Ending the YMCA Volleyball Season,

Harley got to attend a birthday party for her friend, Maggy, from Undermountain.  It was a bowling party at the local bowling ally, The Cove, in Great Barrington, MA.

Natalie still had some birthday money and wanted to get a few dresses, so we went to Avon, CT. (The closest mall, meaning more than WalMart and Target, not an actual mall) We hit Goodwill, Marshalls, Barnes and Nobles, and Kohls.  Harley only wanted to go to Barnes and Nobles for the next two books in her series.

Natalie had her  last Volleyball Tournament for the YMCA Northwest Juniors.  This time, we went to Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, MA.  Natalie's team came in second in their pool and third in their division.  We were really proud of them.  Natalie got two really good overhand serves over, but foot faulted.

This is almost to Boston which means getting up at 4:30AM and a 2.5-hour drive, so we decided to stay in a hotel.  We were excited to find one with a pool that the girls could enjoy before watching some Disney (we don't have cable at home) and taking as long of a shower as they want.  Ha.


We have been trying some new recipes lately and found a new favorite, Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Thighs.   Natalie had the idea to shred the chicken and turn it into a dip to eat with french bread slices.  So we took that with us to the hotel for dinner.

We also decided to try Pineapple Siracha Glazed Chicken.

Natalie made High Honors again at Mt. Everett for her A's in Spanish and Honors Physical Science. 

Harley is preparing for her Spring Band Concert in May where they will play T-Rex, Ode to Joy, and Power Rock.  She gets to use the school's xylophone which is wooden and much larger than hers.  She has been working hard on mastering these.


For school this year, Harley had to start a blog.  I have encouraged her to pose even when she isn't scheduled to for school.  It is very cute.  She seems to enjoy it but wants more people to read it.  So I have been explaining that while the purpose of a blog is so that others can read it, it is also a type of journaling, meant to help her remember things about her life, or process through things in her life.   I hope she keeps it up.


I have been reading a book, 7: an experimental mutiny against excess.  It is very enlightening.  I have been on a journey of reducing for about three years now.  If it isn't used, incredibly sentimental, or needed for records (taxes, school, etc.) it is fair game.  I have tossed out, donated, handed down and repurposed everything from old clothes and furniture to sheets and pasta sauce jars.  We have tried to eliminate disposable items such as sandwich bags and paper towels, I have even joined the world of Menstrual Cups and Reusable Menstrual Pads. Randle, Natalie and I, all went No Poo at the beginning of last summer, meaning we do not use shampoo. I make my own "shampoo" out of soap nuts a fruit/nut that can be boiled and used as a shampoo, cleaner, body wash, etc.  Natalie tried soapnuts, and also tried Baking Soda and Vinegar.  Randle buzzed his head and went immediately Wwater Only.  Meaning her only uses a rag and water to wash his hair.  This was a big step for him, as he has always had really oily hair.  His hair is incredible now, his hair is no longer oily, and he can even skip a day of washing.    Natalie and Harley are now Oh Poo, meaning they use a soap, but it is free of chemicals and sulfates.  They use Dr. Bronner's with a little bit of Coconut milk added to it.  Natalie, Randle and I are also using this as a body wash.  Harley still loves her Bath and Body Works too much to transition.