A Quiet Few Weeks and a Busy Few Days

Following Mother's Day and Derby we enjoyed a long respite of nothingness.  Nowhere to really be, nothing to really do. As the resident homebody of this family of four, I thought it was glorious.  Then on Thursday of this week things started heating up again and we resumed our regular busy pace.  


On Thursday night Sarah performed in her last band concert.  She started band in the fifth grade, and I remember she was so excited to start playing an instrument.  Her music teacher at the time assigned the kids their instruments, and she was appointed with the clarinet.  While not her first choice (don't all girls dream of playing the flute?), she became quite proficient and has now played in the school band for three years.  Last year her interest started waning, but I convinced her to give it one more year.  By October of this school year she warned me that this would be her last year playing, so I knew this May her concert days would come to an end.  I've never mastered how to get a good photo of her playing on stage, but I do want to remember her last night.  Hope she doesn't regret stopping, since most adults wish they hadn't quit playing an instrument as a child.

Band chick

Friday was Field Day at Rock Creek, which is the best of days and the worst of days for John.  He looks so forward to this day all year, but he struggles with his competitive nature, which tends to get the best of him at times.  I volunteered all day, and I would watch him go back and forth between the joy of victory and the agony of defeat.  Hopefully he stored up more joys than agonies.

Cheering on his buddy Zach

After school we took the kiddos out to Churchill Downs to enjoy an afternoon at the track.  The weather was gorgeous and we hit three exactas in a row!  The best part was while we were hanging out in the paddock, Jill Bryne from Churchill Downs came over and asked if we wanted to present the trophy in the winner's circle after the next race.  Ummmm, yes!  We got to go out to the track and watch the race on the rail and then give the trophy to the jockey.  The owner is in Brazil so we got to the keep the trophy (bonus!).  

Hanging in the paddock

Getting ready to present the trophy

Today it was up and at 'em, with some of us heading to Homestead Day at Nana's (Lawrence and Sarah), and some of us heading to the ball field (me and John).  It was a beautiful day for baseball and Homestead Day.  The Red Sox continued their winning streak (12-0!), and everyone got lots done at Nana's.

Dad splits some hostas to take home

Nana directs Rich and Lori in some vine removal

Hauling tools, limbs, and kids

John got in an hour of work before heading to a birthday party.  Rough life!

Now we're home, and Lawrence and I had planned to go out tonight.  But the couch feels good, and now it's raining.  So we downloaded "The King's Speech" and Lawrence went to pick up PF Chang's.  Mmmmm....did I mention how much I love to stay home?