Friday, May 29, 2009

Safety patrol trip

One milestone follows another. The day after elementary school graduation, Megan was on her way to Washington, D.C. for the annual Safety Patrol trip. She and about 14 of her classmates and 2 teachers (along with students and teachers from other schools) were headed north for a whirlwind tour of our nation's capital.


















Although I was suffering pangs of anxiety as Megan boarded the bus, she felt no such qualms, and couldn't wait to depart on her adventure. A few classmates had some nerves Friday night, but by Saturday, everyone was fine and up for the day.





After an eight hour bus ride on Friday, they stopped at the Air and Space Museum before checking into their hotel. On Saturday morning, breakfast was at 7am. Eating early is critical if you are going to see the National Zoo, Arlington Cemetary, various Smithsonian museums and the Jefferson Memorial before calling it a day!

On Sunday, they started even earlier, 6:30 am, so as to make it to Mt. Vernon, Fort Hunt Park, the U.S. Capitol, the White House, and the Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam, Military Nurses, and Korean War Memorial. Whew, I'm tired just typing it!

The extravaganza that is the Safety Patrol trip has to be experienced to believed. They take 1200 5th graders to Washington, D.C. by bus with the precision of a military operation. There were 24 buses lined up with multiple police cars and motorcycles leading the procession and bringing up the rear. On Monday afternoon, as friends and family crowded the mall parking lot, we could hear them turn on their sirens as they got off the interstate. A police helicopter escorted them back to the mall, and then 1200 exhausted, bleary-eyed, happy children disembarked.

It took Megan a full 48 hours to recover. But it was definitely a growing experience for me, and I think, for her. She had a great time, and I coped through the support and solace of Facebook. :)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Elementary school graduation

Another year, another milestone. Megan is officially a middleschooler! Her class at Nature's Way Montessori School had a graduation ceremony this afternoon. Each child (12 altogether) read a speech written by him- or herself, and then one of the three teachers read a list of attributes contributed by their peers which ranged from "weird in a good way" to "pretty hair" to "funny" to "loves softball." That was really sweet.

Riley and Grandpa attended the graduation. Do you think Riley has enough bows?


Here are Megan and her BFF Wyn. Wyn will be attending another school next year so this was bittersweet for the two girls.


Grandma entertained Riley during the ceremony. She even had to take her out near the end. Thanks Grandma!










Gay, Megan's lead teacher, introduces the graduates.




Here is Megan giving her speech.


Megan and another good friend, Savannah. Riley is looking at her as if to say, "Where are your bows??"









After the ceremony we had a nice reception.










Even the little brothers enjoyed this part!










Look how grown up she is!









Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Visit with R-ed, W, and Jonsey (names have been changed to protect the innocent)

We had another fun weekend with our dear friends from North Carolina. Here's a sampling of the fun:






Margaritas on the porch, with Wendy doing the honors. The artistic photo of the glasses is courtesy of Ed, who brought his fancy camera, and occasionally took pictures of things other than flowers.





The kids enjoying some strawberry shortcake together. More whipped cream please!








Three hungry dogs, hoping for some shortcake of their own (this photo courtesy of Nora--isn't it great, I think she has her father's eye)








Dash posed for his portrait: I think he has a future in print ads, don't you?

This is the cat who can't believe his owner will feed him cat food made with FILLERS! (yuck)



This is the sulky look, directed toward an owner who hasn't yet purchased the Super Deluxe Catnip-Scented Pillow-Topped Slumber Bed for him.







And here he is, horrified at the smelly litter his misguided owner has poured into his box.



Do you think Ed is going to demand a commission?












On Saturday, the rain let up and we went to the Botanical Gardens. You can just imagine what kept Ed busy there. The kids enjoyed running up and down the paths and climbing the rocks near the pond.





















































I love this one. If you look closely, you can see Ed's fancy digitalSLR camera, and Wendy's little film, point and shoot. God bless her, she's our little Luddite! She only got cable a few weeks ago, and she doesn't even have a facebook page! ;-) (just kidding, W!)


No more photos!








You really can't argue with the time spent with the fancy camera when he comes up with shots like this:



And this:










After a quick visit to the McClung Museum on UT's campus, it was time for dinner at our favorite restaurant, the Tomato Head.









Here's Nora demonstrating her deft way with a cucumber slice:










And Nicholas and Wendy showing off their big cookies:













Don't the girls look happy?









And here are the boys:











We had to take a picture of the Chocolate Thunder cookies. Don't you think that would make a great name for a softball team? ;-P










See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Or something like that!