Writing Books and Dancing

On "Author's Day" Mac presented a couple of stories that he wrote. And yes, everything he writes is about monsters, but you will note at the end of each story the monsters become "friends." We are so proud of Mac, our 1st grader is reading on a 6th grade level, and just completed his first Harry Potter book recently!





On Memorial Day weekend, we are enjoying like many Americans a holiday at home. Fortunately it is the "1890 Day's Festival" in Ringgold. Nobody knows why thirty or so years ago that period of our history was chosen to celebrate. Ringgold was founded in 1847. The main thing going on in the 1890's was the end of Reconstruction and the onset of Yellow Fever!

Alina has been in dance class since January. All of her hard work culminated today in a big dance recital at the beautiful Tivoli in downtown Chattanooga. Our girl is really growing up. She was very excited that she got to wear make-up.




Alina's friend Kate came along to watch, with her mother. Thank you to the Thel's for remembering that ballerinas like flowers at the end of their performance! We are quite new at these things!




- McP

A Beautiful Day in May

After a week of rain and overcast days, Saturday was a stunningly beautiful day with highs in the low 70's. We spent a lot of time outdoors, the kids working on some crafts that our friends in New York sent them.

One of the gifts was a junior archeologist kit, and Mac and Alina donned safety glasses and chipped away until they found their amber-encased insects.

While the junior archeologists chipped away and painted dinosaur models, Cal had a relaxing bath with his "tub horn."

We worked around the house, did some arts and crafts, then went to Chattanooga and ate at the Blue Plate, outdoors. The kids enjoyed the big open lot next to the riverfront. Mac saw a friend from school and played with him. Here Alina gives Cal some gymnastics instruction:


Cal on the riverfront:

Finally, we capped off the beautiful day with an evening at the Lookouts game.

Here's Mac at the visitor's side dugout:

Alina and Cal (as Cal tries on a very small batter's helmet):

Alison and Mac:

It was a great day! - McP

Conference Wrap-Up

Today was the next-to-last day of the conference, and tomorrow after lunch Cal and I will load up the car and start our long journey diagonally across Georgia from the Southeast to the Northwest.

It has been great having him here. Today his babysitter played soccer with him and let him climb on the famous low limbs of the ancient oak trees on the property of the Jekyll Island Club. After I got him at lunch, we rode a bicycle to eat at Blackbeard's across the island.



Later, after Cal got his much needed nap, we got in the car and drove out to St. Simons Island. That place brings back so many memories of Alison, Alina, Mac and I when our oldest were Cal's age. We went to the beach and walked a very long walk.







Meanwhile, back home, Alison reports that Alina and Mac had two great soccer games where they both hustled and made big plays for their teams! I miss all of them so much, and even Cal was talking about missing Mama, Nina and Mac today. Of course he also said he missed Chipper, Betty, the goats, Soulja Boy and the outdoor cats as well.

This will be our last dispatch from the Georgia Coast. On Thursday, Alison and I will head to New York to celebrate our tenth anniversary. - McP

Cal Goes to a Conference

At the last minute we decided that Cal could accompany me to an annual conference at Georgia's Jekyll Island Resort. He made the ride very well, and this morning got to try out his water wings.



Alison and I brought Alina and Mac here for years before they started school. Now Cal gets to make his own memories on the Georgia Coast, but both he and I miss Alison, Alina and Mac!

He took to the water pretty well, and would ask me to let him swim by himself from time to time.





I hired a sitter through the hotel, a woman who lives here on the island and has raised two boys. She wrote a cookbook for the cause of the sea turtle hospital. mShe took him to the turtle center, and he apparently had a big time. I will hear all about it later from Cal!

-McP