Sally Says

The Celtic Festival

This was the 25th anniversary of the Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival, so we thought we ought to attend.  It was a nice morning for it, and we really enjoyed ourselves.  

We watched and listened to lots of pipers.  This was my favorite part.  Charlie danced, as you do.  

We watched an hour or so of the official Highland Games competitions.  (David was inspired, and also not the largest man on the field for once.)  

The boys did some of the kids' activities, including mock sword battles and archery.  We also watched a few SCA battles.

We saw a lot of Corgis (covet!) and watch demonstration of competitive sheep herding by some very smart working dogs.    

We wandered the stalls and bought Charlie another wooden sword...because you can never have too many wooden swords.  

We even had a nice conversation with the representatives of Clan Davidson, which is the clan associated with the surname of my paternal grandmother (Dean.)  Both boys, but especially Thomas DEAN Epp, were very impressed with this conversation.

The lines for the Cornish pasties, bangers and fresh scones were all way too long, so we picked up a couple of packages of Welsh Cakes to eat with our healthy, not-fair-food lunch at home.  Now Charlie's is trying to say everything with a Scottish accent, and Tommy wants a kilt.  I'd say this was a successful Sunday morning.

Soccer Finale

Tommy and Charlie had so much fun playing soccer this spring. The fall season was fun, but the spring season was even better, because Vivien and Gretchen were their teammates. It's all over now though. They're going to swim three days a week this summer and also take roller skating lessons, so I don't think they'll miss it too much.

A Very Quiet Noise

David upgraded the pumps on the fish tank - top if the line, whisper quiet, variable flow. For the first time in years I can't complain that the fish tank noise is driving me insane. Ah...that very quiet noise is worth every penny.

Happy Mother's Day!

May Botanic Photos

Including today, there are only 8.5 school days left before summer vacation.  I'm excited to be with the boys all day every day again (what a change!) but I suspect I will miss my me-time.  

With that in mind, I went out on my last photography expedition if the spring yesterday.  It's been a very slow and cool spring in Albuquerque this year, so things have been late to bloom at the Botanic Gardens.  Our peonies haven't even bloomed yet, and they're always well finished by the last day of school!  I'm glad I got a chance to catch a bit of the spring color before the start of summer vacation.  It will all be burned out by the heat and the sun before too long.  Enjoy!