The One With Kiff's Track Meet

 

 

Although it was May 20, amid a dark sky with some light rain, Kiff had his last middle school track meet today. This was the first year Kiff did track in middle school and certainly won't be his last.

 The middle school track year is only a few meets long - 5 in fact. While Kiff missed two when he was sick, he did take part in three, developing a hankering for three different events:

 

• 100 m dash

• long jump

• relay

 

Today, he wrapped up a solid first season by finishing in the middle of the pack in the 100 m dash and by jumping a record (for him) 12 feet in the long jump.

 

Congrats on a great first year, Kiff.

The One with the Trip to Boston

 

Earlier this week, we went on a day trip to Boston to explore the Freedom Trail. We visited several fun places: Our itinerary took us to:

• Boston Massacre Site

• Old State House where we met some nice workers

• Faniuel Hall 

• Paul Revere's House (great trip inside)

• Outside the Old North Church

• Union Oyster House

• Holocaust Memorial

 

The One With Happy Easter 2022

 

Today is Easter Sunday 2022. So far, we've had quite a memorable weekend.

We started off on Friday with Emmie and I running many errands related to Easter, with stops to Five Below, the Butchery, and Putnam Pantry. Both Chiff and Bri had things they had in the evening with friends.

Yesterday, Chiff and I visited the Cape to see Nani and go out for a dinner at Guirdinos. We had the chance to catch up with Mark, Carol, Trish, AND Mike (who was in for the Boston Film Festival where is short film, Tony at 39! debuted).

I got back and did some last minute errands for Emmie, who was fighting an epic migraine.

This morning, we opened Easter baskets, I went to church (it was amazing to be back), and we just wrapped up Easter brunch listening to vintage Easter music via Youtube. Definitely check it out.

Right now, we are about to watch one of my favorite things on Easter - a biblical movie! The only thing that makes this sad is that it is the first Easter without Dad 2, Uncle Chet, and Aunt Nancy. What a year!

Happy Easter to all!!!

 

 

 

The One With The Almost Win in the Superbowl

 

Kiff played in I believe his 6th flag football Superbowl this past Friday. And it was epic!!!

 

His team - the Avalanche  - were playing against a team stacked with some of his friends. In fact, there was a 7th grade rivalry between the two teams and they were looking forward to battling each other.

It was a nip and tuck game. Although it did not start that way Kiff's team threw a pick-6 to start the game and were down. However, they battled back with some great defense. In fact, Kiff almost caused a safety when he sacked the quarterback.

 

It was an awesome game. Kiff's team had the lead 25-30 with under 1 minute left. In fact, they were still  ahead with 8 seconds left. But a last second touchdown by the earthquake with 1 second left sealed their fate in the greatest flag football superbowl game I have ever seen.

What a game!!!

The One with Beauty and the Beast

 

 

Well, this weekend, it happened. For the first time since Covid-19 shut down Kennedy's doors one week before Tech Week. The triumphant return of the KMS musical - opening for the first time at the new Kennedy Middle School.

And it did not disappoint!!! What an amazing show the Kennedy students put on as they performed Beauty and the Beast in front of a live audience (the first time a show has been performed in front of a live audience there).

It truly was amazing. The cast was spectacular. Because we have a full time technical director, the stage crew actually numbered 20 students (a record!). And the blend of lights (with the light room), sounds, with a whole sound board section, and crew (with plenty of space on both sides), was amazing.

I returned for another year behind the scenes and enjoyed every moment of it. It also enjoyed the fact that 5th graders got to be in the show for the first time since The Wizard of Oz in 2002. It was wild and crazy...but amazing!

What a 24th show. What amazing memories. And what a stage (as you can see from the picture above).

The One With Auntie Nancy's Wake

 

This year has definitely been a devastating one for our family. We had another loss with the passing of Auntie Nancy a week ago. 

She was an amazing lady and she and Uncle Jim had a bond that few couples ever have. I so remember her for many events and from the jaunts they had with my parents. In fact, as I type this,  sit just in the kitchen of my parents house, just feet away from the couch they would always sit in here.

It was nice to see so many cousins together in the same room at the same time - Michael, Elizabeth, Peter, Karen, Mark, Jim Jr, Susan, Lori, and Steven (and me).  It seems like years that this has happened, with all of the families represented. It brought back such warm memories of times gone by and shows just how indelible the bond is.

Rest in peace Auntie Nancy. We love you.

The One Where Bri is in the St. Patrick's Day Parade

 

 

As I type this Emmie, Kiff, and I have been watching the St. Patrick's Day parade in South Boston. This is the first time Boston has hosted it in two years because of the Covid Pandemic. As a result of that fact and the fact that we didn't know the area that well, we decided to watch the. Danvers High School Marching Band from home (which was probably a good idea, because it was PACKED).

 

Needless to say, it has been an awesome parade to watch. Not only is it one of the biggest events to return to Boston in two years - what a way to usher in a new era and to welcome the first day of spring - it was the first time we got to see the group on regional TV.

 

It did not disappoint. We were able to see the marching band probably better than we would in person, and it was QUITE an experience. Bri was on TV several times, performing in the color guard with her lime green shirt and rainbow flag. WOW. That was fantastic!

 

We did notice that the spot where A street meets Broadway seems to be a great place to see it. That is where NECN has their announcing booth and it seems like an idea spot to catch the parade in the future.

 

Bravo Bri!!! Right now it is time to return to the parade as the American Legion walks through the parade.