Gramps and Amala

We enjoyed a visit from Gramps and Amala this summer, and they were able to see the kids off to their first day of school.

 

 

They sent Hazel some RBGTea after Hazel gave a school presentation about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

 

 

Fun family time at home

 

Hello, birds!

 

Georgia Southern University has the least fearful geese we've ever encountered. They only managed to steal a few chips.

 

 

 Urban wildlife in Atlanta

George L Smith State Park

For fall break, we planned our first camping trip since COVID. According to the website, the campsite was 400 yards away from the parking lot. In reality, it was more than a mile.

 

We bailed, and found a nearby Airbnb. I would never think to bring a battery-powered Christmas light necklace on a camping trip, but it came in handy when the kids made a fort between their two beds.

 

Other than the misleading website, George L Smith State Park was lovely. The highlight of our trip was kayaking among the cypress tress in the park's Mill Pond.

Halloween 2021

 

Hazel and Juniper proclaimed this year's costumes the Best Ever!

Hazel continued a long-standing tradition of costumes in the Star Wars universe. Costume credit to Janet Brooks.

Juniper was radio host Cecil Palmer, from the podcast Welcome to Night Vale. Costume credit to Goodwill and Etsy; graphic design and makeup by Aaron Dill.

 

 "You are aware that plasma blades were outlawed by City Council a week ago, right?"

"We're not in Night Vale."

Evening Walk

Back to School

 

Hazel (5th grade) and Juniper (8th) went back to school on Aug. 2. So far, the year appears to be off to a good start.

 

We are hoping for a safe, healthy, and in-person school year!

 

 

A little slice of life in the Honeycutt-Dill household

 

Spring Break at Magnolia Springs

 

We spent part of spring break at Magnolia Springs State Park. This was the morning view from our cabin's back porch. 

The lake was full of lily pads, fish, and turtles. We even got to see baby alligators, thanks to a park ranger telling us where to look for them.

Hazel came prepared with all the essentials for a fun trip.

We came prepared with Easter treats...

...and eggs to dye.

The small ones are from Millie, our bantam hen.

Hazel attempts to figure out how much longer till we're done with the trail.

First day, #2

 

 

Hazel is back in school two days/week for the final six weeks of 4th grade.

 

I would normally try to pick out the best two or three photos, but I couldn't choose between all these big smiles. She was really happy to go back.

 

Juniper is now back in school four days/week. She's glad to be back in person, seeing other kids, and connecting with teachers.

 

Sisters

 

We are sometimes frustrated by their bickering, but Juniper and Hazel get along remarkably well. Even after months of COVID and spending almost all their time at home together, they mostly enjoy each other's company. They've had a lifetime of practice at this sister thing.

 

 

Happy Birthday, Teenager!

Juniper is officially a teen! 

 

She continues to love fruit and dairy, and requested lemon cheesecake and key lime pie as birthday desserts (one for her actual birthday, and the other for a small outdoor birthday party the following weekend).

She has also maintained her resemblance to a certain fantasy creature who perches on ledges and likes shiny objects.

Back to School

 

We normally take a first day of school photo at the start of the school year. This strange year, we didn't even think about taking a photo on the first day of virtual learning. Today is Juniper's first day of in-person 7th grade!

 

She will be in school two days/week and was delighted to go back. Juniper is not normally a morning person, but today she was up early--bright and cheerful despite the daylight savings time change.

She's prepared to follow all the school's COVID safety precautions--mask on and no backpack because the kids won't be roaming the halls to get to their lockers. We are grateful to the teachers, school staff, and all essential workers at schools and other settings.

 

Hazel remains all virtual for the next couple of weeks. Assuming all goes according to plan, she will be in person two days/week later this month.
 

 

 

Ice Fishing

 

 

 

Christmas 2020

 

Snow flurries on Christmas Eve -- rare in Atlanta!

  

 

So suave! 

Hopefully this blog will soon feature some of Hazel's photos!

These days, Juniper's #1 Obsession is the webcomic Homestuck. This plush ornament of the Homestuck character Nepeta made her cry with joy.

First Day of School...One Year Late

We didn't even think to take pictures on the first day of virtual learning for the 2020-2021 school year. Here are the kids a year ago, at the start of the 2019-2020 school year.