This year my brother, Dan, graduated from high school. I am so excited for him. He is going to University of Alabama. I am going to miss him a lot. So we went to his graduation. And before that we went to a delicious restaurant. The graduation itself was long and boring. There are a lot of kids in his grade. But we had fun seeing walk across the stage.

The super secret questionnaire was the only new element of this well visit. You were asked to complete a survey to be discussed with Dr. Shipley and not necessarily shared with me. This questionnaire asked interesting questions about whether we text while we drive, whether we drink to much, etc. It also asks if you have had sex or tried drugs.

You are definitely growing up!!

I love you and I love being an important part of your growing up!
Mama

You did absolutely great in front of an audience! And you’ve done it even better many other times. I could not be more proud of how hard you worked over the past 7 months on this song – stretching your fingers, working on synchronizing difficult hand rhythms, persisting through the struggle. This was the last recital that you would perform with Madey. Treasured times for sure.

I signed up to chaperone the stream study, and you signed me up to also do the Seabreeze trip. I playfully complained, but deep down, I was so honored that you wanted me to be at both trips. I love getting to know the friends you will be growing up with through high school graduation – and their parents. I love supporting you in this school world that I have little access to.

I pretty much just love being with you.

Highlights from May? So many fun times packed into a month…

A visit from Grandma Judy and Judi J to watch a Dan lacrosse game.
Gospel Choir coffee hour that you and Dan helped me pull off… and everyone had a ball!
Your Dad walked graduation for his DNP.
My graduate student Rachel earned her PhD.
Lilac festival with Dan – it hailed and the sun came out and it hailed and the sun came out and… You made a hand sculpture, and Dan had a crazy pork sandwich. We had an awesome time!
Cooking adventures with Madey
And various other fun times…

National Park #3 – The Dry Tortugas… the Florida Key that is off to the SW of Key West by 67 miles (3 hour relatively rough ferry ride). Paradise with history. A migratory stop for birds. A fort that was never used. Incredible coral. All through the eyes of a 10 year old.

In Key West before we boarded:

Enroute on the Jefferson Ferry:

First National Park – Biscayne. We sailed with Captain Hans and 4 other crew members out to Boca Chita Key. The blue rafts that you see in one of the pictures were transport for Cuban refugees – so powerful to see the determination in the wood and styrofoam. Highlights of the day were definitely the mangroves, coconuts, and the interesting birds!

Welcome to our National Parks Kick-Off Tour!

It was a bit of a challenging start – huge van switched to a massive Ford F150 4-day truck named Evie, a drive through Miami at night ending up at a slightly scary Air B&B… leading us to YUMMY pizza (that we ordered by didn’t eat), a run-away plan that was stressfully delayed by Evie not starting, and culminating on a King size comfy bed in a very nice Hilton eating our cold pizza.

The next day we took a double-decker bus tour to go around Miama with a main goal of a Coconut Grove Art Art Show and ending at Little Havana. We really did have a great time. The art show was a definite highlight!!

Coconut Grove Art Festival

Around town including Little Havanah

Yesterday a very special relationship began… you chose 5-year old Miguel to be your pen pal and friend. You were so excited that you slept with his picture on the pillow next to you. Can’t wait to see what happens next….

Click here to see my letter to Miguel

Every once in a while your school hosts a roller skating event for a particular grade level… today was yours. And your Daddy Jim volunteered. He was so excited to do that for you… Looks like you had a great time!!

Love you Peanut