Many Paths Converging into Chaos

We're in the throes of recital season, which is also final band and chorus concert season and finals prep season, which then leads into finals. Between getting all three girls to dance for dress rehearsal/photo nights, Margaret's band and chorus concert and Patricia's school art exhibition opening, this past week has left me exhausted. Next week won't be much better because there is regular dance class, Patricia's band concert and one of the "official" dance rehearsals at the venue. The following week -- another rehearsal and finally, four days of dance recital where we dance all four days. It's a crazy convergence of activity.

In the middle of all this craziness was one of the most drastic changes in our lives. Jack was offered -- and accepted -- a full-time teaching job at SUNY Plattsburgh in the journalism department. He has been teaching as an adjunct faculty member for the last five semesters -- this last semester he taught three classes (!) When an opening came up for a full-time instructor, he threw his hat in the ring and applied. Upon completion of the process, they told him no one really came close to him in terms of qualifications and experience. So, after 26 years at the Press-Republican, he's setting his sights on a new career challenge. He'll still work in a part-time capacity at the Press -- speaking from experience, you can never really leave news work -- and by working a few shifts and doing some projects there it will help him in the classroom. But he'll be a full-time member of the college faculty as of August.

The Press is going to be hard-pressed (hahaha) to replace him because he is irreplaceable. They are having a computer platform upgrade this summer, and he'll be on hand to lead them through it. It's another example of how helpless they'll be if he was to cut ties completely. But that's not something he wants to do, again, because it will be a mutually beneficial relationship. They'll still have him to rely on and to help out, he'll be able to bring new media and video expertise to the paper when he teaches those classes, and he'll stay current in the industry, which in turn will benefit his students. It's a little scary, but it's also exciting, too, because he discovered over the last five semesters how much he enjoys teaching and how very good he is at it. So everyone who reads this -- all three of you -- say a prayer or keep some good thoughts for Jack as he begins this new journey in his career.

And while you're at it, keep some good thoughts for me as I journey all over the North Country schlepping dancers and flutists and clarinetists and hula babies to their respective rehearsals and performances.... It's going to be a long four weeks.

Brace Yourself for Patricia's New Smile

Patricia got her braces off today! We've been counting down the days, and when I picked her up at school this morning, she was so excited. By the time it was done, she was beaming. Her smile is beautiful, worth every penny. I tell both of the girls to take care of their teeth because the next round of braces is on them. But even more important, we're through paying for them until Brigid comes up the line. We'll see what the Wright/Downs genes do to her smile.

The first photo was taken in Dr. Thompson's office and given to us. I took the second photo when I picked Patricia up at school before she had her braces off. The third photo is Patricia, sans braces, with her orthodontist, Dr. Mark Thompson.

Go Downs Girls!

Margaret had something else to celebrate over her birthday weekend -- the third-quarter report cards came and it's hard to beat a 99.5 overall GPA. This kid got a 100 in honors biology as well as English and Spanish II. We couldn't be prouder. And then there's Patricia, whose school does not use numeric grading but would have had as close to a 100 average as you can get with all A+ grades but one, and that was an A, which she received in advanced math! Again, our pride runs very deep in our girls.

Just sayin'.

The Place to be When You Turn 15

This past weekend was Margaret's 15th birthday and we decided to celebrate by taking the girls to Burlington for an overnight. We stayed at the TownPlace Suites in Williston in a two-bedroom suite. TownPlace Suites is the Fairfield Inn version of the extended stay hotels by Marriott, but the price was right and they allow dogs so Tessa was part of the celebration.

The weather was glorious -- sunny, warm and smelled of summer. The ferry ride to Burlington was nice and Brigid as usual enjoyed getting out of the car to explore with Dad.

Unfortunately for Dad (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) he had to work part of the weekend, so while he stayed at the hotel, we went shopping, first to Barnes and Noble so Margaret could spend her birthday money (thank you, Chet, Marilyn and Kathy!) and then across the street to the mall so both girls could pick out a few things at Aeropostale. Brigid enjoyed having a cheesy burger for snack and took three turns on the merry-go-round ride -- one paid for by me, two paid for by parents who wanted to give their kids rides but had to allow Brigid clear passage because she wouldn't get up.

We returned to the hotel to pick up Dad and then it was off to Pizza Putt for some time in the play place, arcade fun and miniature golf. (note to anyone who hasn't been in a while -- the mini putt has gone WAY downhill and is sorely lacking. It's suffered at the hands of a new bowling alley and bumper cars). Brigid loved the play place, and Dad actually got his groove on playing Rock Band with the girls. Yay baby!

Margaret decided she wanted to go to the Olive Garden for dinner, so we headed over, knowing in our hearts that Saturday night at the Olive Garden meant a 45 min. wait holding one of those pagers. It started to rain right then, so we weren't even able to wait outside where Brigid would have had more fun.
We were finally seated about 7 p.m. and Brigid was doing remarkably well considering she hadn't really eaten. Most of us enjoyed our meal (Dad wasn't too pleased with his chicken Caesar salad) and we had leftovers to take home -- always a bonus. Brigid was great all through the meal (!) and I was able to sneak a note to the waiter to bring Margaret a slice of lemon cake so we could sing her "Happy Birthday."
The waiter joined in the singing but we were spared the entire-staff-marches-out-and-sings-the-same-song-different-version you get at most of these chain restaurants. Margaret was grateful for that.

Back to the hotel for some swimming in a pool that was almost solid chlorine. I'm surprised any of us still have our retinas. I didn't even go in the water and my eyes were burning. Snacks and cable TV (one of the only times we get to watch cable is when we're in a hotel)in the room afterwards and then off to bed. The next morning, Daddy took Brigid in the pool for a quick swim before we packed up and headed back to Plattsburgh in time for him to get to work. It was still gloriously beautiful, so we capped it with dinner out on the deck.

To think there was snow on the ground four days before...

B O N U S P H O T O S
These were taken in late April 13 when I took Brigid to the hospital pond to feed the ducks. The heron returns quite often: