Thanksgiving Travels

We drove up to Oberlin, grabbed Zara, drove up to Wes' family in the thumb of MI, spent 36 hours there visiting and having Thanksgiving food and fun, drove down to A2 where we met up with Gabi and Nick and spent some time at Planet Rock, went to our AirBnB in Plymouth (turns out there was a big football game??), had some yummy Thai food, spent the following day with Auntie Clare and Elliot where we took a brief trip to the park, Zara got to hang with Nick and then everyone ended up at an arcade and playing laser tag and putt putt. The next day we returned Zara to Oberlin and the rest of us made it to C'ville before midnight. Whoever our current patron saint of charging is, thank you because we never waited once to charge the entire time, which is INSANE. I somehow really missed the boat on documenting this trip but you will be pleased to know it was a lot of fun (if also a LOT of miles).

Six and Soccer

With a long weekend and a soccer tournament in front of us, what better way to kick it off than finally seeing "Six"? It was a total delight and we were all surprised by how much more "book" there was beyong the songs which we know and love so well. I deeply enjoyed the minimalist production/live concert vibe and spent more time than I should have trying to see exactly when and where the cast members were storing their mics while they danced in between singing. Also impressive as to how much choreogrpahy they could pull off while holding said mics, too.

Conveniently the show put us in RVA Friday night so we were already there for the 8am Saturday game of Amity's end of fall season soccer tournament. It was a fairly unvenetful occurence - the team played fine but not great, they tied when they should have won and lost when they maybe should have tied, but so is the way of soccer. Saturday after the 2 games we had the opprtunity to visit with some RVA peeps so that was fun, and we had a few car charging (mis)adventures to top it all off. Amity's season did not end as strongly as it had begun, but there's still spring to come. For now we will all enjoy having our Sundays back (until WISL).

Halloween

Ansel as Weird Barbie, and Amity as... Amity (from Owl House). Happy Halloween!

Old Rag, Finally!

Seneca Shadows

So over the long fall break weekend, the 4 of us (where in this case our Z is Zelda as Zara is still living their best Oberlin life) took a little camping trip to Seneca Shadows, which is pretty much in the shadows of Seneca Rocks. While Wes and I both have done a fair amount of camping in our misspent youths, we somehow have never taken Amity camping?? and only camped with Zara a few times. As the kids are getting older and more into it, it seemed a shame not to do it. Weather turns out to have been unseasonably cool (see Zelda snuggled up under a fleece blanket like the pony she secretly is) and kinda rainy, but that did not deter us from hiking the trail at Seneca, having lunch at Yokums, stopping in at the Gendarme for awesome climbing tales from Arthur, the owner (and some delightful WiFi), and generally having some wilderness adventures. We upped out cooking game in general (Wes and I are also a product of lightweight camping, so this have a car nearby with a coooler full of food is still new to us) and inspired by both CHM and the MMs, made some "walking tacos" as well. The weather didn't really cooperate for our planned climb at NRocks though, so we'll just have ot come back in the spring and do it again?

Apples and Honey

Rosh Hashanah was kinda low key this year, but we still had our apples and we dipped them in honey. To a sweet new year!

Rocks with your whine?

Amity was a little sick this weekend, and while she was a brave little toaster for her soccer tournament, she was pretty unhappy by the time Labor Day rolled around. So, we went up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and found some rocks for her to climb, and then went to Kline's (not pictured) for ice cream. It didn't make her entirely better, but i think it helped. Plus it was just a beuatiful day to be outside. I love where we live.

Welcome to Obieland

Editor's note: You may not see much from Zara on these here pages for a bit, because they are off living their best college life. Case in point, a selfie sent while spectating a soccer game recently. They are still very much a part our family and in our collective heart(s), but they're just a little less... seen. Love you, kiddo.

First Day of School: 13th Grade (aka first year at Oberlin)

Here's a few snaps of Zara on their first day of classes at Oberlin. They were a good ragatz and humored my need to have back to school pics even when I'm not the one taking them, and for that I am grateful. Have the best school year, kiddo!

First Day of School: 8th Grade

And we're back, yet again. Amity's last year in middle school, collectively our family's last year in the Learning Village (well, except for the whole sports thing) and also the first year the kids aren't at the same school since 2015. In some ways, just the typical small changes, and in others, it's a tectonic shift. As per usual, no one was really ready to be awake at the ungodly get up for school hour, but things came together for a not even that hectic morning and as far as I know, Amity made it to school on time. Not pictured are the now customary end of August figs we bring to school for the first week or so, because when the kids go back to school the fig goes full on FRUIT!

