Welcome Summer!!

Well, here we are.  Closing out spring and welcoming unofficial summer.  It's been a while since I posted, but we've been doing lots since Easter.  Here's a glimpse of our last several weeks...

Kicking off spring break with some rolled ice cream.

 And then off to New York City with some cousins.

Finally took the opportunity to tour the 9-11 Museum.

And the memorial again, of course. 

Simone just finished reading a book in school about 9-11, so she was well prepared for our family field trip.

Then walked up to mid town doing our own food tasting tour along the way.

Back at school, there was the spring chorus concert.

Discovered a new ramen restaurant...

 with okononoyaki!!!...

Had long walks with friends...

And a Saturday down in DC to see Into the Woods at Ford's Theater.  Simone's last history unit this year is about the Civil War, so this was a particularly timely visit.  She got to see where Lincoln was shot, as well as the room in which he died.

Simone's developed a new love of ribs, which she had for dinner before the show.

Which brings us to Memorial Day weekend... IN GETTYSBURG!

Met the family for a day trip to the battlefield.

Best cousin friends.

And then family fun doing an escape room with the whole gang-- guys vs girls.  Spoiler alert.....

GIRLS WON!!!!! (in record time)

Simone's got two more weeks of school until summer break.  And we've got lots of summer fun planned this year.  Let's hope it stays a little bit drier than last summer's historic sogginess.

Spring Musical: Freaky Friday

And that's a wrap!!

Spring Musical season is officially over.  The show has closed, the set has been struck, and the cast party has been had.  Without a doubt, this was the busiest, most involved, most intensive, demanding activity Simone has ever been involved in.  She has had rehearsals 4 days a week since January, a week of late night dress rehearsals, and two weekends of shows.  Lots of volunteering by mom and dad, and a crazy past 2 weeks trying to manage it all amidst the last week of the grading period at school.  But we did it!! And Simone was awesome.  The show was totally impressive, and Simone was in her element.

There are no words to describe just how proud of her we are.  She has stayed committed, independent, responsible -- you name it-- she rocked this quarter.  And best of all, she pulled straight As at school while balancing all the demands.

Quite unusually for an event of this magnitude, was the fact that I got very few photos of any of it.  Between being so busy helping out and the prohibition of photography during the actual show, I only have a few shots of all the activity.  And they aren't the best pics, but I'll post a few to mark the momentous accomplishment.

Simone's first official playbill, and our tickets to the show!

Outside her school on the way in to opening night.

A fellow cast mate before the open.

Last minute pep talk from the show's Director at the final night of dress rehearsal of the white cast.

Simone's first official headshot from the playbill.

After the show with some fans/friends -- LOL!

The after party at a local restaurant.

One of the mom's made these adorable iced shortbread cookies shaped like the  playbill.  We had to taste!

And there you have it.  What an incredible experience for an aspiring performer.  Simone had tons of fun, made great friends, and learned a lot.  You can't ask for more than that.  And she is already looking forward to next year's spring musical which was announced at closing night -- 

Disney's 

NEWSIES!!

It's Getting BUSY!!!

Well, we started March with a fairly leisurely pace, but folks, things are accelerating rapidly. In just the past week or so, the blossoms are starting to bloom, we celebrated Tony's birthday, Simone is preparing for her musical (which is right around the corner), the Great Debate in history class was a success, and Simone's VERY FIRST MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE WAS EPIC (and, as she pointed out, was on her half-birthday!).

We were especially proud of Simone this week for balancing a remarkably heavy school load with lots of outside activities.  She got through everything with flying colors -- but I won't lie, she/we slept until after 10:00 this morning!

The blossoms are on the way!

 Tony's birthday brunch -- on St. Patrick's Day-- at Patowmack Farm...

An afternoon at Ulta doing a color match for her stage makeup.

Hair cut time!!  and the first time in YEARS that she had her curls straightened.  We both decided we like her curls better!

A pose before the Great Debate.  Simone played Benedict Arnold and argued on the Loyalists team.

Nailed her opening remarks.

And then the SPRING FLING DANCE.... a day of festivities!

Manicures with the girls.

All done!  Lovely!

So much fun!

What would a day be without a Starbucks stop?

Sparkly nails and a chocolate chip frappaccino.

SLURPING!

Dressed for the dance.

A very fierce group of ladies!

Too much fun!

And this week will be just as crazy with the musical coming up and the end of the 3rd quarter winding down.  I'll be sure to post again once it all settles down.

Quick February Update

OK --our long Presidents Day weekend has come to an end, and now we await the incoming snow storm,  forecasted to begin tomorrow night.  This month was pretty chill, but momentous nonetheless.

Yes, the most obvious event of note was Valentine's Day, which Simone really gets into each year.  This year we exchanged small gifts and Simone again had surprise decorations for mom and dad to wake up to.

BEFORE

But now the BIG news!!!  Simone got her braces!  The before and after...

AFTER!

"Installation" was surprisingly quick and painless.  However, the soreness started setting in by dinner time.  We kept it very soft -- Indian Saag Paneer.

Simone's first post-braces meal.

And to ease the pain... some very gentle raspberry parfaits.

And now the long countdown begins until the braces come off.  I'm sure it will be here before we know it (hopefully)!  She has already declared that she hates braces and threatened to rip them right out of her mouth to stop the pain.  (And I almost believe her. lol!)