May 2026

May brought a big change for Lynx! He moved from the Minis swim group to the Advanced Juniors swim group, a big step up in terms of time, challenge. He's been wanting to make this move for awhile and he's finally old enough! 

Here is his final Mini meet!

And a link to the playlist for Maryland States where both kids did great! They completed more races but I can't find them. Oh well.

The minis coach, Anna, gave Lynx + Liam a private lesson before the Maryland States meet at the end of May. Both of them did great! Thanks for the time and effort, Anna! It really showed!

Lynx's first Advanced Juniors practice with Brian.

Ira invited the kids over for a playdate which turned into a water play date! hahah! They had so much fun.

Stonegate is open for the season! But it's freezing cold!! So nobody is quite in the pool yet lol.

Nova has gotten really into sushi! So we've gone to our favorite place, Ninja Sushi, several times. We try to go on the day of (or day before) her distance meets because it seems to be a great pre-swim meal for her!

School is coming to an end!

Nova has lost yet another tooth!

This is most of the Stonegate clan! We were there ostensibly to clean up the pool area before the season, but the kids found a frog. Soooo.....there goes that idea

Their Stonegate suits have arrived!! 

NCSA's in Orlando! 2026

 Nova swam he heart out and qualified for NCSA's!! This is the BIG meet that everyone is gunning for all year long. So, off we went to Orlando, Florida!

One of the best 14 year old swimmers in the country, Jenna, met us for dinner! 

We got together for dinner with some of our teammates. Nova is having a blast with Damian and Lynx.

I've been certified as a Stroke + Turn judge and opted to volunteer for four sessions at NCSAs to get their really nifty polo! I was so tired by the end of the week, but happy I have the polo now.

Another dinner with more teammates!

Some of our besties live in Florida in the winter, so we got together with them a BUNCH while in Orlando!!

Our team, RMSC, won the entire meet! Some of the best swimmers in the US come to Florida to this meet so winning is a big deal!

The whole team! 

Lynn and I at the pool after the meet!

Me and my buddy Georgette!

We went to Disney Springs and had a great time with our friends!

All the screentime for the airport and plane.

Bye bye for now, Orlando! Hope to see you again next year!

April 2026

 Coming soon(ish)

Lots of fun new hairstyles for Nova this April! 

Nova and one of her BFFs!

Nova and Lynx have the best time with the Seeleys!

Three Blonde Mice!

Lynx and I spend a lot of time snuggling.

Nova has been really digging sushi lately! 

Stephanie, Anisha and I visited our buddy Tricia in Charlottesville! We had such a great time, except I still think I can sleep anywhere...but I can't. So I offered to sleep on the floor...and then didn't really sleep. Otherwise, it was great.

We went to hear General James Mattis at Monticello!

Such a fun trip!

More time with friends!!

I don't remember the context for this photo but I love it

BANGS!! 

Our Florida friends are BACK!! They brought gifts for Nova's birthday!