Life on the academic calendar means every fall you get that back-to-school rush of anticipation and new possibilities. It’s kind of addictive. This year Leda started second grade, and might not have even looked back for a picture had her younger sister not insisted on one more hug. Leda is confident in almost all situations but is absolutely in her element at school. Loves the routine of it, the mastery of new skills, the socializing with her friends. She doesn’t have one “best friend,” but seems equally engaged with almost everyone. She’s conscious of how she measures up — letting me know which groups she’s in for spelling, math, reading, and how those groups get shuffled and realigned when she advances. There may be something to this nature/nurture stuff. Photos of the first day, and other September activities, in the album.
August: a week in Olympic National Park, followed by sightseeing in Victoria, BC, and the San Juan Islands. Ferries, hikes, and plenty of beach time in the great company of Grandma Lynn and Papa George — what could be better? A sampling of photos in the album…
So many photos…it must be summertime. As if the ballet recital and grandparent adventures of last month weren’t enough, we’ve also got ample documentation of our trip to SoCal for Lance and Kayleigh’s wedding. And while I’m well aware of how cheesily ridiculous this would’ve sounded to the 18-year-old me, I do want to mention that it is tremendously satisfying to see your kids become friends with your own friends’ kids. Friends you’ve known since you were an 18-year-old…or maybe even longer. Friends with history. The notion that these same friends could be walking through Legoland with you now, and that their own kids could be *awesome* and running ahead of you, holding hands with your kids — well, it might not have occurred to you back then, but it’s delightful.
So West & Stella, Nathan, Keira & Shane, (and Jay, Lucy & Finn, and BUG too — in absentia for now), thanks for letting us hang out with you and your parents. We totally dug it.
First run through of Leda’s Ballet Recital Performance of ‘Lovely Night’. Miss Sara was in there to correct spacing on the bigger stage, but you get the idea of the dance.
