​Hi I’m Abby who’s going to be the storyteller today!
We first went to church and father Pradeep blessed us and our van. Then we said goodbye to my sweet pea (dad). Then we drove to Mimi and papa’s house to pick up papa. From there we drove to Pensacola with papa and stayed in their condo but first we went to our cousins house and had meatball subs for dinner. The next day we drove to Hattiesburg to visit uncle Carl and aunt Glenda’s house to say hi. Then we rode around on the visit train and drove to uncle bill’s house and lastly visited aunt dells house, and we spent the night there. The next day Uncle Bill treated us to lunch. Then aunt Del hosted a party for papa at her house, and we worked on tons of puzzles then we drove to Madison to visit Voss’s godmother. She has two kids named Kate and Cannon. The next morning, Amy surprised us by bringing her boys, Noah, Axel, and Colter. Then papa got us pizza. Then we drove back to Natchez and spent the night at Aunt Del’s. The next morning papa got a plane ride home to Florida from one of his good friends, and we drove to Arkansas. We went to hot springs national park with my mom’s friend from the Peace Corps. Her name is Amy. Then we had a sleepover at their house. She also has a boy named Leo who has a dartboard, and we through darts. The next day we went to Fort Scott, George Washington carver, and fort Smith. All in one day. fort Scott was on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas. These are national monuments. George Washington Carver is in Missouri. He was a black man who did great things.Fort Smith is in Kansas. We had a tour around fort Smith, however, it was really hot. Then we slept in a hotel and had ramen noodles for dinner. What made that nice and peaceful is that it was raining! Then we went to the Brown  V board of education. Witch was a school for black and white students, however they had to be separated by color. The next day, we drove to the Niobrara state park. They had a thing there where basically you get a taco bar and ice cream. When you ate your ice cream, a poet came and cited some funny poems. Then, we slept in the car witch was first really hot and then it cot very very cold! I didn’t get that much sleep that night but luckily today we were doing something different. On our way to the Badlands, we saw some Amish people. These are people who don’t want to have like things that we have nowadays like for example electricity and new medicines. Once we made it to the Badlands, we went on a couple hikes. Then we went to a cool store called Wall drug. It had tons of shops like taxidermy shops and they even had a chapel! So we got some lunch and mom let me get a bag of cotton candy taffy’s however, I had to share them with my siblings. Anyways on the way to a little camp site I was chewing on a taffy when I felt something hard in my taffy so I pulled it out and it turns out I had lost my tooth! After that we checked in to the camp site and ours was pretty small but cute. I slept on the top bunk of one of the two bunk beds. The next day we went to another national monument and this one was Mount Rushmore! We saw a little breakfast place so we went in there and ordered two biscuits and bacon. When I was in the middle of my breakfast, a dude in a suit walked up to me. At first I thought he was gonna steal my biscuit but then mom said, “oh look it’s one of the presidents on Mount Rushmore!” Then the first thing I thought was”So is he gonna steal my biscuit or not?” That night we checked into a new cabin. It was a bit bigger than the other one and they even had a playground, a hot tub, a sauna, and a shower that was not even in our cabin! We stayed in there for three days. So the third day we went to Jewel cave, and Wind cave. And the second day was the Fourth of July! We went to a parade in downtown Custer. They threw out candy and someone even threw a perfectly good plastic orange water bottle to Voss!  After the parade we went and got hotdogs and I got my face painted and then I went on a  bounce house with Voss. After that we went to Crazy Horse, a face of a very great Native American carved into a mountain. After that we went back to Crazy Horse after going to the cabin and coming back. We got hot chocolate and blankets and sat down for a laser light show!  It was just so cold though. The next day we left the cabin. And drove to Devil’s Tower National monument. It kind of looks like a giant volcano!  However, it has a cool myth behind it. A normal boy turned into a bear and clawed the mountain to get girls who soon had been raised up into the gods! Afterwards we drove seven and a half hours to Yellowstone National Park!  So that’s where we are now! Here are our pictures so far- https://photos.app.goo.gl/bU5HyGUgz4m3qA486  

