FRIDAY

Sadly, our record-setting, unprecedented eight day streak of being on time for school finally, inevitably ended…

It was graduation weekend at the University of Virginia. At work we had our own graduation celebration and awards luncheon for international students. It was so inspiring to talk to the award recipients from all over the world. They will take away much from their experience here, but they will also have immeasurably enriched the life of this community in lasting ways.

Feeling invigorated, I headed to Helping Hands, the after school elementary service group where I work with a much younger set of future movers and shakers. One day these little ones might also set the world on fire. This session, we’ve been holding a supply and money drive for a wonderful organization in our community called Shelter for Help in Emergency or S.H.E. This agency provides services to and a safe house for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. (Find out how you can help S.H.E. here).

On this particular day, our kids just had fun making super easy bird feeders.

Directions: Make a hole in a rice cake and attach ribbon. Coat rice cake with peanut butter and dip in bird seed. Hang in a covered area…Voilà!

SATURDAY

“Chef Tedduccini”  whipped up a batch of pain au chocolat for breakfast. (Frozen Trader Joe’s brand…SCRUMPTIOUS)!

Our little renaissance man took a break from his labors to strum his ukulele:

Rained-out soccer games meant I finally had time to run a billion errands, starting with a long overdue trip to the blood bank.  My daughter scored me a Hello Kitty bandage by telling the phlebotomist that I should get a pink ribbon to match the skirt she was wearing, but that her favorite color was actually red:

Hair cut:

Hair experiments:

And…Happy reunions. Colin got back home just in time for bedtime hugs.

(Sure, he looks happy now, but just wait until I start meting out his punishment for having abandoned us for so long…)

SUNDAY

Quick day trip to Arlington to see my family, including my brother who was visiting for the weekend.