Counselor Life

Zara's been gone for about a month now, and by the bits of info we've pieced together through a short FaceTime and a smattering of texts (between the 3 of us, Zelda doesn't get texts apparently?), having a fabulous time. Here's a few pics from the camp photo archive, we'll have an actual update when we drop Amity off next weekend.

Alumni!

There will no doubt be many more graduation pictures at some point, but here's a quick glance of Zara and some of their besties. Class of 2023 are now the newest alums of STAB!

Cannon Cup

Amity's team closed out their season with an undefeated run at the Cannon Cup... but sadly they also didn't win a single game, so with 3 hard fought ties they were not able to make it to the final. It was in their grasp in the final match of the group stage but the vagaries of soccer being what they are, a handball and subsequent free kick tied the game which sent their opponents to the final. There's always next year, when they will be back stronger and better and hopefully with MOST of the same kiddos, ready to hit the ground running for the next tournament over Labor Day weekend.

(Despite some disappointment a lot of fun was had as evidenced by the pyramid building picture above.)

Last Day of Senior Year Classes

"Lasts" are funny around here because the seniors take off 2 weeks before the rest of the school and pursue a "senior internship." Zara wanted to do something in health care, and lucky for them the ever generous and amazing Robin LeGallo (and also several of her 2nd year residents) took Z in to hang with the Pathology department. Z learned a ton and had a blast, and continues to set their sights on a future career in medicine though they are torn on the whole physician or surgeon thing at the moment... stay tuned. But, this was their last day attending classes in high school, so cheers to that as well! On to Oberlin!

Soccer Senior Night

Technically speaking Zara was on the Girls Varisty Soccer team all 4 years of HS, but they only played one game during their 9th grade year since the season came to an abrupt end with the arrival of the pandemic just after spring break. But props they get for 6 years of school soccer, rounding out their Varsity stint with a year of 7/8 and then a year of JV while they were in middle school. While Amity is the truly soccer obsessed in our household, Z has been playing in one form or another since they were 4, and I hope will continue to play in college, be it club, intramural or possibly hanging with the Varsity team there? They've become a pretty awesome and solid goalie over the last few years, and they can play most midfield positions, too.... They also discovered recently that they kinda rock as a defender, so truly, world is their soccer oyster. Can't wait to cheer them on :)

Busch Gardens

Hannah, Amity and Maddie have been spending A LOT of time together this year - not just at soccer practice but in car pools! I must take a moment to thank the collective village of 2010G Blue soccer parents for making the logisitics of having a kiddo on a travel soccer team easier than I ever imagined - and a particular shout out to the city kids car pool(tm). And also thanks to Hannah's family for making Willimasburg a home base when travelling this season, and for the amazing experiences (now memories) Amity has from the year on and off the field.

These kiddos were supposed to spend some time at Busch Gardens the day before a game agains VA Reign, but their opponents (oddly) forfeited so these kiddos just went for a fun filled weekend in Willamsburg instead. Lemons into lemonade, voila!

Senior Figure

Sadly I don't have any pictures of the complete bizarre-o-ness that is the STAB senior figure, some weird cotillion-esque hold over from the all girls school founding 100+ years ago. And also deeply Southern. But whatevs. Z made their beautiful dress (it has pocketses!) and Wes' bowtie. I got to stand with them for the pic. Amazingly, we all look good.

Guest Playing with the U13 White Team

While most people would think taking it easy is the order of the week follpowing 3 pretty intense soccer games at her tournament last weekend, Amity disagreed. There was an opportunity to guest play for the White team at their tournament this weekend, and Amity JUMPED at the oportunity for more soccer and to help out. She took the intitaive to arrange her own way there, people to stay with, etc (we are devoted, sure, but 2 tournament weekends in a row? I don't think so :). She played whatever position was asked of her, including goalie (which she is not) and helped the team to secure a victory in the final match - she kept a clean sheet in goal and made several impressive saves. All of this is second hand from both the soccer star herself and other parents (including the pics) but I will document it here nonetheless!

Virginia Super Cup

There was actually nothing super about the tournament. The fields, which are maybe sometimes nice, were totes water logged. Like the puddles on the field were a 12th player. The wind was INSANE. Amity's team did seem to be, as one supporter suggested, allergic to scoring. But they still eked out a win and probably should have had a few ties (that ended up as losses - soccer you are a cruel mistress). I think fun was had though, as evidenced by a lot of soccer played (always fun when you are Amity, even in terrible conditions) and some bowling alley shenanigans. Double bonus Amity and I got out of Dodge while the COVID was hot and seemed to have avoided that diasaster.. this time.