August 2025

We officially have a high schooler.  Allison has spent a lot of time at Bishop Chatard High School all summer long, but her first day of school was cool and a lot different then how I was welcomed 30+ years ago.  On her first day, as you drive to drop them off, several hundred students line the streets welcoming the freshman to the school. All being said, it was quite embarrassing for the new students but it sounds like they have been doing this for years.  Allison made the freshman volleyball team and has enjoyed making new friends as the season has progressed.  Her volleyball team has had four games and they are 2-2.  She is also studying more than she had to in grade school, but that was expected.  Overall, she was ready for the “next step” and seems to be thriving in her new environment.  All things take adjustment, so as she is dealing with her new surroundings, we are getting used to not seeing her as much during the week due to school and practice.  We are also adapting to her desire to be driven on the weekend to the football game or hanging out with friends.  She has also got very comfortable taking a nap just about wherever she lays down each weekend. 

 

            Sarah’s first day of school went well.  She is in 7th grade now and she tells us this is the “hardest” grade because the teachers take it easy on the 6th graders as they transition to middle school and the 8th graders have made it to the last year.  Not sure if any of that is true, but she has been studying some evenings if she isn’t off playing one of her sports (softball or basketball).

 

            We upgraded our grill this month, along with adding some paver stones and getting a gas firepit.  We added some Adirondack chairs and put a TV bracket on the house so we can sit outside more often.  It looks great and we have spent a lot of time out there enjoying it. 

 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah’s fall softball schedule will be one practice a week with games on Sundays starting in September.  She is also playing basketball which can be 1-2 practices a week along with games on Saturdays.  She will also start playing volleyball in a few weeks as she had evaluations in August.  

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison is doing well (as mentioned above) and on a social side, has met up with friends and attended 2 football games.  Her plans can change quickly…but we have been warned about that and tried to be flexible. 

 

A few more items from this month:

• Sarah and Debbie had a private cooking class at a bakery where they made hundreds of macarons. 
• Beth and I went to a comedy show in Carmel. 
• We went to the annual “Smokefest” hosted by the Steffey’s.  It was great to see everyone. 
• I went with Jeremy to see LIV golf in Westfield.  It was a fun experience even with the very hot weather. 
• Over this past weekend, I got a chance to play golf with several of my high school buddies at River Glen.