Vacation Three. I know, right? Another trip? Seriously, Jyl, how many trips are you going on this year....? No, I get it, we were just gone a month ago for a week to Georgia. Then the kids went off to California while Rich and I had a quickie (stahp) in West Virginia. And now, North … Continue reading Three Men And A Lady
Category: parenting
Blogiversary
I had a birthday celebration email in my inbox from the WordPress folks - seems that it was one year ago that I signed up for the service. I've be waiting by my physical mailbox all week to see if a cake arrives. I hope it's delicious. As with all not-really-a-milestone-but-I-lean-to-the-side-of-overthinking-milestones, I’ve also spent the … Continue reading Blogiversary
Despite the protests
In addition to the now resolved internal struggle of 'face-to-face or virtual' for Zack, we've been having a similar debate with Zoe. Well, maybe not that similar. Pandemics, protests, and riots are probably not the same as 'just' a pandemic. We shouldn't have been surprised that the road to Zoe's next step would be lined … Continue reading Despite the protests
Virtually Decided
Today we pushed the button to transfer Zack from 'regular' school to online school. Yes, it is considered a transfer and, yes, theoretically it means that he is no longer a student at Hanover High but now a student of Hanover County's online school. We went in circles for weeks on what the best choice … Continue reading Virtually Decided
Why I’ll never call it your dead name
We were sitting at hibachi last week, a late celebration of Zoe's birthday, and when the server asked her her name (for the obligatory and annual corny song by the staff ), she visibly bristled. We should have known this would happen as this birthday year, dinner included her good (hmmm....) friend (you know, friend...), … Continue reading Why I’ll never call it your dead name
Breaking Out II
I've started to continue writing the vacation journey numerous times, but I keep having to stop to pick up EVERY. DANG. EMPTY. WATER. BOTTLE. Why is this so hard? If I were the boss, cases of water wouldn't even be a thing - everyone would get two refillables and they could alternate drinking out of … Continue reading Breaking Out II
Breaking Out
Day One (Friday): Last night, as we were wrapping up dinner, I said I wanted to have a quick staging conversation about vacation (which was about thirty hours away) as I felt like we weren’t even ready. My sweet husband responded with something along the lines of ‘it’s only going to take me like ten … Continue reading Breaking Out
525,600 minutes
Zoe told me that she loved me today. Via text. Unsolicited. Where she actually had to think about it and use her thumbs and had a chance to backspace rather than pushing send. Not the usual drive by at bedtime that we half-heartily exchange 'Goodnight, love you, see you in the morning,' while barely hugging. … Continue reading 525,600 minutes
A Graduation Story
Life with teens: A lovely day turned into a lovely dinner OH KABOOM WE'RE HAVING AN ARGUMENT *$!@*@&$(%. What the what? Thursday: Twas the night before graduation and all through the house, every creature's disgruntled, my kid is a louse. The cap and the gown hung in the shower with care, in hopes a diploma … Continue reading A Graduation Story
Please.
Please. Can we just let these kids graduate? Can we let them feel the pride of completing twelve years of school? Can we post pictures as proud parents outside of their school - cap & gown, diploma in hand - and receive accolades for surviving? Please. I know there is a lot going on right … Continue reading Please.