
Duck, Duck, Goose, and Other New England Mysteries
Well, y'all, Father's Day has come and gone. Back home in Mississippi, the day after Father’s Day usually means cleaning up the remnants of a giant backyard get-together, scraping down a well-used grill, and finding stray water balloons in the yard. It’s a day of recovery from a loud, sweaty, wonderful day of family chaos.
Here in New Hampshire? It’s a quiet Monday. The grill is clean because we live in a townhouse and they're not allowed, unless it's electric, and I’m sitting here with my coffee, watching a gentle breeze rustle the very green leaves outside my window. And it got me to thinking about the ghosts of Father’s Days past and the new traditions we’re building, one holiday at a time.
As the great Dorothy Gale once said, "There's no place like home." And this week, my heart swelled with pride for my old home. Father's Day historically was move in day for Miss Mississippi- so being home with the family is a new tradition as well. Which leads me to bragging for a minute, y'all. I was so proud to hear that the Miss Mississippi crew won an EMMY for last year’s lighting production! That was my final swan song pageant, and while I had absolutely nothing to do with the award, it sure made my heart happy. My very first year working there, they won an Emmy, so it feels beautifully fitting that they won another on my way out.
But as proud as I am of my past, my present is firmly planted here, navigating the end of our very first school year in New England. And honey, it was an education for all of us.
School's Out for Summer... A New England Report Card
The end of the school year here came with much less pomp and circumstance than we're used to. It was more quaint Yankee charm than big Southern flair.
Paulie’s kindergarten graduation was sweet and meaningful. His teacher, whose husband is career military, has traveled the world and brought a lovely touch to the ceremony, making fresh flower leis for the teachers. Each child received a ribbon lei with a special award—Paul was given the "Rhino Award" for his great athletic spirit. (I have to admit, I felt a little "Bless your heart" energy in every award bestowed). The last day was "water day," and we were told to send a change of clothes. I was picturing water slides, sprinklers, and joyful chaos. Y'all, they played Duck, Duck, Goose with a wet sponge that they’d squeeze over the "goose's" head. I’m still trying to decide if I need to join the PTO and unleash my "EXTRA" Southern mom energy on this place, or just let my kids enjoy the simple sweetness of it all.
Emily completed 8th grade with a "graduation" in the gym. And let me tell you, sitting in an un-air-conditioned New England gym in June really makes you appreciate Southern central air. The ceremony was nice, though it was hard to hear the teachers over the mic. The highlight was the principal’s anecdote about how the kids all thought they were related to him, since they called him "Bro" and "Bruh" all year. It made me laugh—I guess that’s the Yankee equivalent of every woman in the South calling you "sweetie," "honey," or "baby." Though I suspect the kids’ meaning wasn't quite as affectionate!
And poor Richie completed 6th grade with no ceremony at all. He missed the big 6th-grade graduation activities in Vicksburg because we were here, and here, 5th grade is the end of elementary. He's a boy and probably couldn't care less, so there's that.
I will say, however, that field trips get an A+ up here. No plain zoo trips or standard museum tours for these kids! In the last few weeks alone, Emily went to a movie theater, two different arcades, and an amusement park. My wallet is significantly lighter, but my heart was happy that the kids get these fun trips as a reward for their hard work—something I know the teachers back in Mississippi have to jump through incredible hoops to make happen.
There's No Place Like... This Townhouse?
Now, let's touch on this New England way of life. We live in a townhouse, and I've never lived in a rented place in my life, so that’s been an adjustment in itself. The back of our units faces a lovely, rolling green hill, giving it a country feel. But these people just walk all over back there like it’s a public park!
I just don't get it. I hate walking behind the other units; it feels like I’m traipsing through someone's private backyard. The only time I really do it is to chase our blasted dog when he’s escaped, or to be a good redneck and yell up to my neighbor's deck (we’re friends, so it’s a gesture of affection, not an exercise in being a spy). There are even some kids who have decided that directly behind my deck is the premier hangout spot, which drives my dog and my six-year-old absolutely bonkers. Paulie has now taken it upon himself to be the "yard police," marching out there to tell them they have to move along.
Maybe I’m just so out of my element that all of this is perfectly normal. Who knows? This journey is a daily adventure in decoding a whole new world.
Well, this little note has turned into quite an episode, so I will wrap it up for now. I sure do enjoy sharing our new life with all of you!
Until next time…
1 comment
Sure did miss you this year at pageant. The girls were all so sweet. It was a wonderful show. Congratulations to all your kids on their milestones…..