Doug and Sara

Friday, June 5, 2026

Graduation - 8th Grade

After 1 1/2 years at St. Luke and 7 1/2 years at St. Agnes, RJ is ready for high school. There was a bon-voyage ceremony, a mass, a party, and a short kids-only after party at a park.

Post mass photo in gowns (we did not steam the gown)

Grades 1-7 sang going away songs ... one of the props was big head pictures

Maybe a Christmas card photo?

RJ, Liam, Milo, Samuel

The foosball table was a hit ... even the girls got in on the action

Party photo booth was lame, but AI fixed the washed-out sign Sara was holding

Boys before sign was confiscated

RJ was happy enough to pose for a photo with Sara

Pre-gown photo of graduates

After the party from 5-8, the shuttle bus ... (a) picked up Julia from Sadona's house (Porter, the dog, ate some stuffed animals while the 5th grade girls were on watch, (b) drove Amelia to her house, (c) drove to get RJ from Yorktown, (d) drove Liam and Desi home ... with the backpack that was recovered for a second time, (e) made it home after a full day of fun and a few tears.

Memories from the class of 2026

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Sports in May/June

Julia: CYO Volleyball

After the first game it looked like the CYO 5th-6th grade girls were going to destroy the league. As it turns out ... the league was pretty competitive ... and results varied according to the lineup.

The games were a lot more exciting than last year's serve-fault, serve-miss, serve-fault, serve-miss, serve-return (major rally).

There was no doing cartwheels during points this year!

Julia: Rec Soccer

Blue Dolphins after a win in the last game

Rec soccer involved waking up early on Saturday morning (Doug had to get Julia to games by 8:30am) and playing on a dirt field (Powhatan Springs) while listening to 1980's heavy metal music from middle-aged men reliving their glory days at the skate park.

Team has a good season (3 - 3 - 1 in top rec division). Julia enjoyed playing and scored a few goals.

Julia: ADP Soccer

This might be Julia's last year of ADP soccer, but my guess is ... if we have the money ... they will figure out a way to get her into the league next year.

Team after last game and before soccer fest

ADP team had a much better record than they had in the past (6-3-2). Julia played hard (most of the time) but only got one goal.

Julia powered up with 'super water' between games at scrimmage fest

Julia with a throw-in during scrimmage fest (they won 4-2, tied 2-2)

RJ: Rec Soccer

Golazos almost won conference (not in picture: Jiro the mascot)

Team had a chance to win the division but on second to the last game they didn't have the best lineup and gave up two goals in the last 5 minutes. Final record (4 - 2 - 2)

RJ: Hockey CHA 3 Tourney

Period break at game 2 of the tournament

Pittsburgh tourney ended up with 1 win, 1 tie, 2 losses. They were outclassed in the 2 losses. The team got better as they went along. RJ got clobbered in game 3. Kid got a penalty ... but the league should notify his probation officer as well.

School in June?

The last week of 8th grade and the second to last week of 5th grade were a bit 'chill'

8th grade trip to Kings Dominion (no, you didn't need a cut the line pass)

Friends come over to burn school papers

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Finishing up at St. Agnes

RJ's science project - power from metals and salt water earned third place

RJ gets sportsmanship award for his efforts in cross country

RJ performs at 8th grade Shakespeare play

RJ attended ... but was careful to point out that he didn't dance

Next up: Graduation!

Friday, May 22, 2026

RJ gets Phone

RJ, after signing the phone contract, now has a phone. His first text ... to Doug ... who was sleeping and didn't get it. His first phone adventure ... biking to McLean and getting lost.