Tomorrow we head out on our big road trip. It's been a very rainy week. Swim team was canceled on Tuesday due to the rain so that through us for a loop. Marly and I went to the gym. She spent the night Tuesday with her pal, Langley. I started the process of crossing items off my to do list to get packed up for our epic road trip of the year. We did lots of laundry, cleaned out nick nack corners around the house. Marly and Abby watched Harry Potter's Goblet of Fire after finishing the 4th book. I've been going to exercise classes at the gym each day. We had Ellie's pal, Leah over and went tubing and paddle boarding. We met the Strassers for pizza on Tuesday. I brought my van in for a tune up on Wednesday. We had a scalloping meeting with the VanWies and Nixons on Wednesday that turned into quite the night out that night. Kids had a ball on the lawn. Ellie has been babysitting a bunch. I cleaned out the garage and got an allergic reaction to something. Super grateful my dermatologist was a text away with a call into the pharmacist. It's been a huge bummer the latter part of the week. The left side of my face is swollen, itchy and puffy. Ellie had Cora over that afternoon. Marly and Abby have been babysitting this week, too. Ellie and I went thrifting with my pal, Liz on Thursday. Abby and I watched 'Are you There God, It's Me, Margaret". Phil and I went out with the Rosses that night. Spot had a sleepover at my parent's (most likely his last one!) The Applegate kids came to play on Friday. I went to visit my pal, Kathleen and meet baby Julian. Ellie babysat while the other kids went to see Spiderman and have a sleepover at the Knopfels. Phil and I checked out the new Oceana with the Flanders. Today was a mad scramble with laundry, cleaning, errands and packing. I did a lot of yelling. The Bentons graciously had us over for a last hurrah. We picked up Southern Steer meat to grill and sat in the hot tub catching up. Perfect nightcap before the next phase of our summer. Here are the pics of the week.

​It’s been a rainy, overcast week… not looking like a typical summer day minus the humidity. Swimming every morning has kept us in a routine. I was super bummed on Monday to learn I’m not moving up to the B team. I had a day of depression and then climbed out. Listening to The Idea of You by Robinne Lee has helped. I’ve been trying to look like a regular in the gym taking HIT class while they swim. Ellie skipped swim to do Stanton Summer Bridge 3 days this week. It was a high school intro with 3 full days of school getting to know the campus and some new friends. Tuesday they had a parents version. I think the school is even more amazing than when I went there. The parent panel blew me away. She’s ready! Mary and Abby have been taking turns watching 3 preschoolers while their mom works from home in the afternoons. It’s been a win-win, for sure! They ride bikes over there (unless it’s pouring) and spend a few hours playing in the pool, water toys, baking and whatever else. Voss had a play date with his pal, Isabel and a fun day with Zachary running into more school friends at the indoor jump zone and then looking for sharks teeth at the beach. Marly made $50 at a Kool-aid stand. She used her babysitting cash to start up. She’s had a few play dates with her pal, Addy. She and Ellie did some drop in dance classes. Ellie had a sleepover with Charlotte and Krisha and then Sara’s Birthday party. I still picked her up in time for Friday morning practice. I’ve finally updated the video section of the website. I had another Nutcracker board meeting and then our first PTSA board meeting for the next school year. The girls and I (plus Addison) went to Sammy’s recital on Friday night. The first act didn’t seem very different from ours but the second act was off the chain! They have so many older dancers. The flipping and acro classes were awesome. It was long but we enjoyed it. We had our last swim meet on Saturday morning at Pace Island. It drizzled quite a bit with a sight rain delay. The meet was still over by 10:30am; very efficient! They were a fast team. Voss got a heat winner ribbon. Ellie missed one by a fraction of a second. Marly also was quite close. Abby is still DQing in breast stroke. Oh well. Such strong swimmers! We packed up and hopped in the car and drove to Miami. Gloria’s Birthday was last week. Pop’s turns 89 next week! Father’s Day on Saturday and then we had to meet Vane’s baby, my first niece, Isidora! We went to a Columbian restaurant Saturday night, Macita’s. Abu and I split a pitcher of sangria and Marly serenaded us with Miley Cirus. We went on a mango walk Sunday morning, they are falling from the trees down there! Vane came over with Isidora. It rained all day and we fought over holding her. She’s a beautiful baby doll. There were dance parties, lots of good food, monopoly, I finished Abu’s puzzle, naps and way too much screen time. It was good to be there to celebrate all the things. Now, we are driving back to Jacksonville. Gotta get home in time for Phil’s tennis match, Marly to babysit and me to get to book club. Here are the pics of the week

