Book 5

Book 5 was a professional development book:

 Published in 2015, it's a seminal work in the higher ed field. I have read a million things that cite it, so I decided I should probably actually read it.

Here is the problem. It is not ground breaking. I think most people would agree with the arguments and paths forward in it. I'm super annoyed, though. This was published 11 years ago and it still totally applies. Sigh. Onward...

Back to Normal!

 We have finally kicked covid to the curb!

Issa can unmask again, and she made it through a full night of dance for the first time last night. Although she was asymptomatic, she realized her body was still fighting the virus. She was getting tired pretty easily, so she is glad to be over that hurdle!

I deep cleaned the last bathroom this morning! Issa and I had been sharing ours to contain any germs, and now that she is through her window we are all moving back to our normal bathrooms and routines.

I'm still trying to get my voice fully back, but I am very, very happy to be closing this chapter!

The Mask in the Room

 You may have noticed Issa was wearing a mask in some of her birthday pictures. After avoiding it for over two years, Issa and I managed to get Covid last week. The Saturday we went to AR Workshop for her birthday, I woke up with a bit of a scratchy throat, which I blamed on allergies. By the time we got home, I was tired and took a nap. Brad woke me up for dinner, but I went back to sleep. When I woke up on Sunday, I felt like I had been hit by a truck and tested positive. I isolated in our room and bathroom, and Brad brought trays of food to the door. I had a really sore throat (which led to a bit of a cough) and was exhausted, but thankfully that was the extent of it.

Tuesday morning, I got an isolation buddy:

Issa had zero symptoms, but she tested positive. It was much more fun to have a buddy. She was able to keep up with her school work, and we did a lot of binge watching. She also cleaned out my drawers, closet, and jewelry box! 

I could go into the out Friday, so I took over some of the meal running. Issa could come out Sunday. Today is the first day I don't have to mask at home, and Issa will be all the way clear on Friday! Thankfully, both boys avoided it.

Issa and I are still recovering. My throat and voice are still not 100%, and we both get tired pretty easily. 

Covid is a funny thing. We have no idea where we picked it up. Everyone I talked to has had a slightly different experience, and we are feeling very lucky that our cases were as mild as they were. We are so ready to get back to normal!

Such a Relief

I am one happy mama today. Yesterday was the first day kids 12-15 could get a Covid booster shot. It also just happened to be the day that our school district was doing an evening pop-up clinic at the high school. Voila--two boosted kiddos:

 The actual clinic was a disorganized mess, but the nurse that did the kids' vaccines was incredible. Even Evan didn't mind getting the shot from him, and he is not a fan of shots. We were there for an hour and a half, but we all didn't mind. With this latest surge, it just feels so good to know the kids have one more layer of protection.

Torn

Yesterday I posted this picture because I was so excited:

 I taught EDU 234 to 19 undergrads who are so excited to be back on campus and in classes. It's the first course I ever taught here, and it felt so, so good to be back. It feeds my soul.

But when I got home, I got a bit nervous. I was in a room with 19 undergrads. While we are masked, we are only three feet apart. Our numbers are inching up. I'd be lying if I said it didn't make nervous.

So I'm torn. And I'm letting myself sit with that for a while.

Day 448: These Two

When we brought Tora home, We really hoped she and Inks would be friends and that Inks would fill that big sister/mama cat role. Boy did we get everything we hoped for on that one. Tora wants to follow Inks everywhere, and Inks generally lets her--although sometimes it's reluctantly:

Inks will share her window, but she keeps the middle and lets Tora squeeze in the edge.

Last night, I found them staring into the fireplace:

 

There was nothing there, and I really think Inks was just waiting to see how long Tora would look with her.

They bring us great joy, and I'm awfully glad they joined our family.

Day 446: Big Steps

 Yesterday was kind of a lot.

For the first time, I dropped Issa off at the high school and got a lump in my throat. She is doing a week long "camp" with her interior design teacher where they are doing all of the hands-on things they couldn't do this year. As it should be, the teacher has communicated directly with Issa. I dropped her off not knowing who was going to be there or what exactly the plan for the week would be. Given that we have pretty much been together 24/7 for over a year, it was really odd.

The great news is she had a blast! It is just she and one other girl there this week, and Issa loves her teacher. They are building models of rooms they design, and she came home last night all excited to work on her sketches so she would be ready to start building today. 

Then, I was checking instagram while the boys were at the dojo, and there was a picture of Brad training with another adult. For the first time in over a year, he and Evan split. Evan trained with his buddy, Collin, and Brad worked with another adult. The both had a blast.

