The Rites of Spring

Note: Sorry for my recent absence from the blogosphere, but my cast didn't come off until last week. I'm wearing a Velcro brace until the fracture heals completely, but now I can type and use the mouse with my right hand!

Spring brought lots of events for our family and some important changes for our grandchildren. Booker graduated from elementary school and will move onto middle school in the fall. Noah graduated from The Primrose School and will start kindergarten. His class of five-year-olds put on an adorable program including two songs. Lena scored in the top 25th percentile in the state of Texas on her standardized test!

Lena's hip-hop class was featured in a dance recital. Sporting blue sequined tops, her group did a great number. Not to be outdone, Booker's tap class at the Dallas Ballet Center danced to Greased Lightning, with the girls wearing pink poodle skirts and the two boys black sequined tops (channeling John Travolta). Their dance ended with the boys sliding across the stage toward each other, as if into second base. The recitals showed off the hard work these young dancers had put in over the course of many months. 

With summer vacation underway, Hannah and her family plus Booker flew to San Antonio for a short break in a beautiful rented house with a pool. We were invited to tag along, but drove there instead. A highlight of the visit was a party recognizing the 90th birthday of Mildred Johnson (known as Mudear to the family, and Dear-Dear to the kids). She played an important role in my son-in-law Reagan's life, having him join her kids every summer in Albuquerque while his mom worked. The birthday girl enjoyed every moment of a celebration at the Little Red Steakhouse. It was a great opportunity to be together with family and friends.

With the kids out of school, our pool is getting a workout when they arrive home from their various summer camps and activities. My planters are ablaze with summer flowers and the raised garden is full of basil, rosemary and tomatoes. Life is good!

---