First week of summer 2023 is under our belt. Swim team every morning for 2 full hours. They were worn out and hungry. On Monday we went to the library to sign up for summer reading. No free lunch as they'd run out. I made BLTs at home instead. Every afternoon I am making them all do Prodigy, Achieve and at least 30min of library DEAR time. Some of them usually fall asleep. I've been slowly going through all the clothes in their rooms. Cleaning out closets and going through the new bags of hand me downs in the garage. This project is going into next week, too. It's a lot. St. Johns VBS for the win. On Monday, Phil and I took the Hogan girls and Ellie to studio rehearsals at Jax City Ballet. We had a date at the MX restaurant then I listened to my book and rucked. Tuesday, I went running with Spot in the morning and rucking with Rachael during VBS. We met Emily for dinner at the Flafel bar during VBS. Wednesday, I went to the HIT class at the gym then to the Art Walk alone then crashed the Bentons date. The Hogans took Ellie to dance for us. Great carpooling with the Weisses for VBS. Thursday, I went running without Spot then pulled the kids out of swim to go to the dentist- cavity free! But we have to go back for sealants and extractions. Phil and I had a date to OrSay then met up with the Strassers, Foxes and Alberts for a night cap at Lillians. Friday I did a HIT class then Marly and I went grocery shopping. I took Ellie to her dress rehearsal for Sleeping Beauty. This was the real deal with the owner sitting front and center with a microphone critiquing. We got out early enough to meet the fam for a post rain sunset dinner at TCC. Early bedtime for all to prepare for a full Saturday. We began with a meet at Eagle Harbor. Lots of great swimming from all 4! It's a great summer with all of them being at the top of their age group. Phil timed. We finished at 11 and raced home. I did Ellie's hair (learned how to do a bun with a hair net) then went to TCC to play a USTA match with Sally. I finally won one this season! The rain came and off to the Jax City Ballet recital. It was amazing! The costumes, choreography and level of dance! What a show! We're so proud of Ellie! We dropped her at Cora's graduation party, picked up Voss (he had a play date with Luka during the recital), brought my parent's home and dropped off the kids then Phil and I went to Ryan and Jack's graduation party. We picked up Ellie from Cora's then headed home for another early bedtime after a full day of fun! This morning we slept in, Phil made breakfast then went to a late 10:30 mass. They did a neat Eucharist Benediction. Ellie babysat the Agrestis. Marly babysat the Freis. I played a USTA match with Kerri (and won) then played a singles set with one of our opponents and won 6-1. Phil and I sat in the pool for a bit then picked up the girls babysitting. We're headed to an E-Street dinner with the Strassers to wind down this Sunday Funday. Here are the pics from the week.

The last week of school was a week of getting out at noon. Why is this? I have no idea. I had enough time to exercise and do one more thing before school pick up. It was like they were in preschool all over again. Tuesday Ellie had a van full of girls over to swim at TCC for a graduation party. It was so nice to have the pool to ourselves. The ice cream cake melted quickly and I didn't pack enough food but I think the girls had a great time. My youngest three were very angry that I made them stay for swim team practice (I let Ellie hang with her friends that hadn't been picked up yet). Everyone was asleep by 7:30. Boom! Abby had an awards ceremony on Wednesday. No honor roll but she got attendance, citizenship, art and a TOT award. Although she made a C in math (barely), she scored a 4 on the FAST! Kudos to Ms. Brown for kicking her butt! I did a mad scramble for the Dreamette fundraiser; counting cards and delivering them to school. So glad all that is finished. Thank you to everyone who supported Abby. Her patrol group beat the fundraising record! I finally beat Vanessa in singles (it'd been a while) in a tie breaker! Lauren and I went on a date in St. Augustine while the girls had rehearsal. She needed a ride and then took me to dinner. Sunset walk/ruck on the beach. Phil took the others to swim team and played tennis. Thursday the kids had class parties. Vanessa and I went to the first coast captains meeting. I'm handing that over to her...but still haven't received an invitation to join the B team. As time passes, my hopes are slipping. The kids had a practice meet that evening. Ellie's first practice of the season. The last day of school Abby stayed home sick (she just had a fever and didn't seem right) so there goes my last morning of a quiet house! Ellie babysat that night, Phil and I went on a date to TCC. We celebrated Pride Month in Keith & Chris' backyard watching their neighbor's rainbow lights. Saturday morning started way too early as we headed to Oakleaf for the kids first swim meet of the season. They were less than thrilled and the meet began very disorganized. It got better and all 4 got a heat winner ribbon! We dashed from there to the Quinn twins Birthday party in their playground of a backyard. Water slide and high jump off the dock, another inflatable slide in the yard, Moes catering and so many fun people to catch up with. Somehow we dashed from there to the Freeman's rager- celebrating Carl's Birthday and Sophie's elementary graduation. Live music, Tijuana Flats (with Five Star for late night pizza), dads volleyball tournament; that party went 12-12! Ellie had Charlotte and Cora sleepover. Marly stayed there. Somehow I got up to play tennis in Beachwalk at 8:30am (with a 7:30 warm up!) I lost in singles and man it stings. That's what I get for skipping mass. I met the fam for lunch at Firehouse. We had a quiet afternoon. I finally picked up Marly from the Freemans and pretty much brought her to the VanWies. The Hogans took us for a sunset boat cruise through downtown. Too cloudy for a sunset but we didn't mind. Ready for summer! Here are our photos of the week.

