High Five for Friday (8.21.20)

High Five for Friday: Back to School Edition

For all those who have already returned to school, whether virtually or in-person, I hope your transition went smoothly. For all those who head back in the coming weeks, best of luck!

One

We survived weeks of spring break, we survived weeks of summer break, and as of today, we survived one week of (virtual) school. There were technical difficulties. There were unanswered questions. There were heightened emotions, from confusion and uncertainty to frustration and anxiety. And yes, there were tears. But we learned a lot, and have high hopes for the five weeks virtual window and semester ahead of us.

Last swim/day of summer.

Last jump of summer.

Cleaned and ready to go for the first day of school!

This one was a battle...

Two

They get bigger and bigger, but they stay cute.

Three

Since the year of first grade for the bigs and pre-k for the littles, we have taken first day of school pics with Kaylee and Kara. We couldn't let virtual school derail us, so mid-way through our first day, Will, Hallie, and I drove over to Kaylee and Kara's house and kept the tradition alive. 

Four

Dance "school" (er, classes, but Hallie spends enough time at the studio for it to qualify as school) also started this week! Hallie loved all of her own classes (her regular schedule includes two ballet, one tap, one jazz, one contemporary, one hip hop, and one company class), and was thrilled to be back in the classroom as an assistant.

Five

Happiness Highlights

Deer! Just right there, in the front lawn, almost
every afternoon/evening. It's fun at Jenn's house...

It's not much, but we appreciated the Flourish kit
TAMU sent to Tom ahead of the fall semester.

Will rode his bike in our friend Lexi's birthday drive-by -
he decided doing so made birthday drive-bys even more fun.

About once a semester Will plays a soccer game locally,
and almost every time our friends come to watch. They rock.

The game, however, was played on literally the hottest day of the year
(104 degrees). These three made it about 10 minutes into the first half
before they went to the car, where they played and enjoyed the air
conditioning for the remainder of the game.

This is Hallie's friend Abby, who with her siblings raised the money 
to buy an AED for our dance studio. We're so proud of you, Abby!

Happy weekend, friends!

A Different Kind of First Day (8.18)

Today Will starts eighth grade. EIGHTH GRADE. And Hallie - my BABY - starts sixth grade. Holy smokes...they DO grow up so fast. Time DOES go by so quickly.

This is without a doubt the strangest start to a school year the four Ferri have ever experienced, and that's staying something, given that we were heading back to school 15 years ago when Hurricane Katrina hit and then three years ago during Hurricane Harvey. Both Will and Hallie will start the year virtually, though Will's model is a bit more of a hybrid given that he will attend cross country practice before school, first period athletics, and seventh period orchestra in person. 

We chose virtual learning - at least for the first six-week grading period - for two primary reasons. The first reason, of course, was safety. Tom and Will are both at slightly higher risk for adverse outcomes from infection, and we don't feel comfortable with the kids going back to school in person until we see 1) how well our district's safety protocols actually work and 2) how the influx of 50,000 college students impacts community spread. The second reason is that I - we - truly believe that choosing this route for our family makes school a safer place for families who can't make the same choice for theirs: families with a single parent, families with two parents who must both work full-time, families with parents who work for the school district, kids for whom home is not a safe or healthy place to be, and kids who rely on school for food and/or resources not otherwise available. 

Both Will and Hallie LOVE and miss in-person school. They both love and miss their larger friend groups. (Thankfully we were able to create small friend bubbles for both of them during the summer months, and we plan to continue spending time with these people this fall.) But they understand and support the decision we made as and for our family. They understand our family's risk "bank account", and how because we need to spend some of those funds on Tom's work and want to spend some of those funds on soccer and dance, we are choosing not to deplete the rest of our account on in-person school. They also understand how our choice to stay home benefits others, and I'm proud of them for letting us take that into account. 

To be clear, I'm not criticizing those who have chosen to send kids back to school. There are MANY factors to consider here, and parents have to make the decision that is right for them, their children, and their extended families. 

I'm generally a "glass half full" kind of person. Some days I'm even a "thankful to have a glass at all" kind of person. And I've worked incredibly hard throughout all of this to find the silver linings rather than focus on what we've missed, what we've lost, and what has changed. 

If comparison is the thief of joy, let me not compare my life today to my life of six months ago. Let me find joy in THIS life, and in THIS day, and to know it is enough. 

(I accidentally closed the site where I originally found this quote from Nadia Bolz-Weber, so I don't think I have it exactly right. You get the idea though.)

I have held fast and tight to this mantra, as if it were a life-preserver keeping me safely afloat as the tides of this pandemic ebb and flow. But today, I feel the waves swelling and my grip weakening. Today, on the first day of school, I just feel sad. 

