Recap of adventure + Family event

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

The grand adventure went well. We didn't do everything we could have, but it was a good time. Lots of exercise for the kids, and they enjoyed riding the bus. I had forgotten that one of the nice thing about riding the bus is that you can talk face to face, because someone else if doing the talking and the seats are arranged better. James even asked if he could take the bus alone some time, which I assured him he could.

I picked up some breezy fiction at the library, I have been so focused on nonfiction for a while that I wanted something not quite so serious. James got another Star Wars book that I am going to encourage him to read on his own, even if it is above his level. One thing the teach said in the conference is that James needs to practice reading, both aloud and in general. I already have a plan with Dad in place for some practice with him, and then we will make some read out loud time a habit at bedtimes as well.

Thursday night Kim mentioned that we were going to host a barbecue last night for Danny since he is returning to Texas this weekend. So the initial plan was for a relatively small family get together, like Tuesday night at Dennis'. By yesterday afternoon that had grown to the point that I think we 4 extra kids, 6 extra adults plus some other folks who popped in for some short visiting time. But we just took it in stride, I had a lot of fun with the grill, rotating different meats, adjusting temps etc. It was the first big test of the new grill I got last year and it passed with flying colors. We even got to have a fire in out metal fire pit, which pleased James to no end.

I would have had lots of pictures of the day, but our camera got accidentally destroyed by being run through the washer (don't ask how, suffice to say it was an accident). So that will be our anniversary present to ourselves: new camera.

Today will be a more relaxed day, just James' soccer on the docket (which of course means it is raining and cold). No other plans for the rest of the weekend. Next weekend is our Anniversary, Memorial Day and another 3 day weekend for me. So we plan to have another barbecue next Sunday. This one will be more friend oriented, I plan to send out invites this weekend. That's all for now, checking out until Monday.