Photos: June & July Highlights

Odds and ends that haven't yet made it to the blog this summer.

June 9, 2019 - Edith goes to her first Broadway in Columbus show.

June 11, 2019 - Edith, Atticus and cousins get the mail with Grandpa.

June 20, 2019 - Edith and Atticus at Ohio Village.

June 20, 2019 - Ohio Village.

July 1, 2019 - Atticus as ... Superhero Santa?

July 12, 2019 - Edith and Atticus at the COSI playground.

July 12, 2019 - At the COSI playground.

July 23, 2019 - Atticus waits for Edith's swim lessons to end.

July 28, 2019 - Paul and kids at the Columbus Zoo.

July 28, 2019 - At the zoo.

July 29, 2019 - Showing off their favorite sunhats.

July 29, 2019 - A sunhat summer.

Edith Learns to Swim

June 10, 2019 - That's Edith in the rainbow swimsuit!

One of Edith's proudest moments of the summer? Advancing to Level 2 in her swim lessons.

Although she has always liked the water, this has been her first real summer of swim lessons. And I mean SWIM LESSONS. This is her seventh straight week of the summer in the pool, 30 minutes each Monday through Thursday.

At the beginning of the summer she didn't want to get her head wet, and forget about going under the "mushroom" of falling water in the pool. Now she's proud of how many times she can bob her head -- more than a dozen, without a doubt. And she's finally getting the hang of floating on her back.

Swim tests are at the end of every two-week session, and she finally passed from Level 1 to 2 last Thursday. She was so happy, and frankly I was too. It's nice to have something concrete to show for the summer.

Birthday #38

Of all days that Vacation Bible School could have started, yesterday was the best it could have been. It was a great start to my 38th birthday -- three hours completely to myself.

But soon enough it was noon and the day proceeded like normal. Swim lessons for Edith, followed by our weekly trip to the library. Then a little birthday treat: ice cream cones for me and the kids and a living room viewing of one of my favorite movies, "La La Land."

The movie is becoming a birthday tradition, but there's another I like even more -- savoring a chocolate truffle cookie from nearby Northstar Cafe after the kids go to bed. I good start and end to the first day of my latest year.

Fourth of July Fishing in Clintonville

Fishing isn't something you necessarily associate with the Fourth of July ... unless you live in the Clintonville neighborhood. Each year a casting pond at a nearby park hosts a fishing derby for kids ages 15 and younger. Hundreds of kids show up, according to a local newspaper.

This year Edith and Atticus were two of them. Believe it or not, but Edith has been asking to fish, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity -- free, with poles and bait provided. Paul took the kids for an hour-long holiday adventure.

Although they were disappointed not to catch anything, they did get some bites. It's easy to see how the fishing derby could become an annual tradition.

20th High School Reunion. Eek!

Huh.

That was my reaction when it occurred to me earlier this year that I originally moved to Columbus 20 years ago for college. Somehow it didn't occur to me, however, that I graduated high school 20 years ago, too.

So when I got an invitation a few weeks ago to my 20th high school reunion, it almost caught me by surprise. Nevertheless, I quickly responded "yes," even if I was a bit nervous to see some if my classmates for the first time in 10 years (our last reunion) or even since graduation day.

High school wasn't the best time of my life -- thank goodness. (I would hate to think my best days were that far behind me.) But I did have good friends, and I remain curious about their lives and families. Facebook scratches much of that itch, but it was nice to catch up in person and reminisce.

Will we have a 25th reunion? Or will 30th be next? Either way, I'll do my best to be there.