The Last First Day

We have made it through the first two days of senior year (and 8th grade for Abby). Hannah did great as we knew she would. I remember being excited about this adventure and all it meant. Hannah on the other hand has been rather sad and reflective. She is already realizing the loss of some less committed friendships and the great relationships she has with her teachers. As I was tucking her in the night before her first day, I decided to boost her up a bit. We've been talking a lot about being a leader in her activities and how younger students will look up to her- just as she looked up to older students in previous years. So, I quoted a favorite line from GREASE. "This year we're seniors and we're going to rule the school!" Her response? "I'm not good at ruling."

I know it is hard for her to present herself as confident and outgoing at times. I also know she will master whatever each new situation requires her to be and do. She is not one to run from a challenge. I can't wait to watch her tackle what gets thrown her way this year. 

Trip of A Lifetime!

As part of the travel club at Irvington Prep, they do a senior trip every other year.  The trip is primarily for just graduated seniors and students just entering their senior year.  As she falls in the former category, Hannah got to sign up for a trip to New Zealand, Australia,  and Hawaii.  As a parent not quite ready to let her leave the country without me, I too signed up!

After a little over a year of fundraising, we headed to our down under adventure on June 20, 2014.  I won't attempt to recount every detail as it was an eventful 18 days of travel.  Some highlights included learning about the Maori culture of New Zealand, eating meat pies, holding a koala, feeding kangaroos, throwing boomerangs, cracking whips, surfing, snorkeling and visiting the Sydney Opera House!

Even as a little girl, Hannah faced new experiences with a sort of fearless, can-do attitude.  As she grew we learned that it didn't mean she wasn't scared or nervous.  She had just decided to stifle those feelings, grab life by the horns and conquer it.  She used this same determination and zest for life with each new experience on our trip.  It was such a joy to watch as she felt the soft fur of a kangaroo for the first time, faced down waves and hopped on her surfboard, and beamed with pride at her ability to "conquer" a big city like Sydney all on her own.  I pray she continues to approach new experiences with such verve - even as she faces nervousness and homesickness.

525,600 Minutes

Today marks the end of another school year.  Every year my kids like to declare that they are now a grade older- officially.  This year, that statement brings on a slew of emotions I can't quite begin to describe.  This year, not only does my youngest officially enter her last year of middle school but my oldest enters her last year of high school.  Hannah is a senior!!  How did this happen?

A few days ago, as I was facing down this ominous day, I decided that I would blog each of the girls' senior years.  So here we go!

One of my favorite musicals is "Rent." Probably the most famous song from that musical recounts the year of a life as 525,600 minutes. As I sit on the couch creating this senior blog for Hannah, she sits across the room watching her favorite movie - not surprisingly a future movie maker's preferred celebration of summer break.

I can't help but look at her and think, "we only have a little over a year before she leaves for college." A number as large as 500,000 begins to feel like the blink of an eye.

Here we go!  Try not to blink.