Ballerina Mary

Mary attended a ballet camp this past week, which culminated in a small recital on Friday afternoon. Though Mary was tentative about performing in front of a surprisingly large audience, she did a wonderful job following the rehearsed dance. And afterward, once the nerves were eased a bit, she even smiled and enjoyed the accomplishment!

Death by Chocolate

Last night, as I was baking chocolate chip cookies, our resident goldfish Cutie was entertaining me with ecstatic leaps and jumps. At first, I was amused. Then, I became worried. Cutie's leaps got progressively higher and the splashes of water around his bowl became bigger. As the baking progressed, his antics grew more and more daring. When I was finally finished with the baking, I went to bed, leaving the cookies on the kitchen counter opposite from Cutie's bowl so they wouldn't be splashed by smelly goldfish water.

This morning, I came down to find a note from Aunt Suzanne, who was staying with us. The note read: "You know the expressions- it's to die for, killer chocolate, and death by chocolate? Well, we now know they are not idle words. In his quest to satisfy his chocolate cravings and soothe the chocolate chip frenzy, Cutie leaped from his bowl, landed more than halfway across the floor, falling short of his objection and never looked back. Your cookies were both figuratively and literally to die for."

Yes, apparently the early riser in the house found poor Cutie on the floor, a fish out of water, victim of a rumored death by chocolate. RIP little Cutie.

Personally, I think he was just trying to compete with Mary's beautiful leaping at her first ballet recital yesterday. That story and snapshots are forthcoming...

Lucy's Triple Play

Lucy turned THREE on Saturday, and we held our own triathlon to celebrate (backward from official triathlon order, mind you): a run along the trail in the morning, followed by a bike ride to the pool, and then an afternoon of swimming. She had a great day and proudly held up three fingers to everyone and anyone who wished her a happy birthday.

On Sunday, the celebration continued with "Old Swampy" cupcakes with family. Lucy, true to personality, sang along with everyone to her own birthday tune and finished with a triumphant, "Happy Birthday, dear Lucy, happy birthday to ME!!"

We're delighted our adventurous, sparkling Lucy made it to three...there were times when we wondered (crib jumping for sport and breakneck speeds down fast hills on her bike, to name a few). But, here she is! Every delightful, busy little ounce of her! Happy Birthday to our Lucy Ladybug.

California Sunshine

Curtis and his prize bass.


Skip and Brent (aka the Gerber Baby!)
Lucy, Emily, and Mary enjoying the thrill of a boat ride.

Robyn and I...20 years of friendship!

On an evening boat ride.

Visiting our favorite horse: Stinson!

Our beloved Elizabeth with little Lucy.

Dinner with the Jack and Will.

We've just returned from the most wonderful week of fun, sun, and friends. First, a few packed days in our old stomping grounds to visit with friends and even drive by our old house-- Lucy quizzically asked, "When did I live there?" Our schedule was so tight that the visits were all too short, though wonderful all the same.

Then, we were off to Clear Lake with Robyn & Skip for a few days of lazy fishing, innertubing, margaritas, swimming, wakeboarding (yay for my shoulder, another challenge met!), toasting marshmallows, and rousing card games.

Oh, and Greta survived the week without her family, with only one incident: using her dexterously-designed paws to open the cupboard and eat about four portions of kibbles in one sitting. Oops.

The pictures say it all-- a sun-filled, smile-filled vacation. We miss our California pals already!

"Lettuce" welcome the summer!

The garden is growing well these days. Our most bountiful crop so far is our lettuce. We have both argula and mascara lettuce, and they've provided a harvest that gives us salad fixings each day. We haven't purchased lettuce from the store in over a month!


Each afternoon, we venture down to the patch to pick some lettuce. The girls love to help me bring it up to the kitchen, wash it and spin it dry. And then, usually, we have to make a second journey to the garden to pick more because they've eaten the first pickings! Next in line for harvesting are strawberries and tomatoes.

Our flowers are also looking lovely. And, taking after my dad (gasp!), I had to take photos to capture some of the glory. The calla lillies and peonies are gorgeous. And our hydrangeas have literally hundreds of blooms on each ancient plant, so anyone in need of an arrangement for a dinner party, stop by for some stems. They are fantastic.

Just a Quick Question

The other night I was on the phone with my pal Heather. Mary approached me and motioned to me that she wanted to ask me something.

"Mary, is it a quick question, because otherwise you need to wait until I'm off the phone," I said.

"Yes, it's a quick question." Mary replied.

"Okay, go ahead," I urged her, hurriedly.

"Mom, my question is this: you said Papa was in heaven, but then why did we leave him at the cemetery if he is heaven?" Mary asked.

Yep, a quick question. With a very long answer.

Remembrance

Even though cameras and funerals do not and probably should not mix, I was so touched by the ceremony given by the Marines (Papa was a proud Marine in WWII) that I could not help snapping a few shots with my phone camera.

As one Marine played Taps on his bugle under the trees, three fellow Marines performed the flag ceremony and then presented the perfectly, beautifully folded flag to my grandmother on behalf of a "grateful nation" for my grandfather's service. It was an amazing tribute to an amazing man.

We're missing you, Papa!