Today, we had a chance to see the movie, F1 staring Brad Pitt. Truth be told, racing movies aren't really my cup of tea. Typically, they make me think of Herbie or Days of Thunder - fun movies, but not the most exciting movies.
However, this one did catch me by surprise. It told the tale of Brad Pitt, an aging race car driver who helps a friend out and trains a new driver. Great, great movie!!!
Today was a fun day. It was Kiff's last day of NYFA camp, where students share the videos that they made. At the same time, it was a chance for Emmie, Bri, and I to spend the day in Boston doing something. So, we decided to try something new - we went to the Museum of Fine Arts...which we have never done together.
What was neat about that is we were able to arrive in mid-morning when it was not too crowded. Right away, we were able to see something new - Orange Coca-Cola was sponsoring a drink truck outside the museum. So, of course we had to try some. It was phenomenal.
Inside the building, we were able to take in several sights. Some highlights were:
• Seeing the Egyptian room, where they had mummies. I always liked this room.
• Tracking down the cathedral that I went to when I took 8th graders on a tour there back in 2018 on Holy Thursday. It was amazing!
• Getting a chance to visit the Scottish manor room, which is thrilling
• Seeing some of the Americana paintings as well. They are really endearing.
Following the museum, we were able to book it over to the NYFA film fest. It was great. Kiff's movie was particularly clever - it was about a person who has writer's block and then makes a story about a terrorizing water bottle. It was awesome.
What a fun start to the summer!!!
It was a bittersweet day! Today was the annual NSDA recital. And, it was Bri's last day performing on stage with them.
Now, truth be told, we knew it was going to be a tough day. Bri had a solo in the show...and having already watched it during a preview, we knew there were going to be some water works. And there were.
However, the recital itself was quite a show. Between Bri and Kiff, they were in seven performances, which we think was a family record. Bri and Kiff had three dances together, Bri had her solo, Kiff had a hip hop, Bri was in a ballet, and they had the finale.
The show was phenomenal as usual. There were many highlights. Perhaps that one that made me smile the most was when the two of them danced to Ice, Ice Baby. That was quite a show! And they were a hoot in it. Seeing Bri in ballet and Kiff in hip hop was also a thing of beauty, too! Of course, the solo stood out - Bri was amazing and got a well earned round of applause.
Of course, the thing that was the tear jerker was the finale. They always choose a sentimental song - this one was about the wind and memories. Bri and her two other senior classmates took center stage as others, including Kiff, danced them off. Bri and the other two got choked up - which got most of the rest of the audience choked up as well - and embraced for a long time at the end.
What an amazing end to a 16 year career dancing on stage...though Bri plans to keep dancing in college. The best part was we got to share it with a lot of family as well.
Today, as the school year winds down, I had the chance to enjoy another amazing Father's Day. Last year, I started a new tradition - order takeout for breakfast - museum - movie - dinner. And, this year, I decided to repeat the feat. It was another great day.
First, we went to Nick and Andy's for breakfast. Always a great take. And, the takeout was great.
Then, we went to the Museum of Science...one of my favorite places. That ended up being good, but not as good as last year because they are doing a TON of work. The lightning exhibit - my favorite - was shut down for the time being (it might be next year as well). However, there were still things to do, including a dolphin movie, the human body exhibit (which has changed a lot), and of course a visit to the gift shop.
We then went to see the new Karate Kid. It was a fantastic blend of original series with the Jackie Chan reboot. LOVED IT!
We finished the day with supper at Jimmys!!! What a fabulous day! I can't wait to do it again next year!
It is hard to believe it, but today marks the end of an era, a major milestone, a huge achievement. Our daughter, Bri, graduated from Danvers High School.
The occasion was both bittersweet and monumental. It marked the end of 13 amazing years in the Danvers schools with a collection of phenomenal accomplishments, as evidenced by her cords and awards on her graduation gown. But, more important, it marked the beginning of an amazing new chapter that she is about to write.
Watching her march onto the field and get her diploma was an emotional moment. In fact, seeing many of these faces we have come to know over the past decade was truly a touching moment. Families we have known and forged friendships with cheering their own children as they graduated was also so moving and touching. And, wondering what those children will do is also quite a feat.
The day was one that we will always cherish. It marked the third generation of Emmie's family to go through DHS. The first included her Mom (though at a different DHS), Uncle Murray and Aunt Nancy. Then, her brother Eric and she graduated. And now Bri represents generation three. What an accomplishment. Adding to the graduation ironies was the fact that I girl I graduated with - who is now a mom - had a daughter graduate with Bri. Wow.
Seeing Bri embrace the future - and her friends - while holding firmly to the memories is something I will savor forever.
Congratulations Bri. I can't wait to see what comes next. Love you, always!!!
Tonight was a fun night for the Forest family. It was the night of the French National Honor Society Induction.
Two years ago, Bri got inducted into the society. This time, it was Kiff's turn. However, what made it more interesting is that Bri is an officer in the honor society. She was in charge of part of the induction, which made the ceremony that much more poignant.
Kiff was the second of the 10th graders in French (and Spanish) to be inducted. Now, we hoped that Bri would personally give him his certificate, but that was relegated to the teachers. She, however, was able to announce his name.
Kiff was not the only one of his friends inducted into a society. Hope (French) and Jason (Spanish) were also inducted,
It is definitely a moment we will never forget.
Kiff becomes the third member of the family besides Emmie and Bri to be a member of a DHS foreign language honor society. Kudos to all!
Tonight was Danvers Annual Awards Night for students (and parents) at DHS. We received official invited because both Kiff and Bri were receiving awards. However, prior to the arrival of the night, the fun part was guessing which classes they might be getting the awards in. Bri thought French and Kiff thought TV production.
Well, the night was even more surprising than we thought. Both Bri and Kiff made out well at the evening, Kiff did indeed get an award for TV production as he thought. But, even better than the award was the kind comments his teacher made when she met us following the ceremony. She made it a point to come up to both Emmie and I speaking about how amazing he was and her goal was to help him pursue his interest in film-making.
Bri also made out quite well last night. It turns out that Bri DID get an award for French. However, she also got three more awards. She earned one called the Presidential Achievement Award (I earned that one way back in the day). She also earned one for Medical Interventions and one for A.P. Psychology (which she was particularly proud of).
All and all it was a great awards nice. They have several pins to wear that their respective graduations. And Bri now supplants me with the most awards at a night - four to my two!!!
We are extremely proud of them!!!