Part of my anguish stems from acknowledging that this is Will's last year of middle school and high school looms just around the corner. I'm not kidding or exaggerating when I say that Will went into quarantine a boy and came out a man: his voice changed, he grew multiple inches, and he now has both an Adam's apple and a girlfriend. I only have four summers left with Will before he graduates from high school, and four is a shockingly small number when counting down. 

I'm also heartbroken - as we all are - about what our kids missed last year and will inevitably miss this year, and I think I just need to sit in that sadness for a day or two. 

But tomorrow, or Thursday, or Friday, I'll wake up and feel differently. I'll recite my mantra, and be able to find the joy. I'll be thankful for my glass and that it's half full. And I'll find all of those silver linings.

For those of you starting school this week, good luck. This first day of school might look different than every other first day of school we've experienced previously, but we can make it through. 

High Five for Friday (8.14.20)

One 
Will suffered a couple of nasty injuries last week: on Monday his bike pedal caught the fleshy part of his calf and gouged out a pretty significant chunk of skin, and on Wednesday he took a few layers of skin off of the end of his big toe when his foot slipped off his bike pedal and scraped along the concrete. (Not sure what it was about his bike last week...) Both situations involved quite a bit of blood, a fair amount of pain, and lots of cleaning, antibacterial care, and bandaging. The toe in particular kept him from playing full out during his first week back at soccer practice - he couldn't get his foot into his cleat, let alone keep the cleat on, so he only participated in the drills he could do barefoot - which was upsetting, but this week both injuries are healing nicely and he's back to wearing normal shoes. 

Need some coban? I'm your girl!

No graphic pics, because not everyone likes looking at wounds as much as I do. 

Two

Injuries aside, and even with all of the safety protocols and changes this year, I felt comforted to return to the soccer fields as a new season gets underway. 

Three

These three love to match. As a friend of mine describes it, matching is their love language. Here they are in their third set of matching/coordinating swimsuits. (For 2020. I've lost track of how many matching swimsuits and outfits they've worn over the years.) 

Four

When I came across a swimsuit with pineapples on it in Will's size, I knew I had to buy it so he and Cullen could match...well, coordinate. Cullen is the youngest and doesn't have a friend his age in our quarantine bubble, so he gravitates toward Will, who is the only other boy. 

Will and Kaylee take good care of Cullen, and keep him from driving his older sisters crazy, and in turn, Cullen keeps an eye on Will and Kaylee for us moms. It's a win-win.

Five

Happiness Highlights

THRILLED with his new tic tac stash.

I despise selfies, but this was the only way to show you
my new tie dyed headband. I liked Hallie's so much that I
bought one for myself and one for my mom and sister.

This is amazing.

And this is heartwarming. 

11-year-olds still love boxes.

Rockin' her new Noonday scrunchies.

Last but not least...this made me smile.

Happy weekend, friends!

Tuesdays with Tux: Quarantine Edition, Episode 4

While I can't say that Tux has enjoyed quarantine, he has brought a great deal of joy to Will and Hallie during this lengthy period of time at home. 

Both kids have loved caring for and doting on him, perhaps overly so, which is why we - 😬 - applied to foster kittens this fall. Will and Hallie will start the school year virtually (we plan to take it one six-week grading period at a time), and while I know their days will be busy with school work, I expect that snuggling itty bitty fur balls during their academic breaks would be wonderful for their mental health. 

I worked for the American Red Cross during Hurricane Katrina, and one of the greatest gifts we received as employees during that unbelievably exhausting time was regular visits from a local nonprofit organization's emotional support dogs. I think fostering kittens serve a similar purpose, for all of us. 

Until we (maybe) have new kittens to share pictures of and write posts about, here are the many photos of Tux I've recently found on my phone, courtesy of the two kiddos who can't leave him alone.

Note: Will and Hallie don't know that we might foster kittens yet, so if you read this and then talk to them, please don't spoil the surprise!

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!

Monthly Medley: July 2020

Writing

An article I wrote about the Science Mill, a unique STEAM-based children's museum in Johnson City, TX, can be found in this month's issue of Texas Living magazine. The museum has reopened - with many safety precautions in place - so if you're in the area, check it out, and if you pick a copy of the magazine, check out the article as well!

Reading

This month I took a deep dive into Miracle Creek. This part mystery, part courtroom drama was tough for me to find my way into, partly because each chapter is told from a different main character's (of which there a quite a few) point of view. Around the time I reached the book's midway point, I'd finally figured them all out and could follow the story a little better, and shortly after that the book turned a corner and kept me hooked until the final page. More so than any other book I've read in a while, this novel delved deeply into the extremes parents will go to to protect their children, families, and secrets.

