Summer

Summer. Hot. Humid...I can't wait for Fall. It's my normal statement at this time of the year. The sultry weather is not my cup of tea...I wasn't a big fan of Summer in the desert of California, throw in some humidity and you pretty much described hell for me. I have to slow down my desire for Fall. Matthew heads to boarding school in August and this Fall will be a lot quieter around the house and I know I will regret my haste for Fall's arrival. I am so excited for him because this is all he wants but I was not mentally prepared for Matthew to leave home before college. How did British parents do this? The decision wasn't easy but when you have a boy with a passion for hockey and a good education, you have to...as my brother put it, "Cut the apron strings." Ouch. However, my brother is right, it is time to send him north for hockey.

In the meantime, life has been busy...I will post some pictures to give you a sense of this Summer...the one before everything changed...

Fresh from the garden

Saturday Morning Prayer

My favorites...besides my children

Matthew makes the Ford Ice Center Twitter Feed

Self-Explanatory

He's still around

A Summer Morning

Waiting to board our plane to Boston

Guess who got his Driver's Permit?

My favorite part of driving to Franklin for Hockey...the llamas or alpacas...I don't know the difference

Hannah was so excited to fly. Me? Not so much...it's lost its charm for me

First Meal in MA was in Bedford near where she lived her first two years on this planet

So....H does not share my love of history and literature...Lexington and Concord bored her. Are we sure we're related?

The only win for the Battle Trail was a ceiling H could touch

Dressed and ready for her first session for Future Physicians and Medical Scientists

Did I forget to mention my friend, Karen, was able to join us?

H was bored by history and Louisa Mae Alcott but LOVED riding the T

Geeky Science Student meets Harvard Bookstore, The Coop

H meets her car's namesake, John Harvard

Ice Cream is that way

Pinocchio's Pizza, listed on the top 10 places to visit at Harvard

The Charles at Sunset

Paul Revere's house...a bored Hannah just wants to ride the T and see the ocean

The Old North Church

I won the Duck Tour Trivia game and got a copy of Ghost...on VHS...Seriously?

Heading Home

Guess who turned 30?

Out of order but Hannah's happiest moment in Boston....Can you smell the sea?

Sibling tradition continues

This one was too sick to party as much as she usually does

And there you have it...my 60 second tour of the Summer of 2019 thus far.

College Visit #1

It's here! Time for college visits, time for mommy to weep...Wasn't it just yesterday I was driving Miss Hannah to PreK?

Visit number 1 was a huge success and a great fit for my stellar science student. UAB was the recipient of this future medical student's first visit. I don't think she has taken off the sweatshirt she purchased from their gift shop yet...

Lauren was a natural to accompany her sister for college visitation since she used to do recruiting at colleges for the US Space and Rocket Center. UAB passed the big sister's scrutiny for a good college for her baby sister with the big science brain.

There are two more college visits coming up this week. Auburn and University of Alabama. I am anxious to hear how these two compare. In the meantime, I am going to have to stock up on more Puff's Plus because I am not anywhere near ready to have an empty nest.

Hockey Update

A few years ago, Matthew's Coach suggested we send him to Culver Academy to play hockey. I was not inclined to send him away from home at 12. This year, the hockey situation was one where we had to sit down and really think about the pros and cons of prep school. Prep School for Matthew is the best fit so we did the paperwork, he wrote the essays, did an interview, and to our joy, he was accepted. The boys took a trip to the school, the Coach watched his run through some drills, and ye, he could be on the hockey team. It never dawned on us he would not qualify for financial aid.

Now, we are looking at other options. Matthew was invited to be evaluated at the Premier of hockey prep schools, Shattuck's of St Mary's. However, they are even more expensive than Culver...The hockey program is a perfect fit for Matthew but...if we didn't qualify for aid with Culver, I doubt we we will with SSM. We are considering a few Canadian Prep Schools that are interested in him but those are billet schools...I am not sure about billeting. I know it is the most common system for boys 15 and up but...so much to consider.

I am praying, a lot these days. I am praying God will open doors that no man can open and to close doors that no man can open.

Here are a few pictures of my trip with Matthew to SSM. And yeah, we can't afford this one either...

I love love love this library

What's a trip without Maggiano's?

Matthew left me in the dust for most of this trip. We will be working on manners and staying with the person you're traveling with...especially your old mother. 

Prom Night

Pretty Girls, Handsome Boys, and Bad Weather was the unofficial theme for this year's prom. I am not sure why the Prom was in March...usually it is late April or May. The Group of Friends that Hannah went to Prom with were about as organized as the weather. There will be no official prom pictures this year. Wicked Weather delayed the start of prom by an hour which was a blessing since the unorganized group had 7:30 dinner reservations with the Prom starting at 8:00, not even time for appetizers. The boyfriend's mom is a photographer who had the misfortune of getting stuck in the mud and not able to get back in time to take pictures or see her son doing his Jameson Bond. Matthew took over the hair for the boyfriend when Hannah couldn't control a bit of flop that was taking place...Lauren has the video which was quite hysterical, I have a few pictures of Prom Prep and two group pics...but that's it. A "Do Over" for pictures was suggested by the boyfriend's mom but Hannah said, "Too much work." Hannah was not inclined to do the hair and makeup thing all over. I guess the girl was not meant to be a princess.

Neglected Blog. Military Ball Pictures

I know I keep saying "Time Flies" every time I sit down to make a post but...it really does. My last post was in November!!! Holidays have happened, games have been played, emails have gone neglected...not the "make my life busier" emails but the ones that actually say "Hello" to people I care about. And now, my biggest blog fan, Aunt Shirley, has passed away. That is just too busy.

I'm not sure if anyone besides Aunt Shirley looks at my blog. The thought occurred maybe I shouldn't even bother now...but I will continue to post with the thought someday, my children or grandchildren might want to peruse this blog like a scrapbook.

Last night, Hannah, had her first big event. She attended the Military Ball and smiled through the cold for some pretty pictures. Of course, as she said when offered a blanket to stay warm between pictures, "I'm fine. I spend most of my time in an ice rink." True.

Pictures galore here!