First Day

Lucy has made the big move across the street to the Middle/High School! And she thinks she's way too grown up to have her mom take a picture on the first day of sixth grade. But she let me do it anyway.

 Gavin is in third grade this year. He's still little enough to want me to walk him to class on the first day. But he's too big to let me hold his hand. Sigh.



Dog River Run

This year I organized the second annual Faculty Platoon for the Dog River Run. We paint our faces in grease paint, run with the freshman cadets, crawl through the "worm pits" full of mud, and slosh down the river together. It's a fun way to support the cadets, and have some fun the day before school starts.

 

 

Birthday #43

Austin is a pretty easy-going guy for a 43-year-old.

 

 

But he does feel very strongly about some things. Among them: dessert. He doesn't like most desserts. So that makes getting him a birthday cake is challenging. I usually make him an Angel Food cake but the kids always groan and complain. So this year, I got everyone their favorite dessert for Austin's birthday.

 

I stuck four candles in a piece of tiramisu for Austin. (One for each decade of his life.)

 

Gavin got a cupcake with frosting so intensely blue that his teeth and tongue were colored for the rest of the night.

 

Lucy got a cupcake with frosting as big as her head.

 

Me, I got a lovely Boston Creme tart. And the joy of watching my whole family be happy on Austin's birthday.

Maine

For this year's Friends Campout, Joe and Sarah found a lakeside cabin in Nobleboro, Maine. It had the perfect dock for boating, swimming, and fishing. And it was close to Acadia National Park and the ocean so there was plenty to do. Austin and the kids went up for the week and I flew in the minute my seminar was over so I wouldn't have to miss all the fun.

 

Kayaking and paddleboarding from the dock to the island.

Grays and Smiths at Acadia National Park.

A ride on a lobster fishing boat.

Lucy is considering a career as a lobsterman.

 

Spotting seals in the ocean.

Even rainy days are good for fishing.

Meeting our new friend Clara!

Gavin learned to bodysurf with Jason and Austin.

Collecting seaweed.

Seaweed fight!

 

Collecting crabs in the tidepools.

Clara kisses.
We are so glad she joined our crew!

Lotus Lake

While Mom was in Michigan, the kids kept busy. There were (as always) gallons of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries to pick. There were horses to ride and rivers and pools to swim in and chickens to feed. They had to help Dad keep the house together. During the day, they got to go to Lotus Lake camp. So, basically, they didn't even miss me.

 

Awards!

Pals!

Gavin's favorite counselor, Willy.

Calvin College

I haven't posted much this summer about all the kids' activities. The reason why is that I've been busily engaged in activities of my own -- far away from the Austin and the kids. It was hard to leave for four weeks (during the prettiest four weeks of the year in Vermont -- it hardly rained, even!) but when I saw this announcement, I had to apply.

 

 

This seminar was perfectly focused for my research. All of the readings and discussions were exactly relevant to the projects I've been working on. I have a sabbatical semester coming up and, after this seminar, I think I'm going to spend it trying to write a book on architecture and religious co-existence in Augsburg.

 

I got to hang out with all of these fun, smart, interesting people.

 

As a souvenir of Calvin College, I brought home a Calvin bobblehead. I love it for several reasons. One, Jean Calvin had no sense of humor and is doubtless bobbling in his grave over this. Two, it's the least bobbly bobblehead I've ever seen -- I guess it is possible to make a respectful bobblehead! Three, and most important, I can get Calvin to nod in approval at whatever I do. Which is more than anyone could say during his lifetime.

Underland Journey

Lucy's all-time favorite book (of the moment) is Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins. The book is about a boy and his baby sister, who follow their father into the "underland" populated with strange people and giant bugs and rats. She has been desperate to get her friends to read it and finally it got on the agenda for July book club.

 

 

We are lucky to have two of the most fun moms ever in our book club. Kate and Alicia planned a challenge involving activities related to the book. The girls were put in teams to complete their tasks, which began in the Underland, at the bottom of Overlook Drive (at Kate's) and ended in the Overland at the top (at Alicia's). Another unforgettable book club.

Instructions

The "spinners" at work on a finger-crochet project.

Collecting bugs (luckily, of an Overland variety)

Three-legged march up to the Overland

Reward!