Remote Learning Days & the End of Basketball

Old Man Winter has continued to visit us in Kernersville. Throughout February, we have had a few delays and closings due to ice and dangerous road conditions. There have also been a few thunderstorms, which usually suggest the likelihood of snow. In the most recent weather event, we had a Remote Learning Day on Wednesday, the 19th. Both Emmy's school and Eli's preschool closed for the day, and they tagged along with me to Forbush. At first, there was no snow in sight, but then we saw some flakes later in the afternoon and more snow the following day, which meant a second Remote Learning Day. On this second day, I did not have to report to the building, and we stayed at home. Remote Learning Days are relatively new, a term that came about during COVID as students were learning at home and not in the school building. Emmy's remote learning consisted of reading from a Scholastic magazine and answering a few questions; choosing a prompt and writing a page; and completing a math worksheet. There were a few other 'assignments' for her specials: creating an obstacle course for PE; reading to a sibling or stuffed animal for Media. She didn't mind doing the work, and Eli even participated. On Thursday, the kids played outside briefly before lunchtime, but by the afternoon, the snow had all melted. We all returned to school on Friday. Perhaps we have seen the last of Old Man Winter...we'll see!

This past Saturday wrapped up the Upward basketball season. Both kids had their end-of-season parties on the Thursday before during their practice time. Eli's team celebrated with Chick-Fil-A, and for Emmy's team, we got pizza and other party food. I bounced back-and-forth between the celebrations, trying my best to be in two places at once. Boomer recognized each of the Leopards with personalized certificates, and one of the other moms sent me the pictures of Emmy accepting hers. My two silly goobers! We have loved basketball season and will miss watching our Dragons and Leopards. What a fun winter it has been - on to spring ball!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! Emmy was once again cooperative and enthusiastic for our annual Valentines photo shoot. She loves her Daddy so much!

Last Saturday, Emmy and Boomer traded out their basketball shoes and gym clothes for more formal attire. After her double-header that morning, Emmy freshened up with a shower, and then we curled her hair and painted her nails. She was feeling quite glamorous. Her date was looking especially dashing in his tie and sport coat. The Town of Kernersville hosted their Daddy Daughter Dance at the new Rec Center, and it was a fancy affair with a Hollywood theme. Boomer sent a few videos from their evening: walking down the red carpet, dancing to the Cupid Shuffle, and singing along to Let it Go. While Boomer and Emmy were dancing the night away, Eli and I made a trip to Cupcake Cuties. Eli had cotton candy ice cream, with cotton candy sprinkles, and I got a slice of Kahlua cheesecake, with a salted caramel latte. I always love the memories we make as a family of four, but it is special to spend one-on-one time with each child too. 

Both kids had fun Valentine's celebrations at their schools. Eli's preschool was closed on the 14th for a Teacher Workday, so they had their party on Thursday, the 13th. Emmy helped him decorate his Valentine box the night before so that it could hold all his goodies. Both kids came home with quite a haul of candy, slime, tattoos, and other trinkets. In the evening on Valentine's Day, Boomer headed to the Couch to watch the Deacs in their baseball season opener. He met his buddy Trey and his boys there. Unfortunately it wasn't very nice baseball weather, with temps in the low 40s. The kids and I were content to get McDonald's for dinner and then watch a movie at home. Another very special Valentine's tradition are the messages from Grammy. We add a paper heart to the kids' doors each day in February, and they are always excited to read the new message in the morning.   

Boomer and I were able to enjoy a date night on Sunday evening. Like last year, the annual CTE conference was again at the Grandover in Greensboro, and Boomer had a business meeting on Sunday at 5PM before the conference officially started. Boomer anticipated that the meeting would be brief, so I tagged along and made myself cozy in the lobby until he finished. Then we had dinner at the restaurant on site. It has recently changed names and is now called Finial. We both got steak for our entrees, with salads and an amazing side of sweet cornbread with a honey butter spread. Now that we have celebrated two years in a row at the Grandover, we just might have ourselves yet another Valentine's tradition. 

I'll close with this photo of my littlest Valentine. Eli had his preschool cap and gown photos this past week, and he looks adorable. It's hard to believe he only has a few more months of preschool. I recently completed the online enrollment for kindergarten. I'm sure I will only blink and he will be joining his big sister at the elementary school. 

Let's Go Racing

Our weekends continue to be centered around basketball, and we are having a blast! On Saturday, the 1st, Granny and Paw Paw came to Kernersville to watch the games. Thankfully Eli's performance was like his second game (and not like the first!), and so I am hopeful that maybe the tears are behind us. Both Emmy and Eli showed off their hustle and focus, making us all very proud of our littler ballers! Later that afternoon, Emmy had a play date with her friend Casey, which included Starbucks, while Eli and Boomer headed to Bowman Gray with my dad and Uncle Zack. Several months ago, it was announced that Bowman Gray would be the site of the opening race of the NASCAR Cup Series. It was quite historic for this short, quarter-mile track, and Boomer and my dad were excited to get four tickets. Zack signed on as the third ticket, and then Eli joined for the Saturday night race and Bret came back on Sunday to use the fourth. Although the temperatures dropped as the sun went down, they lucked out with relatively mild winter weather. It was a fun experience for all of the guys, especially our littlest one. Eli loved watching the cars go around the track, and he was thrilled when Chase Elliot won the polls and subsequently won the Sunday race. If we weren't doing baseball stadiums, perhaps we could check off race tracks...but let's not give Boomer Kennedy any ideas!

Sadly we had another bout of sickness this past week. On Thursday, we got the dreaded phone call from the preschool saying that Eli had been puny after breakfast and then he threw up. Luckily Grammy came to the rescue and was able to pick him up within a few minutes. Grammy was already on nurse duty for Maddox, who had similar vomiting the day before. She kept both boys far apart on the couch for the rest of the afternoon with buckets close-by. Both boys seemed to rebound quickly. Out of precaution, Eli stayed home on Friday with Grammy and Grandpa, and he certainly enjoyed the attention as the solo grandchild. 

This past week was National School Counseling Week. Even though my title and role are different than a school counselor, I felt very appreciated and loved at both of my schools as they included me in the celebrations. On Sunday, we gathered at my parents' house to watch Super Bowl LIX. This year was a re-match of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, and this time the Eagles had a decisive victory 40-22. Emmy and Eli were most excited about the ice cream and all the toppings that Aunt Megan brought to the party! Ice cream continues to be a tradition on most Sunday nights, so it was only fitting to have ice cream at our Super Bowl Party. Next up is Valentine's Day. On one of the rare evenings that we were home this past week, Daddy supervised the assembly of the class valentines - we are all set for the upcoming holiday!