June 14

We were up and at 'em early this morning, and as I write this from our room, I can report that we spent roughly 14 hours at Disneyland today -- from when the gates opened til just after the fireworks show concluded. For me, that equates to just over 23,000 steps. So... phew. But it was good, good fun.

We started with the Matterhorn and wound up riding it twice in a row, because when there's no wait at the Matterhorn, you go more than once. (Brady wasn't especially amused by that attraction, but he recovered well.)

Then we did Autopia, Big Thunder Railroad, It's a Small World (and now I know you're humming that tune, sorry), that wretched canoe ride, the Storybook ride, the teacups, the Winnie the Pooh ride, Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters, Millennium Falcon, Splash Mountain (where both Brady and I were soaked to the skin while the others remained pretty darn dry), The Tiki Room, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Pinocchio, (Hyper)Space Mountain (that gets parentheses because I just can't accept the -hyper prefix), Star Tours twice (and the second time, we found out that Brady is actually a Rebel Spy! We were shocked when his picture was flashed on-screen. You think you know somebody and then bam, you find out he's a Rebel Spy. Go figure). And we probably did other things, too, but I'm a little fried so I'm sure something's escaping my memory. We actually did quite a lot, despite the healthy crowd (by numbers... I'm sure we're in a breeding ground for COVID because let me tell you, there is absolutely no social distancing at Disneyland right now). You can really get around when your kids are bigger!

We didn't see many characters, but importantly for Abby, when we headed over to Pooh Corner, the big honey-craving bear himself was there (along with Tigger), so she was able to show off her Disney Bound effort. (Pooh seemed impressed. And confused.) Or maybe I should say our effort; I'm not usually the wear-multiple-shades-of-pink type, but I engaged in some sister solidarity with my girl by bounding as Piglet.

We also put in extra effort with our faces for the rides with photo elements. I've felt especially motivated to deliver in that area ever since Abby birthed the Epic Space Mountain Terror Photo from our girls' trip to Orlando 10 years ago. I think we did reasonably well! Hopefully that trend continues as the week presses on.

Anyhow, tonight I will go to sleep feeling grateful for a very successful first day at the park. I'm thankful for minimal bickering, lovely weather, and quality time spent with my favorite people.

June 13

We got up this morning, packed up the car, and road-tripped it to Southern California. Why? Because it's Disneyland week!

The uneventful trip featured two drivers taking turns behind the wheel (and one of them was not me!), a not-so-quick lunch stop at Wendy's, and a spirited singalong set to the sounds of "Let It Go."

We arrived at the Disneyland Hotel --which isn't our usual spot since man alive, is it cha-ching! but we figured hey, everyone's moving up a school this fall so why not?-- at 4:15ish and checked into our room in the Adventure Tower. The kiddos and Adam hit the pools, while I had some quiet time to myself.

And then it was off to Downtown Disney for dinner at a Mexican place and some light window-shopping amid a throng of fellow vacationers.

We'll be up bright and early in the morning for a visit to Mickey Mouse's house which will no doubt create memories I'll treasure down the line. But for now, I'm so grateful to God for a safe trip down I-5 (and through the web of LA freeway insanity) and a peaceful evening with my peeps.

June 12

All of the kiddos finished the school year with good report cards, so we did as we often do and went to Coldstone for celebratory ice cream this evening after dinner.

This go-round, Abby chose a birthday cake concoction, the boys went with Peeps ice cream with Sour Patch Kids (yet another borderline-blech combo, if you ask me), Adam had mango with gummy bears, and I chose chocolate and peanut butter (because yum).

It's always nice to get together to celebrate achievements, so the family time was a blessing.

June 11

Since the Spring baseball season is in the books and there was nothing on the calendar today, Abby and I took one of our customary Saturday shopping trips.

We hit Michaels and Hobby Lobby and Target,  JoAnn, and Crumbl. And the Burger King drive thru for some refreshments: cherry vanilla Diet Coke and fries for me, a mystery* frozen drink and mozzarella sticks for her. (*So yeah, there is no such drink, but the gal at the window seemed to be having trouble filling the order. I wound up with two Diet Cokes, since the first was plain diet, and Abby was given a double order of mozzarella sticks in a addition to a bright red frozen "Coke".)

Anyway, it was fun to be out with her again because I know she'll be off to Wheaton much sooner than I think. And I know I'll miss my girl.

June 10

Same costume, different girls. 1991 and 2022.

Abby spent yesterday afternoon trying on all of her old dance costumes. (Including one she wore when she was five. FIVE.)

Then today, she lugged the box of my old costumes up from the garage and tried on some of those, including this little red number that I wore for a jazz routine in 1991 when I was 13. (I didn't just remember that. I had to look at the back of the picture, which also told me that the routine was called "New York, New York." Thank you, 13-year old me, for being so detail-oriented!) 

I gave her my old dance photo album-slash-scrapbook to look at and for funsies, she re-created some of my original poses. And she had a great time doing it. I know because she said so, and because her ebullience over the experience --both re-living her own recital memories and sliding into the remnants of mine-- spilled over in enthusiastic exclamations of "I am having SO much fun."

It's a blessing to see that kind of joyfulness in my girl. So for that, I am grateful.

June 9

Today was Abby's final dance recital. She and Gracie and the rest of their ginormous musical theater class performed a spirited routine set to various songs from the "Grease" soundtrack. At the end, she was recognized as a graduating senior and as a 15-year dancer.

Afterward, Adam opined that it was her best performance ever, and after some thought, I agree with his assessment. She looked happy on stage; comfortable. At home. And it was good for my heart to see her enjoying the moment instead of overtly focusing on being perfect.

It was particularly meaningful that she and Gracie were (deliberately) paired up for parts of the dance. Last week they graduated high school together, so it felt appropriate that this week, they would dance in their last recital together. It's what best friends do.

So yes, another chapter has closed. But I'll always look back on our many years at Jazz N Taps with a smile because through both happy and challenging times, the studio was always a place of stability. And for that blessing, I'll be forever grateful.

June 8

Today was Abby's last dress rehearsal for a dance recital. 

Although she's perfectly capable of transporting herself these days, she asked me to drive her to Dublin High, and I obliged. 

I've not had many overtly emotional responses to the string of Lasts that my girl has experienced in recent weeks; truth be told, all I've really felt was a brief wave of emotion when I spotted her walking onto the football field at graduation last week. So I was a little surprised when, as she and her giant class of "Grease Medley" girls trooped onto the stage this afternoon, I felt a twinge in my chest. Last time watching her rehearse. It was surreal, like a jaunt in territory that's familiar yet not entirely so. 

But in a way, it wound up feeling strangely continuous, too, because Nikki was there, sitting next to me, when Abby's class ran through their number. And I was still sitting next to her when, moments later, Dani and her class of fluffy ducklings clattered on stage for their official run-through. 

It's poetic that Dani's first year of dance is Abby's last. It almost feels like Abby is handing her a baton as Dani goes to kindergarten and she heads off to college. 

It makes it better for me, somehow, even if I'm not entirely sure why it makes it better. And for that, I am grateful.