This year Zack started high school! (We really are not old enough to be parents of a high-schooler... are we?) Zack was recommended for all honors courses and he was determined to take them all, as well as Latin. So far so good! He earned a 4.6 GPA the first quarter - who knew GPAs went that high?

As if being in high school wasn't bad enough, Zack is only 9 months away from learning how to drive. WHAT?!?!?! How freaky is that? The driving age in Ohio is 16, so you can get a driver's permit at 15 years, 6 months. I know, we can't believe it either. Zack is under the (mistaken) impression that he'll get the Mustang when he starts driving. Um... doubtful!

Zack auditioned and was selected for the marching band. To say it was a big commitment is an understatement. They spent the entire month of August practicing, about 3 weeks before school started. They started out marching and practicing 5 hours a day and worked up to 11 hours a day. Yes, you read that correctly - ELEVEN HOURS A DAY! He was exhausted but loved the experience. They went on to win several grand champion trophies and excellent ratings. He plans to join the marching band again next year and has aspirations to be a section leader one day. He earned first chair in concert band. All this from a kid who doesn't like music... Go figure!

Once marching band concluded in mid-November, Zack auditioned and was accepted into a Jazz Orchestra that meets in the evening, as well as the all-county Honor Band for next year. Earlier this year Zack participated in several honor bands including a jazz band and the all-state honor band in Columbus. He really enjoys the challenge of these out-of-school opportunities.

Zack is still into Rubik's Cubes. He now has 35 different kinds (with 2 new ones on his Christmas list), including everything from several versions of the 3x3, all the way up to the 7x7, as well as pyramids, dodecahedrons and every shape in between. Zack is nothing if not intensely loyal to his hobbies. As of our 2010 newsletter, Zack could solve the cube in 53 seconds. He can now regularly solve it in under 20 seconds, with his all-time record of 15 seconds. Zack taught mom and Jackie how to solve it as well, but we have little hope of catching ever him in terms of speed.

Jackie is having a great year in 4th grade. Last year she was happy to start earning letter grades; this year she was excited because 4th graders are eligible for the honor roll. Indeed, she made honor roll the very first quarter, complete with a pizza party!

I'm happy to report that Jackie still enjoys being in the same school with mom - how long that will last, I'm not sure - but it's all good now. It looked like we were going to be in different schools this year and she was definitely unhappy about that possibility. Thankfully it all worked out in the end and we are still together at our school from last year.

Peter's section of the 2010 newsletter started off with recounting the story of concussion #3. Interestingly enough, this one picks up where that one left off, now with concussion #4. How can someone who plays no sports end up with so many concussions, you ask? Well, Peter told the medical personnel that I beat him, but I'm sure you don't believe that.

This concussion happened at home - we thought he was at least safe in the house, but no! He managed to hit his head on the corner of a wall. It was not hard, but apparently the more concussions you have, the more susceptible you are to getting subsequent ones. Greeeeaaaaat..... He's making progress in his recovery but he's still not fully back to himself yet. Now, you know that Peter is a never-sit-down kind of guy, so I like to say he's almost back to a typical person's level of activity, but not quite yet Peter-level.

This year Peter got an awesome promotion and is now Director of Programming at his company. He is truly fortunate to be with this company - they were very understanding and kind during the whole concussion debacle. He still works at home and goes to NYC twice a year - once with the family and once by himself. His solo trips to NY are rough for him - the poor guy misses us terribly as he stays in Manhattan, enjoys delicious dinners in Little Italy and the fun-filled nights with all his old radio buddies. Not to mention, spending time with his coworkers and friends at the office.

After many years of wanting to, Peter started taking piano lessons. He's not quite up to Billy Joel songs just yet, but he's on his way! He sets a good example for the kids by practicing every day. It is beyond adorable to find Jackie helping him with his music and figuring out the notes. As we have established previously, she's a great teacher! He claims the piano teacher says he is the most talented new student she's had, but that has yet to be confirmed by her directly. In fact, she's denied saying it at all!

Last year we started a weight loss competition, complete with diet and exercise. Peter officially won the competition, reaching his goal weight in just 9 months and losing a total of 65 pounds!!! So far I've lost 30 pounds, but still have some to go. Anytime someone comments that it's easier for guys to lose weight, Peter is quick to point out that he lost the weight through hard-work, dedication and will-power. The insinuation is that I have none of those, which is actually true! Peter had to drastically cut his workouts due to the concussion, but he's been able to maintain his weight and is working back up to where he was in terms of exercising.

After 16 eventful years, we said goodbye to Monty in April. Monty is best known for terrorizing visitors and being an all-around cranky cat. He had an attitude that shocked nearly everyone. Monty definitely mellowed in his old age and spent the last year or so cuddling with Jackie. He is missed!

I was out-voted when the rest of the family decided they wanted another cat. Not wanting to take our chances with a kitten and potentially facing 16 more years with a nasty cat, we decided to adopt an older cat with an established, sweet personality. After diligent searching, we found 5-year old Zoey.

Being the cat person she is, Jackie immediately became very close with Zoey. They spend a lot of time together, night and day. Most nights, Zoey sleeps on Jackie's bed with her. This is a situation that delights both parties. Zoey puts up with a lot - Jackie carries her around from room to room which often results in waking her up from a dead sleep. But Zoey knows how good she has it, and willingly goes along for the ride.

When Jackie is at school, Zoey spends most of her day with Peter. She is spoiled by the fact that he works from home and spends hours with him, usually resting in his lap or nearby. She reminds us in many ways of our first cat, Toonces. Indeed we occasionally slip up and call her the wrong name.