BIG NEWS

We have been impatiently waiting for March 10 when we would hear whether Ally was accepted to private high school for next year. 

Well it’s March 9 but a package arrived.

Ally is at home doing remote school today. Becky is teaching in person at her own school. But I texted them to let them know a package arrived. Showing amazing restraint Ally waited until her class was over and then came downstairs.

She said she was nervous. 

But not for long as she started to read the acceptance letter.

Sheer excitement. 

And a huge relief.  

It’s a nice welcome package with school branded items; a pennant, pencil, cell phone card holder, chocolate bar, hand sanitizer and lip balm! Which Ally opened and tried out in the photo below.





Ally is so happy. 

She did not read the 2nd letter enclosed which states we did not receive any financial aid. Which is a disappointment to Becky and I but not entirely unexpected. It will make the next four years pretty challenging financially and then college after that. But we truly believe this is the very best place for Ally to learn and grow. That this school will prepare her for college and support and encourage her so she can build her academic self confidence as well as her self esteem as a student. 

Soon the break between classes was over and she had to log in to ELA but not before hanging up the pennant in her work space. 

We love her so much. 

February 28 - March 6, 2021

Big happenings here this week:

President Biden said vaccinating teachers should be a National priority, so CVS opened up appointments to teachers and Becky got her first shot! The state is not vaccinating teachers until March 11.

Ally got sick. Fever and it seems she has a slight cold. It’s not COVID because she got tested on Monday and again at school on Thursday. Negative both times. 

Ally returned to school. For the first time since March 13, 2020. She was happy to be in school and said it was better than remote, but it was freezing cold. To be COVID safe the classroom windows are wide open and it was very cold here this week.

My dad got out of the hospital and is at home with round the clock at home care.

The final two gymnastics meets of the regular season took place and Ally decided not to compete. It’s been a full year since she last competed and after so many months off she just didn’t feel ready. We supported her decision, and talked about how ever since she was a baby there was no prodding, encouraging or bribing her to do something until she was ready. Eating, walking, talking, putting her hair up in pony tails, raising her hand in class, demonstrating a new skill at gymnastics, spending the night away from us. It’s all on her schedule in her own time. When she is ready. She is and always has been her own person. And we love her just the way she is. It takes a lot of confidence to hold off until you are ready to do something. 

Ally has decided to stay at her gym but change teams/cohort next month after the state meet. That way she will finish out the season with her teammates, but it’s time to move to a different group, it’s with older girls and has less practice time each week which will be better for Ally. 

Lots of PS5 playing this week, one afternoon Ally played online with strangers by herself! I was a little freaked out but she and Becky told me it was safe. And we reviewed internet stranger safety. 

Sunday dressed and ready to head to the gym for meet #1 of the week. She was signed up to run camera for 2 meet sessions.

But before she left she had some snuggles with Cloey.

Her team won! Yes there are lots of girls at her level.

On Monday I started riding the Peloton. My goal is 31 rides this month which is one ride a day. I’m happy to report I made it 5/6 days and will double up next week to stay on track. 

Ally loves having breakfast in bed with her pets. It was a nice way to start the school week.

Monday the start of a new school schedule, new class cohort of only 11 other students.

Ally sent me the selfie above. Sometimes Daisy likes to go after Ally. It was a good morning of remote school, but at lunch Ally told me she wasn’t feeling well. She was burning up, she had a fever! So after some rest and movie watching we went and got COVID tested. She felt so crummy. 

Tuesday Ally and Becky had sick days. No school for either of them. Becky took the day off because with Ally having a 100+ fever it was safer for her students that she stay home until we got the COVID results. Ally and I watched the movie Togo and then she played Minecraft with Becky for 4 hours!! 

Thursday, first day back in person at school.

Ally met up with Olive and Maya and walked to school.

Due to COVID they keep the classroom windows open and run an air filter machine to improve air quality, but it means the room is cold. Really cold. Especially when it’s less than 20 degrees outside. So Ally came home with her teeth chattering. She was freezing.

So I made her some soup and hot cocoa.

And Ally shared her soup with Cloey!

How was the first day back? 2 thumbs up Ally said.

Friday she dressed as warm as reasonable. Fleece lined sweatpants, warm socks, 3 layers on top, her winter coat and a hat.She wore it all and came home so cold again.  I even sent her with hot cocoa in a water bottle to drink during the day to try and stay warm. 

So she changed her clothes again and ate soup again.

Hanging out with Daisy. 

But honestly, she was still not feeling her best. She battled a low grade fever all week. And the cold classroom did not help.

Becky got her shot!!

And Aunt Polly sent us the ad for the vaccine above, looks like Becky. But it’s not. 

But we had to stage a photo shoot to prove it.

Saturday after the gymnastics meet Ally had her annual Shamrock Shake. 

And when we got home she had an Ipsy order to open.

And then it was game time. Cloey and Daisy hung out on one side of the room.

While Ally and Becky played on the other side.

It’s really nice for them to have a joint activity. And it’s something I have no interest in. I’m so glad we got the gaming system. It’s been really great and fun for them. 

February 21-27, 2021

It was a week rife with sorrow and bad news. But as has been the case for the past couple of years our pets brought us much comfort and time with friends is priceless. 

Sunday we went to Rosa and Julie’s house. The girls went sledding in town and took the above selfie for Instagram. 

But also agreed to the picture above when they got back.

I roasted a giant marshmallow for a s’more.

Cloey! I made chocolate chip cookies to bring to Julie and Rosa. On the drive over we realized that Cloey must have eaten one!!! YIKES so I actually dropped off Becky and Ally and drove home to get Cloey so we could monitor her.

Monday Ally had no school, but she was caught searching for a dropped dog treat under the fridge.

Ally was super happy with a yogurt parfait for lunch on Tuesday. Tuesday after school Ally had Maya and Olive over and they hung out for several hours up in our 3rd floor, board games, PS5, watching YouTube and making Tik Toks.

Wednesday we found out that a 15 year old girl in our community killed herself. As soon as I heard I went upstairs to talk to Ally. She had already heard about it on social media but was willing to talk about it with me. Ally did not know the girl personally but this was her first experience with suicide in her atmosphere. She was pretty shaken up about it. Holding Daisy always grounds her. 



Thursday morning Cloey was crying and whining and pawing to get at something under Ally’s couch. Finally I got down and looked to see what she wanted. It was the missing chocolate chip cookie from Sunday! 

Thursday brought some more grave news. Charges were brought against a prominent national gymnastics coach for his role in the gymnastics sex abuse case. The coach killed himself rather than face charges. It was another dose of harsh reality. 

But our Peloton arrived and Ally did her first ride on Thursday. 



Becky too.

Friday Ally was feeling pretty good and took these selfies.



Yummy Friday lunch with Cloey. After school Ally went to an 8th grade social at a local park with Maya and Olive. She came home pretty cold and spent the rest of the evening in her room under her electric blanket watching TV. 

Friday Grandpa Frank went to the hospital. He hadn’t been feeling well and so at the advice of his doctor he called for an ambulance and went to the ER he was admitted with some heart and kidney issues. 

Saturday called for donuts! From the new cafe on the corner down the street from our house. Ally went to practice and then came home, watched UCLA win their gymnastics meet and then we all watched U-571 a WWII submarine movie. It was a nice way to end the week.

A week like this with death and hospital sickness make me really appreciate all the good we have. And how hard we are working to maintain good health.