Spring Break Saga (Just a Little Bit Late!) Part 1

I mentioned that Belle and I had an amazing Spring Break adventure to try and help her decide which school to choose.  She had narrowed down her choices to Marymount University in Arlington and Boston University.  They both were great choices and very different from each other.  Marymount is a small school, BU is a huge school.  Marymount offered her a better financial aid package and is closer to home, while BU is in our all time favorite place and within walking distance of Fenway Park (that is a reason to choose a school right?!)  In any case we decided to go back to both areas and just sight see, take some skating lessons and just get a feel for what they are like to live in. 

So, off we headed.  Since we were going to New England we decided to make a small side trip to Newport, RI where Belle was born.  She hadn't been there since she was 3 and she and I were both anxious to see it.  Amazingly it was very much the way I remembered it.  Some things were different, especially little shops we used to walk to on Thames street, but overall not much had changed. 

We arrived around 6 in the evening after driving all day.  We checked into our hotel and then went to drive around Newport.  We went and saw the "cottages" out on Ocean Drive (if you haven't ever been they are only cottages if you grew up in a castle!)  starting at King's Park where we used to go watch fireworks and Peter Pan once lost Moose on the playground (MEN! and that is another blog and $1000's in therapy for Moose I'm sure.)  We stopped at Brenton Point where we used to go fly kites when Belle and Moose were little.  Even though it was cold and I forgot my coat we had a blast.  Yes, I forgot my coat, I do that a lot.  I have done it on vacation, at skating competitions, and going to work.  This trip we were just getting to Washington DC when I realized I didn't have a coat.  It was too late to turn around.  Belle loved seeing the cottages and we had a good laugh about if we won the mega millions and buying one. 

Here was what we looked like back when we used to visit Brenton Point.  I'd say we have all changed a little.

Here is Belle on Spring Break.

We ended our first evening in New England at 99, a classic American Fare restaurant.  I don't know if it was the beach air or the long day in the car, but Belle and I were starving.  She had Chicken Parmigiana and I had Chicken tenders.  We agreed it was one of the best meals ever!  Then we made a stop at the Christmas Tree Shoppe, also a New England classic.  There is one in Richmond now, but it used to be a New England treat.  Contrary to the name it isn't just a Christmas store.  It is filled with the best stuff ever!  I got several things for our house and so began the shopping and loading part of our trip.  The most wonderful thing about Christmas Tree Shoppe is that it is dirt cheap!!!!!!  Bargain shopping at it's best. 

Just being in Newport made me miss it.  We had some great times there.  Belle came into our lives there.  It was a great place to live and I am glad we got to make a visit back.  Stay tuned for more Spring Break Saga at a later date.  I think I have been nostalgic enough for one night, and I really should get to bed.  Looking at those old pictures reminds me how far I need to walk on the treadmill...

One More Milestone and a Scrimmage

Well, today was Belle's last home meet as a high school athlete.  We went and did the Senior ceremony and I didn't even think to bring the camera, fortunately a fellow sports mom took some for me.  It was of course good and sad all at once (I just can't use bittersweet anymore because everything this year has been "bittersweet.")  She ran a 1600 for good measure, although since she is still recovering it was more of a tempo run for her.  I did enjoy one last hurrah at a home meet.  It was great to see everyone and hard to believe how they have all grown up.  Time flies!  Belle is so grown up all the sudden that I actually didn't recognize her today.  She came to the sign in table and I asked her if she knew where Belle was.  Too my defense the sun was in my eyes, but she didn't look like my little girl.  It was a ridiculous moment and I was pretty embarrassed. 

Belle has decided to go to Marymount University in Arlington next year.   She will run cross country for them and she is going to major in Physical Therapy.  It should be a win-win.  They have made her a great academic scholarship offer, it is close enough for us to get to see her races, but far enough for her to feel independent.  There are also some fantastic ice dance coaches in Northern Virginia so she can continue to pursue that part of her athletic life.  The cross country coach knows she wants to keep skating and is okay with that.

Moose had his first (and perhaps only, we are still waiting to hear from him about the schedule) spring scrimmage last weekend.  Peter Pan and I weren't planning to go since Moose had not been practicing due to that stupid shoulder injury last fall.  Moose called in the middle of the week to let us know he would be practicing so we made plans to make a weekend of it.  We pricelined a hotel room (Roanoke is a great place to do that, lots of options), made sure that Belle was all set, and headed off.  Moose actually had a good scrimmage.  He made some good plays and even got a sack!  I was extremely proud of him!  He says I am making too big of a deal about it and he is probably right, but that is what insane sports moms do!  The best part was that we spent some fun time together after the game.  We took him to dinner and a movie.  Then on Sunday we took him to lunch before heading home.  It was a really good weekend.  Oh and did I mention he got a sack?  I know I keep repeating it (partly to annoy you Moose!).  Moose says to stop talking about it, it was just one good play,  I was just so happy to see him back on the field and playing. 

Back to Work

Spring Break was amazing and wonderful.  I took Belle on a final visit to colleges to  force help her make her decision.  Actually she is really struggling as both choices are good so I really was trying to help.  We had a fantastic time and saw many reasons why both choices would be good, so maybe not so helpful.  Our trip is a whole differernt blog, however, and I need to get  myself in gear.  It is time to go back to Kindergarten today.  48 days left in this school year, and so much still to teach.  So, even though I have gotten very used to lazy days this week, I am trying to be motivated and move this morning.  All I can say is that this year has gone entirely too fast.  I wish it would slow down a little bit!  Happy 4th quarter everyone!