Clara's First Blog Post

It's been over a year since I've posted anything which almost always means that we're doing well and that life is simply full and busy.  It's both, but also very joyous.  

When I first started writing regularly in the blog, after Clara was born, I used to imagine a day when she (and any other future children) might be able to be contributors.  It may be awhile before Clara is typing her own essays, and who knows, maybe she won't ever have any interest.  But I thought it would be sweet to share these pages from her summer journal after we returned from a long weekend in Charleston.  

The literacy teacher in me is delighting in watching my own child develop as a reader and writer.  These are precious moments that I've watched in other people's children countless times.  Getting to see the baby I've read hours to in my lap and the child who was - it seems like yesterday - just scribbling with a crayon on paper now writing complete stories is a new kind of magic.  

So, here's Clara's first blog post, along with a handful of photos from our time in the lowcountry last weekend.  

(Last weekend we went to Charleston to visit Rick and Charlotte and JJ.  I liked catching blue crabs, swimming in the pool, going to the aquarium and kayaking with Daddy.) 

If these pictures seem familiar to you, check out our trip to this same place three years ago, when Clara was the age that Eloise is now.

Retirement and Lake Adger

After FORTY-ONE years of working in education, touching lives of countless students in the elementary classroom all the way through graduate school, my mom finally wrapped up a remarkable career at the end of June.  There aren't ways to express how proud we are of her and also how grateful we are that this chapter has come to a close and that we'll get even more Sweet Mama in our lives.  Here are my girls with her, wearing their "Love Salem" t-shirts, on campus her last week of work.

When July 1 rolled around, we went off to Lake Adger to celebrate.  It was one of the most peaceful places I've ever been.  We spent the long weekend swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, eating, resting, and enjoying being together.  It was a great summer getaway.

Eloise had it made; hikes in the backpack, naps in the kayak.

Matching PJs

Caroline and Clara loved listening to books on CD together.

 And everyone got some Sweet Mama snuggles.

 Great view from our deck.

The big cousins loved sharing a room.

 Robert taught the girls how to fish (no catching this time though).

 And we had our own kid-friendly firework show on July 4.

These girls finished up a fun weekend together with a movie night in bed.  Sweet cousin memories.

Congratulations, Sweet Mama.  Here's to lots more traveling and many more memories to make together in the years ahead.