Amy says goodbye to 7th grade today. Just a 1/2 day with 10 minutes in each class and and hour for yearbook signing. No need for a bookbag or a lunch - she'll be free for the summer! I think she would say she has had a good year - middle school is not an easy time...
From a parents perspective, she has had a terrific year - excellent grades, good work ethic and attitude, happy & productive - can't ask for much more from a 13 year old. She is a terrific kid, if I do say so myself. :)
We leave on Friday, the 18th, for our 'Eastward, Ho' expedition. We'll drive to Minnesota, visit with Dan's family, then fly to NY, visit with my family, fly back to MN and drive (at a somewhat more leisurely pace) home with stops in South Dakota & Yellowstone. We're hoping to be back by the 4th of July so that Amy & Bella can participate in Bend's annual Pet Parade on the 4th. If it sounds like alot to accomplish in 2 weeks ... you're not the only one!
Our backyard is blooming with all sorts of beautiful plants (our luck - the strawberries will ripen when we are away, I'm sure!). These 2 Iris were planted last year but did not produce flowers so we were unsure of their colors. They are like night and day - one so gloriously light peach and the other almost black-purple. Just beautiful!
Dan spent last Saturday morning with our friend, Dave. I'll let him write about it...
Dave is a guy in our Home Group, and he asked if I wanted to come and watch him and other members of his club fly the model airplanes that they have built. They lease a plot of land between Bend and Sisters, which has a panoramic view of the Cascades (you can only see a few mountains in the picture). All the guys in his club are pretty impressive with their knowledge of airplanes, airplane history, aerodynamics, electronics, and materials. Besides that, it was just plain fun watching them fly their planes.
Amy's last band concert was last week and she has enjoyed playing the flute alongside her friend, Miriam, all year. They have nicknames as you can see - Amy's is a variation on amyo and I'm not sure where Mirma came from??
In early May we changed up our daily walk along the river trail near our house and hopped in the car. Drove into downtown Bend and walked another section of the same trail along the Deschutes River. Many beautiful homes and a different perspective on our river - it was a nice change of pace - but we still enjoy being able to access the river within a few blocks of our front door. We are so spoiled. ;)
And whooda thunk we'd be skiing on May 6th?? This was our last day on the mountain till next winter and we are both anxious to strap those skis back on come November.
Till then we will certainly enjoy some warmth and sunshine this summer.
Bring it on!