It's all just a little surreal--this return to life as it will be. I'm letting myself have all of the feelings for a while...

Day 445: She's Really the Big Kid

Last summer, we had a high schooler, but with Covid and everything being locked down, we didn't feel the shift. Even during the school year, we didn't feel a huge shift. Sure she was taking high school classes and the academic demands grew, but with one a few exceptions she did school in her room and didn't miss a beat. This summer, though, I'm feeling it.

A lot of her friends and 15 and old enough for real jobs. She can't get a work permit, but she is cobbling together odd jobs this summer. She had a plant watering gig, but now that school's out the family has more time to garden and paused Issa coming until they get too busy again. She has already lined up a few pet sitting gigs throughout the summer. 

Last week, though, she took dance lessons for one of the little neighbor girls. She comes here one a week so they can use Issa's barre and dance floor. It was so fun to watch her prep:

She is choreographing a little dance for the end of summer show, and she has made a whole playlist of music for their classes. She even assembles a sticker basket for the end of class. Their first lesson was yesterday, and it was so surreal for me to watch Issa really teach. She is so good with littles, and this little can't wait to come back next week.

Somehow, Issa just seems older and more mature this summer. It is so fun to just sit back and watch her become who she is. 

Days 442-444: A Very Big Weekend

We had a super fun weekend! Friday afternoon, I took the kids shopping. Evan needed some dress clothes, and Issa needed some dance clothes. I'm still not sure about this whole shopping in the men's department thing, but we had a great time, and they both made great choices!

Friday night, Brad and I went out to celebrate my birthday! Issa helped me get ready:

He had made reservations at the Siena Hotel, and we had a beautiful room:

I love the look of these chairs, but they aren't so great for actually sitting:

We also had dinner at their restaurant, Il Palio, and it was absolutely the best meal I've had stateside. We started with crostini, and the chicken pate and whipped ricotta with honey were both incredible. We shared an antipasti of prosciutto with fava beans, Cavender cheese, and arancini oil that was killer. I had an absolutely fabulous Bolognese over hand-cut pappardelle. We both ended with almond cake, and I had Vin Santo--one of the very places I've found it outside of Italy. Our waiter was from Napoli, and it really did feel like being back in my second home.

Saturday, Evan started our D&D game, and we all had a blast! It's so fun to watch him take on this new role.

Sunday, Brad decided it was time to redo the office. We dumped everything:

We started my cleaning out the coat closet so the hall tree could move in there. That cleared a lot of space and opened the room. We also took down the Roman shades and replaced them with some sheer curtains we had from before we redid the living room. We removed some bins and an end table, moved all of the furniture, and the end result gives Brad a move open desk space:

The piano is more of a focal point when you walk in:

And the doorway is more open:

Moving the bar also opened up this entryway, which is lovely:

It was a lot of work for one day, but we are all thrilled by how much more open the downstairs feels, and Brad is much, much happier in this space.

 

Day 441: Settling Into Summer

We are soaking up the first week of summer vacation. During the school year, lunch breaks didn't really line up, so we are enjoying family lunches with occasional board game:

The kids did yoga with me Monday night, and we have managed to sneak in walks every day:

Issa and I got facials yesterday, and the boys have been going to the dojo more. It's lovely to have less on our calendars and more time to just be.
 

Day 440: Second Dose!

Yesterday was a very big day:

 Look at those vaccine Band-Aids! We are in the two week countdown for going into the out, and we all couldn't be more thrilled! (Although Evan was pretty sure we didn't need a picture to commemorate it.)

Day 439: Yoga Buddies

For the past several months, Brad and I have been doing Sunday morning Best Friends Yoga with Stephanie at Monarch Movement. We log on at 8:45 with a cup of coffee, catch up with a pretty regular group of people, and then start an hour long practice at 9.

For about a month, we have also been doing a Monday Night Slow Flow at Monarch Movement with Becca, who used to be one of Issa's dance teachers. Last night, the kids joined in:

Becca was so excited to see Issa again, and it was a great practice. 

Monarch has become a home for our whole family, and it is so lovely to connect with people without having to leave our house. 
 

