Absolutely adoring Amy's antics: November 2007

Private Thanksgiving!

Bad news first: We had no friends or family over for Thanksgiving. Good news: I got to be with Amy and Don all day.

We started the day with Amy being a total Daddy's girl, so he took her with him on his run. I got to take a 45 minute shower and read a magazine in its entirety.

She was attached to me at the hip in the kitchen, wanting to learn everything about cooking and cleaning. It was really wonderful. She helped me pick thyme off the stems. I planned to use fresh thyme in several places, and at one point she dumped the whole batch into one dish, when I wasn't looking! She helped me squeeze fresh orange juice. She helped me put parsnip, fennel and oranges in the turkey cavity. At one point she made her very own egg salad, from start to finish, and then she ate it for lunch. This thrilled her. She was excited to emulate dish washing.

When the meal was served, she wanted nothing to do with it. She mostly supped on yogurt and a chick pea or two. As usual, her appetite kicked in full gear for "Happy Cake".

Lewis Ginter Gardens, Amy's friend Maya and Jacob's Mom

Yesterday was beautiful and so enjoyable. Amy and I ate breakfast with Daddy at Citrus and then headed up 64 to Richmond to meet Karin, Bill and Maya. Route 64, which normally is as drole as a highway can be, was a technicolor array of yellows, oranges, and red trees. We met in the teahouse of Lewis Ginter Gardens. I'm going to put a link in the upper right for this lovely jewel of a botanical garden in Richmond. I plan to repeat this jaunt several times a year. I can't wait to go back in May, when Karin and Bill say it is breath-taking.

I had the honor of spending a few hours with Jacob's Mom over dinner last night. I was on the edge of my seat hearing about all the challenges, battles, and victories they have faced in the massive effort to get Jacob the treatments he needs. The outcome: he is not through the woods, but his prognosis is excellent. I enjoyed the dinner immensely.

The many ways Amy, Janet and Don are fortunate

Grandma is lively, loving, and full of energy! She gushes over Amy. We walked all over downtown Bethesda, and Mom had fun. We all enjoyed the Bethesday Farmer's Market and the restaurant Raku. I think we will add Raku to our itinerary on every visit! Dinner with the whole family at Tokyo Tapei was so much fun. Grandma hit a home run with the tiara and blingy earrings. She won't take them off!

Micheal, Hilary, Melanie, and Alison gush over Amy. Thanks for the killer gifts for her.

Linda and Mike (aka Amy's boyfriend) gush over Amy. Thanks for showering her with gifts.