We were last in Hawaii a few months before the pandemic, but with everything that’s happened over the last year+ it seems like a very long time ago. Excited to recharge and get back to one of my favorite places, we booked a trip as soon as we were all vaccinated and it was safe to travel.

The island was busier than it has been in the past – we weren’t the only ones from the mainland who were desperate to get back – and the mask wearing (though a good thing) was a constant reminder that we still weren’t in normal times. But the ocean breeze and sunset views were just as we remembered them – in short, perfect.

-M

Just days after graduation, we had something else to celebrate: Avery’s birthday. Her request was to celebrate at an amusement park, so Q took her and some friends down to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk for the day. (I stayed home to pack – more on our adventures in the next post.) A day there combined with a sleepover and a red velvet cake seemed like the perfect way to say hello to 12.

-M

There are a lot of 8th grade traditions at the girls’ school, and COVID meant some had to happen virtually (or not all – like the annual trip to Israel). Thankfully, though, Zoe’s actual ceremony was held in person – and we were lucky to have Safta and PopPop fly be there for the celebration as well.

And while this is a good-bye for Zoe, it’s not a final good-bye for our family: We have two more years for Avery to look forward to!

-M

Another thing to file under the I-can’t-believe-it category: After nine years, Zoe’s time at Brandeis has come to an end. We’ve been talking a lot lately about what a big deal it is that she’s moving on – she, too, expressed surprise at how fast her time, and especially 8th grade, went – and also about how ready she was for high school. As much as she’s gotten out of Brandeis all these years, it’s definitely time for new people, new surroundings, and new experiences. Still, that doesn’t mean that a few tears haven’t been shed around her saying good-bye to Brandeis – but I’m not saying whose.

-M

It was a long and strange school year for the girls, with most things – such as needing to wear masks and not being able to hang out with kids outside of their cohorts – looking quite different than in years past. (And, of course, there was no traditional 8th grade trip to Israel.) Still, they were lucky to be at school IRL (unlike many students), and Zoe’s last year, while unique, was still a good one. Below, their last morning as a 6th and 8th grader (sniff, sniff) and a glance at Zoe’s graduating class.

-M

After more than a year of dealing with the pandemic and more than a year and a half of not seeing my sister, imagine my surprise when I came downstairs one afternoon to find Sandy and her boyfriend sitting there! Freshly vaccinated, the two had worked with Q to plan a surprise trip, and both the girls and I were in total (happy!) shock when we saw them.

Their trip was a mellow one, filled with playing games, hanging out on our patio with the dogs, shopping, and exploring our neighborhood. And perhaps the best part? We’ll hopefully never have to go that long without seeing them again!

-M

As readers know, I’m a terribly sentimental person. At one time, the thought of moving out of the first house that Q and I bought together – and the house that Zoe and Avery were brought home to as newborns – was almost unthinkable. How could I leave behind so many years of family memories? (My sister tells the story of my dad sadly saying good-bye to the various rooms of our house when we moved from Milwaukee to Madison when we were little. I was too young to remember this – but clearly the acorn didn’t fall far from the tree.) But, speaking of my dad, I’m a bit different since losing my parents: Being forced to say good-bye to people you love really puts things in perspective. At the end of day, our little house on Wawona St. is just a place – and the stories and memories we created there moved along with us. And, now we can create more.

-M