The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, July 2010

What a Zoo!














So last week, Dad drove the girls and me up to Atlanta so Elsie could attend Pace Camp with her cousin Bryce. Lots of family visiting, bonding, eating, drinking, ensued... There were visits with friends and some of the aforementioned errand running (Trader Joe's!). And there were big city kid outings (some with cousins!) to playgrounds, the zoo, and the aquarium. (We do not have photos of the adults-only escapades, but suffice it to say that Pat Howells is back as the reigning high scorer on the "exotic" photo hunt at Stooge's on Howell Mill thanks to the eagle eyes of Jim Walker and loyal son-in-law David with Mike, Johnny, and Bryan supporting in absentia.)

10/15

So 10 years ago on June 17th, I married this guy, but 15 years ago on July 28th, I had my first date with him. I had a hunch he'd be a keeper--I was right....

On the Good Ship Lollipop

Princess Ballet Camp




So, being a stranger to the world of ballet, I avoided it this year. However, Elsie seemed drawn to tutus and put on home shows as a ballerina and demonstrated lots of enthusiasm but clearly no genetic predisposition for dance. I was relieved, though, to hear that it was ok that I had boycotted ballet class when a lot of my friends started grousing about the costumes, the costs, the shows, the costs, the requirements, and the costs. But Elsie's delight in tip toeing and determination to twirl left me feeling guilty. My solution was to dig dip and sacrifice by sending the girl to one week of Princess Ballet Camp which seemed low key and low obligation. Perhaps Elsie could get just enough ballet to last her through the phase and we could move on to hockey or karate or step dancing or something... But unfortunately, Princess Ballet Camp was high on princesses, Disney marketing, and "etiquette" and low on ballet. So now what?

Circa '76



In her jumpsuits, with her sun-kissed hair, and her winged back mullet, sometimes Kit reminds us of baby Farrah or a 1970s baby, all ready to disco and get down to any little beat.

Western Week at Pace Camp

The Richard's Horsie


Rarely, when we were good in mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King, we would get to go down to Richard's Variety Story at Peachtree Battle and ride the horse. On occasion, my grandmother would take us there for a treat and a 10 cent ride. Last week, while Elsie was in camp, Kit got to take the Pat Howells express running every errand imaginable around Buckhead Atlanta in order to hit the Quiktrip for a 44-ouncer and hit just the right lunch spot at just the right time. Her patience paid off when we ambled into Richard's after lunch at Zoe's Kitchen. Her fervor for horses was stoked, and we were stoked to watch her ride. (The lady at the cash register gave us a dime when we ran out just to hear her squeal and ride again!)

Happy Birthday Camille! A Pony Party

Elsie has been into cowgirls and ponies lately after riding at Hilton Head and getting into her new boots from Denver. She has also been gearing up for her own cowgirl party in September! So Camille's Pony Party was triply joyous: cowgirls, ponies, and Camille--all reasons to celebrate! Elsie got dressed western-style to celebrate Camille's fourth and delighted in playing with her buddy, riding ponies, and eating Totoro cake!