One. Day. At. A. Time. That is how I'm doing this. Abby is now officially a patrol. Her training is over and now she is on the job. We have a bike gang that meets up and rides in together (while younger siblings hang until their turn to go in to school). She's selling ice cream gift cards as her first fundraiser. We had our last First Coast match of the season. Kerri and I walked away with a win. We stayed for lunch to celebrate. We had a new student night at the middle school so I went to help get new PTSA members. It was a big night for Duval county, turning quite blue and electing our first female mayor! I got to lunch with my high school pal, Alex on Wednesday. And then Thursday was a tennis play day with lots of the country club crew followed with a nice lunch at Jax Golf. I was happy to walk away with a win on every court for that round robin. Our team got a huge trophy for winning the league. That night Voss had his final play off game and won! He's so lucky winning the whole division AGAIN! I ran from there to Wine Women & Shoes, supporting my friend, Lauren. It was such a great event. Rachael and I ended up meeting Phil at Lillians. All week were studio rehearsals at dance so that was a lot of racing back and forth with new times and durations. I was saved Thursday night, already being two places at once, when a friend's mom dropped Ellie off on base barefoot at the ball park; yeah that's about how the week went! Ellie got to go to Gradventure with many 8th graders in the city. They closed Universal down and had a ball...even in the rain. We had a great night with Keith & Chris catching up over charcuterie in the living room. I got up and got beat in a singles match at Boone park then Spot and I took Ellie to her dance practice in St. Augustine. Phil took Voss to his baseball team party then dropped Marly at one Birthday party and took the littles to another for Voss' friend, Isabel. That night was the MOPS & POPS party at the Spencer's. We went to mass on Sunday and had our CCD end of the year party. The older girls went to a volunteer meeting for VBS while Phil and I went to lunch. Then the girls got ready and we headed downtown for dress rehearsal. We had 14 costumes to bring and Ellie left one at home (to be fair, it was a costume they re-used from last year). Phil and I got into a knock down drag out and he eventually brought the costume to a friend who brought it to the theater in the second shift. That put a damper on the night but it was still fun to see all the dances and sit with all the dance moms. Monday Voss had a Kindness Cotillion at school. It was the sweetest thing. His teacher started it years ago when she felt the need to teach the class empathy. She read the book Wonder and then put on this day of fun activities. They wrote kind notes to each other, dances, made crowns and watched the movie, Wonder. It was amazing. I raced from there to get Ellie out of school and ready in a hotel bathroom for the first call time. I went back home to get the others and get them ready. Phil got my parents and Voss and tailgated with other dads at the hotel across from the theater. The girls did such a great job knowing all the steps, smiling and showing off their stage presence. I'm so proud of them! It rained like a monsoon! We went to Mellow Mushroom for a late dinner. I worked on my VO2 max and met Steph and Jess at High Tide for lunch. Voss cleaned up at his awards ceremony; All A's, citizenship, perfect attendance and the PE award.  I met Rachael for rucking and lunch downtown over the bridges. Ellie graduated from 8th grade that evening. We were only allowed 2 tickets for guests so Phil and I went and sat in the hot gym bleachers. It's a very impressive group of 8th graders! My parents picked up my other 3 and met us for a celebratory dinner at TCC (calling in our orders before the kitchen closed!) Gorgeous sunset for photos with friends outside the gym. I'm so proud of Ellie on finishing middle school with all A's and headed to one of the top high schools in the country! Friday morning we hit the ground running for Readers Beach. In the rain we set up tents, water, popcorn and snow cones. It was a cluster! I'm amazed at the teachers at this middle school who go all out and do so much for the students! I dipped out in