Happy "Red Group" First Day of School

 

Well well well...our five month summer break finally came to screeching halt yesterday.  I would like to personally thank both Warren County and BG City schools for having enough faith in our systems, educators, families, students, etc. to return to in-person school.  There's been a lot of preparation, meetings, and protocols put in place to make sure students/teachers can attend safely that it would be a true shame not to at least let them try.  I think most parents realize it's not permanent and things could certainly shift back to NTI, but I'm grateful the kids got a "first day" experience.  It was bittersweet for our Karson as she enters into her Senior year.  

Due to the letter in the alphabet, our kids will attend school in-person on Mondays/Wednesdays (Red Group) and do virtual learning Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays.  

All the kids rolled out of bed and were ready for school bright and early.  I fixed a big breakfast and got all the traditional first day pics.  I was happy that Karson spent the morning with us as she usually goes with friends on the first day.  Again, since this year is wonky, she wanted to be home and take the boys which I appreciated since Matt had to be at school super early.

Karson and her friends got together and painted up their cars Sunday afternoon. Hard to believe this is the final chapter for our girl!  

Y'all...is he not the cutest golfer in the world?!?  Our 8th grader is quite impressive on the course and can certainly hold his own in competitions.  He's managed to maintain his 5th spot on the team and continues to improve.  I had to drop him off at Crosswinds yesterday for an inner squad (9-hole) scrimmage, and it was 90 smoking HOT degrees  I was thinking to myself...this is not going to go well today...he's been in school...it's hot...he's tired...he had a headache.  When I collected him from the course around 7 PM, he was smiling ear-to-ear as he rolled his golf push-cart towards me - big internal sigh of relief for me - hah.  He shot a 41 and was very proud of himself.  We celebrated with some Chick Fil A.  Glad he had a good end to his first day of school.

Faux Prom and More Senior Festivities

Back in January after visiting a few prom/bridal shops, Karson found her perfect gown for Junior prom (right here in Bowling Green) at Regiss.  It was gorgeous, fit her perfectly (although my BFF Phyllis did had to alter the straps a bit to make it fit tighter), very inexpensive compared to ones we'd seen, and a unique color.  I was a little concerned we might not be able to find shoes to match locally.  Isaac happened to have a lacrosse match in Tennessee near Rivergate one Saturday.  Because of that, Karson and I were able to run over to DSW Shoes and found the PERFECT color/shoe to match.  We also snagged some hoop earrings from Claire's at Rivergate.

AND the COVID bomb hit, everything was cancelled - school, spring sports, concerts, prom, graduation, everything!  Although I wanted Karson to get to attend her Junior prom, I knew health and safety were paramount to experiences.

A few weeks ago, my other BFF Larie (aka Phyllis's daughter) asked my thoughts on her hosting a faux, small prom which would basically be dinner and pictures.  Karson loved the idea, and I did too so plans were in motion.  The Prom was a week ago Friday.  I'd scheduled hair and makeup for Karson - always fun to get glammed up and ordered a boutonnière for her date Spencer.

Karson and Spencer looked AMAZING unlike the weather which was ominous looking all week.  Larie had gone to all the trouble to set all the tables, chairs, and place settings out for the kids.  When we got to her mother-in-laws place (where the event was taking place), the wind was blowing and stuff was flying everywhere.  It was gorgeous up until the time of the event (5:30) and it was like the floodgates and wind opened up.  The rain was torrential  - it was crazy.  BUT, it eventually let up enough for the kids to get some group pics and enjoy a nice dinner.

We kept everything low contact by disinfecting hands, serving the food, etc.  It was a lovely night and so thankful all the kids got to enjoy their own version of prom.  Very hopeful they'll get to actually experience their Senior prom.

 

Karson's friend Liz Warder scheduled a Senior pics session with Leigh Anne Littlefield Photography a few weeks back.  With all the uncertainty of how school would look like/begin, the girls wanted to get some "first day" pictures where they all looked nice.  I'm glad they did.  With the A/B schedule that's in place, they won't even be going to school on the same days, and it will look very different even when they are there.

Hard to believe they are already SENIORS.  Karson has already applied to two schools and was accepted into the University of Louisville.  We are currently working on resumes, essays and scholarship applications.  It has BEGUN!  Hopeful this year will be full of excitement for all these girls!!!

CLASS OF 2021!!!

Class of 2021 ~ It's Your Time to Shine Bright

I read an article a few weeks ago, and it hit all the points, we, as parents of the Class of 2021, are facing with our High School Seniors.  I remember that pit in my stomach as we dropped little Karson off at Plano on August 5, 2008.  What was in store for her? Was she prepared? How would she handle it all?  She came home that afternoon claiming how much she loved school and couldn't wait to go back.  Through her academic journey, we quickly found out that Karson was extra special.  She'd been gifted with an incredible brain that was/is like a sponge.  Awards piled up, testing was through the roof, she'd be invited to attend 212 Academy for gifted students, she'd participate in the school's academic and quick recall teams, and the list goes on and on and on.  Her G/T teacher pulled me aside one day in the hall and told me how incredible Karson was and that she had the ability to quickly pick up new ideas, and the things she didn't know the answers to, her general intellect would kick in and help her sort out the answers.  Middle and high school have been no different.  She's continued to excel academically, scoring high on her exams, ACT, SAT, AP classes and being accepted into the prestigious Governor's Scholars program this summer.  School is her thing! The questions I had when Karson was an incoming kindergartener are the questions I face today as she enters her Senior year at South..what's in store for her?  Is she prepared? How will she handle this year?  

My answer: I have no doubt she and the class of 2021 will make the most of it!  Yes, it's going to be different, weird, bumpy, unpredictable, but that's LIFE.  As parents, let's look forward to their final year, embrace the moments, and encourage them as much as possible.  Let's not focus on all the things they won't get to do, but focus on LOVING their last year of high school and hugging them a little tighter than usual!

Senior pics, round 1, are complete with the oh-so-talented Erin Denny out of Franklin, KY with The Studio on Main.  Karson and I were pleased. It's such a treat working with someone who makes you feel comfortable, sets up shots beautifully, and gives great instruction.  She did an incredible job with the session.  We plan to do two more sessions - one in the fall and one in the spring.  Heck, we might even do one in the winter if we get snow!  

Cheers Class of 2021!  Let's make it one to remember!