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Last of the Lasts

Today, we experienced one of the last of the lasts. Our youngest, the Mayor, had his last day of school today. Getting here has been a long road, but we’ve finally crossed the finish line. Our oldest started school in 2004 in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. After he finished kindergarten, we moved to Florida.

The first of the lasts are quite difficult as your brain learns to process the moment’s emotions. I remember feeling lost as I navigated Jake’s move from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, and his senior year. Each milestone I experienced with Jake prepared me to experience it fully with Goalielocks and The Mayor.

First and last day of school

The Mayor’s senior year has hardly gone to plan. Who could have foreseen that he’d be hospitalized in the fall and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes? Fortunately, his high school played an integral role in adjusting to diabetes. His school nurse, also a diabetic, took him under her wing immediately. The nurse ensured everyone understood what needed to be done to keep him safe at school. His English teacher helped him too, as she is also a type 1 diabetic.

Jake’s first and last day
Goaelielocks first and last day

The last of the lasts is interesting too. It’s not as hard as the first time, but the finality of it all is a bittersweet pill to swallow. Honestly, when you first have kids, you feel like you’ll be parenting them forever. In the end, active parenting is a temporary assignment. After eighteen years or so, parents are expected to send their kids out into the world. It’s like having three versions of your heart beating outside your body. Yet seeing them thrive as adults is quite rewarding. So, cheers to the next chapter as we celebrate the last of the lasts.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading A Knight and a Spy 1414 (The Road to Agincourt – King’s Spy), by Simon Fairfax
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

What was the last live performance you saw?

The last live performance I saw was Jerry Seinfeld. He’s only the second stand-up comedian I’ve seen live. The first was Chelsea Handler, whom we saw ages ago in Miami Beach. Seinfeld’s show was as entertaining and intelligent as I expected it to be. I’d definitely go see him again. Next week I hope to scoot up to the amphitheater to see Breaking Benjamin live. It’s been far too long since I’ve been to a concert.

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Prom Season

It’s prom season here in the Hockey Mom Fig household. This weekend our younger two will be heading to prom. Goalielocks is going to his senior prom tonight, while the Mayor will be going to prom tomorrow. Getting these two ready for prom has been quite the adventure. Last weekend, I had them both fit at Men’s Warehouse for tuxes. They were both in rare form and had the gentlemen fitting them in stitches. I, however, was in less than a great mood as the tuxes set me back nearly $600. Now prom is expensive for girls, but at least they get to keep their outfit.

Last night, I took the Mayor for a sorely needed hair cut. He looks great! Goalielocks needed one as well, but had volleyball practice, so it didn’t happen. Oh well, his hair looks fine as it is. Once Goalielocks got home from practice, we headed to Men’s Warehouse to pick up the tuxes. It was a zoo albeit better than it had been Saturday. We were quickly served.

What took a minute was having each of the boys try on their outfits. Goalielocks chose a grey suit with a darker gray vest and a red bow tie and pocket square. His pants were a little shorter in style, but I’m told that how the kids wear them these days. Meanwhile, the Mayor also picked out a gray suit (albeit a different one) with rose gold accents. His pants were quite a bit longer, but fit really well. It was interesting to see their individual styles come through in each of their tuxes.

After the fitting we went back home to watch the end of the Panthers’ game. Unfortunately, Hulu was down, so that couldn’t happen. Consequently, we ended up watching Gordon Ramsey adventure through Finnish Lapland. It was fun to see him foraging through the swamp for my favorite cloud berries and blueberries. The scenery was amazing. I look forward to returning to Finland and exploring the country beyond Helsinki. And for tonight, it is night one of prom season! I love it!

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Milestone

Another milestone moment as we picked out Goalielocks’ senior pictures this evening. I can’t believe we have two kids that are now technically adults. I say, technically because of you know, you know. The whole process took an hour or two. It was long and stressful. Thankfully, his pictures turned out well, which made it difficult to pick.