Watching

Perhaps my favorite new "show" is Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man with Emmanuel Acho. Acho has a new book by the same name coming out, but until then, his short but impactful and eye-opening interviews can be found on his Instagram page.

A few weeks ago, I had the television on - tuned to The Twilight Saga: New Moon - in the background while cleaning the house. Though I was paying very little attention to the movie, at one point I spotted Hallie standing in the middle of the office, completely engrossed, eyes unblinking, mouth agape. After reviewing the books and movies, I decided she wasn't quite ready for the books but could probably handle the movies, so I asked if she was interested. She was hesitant to commit to the series, but opted to try the first film...and five minutes in she was HOOKED. We watched all five movies in July, which is why we didn't make as much progress on our quarantine movie list these last few weeks.

Red = watched in April

Green = watched in May

Blue = watched in June

Orange = watched in July 

Black = yet to watch

The Wedding Singer

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

13 Going on 30

A League of Their Own

Miss Congeniality

Legally Blonde

Pitch Perfect

50 First Dates

Now and Then

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Miss Congeniality 2

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

17 Again

The Prince and Me

Pitch Perfect 2

Pitch Perfect 3

Bring It On

Titanic

The Princess Bride

Big Daddy

Mean Girls

A Cinderella Story

Sweet Home Alabama

27 Dresses

Clueless

Click

Life As We Know It

Fever Pitch

Save the Last Dance

The Holiday 

Uptown Girls

The Wedding Date

The Wedding Planner

Ever After

The Prince and Me 2

Bewitched

Ice Princess

While You Were Sleeping

Life Size

Mamma Mia

Never Been Kissed

Father of the Bride

Father of the Bride 2

Runaway Bride

My Best Friend's Wedding

Bend it Like Beckham

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

The Cutting Edge

That Thing You Do

Listening To

Having caught up on most of my regular podcasts, I decided to try Uncover from CBC Podcasts. The first season, about one woman's escape from the cult NXIVM (pronounced "nexium"), kept me engaged to the point of (almost) forgetting I walking outside in Texas' blazing sun, scorching temperatures, and suffocating humidity, so I'd call that a win!

After a years-long hiatus, I plan to start listening to Jen Hatmaker's podcast again. She recently shared what sounds like a fun series about enneagrams, and I think I'd like to go back and listen to the Quarantine Queens podcasts she shared in March and April. What brought me back to For the Love wasn't, however, either of these series. It was a bonus episode entitled, "Jen and Sydney Hatmaker On Being Gay and Loved". This beautiful tribute to love and acceptance and faith both broke and mended my heart, and reminded me that I need more of this kind of message in my life.

Wearing

Houston, we have a problem. A shirt problem. I think my friends and I have reached double digits when it comes to the number of matching shirts we've purchased since March. Here are this month's additions:

I wish I could say I'm done with shirts with sayings on them, but we have two more arriving in August... 

Trying/Using

As part of my commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement, I have been trying to read and watch and listen and learn as much as I can from those who have wisdom and stories to share. Additionally, I have been trying to shop from small, local (if available), Black-owned businesses. Here are a couple I've purchased from so far!

I bought these adorable tie dye headbands for Hallie and her friends from Southern Ree Boutique here in College Station.

And these jewelry cups came from NativePRINTcess on Etsy.

In a different category of shopping, I bought the kids - who are, yes, 13 and 11 - this air tent. Set up with a box fan takes under 30 seconds, and the tent packs away into its cute little tote bag in almost the same amount of time. We didn't need this tent, but surprising the kids with it - or with any small treat we don't need, like ice cream cones or new books - has kept all of our spirits lifted.

I also picked up - and am now a big fan of - this inexpensive boot holder from Target. Gone are the rolled up magazines I used to use to keep my taller boots standing upright!

Eating/Drinking

• I made this Coconut Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting for Tom for his birthday. I followed the recipes closely, only decreasing the granulated sugar in the cake to 1 and 1/3 c. and the powdered sugar in the frosting to 3 c. DELICIOUS.
• Equally delicious but in a completely different way, this Caprese Avocado Salad was the perfect complement to grilled chicken. 

But the highlight of my month consumption-wise? School milks. I don't know what it is, but those little cartons of 1% milk hit the spot like nothing else. The kids couldn't understand what all the fuss was about, but Tom was with me...he crushed quite a few chocolate milks himself.

 

Feeling Good About

Tank's Good News is still my favorite "one stop shop" for feel good stories, articles, videos, and photos, but here are a couple additional links to hopefully make you smile.

• This dad.
• This papa.

Oh, and this ad. Wow.

On to August, my friends!