Basketball

Elizabeth had a great first basketball season - she really enjoyed it.  She got better with every game and figured out the game a bit more every time she played.  She even scored a few times!  Her coach is really amazing - the perfect first coach for a kid like her.  At one of our games, he showed his fiery side and got a technical foul - but in his defense, we were losing by 27 in the 4th quarter and Rebecca Lobo (yes, that Rebecca Lobo) was having her girls press.....

First free throw - she missed, but most kids this age miss.  It was close....

February Odds and Ends

Photos that didn't make it to February posts:

Lunch with my mom and my sister.

School spirit day - blue hair!

The four of us spend A LOT of time together, with Elizabeth and Laila playing four sports together this year.  Good thing we get along so well! 

This is some serious tiredness!

These two at the pet store.....

I can't take him anywhere!!!

Father Daughter Dance

The girls and Lee went to the annual Father Daughter Dance the last weekend in January (so, I'm a bit behind on my posts...).  They had a great time with their friends.  This is definitely one of the girls' favorite events and a great way to kick off Catholic Schools Week!

Emily and her 4th grade besties.

Accepted!

Yesterday was a big day on Clover as Elizabeth was accepted as a boarding student for a two week writing program at Choate Rosemary Hall this summer.  Choate is one of the top five boarding schools in the country and has a very robust summer program.  Elizabeth did some research into this program and approached us about applying.  She met with two teachers and her principal to secure letters of recommendation, completed the application and submitted a personal statement.  And then we waited.  The acceptance letter she received says, in part: “We appreciate your family’s interest in our program, applaud Elizabeth’s achievement and potential, and look forward to welcoming you on campus as a boarding student….”  I wish that I could have been at home when she saw the letter, but Lee tells me that she was beyond excited.

We have a few years to go before high school decisions begin to loom, but something tells me that this experience is going to make her yearn for bigger and better things.  #andsobeginstheprepschooljourney

March Madness

The first few months of the year have been a bit overwhelming for us - the lack of posts to the Clover Street Chronicles is a direct result of two busy girls and two overworked parents.  I am going to try to get back on track in March, but considering what's on the calendar, that may be unlikely.  February brought us soccer games, basketball games, lacrosse practices, All State Band tryouts and two trips to New Hampshire (by different parts of the family), plus a few snow storms.  March brings the close of the second trimester (middle school nerves are at their peak as she tries to make high honors for the second time in a row), 7 All State rehearsals and a concert, the Invention Convention (for both girls), 8 soccer games plus a soccer tournament in Massachusetts, lacrosse conditioning (for both girls), basketball practices, and seven soccer practices a week (between the two girls).  Elizabeth was just accepted as a flute student at the Hartt School of Music, so Lee will be bringing her up to Hartford one afternoon a week for lessons.  We are hanging on - successfully having family dinners every night and spending Friday and Saturday evenings watching movies and catching up on our DVR'd shows, but I think that we could all use a bit of a break.  Already looking forward to the end of the month.....

Enjoying their first ever Shamrock Shakes!

January Odds and Ends

Odds and ends from January:

I "coached" these girls at the MLK Day 3 v 3 soccer tournament.

First snow!

Suddenly on a Harry Potter kick.  She read the Goblet of Fire in two days.

Cinderella

A few weekends ago, we went to see the Broadway production of Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella when it came to the Bushnell in Hartford for a short run.  It was an amazing show and I'm so glad that we decided to forgo an afternoon of sports to see it.  The night before we went, the girls and I took an exclusive, backstage tour of the show.  This was the only such tour allowed for this show, and we got to see some amazing things and learn some amazing facts.  They didn't allow photos of any of the costumes or scenery (I was tempted to sneak a few but they were watching us all very closely), but we did get some photos of the autograph wall and a few other things.  It was a great adventure for us!  We are trying to make 2016 the year of #experiencesnotthings and so far, we are off to a good start!

We had the chance to see many of the beautiful old rooms in the Bushnell, including this one.

Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole.

Kelly McGillis.

Idina Menzel, from when she was touring with Wicked.

Tanya Tucker

Johnny Mathis

View of the Belding Theater, from the stage.

Beautiful chandelier made for the Bushnell by Dale Chihuly.

Winter Soccer

Grammy and Grampy visited last weekend and Grammy took several photos of Emily playing soccer.  Because of the nets and lighting, I don't even bring my camera to the indoor games, but Grammy has infinite patience and got some great shots.  Emily played three games for three different teams and was finally able to put one in the net for the first time this winter.

December Odds and Ends

A few photos that didn't make it into a December post:

The first Sunday of Advent.

Annual Christmas manicure, a rare treat for two Catholic school girls -nail polish.

Taking advantage of the unusually warm weather and getting in some outdoor soccer work in December.

First Starbucks - and just like that, she's turned her back on Dunkin' Donuts!

Headed out to celebrate NYE (until around 8:30) with friends.

2015: Year in Review

When the holidays are over and the reality of winter starts setting in, there is nothing better than looking back on the year.  I love making these videos and getting a reminder of all of the many blessings in our lives.