the middle to go to my first Nutcracker board meeting. Who knew the Community Nutcracker did so much for Dreams Come true and for the dancers! I can't wait for this party to begin! Back to the middle school to close down readers beach and return everything I had borrowed! Right about then I got a reminder that Ellie had rehearsal out in St. Augustine! I was wiped! Thankfully Phil drove and we met the Hogans for dinner while the girls danced. Marly and Voss had a sleepover with our neighbor. Abby was happy to have a quiet night alone. Saturday was a chilly day. I spent most of the day cleaning the house and getting my life back together. Marly went to a friend's Birthday party. I finished listening to Hello Beautiful and started Demon Copperhead. Ellie went to Addison's, Abby had Virginia over. Voss went to the Jumbo Shrimp game with the Strassers. Abby, her friend and I surprised my parents at 5pm mass. I went to my neighbor's Birthday party with a live band on the roof! Sunday was kina an off day. We were supposed to go for a boat day but it was too chilly so we went to TCC instead. We hung with the Hollands and had lunch by the pool (in sweatshirts!) Abby spent the night at Virginia's. We took Ellie to Anna Kate's graduation party. This morning we celebrated Memorial Day by reading about Lt. Murphy then doing an abridged version of the Murph Challenge. We headed to the pool for festivities. Water slide, candy and money dive and I won a cocktail by being the only mom to do the obstacle course! We had ribs for dinner with my parents. Phil took all the kids tubing. Home in time for an early bedtime and to take a breather before the last week of school! Whew! Here are the pics of the last 2 weeks. 

And here we are mid-Maycember. I got a few more gray hairs this week. Just sitting here amazed with myself at how all these things happened and I got to be all over. I love it, but it does take a toll. Monday was a breather to prep for the week. After tennis clinic, I started the new Bridgerton and it is so good! Rucking in the evening for dance and Laurie helping me put all of next week in my phone calendar. Phew! That's the first step. Tuesday was Phil's Birthday. After getting spanked on the court (and not my best match with Sally), I met the Birthday boy for lunch at a burger place near his office. They had the best brussel sprouts I've ever had! Voss got a great hit to third (to bad he got out) to celebrate his dad's Birthday. The team sang, they brought in a win and we did an after party at Mellow Mushroom with some friends to celebrate. We continued to the Bier hall. I got in a good run on Wednesday and started Peter Attia's new book. April and I met for a pedicure and Judy Blume sesh. Such chicken soup for the soul! Ellie babysat, I drove Marly's dance carpool that night and packed up for a quick dash across the country. Thursday morning, I picked up my parents, drove middle school carpool then headed to the airport. The stress began early with my nephew waiting for us at the airport then our flight was delayed so much that I considered not going at all...thinking we'd miss our connection and not get into WA until 10pm that night. We ended up getting super lucky in ATL and although we missed our connection we did get on another one that left at 2pm (instead of having to fly to Michigan and then to Seattle). Running through the airport with my parents and nephew about did me in. The good news is that we got on that flight and I read 75% of my book club book. Crazy that we can cross the country in one day (even with delays!). Suzanne got the rental car and picked us up and drove the Whidby. We made it just in time for the sunset and my brother's party. I helped close it down and clean up, fumbled around the inn seeing deer and looking for our room. I got up way too early (thank you east coast time zone) and got to see my nephews and have Belgin waffles for breakfast. We loaded a car and went to check out Deception Pass on the way to the change of command. We got to see Matt's last flight which was super cool and emotional. He gave a great speech and the captain after him showered on the accolades. I'm so proud of my brother, Matt. We had a seafood lunch to celebrate after then I hopped in the car with Kelley and Erik to head back to