Day of School!

It's the first week of August, so while my Midwestern friends and East coast friends are off on summer vacation, we're back at school.

August 5th, y'all.  #whathappenedtosummer   

However, as I consoled my children, "It's only a half day."

Matthew is now a 7th grader, which seems a whole lot older than a 6th grader.  Sort of like waking up at 4 am is waaaaaay earlier than waking up at 5 am.  Something happens in those 60 minutes, because it's a whole lot longer than an hour.   Just ask the dark circles under my eyes.

Although he tried to avoid it, I managed to get a quick back to school photo before he left this morning.  I tried to snap a couple, but he had already started walking out of the frame.  #actionshot

He came home reporting his "social studies teacher is sooooo mean. "   I met her. She has a 2 year old and an infant.  Girlfriend is just tired.   I reminded him that strict is not bad and that if he follows directions and does his work he will do just fine.  #adviceforlife

Back at the elementary school, this little nugget started 5th grade today.  I made her look decidedly uncool by asking her to pose for a picture in front of the school.  I remembered a photo I snapped on the first day of kindergarten and wanted to have a side-by-side comparison.  #mamasaid

Oh my.

Gracie just got off the bus and was full of stories.  She got a teacher who is very good, but considered tough and no-nonsense. As Gracie has coasted through the grade school with nary a worksheet for homework most nights, I think this will be good preparation for middle school.    Matthew had this same teacher for math and science when he was a 5th grader and liked her, so I suspect Gracie will do just fine.   Plus she wound up with a couple of her besties in her class, so that will make things easier, I'm sure!

Here's to a great year!

4th and 6th graders in the house!

First.  Day.  Of.  School.

Not only that, but first day of school with kids in TWO schools.  First, we dropped off the middle schooler.  And by "dropped off" I mean slow-the-car-down-and-he-jumped-out.  No pictures with teachers, no admiring new school supplies in his desk and his name on the classroom door.

Y'all, he STYLED HIS HAIR THIS MORNING!

Was thrilled that when I picked him up after school he still had a smile on his face (and his hair still styled!).  He told me he thinks he was worried for nothing and middle school is pretty cool.

"For now," mom thinks quietly in her head, trying desperately not to jinx things.

And he loves his reading teacher.  The words "Matthew," "love" and "reading" all in the same sentence.   Hooray!! 

Next was the redhead.  Not only did I get a picture with the new teacher (Mrs. Wood) this morning, but with our pal Will, the principal, and great friend, Amelia.

And for all these reasons I love elementary school, although it was insanely convenient when Matt TEXTED ME to let me know he was coming out of school at the end of the day so I would be watching for him.

Note to self:  Middle school car line sucks.   Avoid at all costs.   

And if the first day of school wasn't exciting enough, it's also my sweet husband's birthday.  No big celebration in the works,  as he's on call and has been late every night this week.  We're going to grab dinner at our favorite Mexican place when he gets home and celebrate with the rest of the family on Sunday.  Hopefully, things will have calmed down by then.

*fingers crossed*

Summer vacation is officially over--but for the record, the Nashville Summer Ice Cream tour continues through Labor Day!

Middle School!

So Matt spent yesterday and today at middle school orientation.

Y'all....I am not ready for this. 

NOT AT ALL.

The takeaways?  He LOVES the Art teacher.  But as he told me, "It's too bad I don't really like art."  I personally think it requires more patience than he cares to expend, but that's only a mama's humble opinion.  But he did find out the Art Teacher is the advisor for the Ultimate Frisbee club, so Matt thinks he wants to join that now.  Matt also apparently came in 5th place in the Locker Olympics.  Sure, it's out of medal contention, but  I'm thinking that's pretty good.  He fretted a bit about remember his combination, but I told him that age 42, I still remembered that my high school locker combination was 25-8-35.

Then he told me he ate lunch by himself today because he just didn't know where to sit.

My heart broke a little bit.  

How can a kid who will brag about being 5th in the Locker Olympics not have the confidence to sit down with a group of people he doesn't know/know well?

So I continue to wait for things to get easier.