Homecoming

 Slipping through my fingers…

I’m getting a taste of what it will be like to let her go in a few years. I’m not ready. My beautiful Leah is in Illinois visiting friends and celebrating Homecoming. And what a homecoming it was. She got to see all her favorite people. I’m thankful for the “village” that made it all possible. She ate at Krekels and Las Margs, caught up with Kamran, and her favorite girl friends. She even got hugs from Christa.Time slow down. 

And in the meantime Kiersten was hanging with all her besties. Christa hosted all of Kiersten’s friends Saturday night for a hangout. On Sunday she went ice skating with Isabella and Cayde and Sunday night she had a sleepover with Ariel. She loves her people big.

Glowing Pumpkins

It’s October and my girls are always up for Halloween fun. When I saw this fun event at Tohono Chul advertised I knew we needed to go. Hattie invited her friend Natalie to join in the fun, and then Aunt Laura and Nat and Jo came along too. We started at Sauce for dinner, and then headed to the park.

The pumpkin displays were fantastic. We loved the Sanderson sisters, and the Under the Sea was great too. Harry Potter and Star Wars were great. And we even got to watch a bit of a carving display. I hope we can take Leah and Kiersten next year.

First Amphi Orchestra Concert

 First orchestra concert in Tucson DONE ✅ 

Through all the ups and downs and curves that have come their way…love of music (and swim) has stayed consistent. We so enjoyed listening to them play tonight, and the added bonus of Leah being the “concert master”. Who knew that was even a thing?!?! 

CDO Classic

Kids are so resilient!!! And we’ve certainly put ours through a lot the last few years. An international move…three different schools, and three different swim teams in three years…and yet they still shine. 

Leah had her first High School Invitational today. She was nervous but she crushed it! She dropped time in both of her races, and looked so strong. There were at least twenty teams at the CDO Classic today. She was seeded 12th in the backstroke and walked away with 5th place. She showed up strong in the fly, too, with a time drop. I’m proud of her and how she just keeps showing up. Can’t wait for the next big meet. Go Dorados!! 

Happy Birthday, Mitch!

Did I mention it’s this guys birthday?!?! Two years ago we celebrated with his favorite…strawberry cheesecake…in Spain. Last year we were separated. There was literally an ocean between us. This year was just another day in the life of parenting three teen/tweenagers. He and Leah got Starbucks before he dropped her off at school…they even delivered to me at Cross. After school we were running to all the things and we spent the night in the CDO bleachers cheering on Bug. But we sang Happy Birthday and the stars certainly aligned for his birthday…Crumbl had Strawberry Cheesecake cookies. So we got him two and a new Vikings hat just in time for the NFL season. Happy Birthday, Dr. Mitch! And thank you for they way you love all these girls, including me.

Spirit Week

IYKYK…or I guess if you’ve been to a High School Football and/or Basketball game this side of 2020 you know! 

It’s Spirit Week…today is teachers vs Students. The kids dress up like staff members, and the staff members dress like the students. I channeled my inner high school girl with the green face paint and gold glitter. I’m sure my kids are mortified. Maybe I’ll sport this look for Leah’s High School Swim Meets. But in all seriousness the girls are settling in nicely. They dressed up for Heroes vs Villains, cowboy vs country club and like their favorite teacher. 

Another First

A lot can change in a summer…

New Start

New State

And today a New School!

I’m so proud of these girls for the way the embrace change! Fortunately for me Hattie and Kiersten are both in my school. Kiersten has spread her wings and she’s serving as a WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) Leader, mentoring 6th graders. She’s taking High School Geometry, Spanish and continuing with Band. They even have Marching Band! Hattie is sticking with her cello, and starts tennis next week.

Leah is embracing sophmore year with a lot of advanced classes and is excited about a school with a SWIM TEAM! I tell you, God has been in the details for this move. Here’s hoping for a great first year in Arizona!