Happy Birthday MFD!

Today we celebrate your birth, your life, and your lovely spirit. We love you mfd!!! Sincerely affectionately yours...

Back to Nature

We have safely arrived in North Carolina, where mtw is working at the American Dance Festival. We will be here until late July and so far, are very glad to be "summering" in the South. I think Odin could do without the heat, but our lodging has very good AC so it is bearable. eaw is a little discombobulated from all the travel - mdw keeps schlepping him across the country. He survived the long drive here with grace and humor, however mdw has "baa baa black sheep" embedded on some brain tissue from listening to it so many times during the drive. mtw is working hard, both with ADF obligations and many side commissions. mdw tried to take class yesterday, but eaw didn't agree with the babysitting situation so we will try again later. It is good to be in Durham - it feels very familiar and welcoming. In fact, mdw, eaw and the dogs walk by Watts hospital (now Math and Science) every day.

We spent Sunday out in the country with one of mtw's friends and his lovely and very creative 5 year old daughter. The day included hamburgers, great conversation, beautiful quiet surroundings, and a walk out to a nearby creek, in which eaw offered his best Adam impersonation:

Happy Father's Day

I am grateful to the many fathers and father figures in my life; and today, I am especially grateful for the father of my son.

Sleepless in Seattle

Indeed! The trip started out well with a first class upgrade for our LONG flight to Seattle. eaw was a trooper, kicking back in his own seat in first class, playing, singing, and even sleeping. I was able to eat the rather palatable first class meal, cloth napkins and all. We landed in Seattle late on Saturday evening, but in seemingly good spirits. Jenni Davis met us at the airport and we headed back to her beautiful home in Kirkland that overlooks (literally touches) lake Washington. From this point forward, eaw embodied the sleepless in Seattle theme.

Despite the restless nights, we did a lot of fun things, first with Jenni:Getting messy during the "mess fest" at the Seattle Children's Museum...

...and feeding the seagulls after lunch at Ivar's (notice the beak at the top of the photo swooping in for the treat). We also walked along the water, chased ducks, visited jd's parents in Snohomish, stopped in at Cport, and hung out with Bill and the boys. eaw especially enjoyed ry-guy.

Later in the week, we shared time with the cousins and Grandma and Grandpa at khd and ghd3's lovely new home in Ballard:Fortunately three's not a crowd in the roomy Volkswagen. Of course, Gpa couldn't ride backwards so we made him sit on the floor. eaw loved lwd and clrd - it was so much fun to watch them interact. The van also took us to "parent's tea" at lwd's school, swimming lessons, the park, and music class. We were glad to be along for the ride. mdw particularly enjoyed the late night talks with ghd3 and khd, including the kitchen block assembly and the midnight cookie fest. I really wish we lived closer to family.

Gma and Gpa sponsored a yummy dinner at Tutta Bella pizzeria (one of the Seattle Durham's favorites). eaw loved meeting his uncle Isaac and aunt Kim and his Sheldon cousins.




All in all a worthwhile trip despite the fatigue, exhaustion, and disrupted schedules. Hopefully, we’re supporting resiliency in eaw and not total confusion.