We are one week into summer break and I'm still using the quiet moments here and there to process the end of the school year. Paul and Elise are done with middle school. No more school buses. They are now freshmen in high school and will be starting at Lincoln with Lily at the end of August. Paul is more eager and ready to leave middle school behind than Elise but both have excitement for high school even if it is masked by the high excitement for no school summertime for the next 10 weeks.
Lily is now a 17 year old senior with her first job working at a local restaurant opening up in July around the corner from us. She has had her drivers license for about six months now and just recently is starting to have the confidence and interest to drive on her own. Her summer is looking to be quite full, continuing to compete with her club volleyball team into July, working, and adventuring with friends.
Paul had a rough spring, breaking his hand and needing to sit out of baseball for well over a month. He finished his school year riding one last time with his biking crew of friends to school and back, played percussion with the band for maybe the last time (not his top elective choice in high school), and finally got the chance to eat the famous Reuben at Goose Hollow Inn on 8th grade promotion night. His summer is looking pretty free. A few more club baseball tournaments, maybe some tennis here and there, and lots of chill time. He is motivated to earn money and is walking the talk, taking on special yard and house projects to earn a little bit.
Elise finished up middle school with a couple really special moments. She accompanied the choir at the end of year performance, playing Hallelujah, a song well above her skill level, beautifully. She worked so hard to get it right. She also created a beautiful art montage for the promotion ceremony piecing together various 8th grade art projects into an eye-catching large collage that served as an effective backdrop for pictures. We are proud of her. She has dealt with quite a bit of sickness on top of having a hard time staying on top of her homework. Her summer is also looking quite open and she is not motivated to work special house projects for money. Getting her to eat right, exercise, and limit screen time is a daily battle. She will continue with Girl Scouts into high school, and they are working on their silver award project focused on mental health resources in the community, volunteering, and doing fun things together throughout the summer.
We said goodbye to Oma and Opa who are now enjoying summer in Chicago. Nate and I celebrated 20 years of marriage with a weekend in Seattle. First time we left the kids home alone. We'd do it again.
So here we are at the start of summer, living in our 12th year in our home on Irving Street with our 3 teenage high schoolers. Our parenting is more listening, supporting, and trying to connect with them in the moments they give us here and there. It's a big win when we get in some life coaching tips these days.
Pictures from late Spring 2026
Happy Hour with Oma and Opa on our porch before they headed back to Chicago.
Paul in a cast for all of May.
For Mother's Day, I requested pictures of my kids together outside.
Celebrating 20 years in Seattle. Spent most of it exploring various neighborhood street fairs.
Lily is 17!
Lily wanted family dinner at Din Tai Fung for her birthday. Please note - Paul is in jeans!
Paul and Elise at 8th grade graduation.
Elise in front of her community art project displayed at graduation.
Elise with her piano and German teacher Juliet who played such a big role in Elise being able to play Hallelujah with the choir.
Rose Festival weekend fun included competing in Dragon Boat again after a 20+ year break. A lot more fun than I expected, even though I went in knowing it would be fun. Nate also had the genius idea to watch the Rose Parade near a movie theater so we could enjoy fresh movie popcorn.
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