High Five for Friday (8.7.20)

One

Last week Hallie attended a ballet intensive led by the amazing Ashley Laracey, a soloist with the NYC Ballet. Ms. Ashley has come all the way to our dance studio for this intensive the last two summers, but this year and because of COVID-19, she wasn't able to make the trip. That didn't stop her from offering incredible instruction though; via a giant monitor in our dance studio and from her apartment in NYC, she provided six days worth of technique and variations classes. (A shout out to the other teachers - those "on the ground" here in College Station - who helped make this intensive possible.) I didn't get to take a picture of Hallie with Ms. Ashley this year, so here are a couple I took last year. We love Ms. Ashley, and are so grateful for the time, energy, and love she poured into these dancers!

Two

Last Friday we "celebrated" 20 weeks - WEEKS - of quarantine. I remember sitting in this exact spot on the Friday we toasted six weeks, and thinking, "this can't possibly go on for much longer". 

Today I'm sending out a high five for the friends - two in particular - without whom I wouldn't have survived these last 20 weeks. Cheers to 21 weeks, ladies. Let's keep on keepin' on.

Three

I can't start sending out high fives for people who've helped me through quarantine without acknowledging my mom. Almost every weekday morning we go for a walk "together" - her in Madison, Wisconsin and me in College Station, Texas. Yes, walking together in person would be ideal, but this is the next best thing. Thanks, Mom, for our daily walks and talks. 

Four

On Monday night we celebrated my friend Casey's birthday with a grown-up, nighttime pool party! Swimming after dark is almost as much fun as an adult as it is as a kid, and I enjoy it even more when there are no kiddos around to splash me and make fun of how I just like to float on an inner tube. 

Five

Happiness Highlights

This kid doesn't play the piano (he's partial to the cello), but when we began quarantining he started teaching himself to play some of his favorite songs by ear. This Elvis Presley favorite - still a work in progress, but still an accomplishment - sums up a pretty good week for him.

Happy weekend, friends!