Los Flemings

This past weekend found us on Topsail Island in lovely Surf City, NC with a raft of other families from UUFR. We had great weather. Warm but not too hot with a nice refreshing water temperature. Sam did lots of digging in the sand and boogey boarding.

We didn't get many pictures, so I thought I'd share one of Sam's latest drawings. He told me this is a race car that he is going to build some day.

Mame and I had the pleasure this weekend of joining Donna, Frank and Mame's brother Ross in Orlando. We left Raleigh Thursday evening, handed Sam off to Grandpa Bunk during our layover in Atlanta, and arrived in Orlando in the early hours of Friday morning.

We had all gathered for a dinner Friday night in recognition of Donna's 19 years of service as President and CEO of the Florida Attractions Association. Donna's mother, Dotti Ross, was also in attendance thanks to Sarah Gillis (Donna's niece) providing the ride from Winter Haven.

It was a touching tribute with a long line of tourism industry associates and former FAA board chairs taking the opportunity to toast (and roast ~ a little) Donna. Also joining the festivities were friends Donna and David Dodd from Tallahassee with their daughter, Ruby.

Saturday after all the excitement we made the short hop to Winter Haven and then on to Lake Wales for lunch with Nanna Banana at Chalet Suzanne, the site of several previous family gatherings.

Meanwhile, from all reports Sam and Grandpa Bunk had a blast living the bachelor life in Atlanta. From pancakes to swimming and the farmers market to the big bug exhibit at the botanical gardens, they packed in plenty of fun.

The mom who is heading up the recycling/composting effort at Heartwood pulled me aside this afternoon. She wanted to let me know that Sam had reminded his teacher not to throw out the orange peels from the morning's snack in order that they could get composted.

No big weekend update this Monday. For a change we stayed close to home, visited the local farmers market, rode bikes, cooked out in the backyard and avoided being in the car as best we could.

Sam's started his second year at Heartwood Montessori on Tuesday. He's now in the Extended Day/Kindergarten group in the afternoon with 'the big kids'. So he wanted his picture by the blue lunch box cart since it is separate from the little kids. He's also carrying a collection of toilet paper rolls he'd been saving for the class gerbil - El Raton.

The week has been off to a good start. The added excitement is that I am one of the assistant teachers for his extended day group. They are a fun bunch. I've also been teaching Tues/Thurs mornings at the community college. Right now it is a group of folks over 55 who want to get up to speed with the computer age.

Mame's half way through her neuro rotation here at Wake Med Raleigh and she's enjoying it overall. Fridays are class day and so far the lectures have been tolerable. We figure the more we all cram in this last year of anesthesia school the quicker it will pass.

Sam's requests for his birthday included a carrot cake, a pinata and a swim in the lake. All were met thanks to all of his terrific grandparents at a holiday weekend gathering in Slick Rock. Thanks to Grandma Maxine and Grandpa Glenn for hosting, to Dandy and Granddaddy Frank for trekking over from Sylva, Uncle Jake for hopping up from Greenville and Grandpa Bunk for making the longest trip.