In the end, we ended up with the platinum elite package or whatever the hell they call it. Senior year and high school graduation is definitely a milestone, but boy oh boy do they bilk the money out of you. All year everyone is coming at you asking for cash. Honestly, is it okay that senior pictures are now the same price as a cheap used car? Is the cap and gown really worth the price they charge? Anyway, I can’t wait to get the pictures that I’m going to pay for by selling my kidney. I’m only sort of kidding here.

Tonight we’re just chilling at the house. The Mayor was supposed to have games tomorrow, but the Makos weren’t fit to play. Naturally, the same league that wouldn’t allow Goalielocks’ team reschedule due to a lack of bodies, gladly allowed the Makos to reschedule. Our league has different rules depending on which organization you play for or are affiliated with. It’s an absolute joke. In just a few years, we’ll be done with this god forsaken league. I look forward to blowing up some of these folks in a book about our Florida hockey experience.

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First Day

It’s the first day of school! Yay! The day is finally here. For the first time since March 2020, I had the house to myself during the day! Oh and naturally, the kids went back to their physical school for the first time in 18 months. In fact, today was the first time the Mayor set foot on his high school campus as a student.

Needless to say, I’m thrilled their back to in person instruction. It was awesome working the whole day with no interruptions or distractions. I was happy as a honeybee working uninterrupted for the first time in 18 months. The puppies sat quietly in my room most of the day. Thankfully, the peacefulness of the house translated into a very successful day on the phones. Truly, today was the polar opposite of yesterday from a sales perspective.

Colin’s first first day or school and his last first day of school

Of course today brought with it some emotion as we sent Goalielocks off to his last first day of school. I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday he was heading to kindergarten. You’ll notice in the first day pictures that some things never change. Who knows if he’ll ever cooperate when I want to take his picture.

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*I’m reading the Raider Bride. This is the third book thing the Norse Queen series. I love the world of Queen Asa.

*I’m still under the weather. Consequently, I took another rest day today.  Unfortunately, there will be no rollicking or running until I’m better.

*I ran to Dunkin’ to get my own coffee this morning. Just kidding, I had it delivered again. 

*For dinner, the I made myself chicken noodle soup, which is good for the soup and a cold.

*My favorite surprise on the underwater cams, I watch during work, is seeing an octopus. Today I watched the safari cam, which never disappoints.

*Today’s word of the day is grizzle. Yesterday afternoon there was a raccoon with a grizzled face in our avocado tree and it was quite the vision. 

*I took my puppies including sweet Anakin for a walk. Today he didn’t pull my arm off or anything like that. I put on his harness

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School Eve

It’s school eve and I couldn’t be more excited. For the first time since March 2020, our boys will be attending school in person. In fact, tomorrow will be the first time the Mayor sets foot in his high school despite being a sophomore. He’s in good company as everyone else, but the senior class, has barely set foot in the school.


We celebrated the end of summer with wings and pizza. Post dinner, the Mayor and hubby ran out to get haircuts and some school supplies. As for me, I’m chilling on the couch watching The Office. My summer cold is still hanging on, which sucks. Today brought major back pain to go along with all the misery that is a summer cold. Since it’s school eve, aka the night before school, we’ll all be getting to bed a little earlier.

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*I’m reading the Raider Bride. This is the third book thing the Norse Queen series. I love the world of Queen Asa.

*I’m still under the weather Consequently, I took another rest day today.  There will be no rollicking or running until I’m better.

*I ran to Dunkin’ to get my own coffee this morning. Just kidding, I had it delivered again.

*Tonight I worked on a newsletter for our Pancan affiliate. Sometimes working in Canva makes me feel like a schmo, but it’s such a great tool. I definitely need to spend some more time playing around with it. 

*For dinner, the I ordered pizza and wings from Sal’s.

*My favorite surprise on the underwater cams, I watch during work, is seeing an octopus. Today I watched the safari cam, which never disappoints.

*Today’s word of the day is vision. This afternoon there was a raccoon in our avocado tree and it was quite the vision.

*I took my puppies including sweet Anakin for a walk. Today he didn’t pull my arm off or anything like that. I put on his harness