March 2022

3rd grade Arts Night and we finally got a Railsback in the back row!

The school is studying Italy this year, so Sarah made a coordinating mask. Here she is rocking the keyboard with her friend Rowan.

Oma was in town to see Arts Night.

March 3 marked 15 years of marriage and Sarah made this card for us. I have no idea where this bloody mary obsession comes from. Truly.

Naomi was student of the month for March.

Student of the month does not make you good at cleaning your room. Please make me feel better and tell me this is what your teenager's rooms look like.

Fondue to say thank you to Oma for being so amazing.

Breakfast with some of our favorite people.

Naomi and Annika had a dance hosted by the church just for middle school girls which, as a previously awkward middle school girl (think 5'11" at age 12), I think is just about the coolest thing in the world. 

Sarah's not in middle school but she hasn't realized that yet and didn't want to miss out on pedicures.

So she and Clifton had a date night instead.

I mean, what what more could I want in this whole wide world?

My friend and I were talking about photos from dances in our glory years, and we came up with shared memories of pictures taken in front of trellises with fake plants and on bridges... 

And so to make sure our kids had that same experience she quickly ran out and found this sweet metallic curtain for photos. Here's Annika and her 6th grade buddies.

And the whole group that went together.

Don't be fooled -- Naomi's got on four inch heels, which is more than I have worn in my entire life.

Naomi and her friends. The dance was travel themed and so much fun!

They had a blast and may have brought home a balloon or two.

Meanwhile these two were living it up at Red Robin. Bring on that endless bowl of mac and cheese.

Naomi turned 14 this month!

And if you think she's looking older, take a look at what has happened to us in the 14 years since she was born! Ooof.

She chose mousse for her birthday dessert and Annika made it for her.

Oh my goodness. Sarah was doing so well here until she wasn't. 😂

"Dear Naomi, Happy birthday! You are such a blessing to me! You are brave and most of all kind. You are soo good at skiing. You just make me happy and speechless. You are way more calm than Annika, let's just say that. I love you sooo much. Your favorite sister, Sarah"

Spring choir concert

The 8th grade girls

We started our spring break trip to Steamboat with an honest to goodness rock slide onto the highway (presumably) just moments before we got there.

We spent a long weekend with our friends from church, including friends who have moved to Austin who came to ski and catch up.  Out to dinner with a table for the littles...

...and the not-so-littles.

First day skiing Steamboat

Naomi and Amelia tend to hang together.

And Clifton usually is with Sarah, Annika, and a subset of other Parsons.

They usually meet up for quick lunch to thaw out.

...and rest on the snowfa

Living on the edge.

Meanwhile those of us who prefer a little less of the edge went cross country skiing.

I was not aware that you ski in these little tracks and have no way to slow down on downhills which could still lead to being out of control and wiping out. Which I did.

After skiing the crazy kids hang out in the barely heated pool.

The cool dads go too and throw our kids who don't realize they aren't so easy to throw any more.

And then into the far more desirable hot tub.

Birthday celebration for Naomi with our friends.

Day 2 of skiing

Suzi offered the kids a buck to get out of the hot tub and make a snow angel.

...which just goes to show our kids will do anything for a dollar.

Ditched the kids for a night out

Downtime

Naomi's friend Ashley invited Naomi and Ella to join her to see Hamilton. It's been nearly impossible to get tickets. I may have been just a wee bit jealous.

If your first musical in the theater is Hamilton, you're setting the bar a bit high. Maybe start with Cats.

Naomi planned and executed her entire birthday party which was amazing for me. Each balloon was filled with confetti and the next activity. And what could go wrong with giddy girls, a balloon and a knife coming right at you?

They started with make your own pizzas on naan.

And then they did a Bob Ross tutorial together.

And a trifle with sparklers for dessert. And then lots of singing and dancing and laughter coming from the basement until long after I went to bed. So grateful for sweet friends for her.