Queen Bee Weekend

Oct 13,

I was in Cincinnati this week again for work, with some really long and exhausting days. But I had something special to look forward to as my Sofifi got there Thursday and Lionel and Bella got there on Friday. Bella has her fall break at school and Sofia skipped a couple of classes. 

We enjoyed going to several of our special places including Yagoot, Coffee Emporium, and J Alexanders. And, at my insistence that we do it as a family, we ran together the Queen Bee 4 miler. Sofia was specially not thrilled to be up at that time - especially since she didn’t sleep well - but she felt better after.

I was a bit bummed not to be running the half marathon, the way I always did, but I think my body is done with that. And running the 4 miles was a way to still be part of it. My friend Teresina, who we saw there, is in the same boat as me. We can keep encouraging each other to keep running though, regardless of the distances that we go after. Both Teresina and I got two medals, because we participated in both the Flying Pig in May and the Queen Bee now. And Bella had a great result. She finished as #65 in the entire race (out of like 2,300 people) and was place #5 in her division of 14-17 year old. The rest of us didn’t get such a stellar result, but we also did our best!

I am bummed my Sofifi has left already, and I am waiting for my flight to Boston. Lionel and Bella are staying another day and will fly back to Boston tomorrow.

Homecoming 2024

Oct 5,

This evening Bella had her first dance at the new school. She went with her new friends Izzy and Halle. They got ready together, took photos, and then went to the dance and met some other friends there. Apparently the music was bad though, so they didn’t enjoy it as much. But definitely enjoyed the process of dressing up. And we enjoyed seeing  her do things that she has always loved.

Field Hockey

Oct 4,

This week I was in Cincinnati for work and missed Bella’s game during the week, but she sent me this photo to share that she was the MVP of the game. Her team lost, but she did a great job. She had another game this evening, and I was back for it. The sky looked beautiful, and I walked around the field with her friend Izzy’s mom, getting to know her a bit, while Lionel talked to her dad. They seem normal and nice.

Apple Picking!

Sep 29,

Today Bella and I went apple picking. For one reason or another this is only our second time ever, but it was fun and I always enjoy spending time with my girls. It was cloudy, but pretty good apple-picking weather overall.

Mountain Day

Sep 27,

This evening was “Mountain Day” at Worcester, Bella’s new school. Apparently it is a day when the seniors get to do some hiking activity, and the rest of the kids essentially hang out and do some other team activities. Then, in the evening, the kids form different teams and play flag football against each other. Bella’s team lost right away, which of course she complained about, but Lionel and I had fun seeing the kids play and seeing Bella in her element, being much happier than in the previous school.