Seattle. They flew out first. I returned their rental car and my friend, Jenny picked me up. She was my first sight mate in the Peace Corps. I hadn't seen her since our wedding! I loved catching up with her! I thought I'd have plenty of time since my flight didn't board until 10:50 but the traffic and security line at SeaTac is insane. I ended up sprinting through the airport (I seriously ran a mile in 10min barefoot- no time to put my shoes back on!) and making it to my flight...I did have 10min to spare but didn't know that at the time. Phew! That was scary! Of course we sat on the tarmac for half an hour and something was up with the ac and water so it was a hot mess. I tried to sleep on the red eye but there is a reason they call it a red eye. The delay didn't affect me too much in Atlanta. I had time to let a few people run before me (been there!) then brush my teeth in the bathroom then immediately board the flight for Jax. I was lucky there and had a whole row to myself. I laid out and slept the whole way. I stopped for coffee and made it just in time for the Confirmation practice. I am sponsoring Charlotte and her mom is sponsoring Ellie. Meanwhile, Voss won his playoff game and even slid home for a run! We left right from there to go to Jax City ballet for Ellie's Sleeping Beauty practice. I rucked, read and napped. I had time to unpack, shower and then head to the Confirmation mass. It was a nice ceremony with the new Bishop. Ellie did an excellent job of introducing him! I loaded up the JWJ kids after the mass and headed to MOSH for the 8th grade semi-formal. The Rasches treated us all with CFA on the go. I'm so amazed with the teachers at this middle school. They went above and beyond to make this such a special event for the 8th graders. It's such a cool school! Somehow I made it to the Benton after all this to put my feet in their hot tub and sip a glass of wine. Ah. Sunday was Mother's Day and my children let me sleep in until almost 11! It was luxurious! We finally had a lazy day of getting read for the week. We had dinner and dessert at Biscottis as a family to celebrate mothers and Confirmation. We did a rosary walk then an early bedtime. Here are the photos from the week.

I mean, it shouldn't just be a week. We should appreciate teachers all the time. Think of them when voting. Stephanie did an awesome job with the week at the middle school. Massages, snacks, thank you notes (hanging in the lunch room for a few hours about did me in). We had the final PTSA meeting and stuffed all the snack bags for exam treats. Stockton has everything working like a well oiled machine. Aside from Venmo-ing a few room moms, I came to the school one morning to buy coffee and a cinnamon roll from the coffee truck outside the school. It was pretty amazing. SQ and I went with M&D to his neurologist appointment and then I took them to his primary care doc for a follow up. A lot to manage and keep tabs. I played a lot of tennis this week. No Tuesday match, it was a bi-week. Steph invited us to sit at her table for the Angels for Allison breakfast. Vanessa has me in this USTA 3.0 league. I played in a make up match with Patti on Monday. The wind was so crazy it was laughable. I played in a singles match on Thursday. It was so close it was killer. I lost the first set tie-breaker 4-7, won the 2nd set 6-4 then lost the third set tie breaker 7-10. Ugh! Jennifer and I played in a doubles match on Sunday and got spanked 3-6,3-6. Gotta get out of my loosing streak! I convinced my mom to go to her high school reunion. We took care of dad duty. Ellie, Abby and Voss spent Friday night with him. Ordering Chinese food and watching movies. Phil and I went to the beach with the Camps to 11 South and then the PV Concert Hall to see Kathleen Mattigan. I think I laughed for 2 straight hours. It was awesome! Saturday Ellie had dance and I rucked. Voss had a bi-week but Phil and Marly volunteered in the concession stand. Abby and Voss had Papa duty. He loves Voss' transportation book. Marly stayed with Papa Saturday night. We went to two Derby parties. So close for 2 Phil's! Dad came with us to mass on Sunday. Then, SQ took over the afternoon. The girls and I paddleboarded to the Nixons for a visit. It was an early bedtime for all! Here are the photos of the week.

