Day 94 in 2024

NHS farewell night.

I've been noting all the final moments, all the lasts, and this is a big one. Or, actually, this is a first. One measure of the last school year is all the last times—the last halftime show, the last band concert, the last robotics competition. But another measure is the firsts the herald the end—the first senior skip day, the first college acceptance, the first awards night. Tonight's NHS farewell ceremony was a first and only, and it fell unfortunately, on the eve of the Robotics State Championships kick off. We were supposed to already be in our hotel in Saginaw, but while Calvin was more than willing to skip the walk across the stage and instead pick up his cords from the office some nondescript day at school, he was gracious about letting me have this moment before we hit the road. There won't be many of these moments, so each should be savored.

We are so proud of him.

Day 69 in 2024

First compeition a success! Our team took third place overall, and went home with the second biggest award, both accomplishments setting us up for a hopeful run at States.

But that's only part of hte story. This is a team activity, and the mentor in me wants to tell you that all of these kids have worked incredibly hard and together they earned the successes they went home with.

But the mom in me has a deeper, more fine-tuned story to tell about one special kid (mine, of course), who was one of a small team integral in putting together the presentation that won them that award. About one special kid (mine, again), who, along with his co-lead, tackled nagging issues with programming to take them farther into finals than the team has been in several years. And about one special kid (yes, again, mine), who, when our team was incorrectly penalized to the tune of just enough points to barely lose a playoff match, was so "mature" and "poised" in his challenging the decision that the refs and volunteers sought out our mentor on the field to tell them how impressed they were with him (and how sorry they were to have to deny his overturn request). That's the deeper story. And there's more to it, but I'll leave my pride there.

Day 67 in 2023

First there were the very young years when mornings came too early and too energetically. Then came the homeschooling years when mornings started at our cue but always had me on the go go go. Now the mornings are early, but quiet and usually serene with the occasional “You’re Going to be late!” thrown in. Where once he was always right there needing me, now I have to look around corners to find him, lost in his own world. Slowly my role recedes. I wouldn’t have it any other way, but someday soon (after sleeping in) I will be missing this.

Day 41 in 2022

I think this is the life of many a dance (or similar) mom, when there isn't enough time to drive all the way home and back during rehearsal, I spend three days a week entertaining myself in the car while I wait.

Day 216 in 2020