Days 437-438: Closing One Chapter and Opening Another

This weekend was spent closing one chapter and beginning the next. Ten years ago to the day Issa had her first dance recital at To the Pointe:

Here she is in her last:

It is amazing to see how much she has grown as a dancer. She has always loved it, but she has gotten so strong...and she has a bit more stage presence:

Ballet is still her favorite, and she loved dancing with Ms. Kathy this year:

And she still had her usual cheering section:

Although Dad is now learning to strike her poses:

After ten years, though, it is time to make a move. We will always be grateful for the technique and foundation she gained at TTP, but the increased focus on competition just isn't for us. The good news is some of Issa's dance friends are moving with her:

And Sunday we officially became Monarchs, so we celebrated with butterfly nails:

 

Issa will be part of the Kaleidoscope Team, and we are so excited! She will compete, but only three times and only one group dance and a solo. The focus will be more on community performances--some that will be designed for specific spaces. Their first opportunity will be designing a piece that will be danced in the sculpture garden of the Nasher Art Museum. It will be recorded and become part of their collection, too!

Issa is so excited to get to continue dancing but to be able to focus more on the art and joy of it again. And we are all excited for this next chapter to begin...

Day 436: That's a Wrap

Just like that we have a seventh grader:

He was truly flummoxed as to why I might want a picture to commemorate this event hence the face. He is also in what I'm sure will be his summer uniform: pajamas. He will dressed to leave the house, but even backyard fun can be done in pajamas.

We are so proud of him. In a crazy, pandemic, first-year of middle school, he earned a 4.0. His teachers left really strong positive comments on his report card, and he is ready for seventh.

Now, summer officially begins!

 

Day 435: Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my 41st birthday. Last year, I published my stance on all the things. I still stand by those, and I've spent the last year speaking those more boldly. I'm unapologetically who I am, and I've enjoyed getting to know myself and taking care of myself better. My 40s are shaping up to be a fabulous decade.

Yesterday, my family gave me an absolutely perfect birthday. I woke up to packages on the bathroom counter. Guess which one was from Evan:

It made me laugh so hard.

Issa and I started the day by picking strawberries:

The baskets always look so small in the field, so we picked way too many berries:

We had Nickel for lunch and I opened my gifts. Issa gave me this black bracelet. It says "Bad Ass Mom" in Morse code:

I love it! The kids went together on this cool gift box:

And Evan totally forgot what the box said and got me this mug:

It made me laugh so hard. 

The whole family pitched in to make me nachos and strawberry shortcake for dinner, and I was asleep by nine. A perfect day!
 

Day 434: First and Last Days of Freshman Year in the Building

Within the past week, Issa has had her first and last day of in-person freshman year. She just had to go in for exams. Last week it was biology:

Yesterday was interior design:

She only had to take the two state finals; she was exempt from her teacher-made finals. 

We could not be more proud of this girl. In a pandemic, she finished her freshman year with a 4.25. She has become really involved in the Red Cross Club, and she has been invited to take part in an interior design camp this summer. I can't wait to see what she does next year!

 

Days 430-433: Weekend Adventures

Brad made a whirlwind trip to Ohio this weekend. One of our good friends lost his dad, and the suite guys all got together for him. Since the kids are not fully vaccinated, we stayed behind and spent the weekend doing outdoor adventures and projects!

Saturday, Aunt Shannon and Nana joined us at the zoo. So much more was open, including the giraffe feeding deck:

The volunteer was kind enough to set up a group photo, too!

One of the other highlights was watching Nana with the red river hogs. She really loves these little guys:

Sunday, the kids and I went to the Greensboro Science Center for a little more animal fun. The meerkats stole the show:

Although Evan really loved the rhino iguana:

And we were very excited to see the monkeys who twine tails:

The last time we saw them was in Chicago!

Issa was not a fan of the roaming peacocks, though:

She finds them sinister, which I find hysterical! I was also terribly amused by this gibbon photo bomb:

It was a really beautiful day, so the lemurs were super busy:

Yesterday, it was pretty chilly, so our pool day plans got cancelled. Instead, we redid out plant wall:

When we first did it, I was worried about drainage, but pinterest told me not to worry. Pinterest was wrong. So...we added some drainage and some new plants. The whole top row is not tea/medicinal herbs. The bottom row is cooking herbs. We have high hopes for this attempt three!

This is the last week of school and the second week of my summer intensive course. Summer is in sight! 

 

Day 429: Hard but not Easy

I am posting this story with Evan's permission because he agrees it is hysterical and worth remembering.

My dear, sweet son can cook whole meals--well. He can wield a chef's knife, use a wok, and grill a steak. He can follow complex recipes with just a little help. But the other day at lunch we found a major hole:

 Somehow, I never taught him how to make grilled cheese. Burner on high and no butter on the bread. Take two was delicious, though!