Hello Maycember! It's here! The last week of April was on fast forward. One great thing about a weekly blog is that it allows me to reflect on the week and acknowledge the highlights. It is amazing how much happens in one week. While rucking on Monday, Tracy gave me props for the scheduling aspect of my motherhood journey. It's insane. We had book club on Monday night to discuss Four Winds, which I listened to on our first road trip and it's still fresh in my mind. Not Kristin Hannah's best, but still a good read. Regan was surprised I left early but this party rock star is getting old. I chose SAC over tennis on Tuesday morning then popped in for the DCCPTA meeting. I made it to a pop up school board meeting on Wednesday after getting to sub in for B. Lots happening with Desantis trying to clean house. Trying to keep my foot in the door and my eyes open. Kona Ice for early release kept the kids entertained so I could be late. We had our last show of the season that night: Mean Girls. Definitely the best show of the season! We went to a fundraiser for the Will King foundation on Thursday. We made it for Holy Shiitake right in time to listen to the monsoon happening outside. Adoration with my parents on Friday was a perfect quiet time to remember I had signed up to bring dinner to a friend who had surgery. Got that together then hugged my sister on her Birthday then went to celebrate Lauren's Birthday at Steph's. She really is the hostess with the mostest. My in laws came in town for the weekend so we welcomed them with Friday night dinner at Trents. Another super Saturday starting with a baseball game for Voss, loved seeing him slide into home for the first time! Phil took some kids and his parents to celebrate Alex' Confirmation with a family lunch. I took Ellie to dance and then popped over to Maggianos for Kathleen's baby shower. I loved catching up with the SHS crew. After dance we got Abu hair cuts then took Ellie to a babysitting gig. TCC threw an incredible 100 anniversary party. Thunderstorms were a bummer that afternoon. Instead the mermaids moved into the bar. It was a prohibition theme with black out curtains, speakeasy, so many flowers, acrobats, robot light dancers, live music, DJ and so much delicious food. I can only party like that every 100 years. Sunday we celebrated Voss' First Communion. We had lunch at the Grove after the celebrate. We had to chill that afternoon to recover and prepare for the first week of Maycember. Here are the pics from the week.

I had another week of tennis. I guess I need to step it up in the weekend parenting going forward...but it was so nice to be in yet another tournament. On Monday I went with Voss on a field trip to see the Magic School Bus musical at the Florida Theater. We had lunch at Boone park after (crashing sweet Franny's 3rd Birthday). It was fun to meet new parents, connect with old ones and spend time with Voss. More afternoon rucking in the park (thankful for the leftover jellybeans for fuel). Spent some time with my dad in the afternoon, adoration and Voss' games. He had one on Thursday and Saturday. He got a hit but wasn't safe on first. He's slowly creeping out of baseball and back into soccer. I think he needs some batting practice. It was dance photo week so we had lots of practice doing hair and make up and getting into and out of costumes. That part is getting easier as they get older. Voss got to go to Luka's Birthday party on Thursday (love the after school parties). Ellie had a babysitting gig (her usual one) on Wednesday and then another on Saturday. She was calm as a cucumber and pulled a metal piece out of a 9 yr olds foot- go girl! Abby got to sleep over at her pal, Virginia's on Friday night. I met with Paxon IB students to kick off a little library project at JWJ. So hoping this works out! I let Ellie skip French class to go thrifting for a semi-formal dress (nailed it). We celebrated Lauren's Birthday at O'rSay then saying no to the full bottle of Josh at Lillians (look at us!) We had a 4 line sweep on Tuesday's match vs Magnolia Point. I was emotional since that was who we played when Sam fell and tore her hamstring last fall. We had MOPS on Thursday but I spent most the time holding babies. I met Jess, Jamie and Steph for a last minute fun lunch. My old pal, Anna had texted me months ago asking to play with her in the San Jose Member Guest. It was so fun to reconnect with her and smash some balls. Who knew we could play tennis together, too?! Their tournament kicked off on Tuesday with a ladies night round robin. It was so fun to get to meet such fun tennis ladies, get massaged, have some drinks and play some tennis. We were lucky with great match times this weekend, too. We won our match on Friday at noon (time for adoration with M&D that morning), great to get out some wiggles then relax and drink and watch more tennis. Phil came up, too for the fanfare after work. I came home for an early night and a good night of sleep to prepare for a full Saturday. Phil helped me take my car in for routine maintenance early that morning. By the time I borrowed dad's car for the day it was already ready. So we had a quick scramble back to pick it up, missing most of Voss' game and just getting to our match in time. And oh what a match it was! We lost the first set 4-6, won the next 6-1. At one point we were ahead in the tie breaker, 5-1 and then there was this bad ball fairy who put them ahead 8-9 and we lost the tie breaker 10-8! Such a bummer! Although we won our super nutty match that night, the team we lost to got to advance to the finals (and won our division!). Sooooo close! But still such a fun weekend. We had a weather delay on Saturday and didn't finish until close to 10pm. Great music, conversations, food and drinks. So fun! We made it to mass and CCD on Sunday morning then I went back over to watch and cheer. I finished off the weekend with a boat ride to the club for swim and dinner. Watching my older two take charge on the boat was super cool. Go girls! Here are the pics from the week.