Megan Graduates from High School

 Class of 2022!

Graduation was scheduled for 7:00 PM on Saturday, June 11, both late in the day and late in the year. After much discussion we decided to throw Megan's graduation party the same day at noon. I pulled out the planning info and pictures from her sisters parties and got planning going. We would be doing the taco bar like we had done for her sisters so I pulled out the recipes and made the cooking schedule. I cook the food myself and it's a good bit of work. Rain was forecasted so we had to be flexible. In the end we decided to have food inside and put tables outside under our tent and a sail cloth I bought for the party.

The family all pitched in to get things decorated, food prepped and heated up. Rachael came over early to help and was a great addition. She was going to have to leave early from the party for work. Emma on the other hand wouldn't arrive until after the party; she would join us for the ceremony that night.

I prepared a picture slide show that ran in the living room. I also made a music play list but I couldn't find my phone to get it to play. Throughout the party I borrowed Megan or Jim's phone to take pictures. Megan had bought a new white dress for graduation but it got snagged and holes in it by a cat right before the party. Bridget stepped in to help and offered her Easter dress, which turned out great. Everything went great, people came and went, ate and visited. Megan had some of her babysitting families visit, she played cards with friends, and greeted and grinned at family and friends all day.

We got a little bit of down time before the ceremony, where we did some clean up, eat and relax. I got a few pictures of her in her cap and gown before we had to leave for the ceremony at Towson's SECU arena. Megan got a ride with Savannah since they had to show up a little early and then Jim, Bridget, Johanna and I went up  later. Emma joined us there.

The graduation ceremony moved fast, the student speakers were solid and then all of a sudden it was done. She was done. She was finished with the required schooling. 

Graduates, family and friends surged outside and the pull to reconnect began. We caught sight of her amid the thousands of people, way across the courtyard, perched on a wall. She looked so solitary and closed off. I sensed that it was all a bit overwhelming. I couldn't get to her fast enough. We took just a few pictures as families moved around us, but there was an unknown feeling lingering. It was already getting dark and plans for afterward were not yet established. Megan joined a few friends for pictures and then we were ushered out of Towson's arena. Her mood seemed to lighten. Megan, Bridget and Emma all loved the idea of going to a local boba tea place, so that is what we did. We played cards together, drank our tea and enjoyed each other before heading back to the parking garage. We dropped Emma off at her car and then made the way back home. We were all pretty exhausted after a long day.

I am so proud of Megan and I look forward to her next path. This path really can be any that she puts the effort into. Next up is Senior week at Chincoteague, VA. She and Savannah rented a house together for 5 nights. I hope it is a fun fresh start for the next stage in life.

Congratulations Megan! I love you!

Dance Recital, Covid, and a hair cut

 June 5, 2022

As the school year headed into it last days and deadlines got closer, our activities also came to a culmination. Bridget's dance practices got longer and the details became fine-tuned. Bridget hair had gotten super long and was down to her butt. She is talking about getting it cut to her chin and we decided for the sake of the dance bun getting it cut to a moderate length before the recital would be the first step. It looks great.

Memorial Day offered a bit of a break and Bridget wound up with a bigger break than expected. She didn't feel good on Friday and tested positive for Covid.  So she isolated in the basement with lots of food deliveries and snacks and drinks and medicine. She skipped the weekend activities.

I let her dance teacher know and told her we would keep her home for the 5 days recommended and then reassess. Ms. Carol emailed everyday to check on Bridget. She was concerned and also trying to avoid a bunch of students getting sick and putting the recital in jeopardy. Bridget had a fever for the first day, and was a bit achy but then felt pretty much herself. Bridge was glad for the memorial holiday because it meant that she would only miss 2 days of school as they prepped for finals. Bridget was able to catch back up on school and get in a good dance practice before recital weekend.

Bridget would still be wearing a mask for the recital per CDC guidelines but she was happy to be feeling good and have the timing work out well for her to be able to participate in the big events. since Bridget is older, she doesn't really need me to hang around for the dress rehearsal for 6 hours but I did come for part of it. It is a great way to watch the dances up close without distractions. 

The theme was "Hand in Hand" and was about different environmental biomes. Bridget's contemporary dance "Seals" for which she wore a blue dress, was gorgeous and she got to showcase her growth as a dancers doing moves she previously wasn't able to do. In the Desert act, Bridget's Jazz class was Scarab Beetles in a short gold sequin outfit. the dance had lots of sass and spunk and Bridget really conveyed the vibe of the dance with crisp movements. The Final act was the Jungle where Bridget did her ballet, Pointe, and ballet corps numbers, as guardians, and vines. she put a lot of effort and so much stretching into her year and achieved a beautiful result. 

On dance day I went with her early for a run through and to get dressed. Jim and the sisters were joining us at start time. Her bun didn't feel right that morning and I redid it a few times and she was stressed about it but we realized that missing a dose of her medicine wasn't helping the pre-recital nerves. Jim arrived with sisters and medicine.  Bridget calmed to a regular elevated state. The recital was fantastic and so much fun. It is great to watch her dance.

Afterward Bridget picked dinner out at our traditional after recital restaurant, Matthew's 1600. Bridget had a headache from the bun, so we stepped to the bathroom and let her hair down. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with easy conversation to celebrate a job well done.