February Miscellany

 

Clara's Sweet 16 🎂

 

That's it, we officially have a 16 year old. The birthday itself was low-key, coming in the middle of the week with lots going on at school and with sports. We would have a little family celebration with a bigger sweet 16 party to come over the weekend.

Hattie had a time capsule to share with Clara. She put it together 5 years ago (not to open until your 16th birthday). It's content reminded us of 8-year-old Hattie and also the time right before the pandemic hit.

Clara is a Licensed Driver 😬

 

Clara wasted no time, scheduling time at the DMV, taking off school for the morning, and getting that drivers license on her 16th birthday. 

The parents gulped loudly when she pulled out of the driveway that afternoon for her first solo drive. 

Clara Starts Gibbons Soccer Season

High school soccer season has begun. Clara will pick up the right back position on the varsity team, meaning she will officially be a lettered varsity athlete at Cardinal Gibbons.

Third Snow of the Year ❄️

Clara Learns to Change a Tire

As she edges so close to 16, it was time to go through the rite of passage of learning to change a car tire with Dad. 

 

Hattie & Kate Do Charleston

 

Clara's high school soccer try outs meant we had to divide and conquer for winter break. Paul stayed at home while Kate and Hattie went to Charleston, staying a couple nights at Hotel Bennett and then a few more nights in Wild Dunes for a fun girls week away.

First Swim in the Pool

The pool has water, and despite it being winter, Paul couldn't stand the wait any longer. He takes the first plunge. 

 

Krispy Kreme Challenge

 

The K2C tradition continues. This year Elle represented the Elliot family, pushing Nova along the 5 mile route. There were no challengers in our crew this year.

January Miscellany

 

Water in the Pool

After 9 months of construction, we finally have water in the pool. The crew has a deadline of opening the pool by Clara's 16th birthday party at the end of February, so they went into hustle mode. Despite weather too cold for applying the pebbletek, they brought in a heating tent to get their work done. The water truck came the next day to fill it up and start the curing process.  We're getting closer!

 

Gibbons Snowball Dance

The girls don't actually go to the Snowball Dance, mind you. That was only cool for freshmen. But the girls do get snazzied up and grab dinner together before making their own social events later in the evening. 

 

STS Middle School Winter Dance (DRAFT)

Hattie's crew stays tight, doing their own thing with dinner before enduring the (consensus) terribleness of 7th grade boys at STS's winter dance.

 

Second Snow of January

 

After no snow in Raleigh for three years, we get our second snow of January...and a couple days off school for the girls.