Family Mellmann

This morning, early, I left the family behind to fly to Missouri to attend the wedding of one of my cousins.  As we were on approach to land at Atlanta (for a breakfast layover) I spotted another plane also headed in for a landing. I prepared meals, coached Patrick, and arranged for a little play time with friends.  Even so, now that I'm settled in Missouri, it feels weird to be here alone.

Glasses time.  Now that Patrick is driving, he needs glasses to see distance.  My prescription hasn't changed much, but the doctor showed me how much better I can see close up (reading)...I didn't even realize that I was squinting to read...with a proper pair of reading glasses.  They're nothing special to look at (I picked the cheapest pair they had), but WOW can I read with less stress now.

Independence Day with friends...the best way to celebrate. The Williston Parade in the morning. Raptor Rescue with the boys. And dinner with good friends.

The garden is growing well, displaying new colors every day. What's the difference between a weed and a perennial?  Perennials are weeds that you want to keep. :) My Henry Lauder's Walking Stick looks like a kid in a ghillie suit.

Several years ago my family gave me a swing.  Rocking and swinging are very relaxing to me, so the swing is probably my favorite piece of outdoor furniture.  The years haven't been kind to my swing so I decided it was time for a little furniture remodel.  While I was at it, I decided to see if I could give these cheap little tables a new use.  First some scrubbing and cleaning. Once everything was dry, I could begin painting.  I chose a blue paint which would coordinate with the color of the shutters and doors on the house, and the umbrella on the deck. Once the paint was dry, I put the swing in place and set up my little space.  We will add a fire pit and a few chairs, and then we can enjoy this new spot.  It's located in a place that sees early afternoon shade, and looks back up toward the house, with a view of the whole back yard.

With all the activities that come with the month of May (concerts, recitals, class trips, and extra school activities that require additional personnel) on top of the usual collection of life's responsibilities (house work, managing the rentals, teaching, cooking, shopping,...oh, this list just tires me out seeing it written out like this), my garden has had to grow despite my neglect. However, this weekend I was finally able to get out there and give it some attention. Before   After Before   After Before After After  I even got the patio furniture washed and ready for the season.  They're clean and sparkly, like new. I love to watch the garden grow, especially in the spring after a long season of colorless winter.  (Okay, so the mums are not in season, but they were so vibrant I just couldn't resist the color.)   Happy Spring

Twice a year, Katherine has a chance to show off her piano skills in the form of a recital. All the students participate - even the ones who have only taken a few lessons.  A while back, Katherine's teacher offered that if there were parents who wanted to play with their student, she would be happy to have them perform.  Katherine was listening, so when she found her favorite song in a four-hands piano book that her grandmother gave her, she decided it was time. Now, the story goes like this.  I took one piano lesson as a teenager and learned two things.  1) Home position.  2) I was too stubborn to take piano lessons from my mom.  I'm sorry about the second one.  I wish I had stuck with it.  In any case, on Tuesday I had my second piano lesson, which was mostly coaching on how to play with someone invading your space.  Katherine isn't always very good at sharing, but I think we made it work. Here's the song that Katherine did on her ow...

Today, Katherine joined her class of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders as they competed against the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders of another Baptist school here in Vermont.  Each year, these two schools get together for a day of academic competition and fellowship. Students compete in two subject areas of their own choosing.  They can select from Math, Science, History/Geography, Language Arts, Old Testament, and New Testament.  There is also a Spelling Bee that they can participate in if they want to. This year Katherine competed in Science, History/Geography, and the Spelling Bee, placing in all three.  Unlike the public schools, not everyone wins something.  Only the top three scores in each category will win a ribbon or trophy.  Katherine brought home three ribbons in the 5th grade age group. Katherine placed: Third in History/Geography Second in Science Second in the Spelling Bee

We have been enjoying a nice vacation with great weather, great diving, and good food.  Now it's time to turn our sights on home.  Tomorrow morning we will pack our bags, return the scooters, and check in at the airport bound for colder climates. Here are a few pictures from our last week. Diving Pictures Ferry to Mainland Mexico to go to Rio Secreto Rio Secreto More diving. Sunsets