Team Smith

I don't know where the time came and went for these our performances!! Savannah played percussion in a middle school band performance. Then, she was a fabulous dancer in the school musical, Grease.  Cassidy had a solo and played trumpet in the Jazz Rock performance. Then she and Matt played in the "orchestra" for the school musical Twelfth Night.  Super quality performances all around! The Twelfth ight performance in particular was one of the best I have seen so far at MHS. 

Cassidy was chosen as scientist of the month at her school for January! This was announced during community meeting. That is a weekly gathering of the whole school to hear updates, celebrate birthdays, show recognition, and learn about upcoming events. She received a plushie in the shape of a tardigrade.  From her teacher: When I think about the January scientist of the month, the first word that comes to mind is thoughtful. She’s driven, an awesome student and an extremely hard worker, but more than that, she’s exceptionally thoughtful. In class, she’s engaged and engaging— there's a particular expression of realization or epiphany that I associate with her in class. She thinks deeply about science and it’s so much fun to see that rewarded when she has these moments of putting it all together. Students recently wrote a lab report and I was so impressed by the quality of this student’s work–it, of course, contained an incredibly thoughtful analysis that left no stone unturned. But ...

We have all been busy with R.O.P.E. and spending time in community with friends. A quick overnight NYC trip where the girls met folx at fashion week. And there are a few pics from a lovely night of celebration at the NAACP awards. After the nonsense and shenanigans the federal administration was dealing out daily, it was a meaningful evening to remember we're still here and you can't stop love....  

 My family was strategic in my post surgery care. They set me up in our basement, knowing full well that I was not to do stairs! Well played.  I could not say the last time I just sat. On a couch. And did nothing. It was super frustrating at first. Then it was glorious! Our friends and family were overwhelming in their support and we didn't have to cook for two weeks. I just watched Christmas movies and ate food. And read books and eventually played card games with the kids. And did a puzzle. And I slept whenever I was tired and wow, I really love naps. And Porkchop would come snuggle. It was a very lovely cocoon of warmth and healing.  The doctor did say I needed to be up and moving a little, so I did very shot walks on our treadmill, conveniently located in the basement. and short walks to the bathroom, also in the basement. By day 5 I could get up the stairs but was still too uncomfortable to sleep in our bed. By day 8 I felt better and could sleep in my comfy bed agai...