May days, part two

Welcome to summer:  that most photogenic of seasons when life is so full and beautiful that you can't seem to pause long enough to write about it.  

Now that we're two full weeks into June, I thought maybe I'd catch up on May, sound good? 

Here are some things of note:

* This boy has his temps!  He took a minute to think it over and then at about 11:00 pm one night decided he was ready to take the online test and a week later he had his paperwork in hand. 

(And also the steering wheel.)

  I think he's going to be a really good driver, actually.  He's such a naturally cautious rule follower of a kid at heart. 

* Jen was in town!  She stayed with us both before and after a trip to the US Virgin Islands with a friend, and it was so wonderful to have her here (even if she reorganized my fridge). 

A new kayaking venture:  the up and then back down a bit of the Cuyahoga in the CVNP, with Nat and Will.  It was a cloudy day with a bit of rain and we ran into a few challenging, shallow spots-- but it was perfect just like kayaking always is. 

Then we went to Melinda and Will's place where Jen had created a gourmet sandwich bar from their leftovers and we ate and drank and laughed uproariously and it was grand.

When Jen stays with you, to-do lists get better.

Mother's Day- sweet kayak-related gifts from my loves helped to mediate the first mother's day that I was not "double booked."

As did a trip to Stan Hywet with the crew.

Tuesday of that week-- why not drive to Columbus to see the Amy Ray Band on a school night?  Nat and I had a blast in the front row at the cutest little venue, and Amy rocked the house like always.

Ivy's final band concert of the year.  So proud of this kid and her tuba playing!   Crossing all my fingers that she sticks with band through high school because I really want to see her march with a sousaphone. 

Edgewater sunset.

Cocktail Choir!  We are now regulars here- Kevin and Nate greet us with hugs, the bartenders know our names, and we have a little set of new friends that we sit with. The evolution of community in life is really something.  And this little community of people who love to drink and sing with strangers makes me so very happy. 

Spent some time with my boy doing what he loves... he tried his heart out to teach me to hit a golf ball better-- and I actually think I made some improvements under his surprisingly patient tutelage.

Here's Ivy, building her own bookshelves for her new lofted bookshelf-bed.  She's hard core. 

Also, cats are cute. 

Porch coffee in the late spring-- doesn't get much better. 

Except maybe when you're kayaking in the late spring. 

Look who was inducted into National Honor Society!  This boy, and this whole gang of ruffians (who I love!)

The bookshelf project continues.  This girl loves her power tools. 

And her horses!

And bookstores!  Took her along on the way to my COC tour in Cincinatti and had a lunch/ shopping break in the sweetest neighborhood...

... then handed the kid off to her Auntie for some summer fun in Tennessee. Bec kept her though memorial day and they had a blast, riding and kayaking and swimming.

Had a blast myself, singing the Mahler 8 as a part of a 250 voice choir in this gorgeous space...

... then going out on the town for Karaoke with some of my favorite people. 

Rounding out the month with more kayaking!  Several of my friends have obtained their own boats since the fall (I'm one helluva proselytizer for the things I love) and it was a treat to explore Euclid creek and a bit of Lake Erie with my friend Amanda.