Marching Lancers

SM East marching band in Lancer Day parade to the Village Shops in 1996. Stacy is carrying a trumpet in the middle on the left. Below you can see Hayden in the middle of the clarinets. Today is Lancer Day 2023, a mere 27 years later.

 

Checking Teeth

Colin was fascinated by the knight in the chess set. He kept saying neighhhhh and then trying to open its mouth.
 

Quiet Reflection

On the weekend, I enjoy the early morning quiet with my coffee and my tablet. Photo courtesy of Howard
 

Wedding Day Midge

Stacy, Hayden and I went to see "Barbie" (the movie). The movie was good and it brought back lots of memories. It inspired Stacy to bring our her Wedding Day Midge set - Ken, Alan, Midge, Barbie and Skipper.
 

Dropping By

The gold finches are enjoying the water above the hummingbird feeder. They think of it as their watering hole. It is intended to keep ants out of the hummingbird food hanging below.
 

Welcoming All Fairies

Lowell decided to build some flower fairy houses for any fairies that happen by. She did a superb job.

 

Cool Relief

With the temperature topping 100, the only way to play is with water. I was challenged to get under the mushroom and I did. Adam was an excellent photographer.

 

Ace Reporter

The Marion County brouhaha made me think of our ace reporter.Dad at his desk at the Topeka Capital Journal in 1946 at the ripe old age of 24.

Never Too Young to Learn

Colin selected this book from the shelf to read. I think he was most interested in the animals they depicted but he paid attention for a moment.
 

Another Era Begins

Our first grandchild is off to school. Lowell was delighted to start kindergarten at Eudora Elementary School. Photo courtesy of Hayden
 

Whimsey

Hayden slipped in and put a sticker on our patio fan. We love it!

 

Another Masterpiece

Our friend Bill Rose's new painting commemorating the 2022 Super Bowl win was on display at the Leopold Gallery. We enjoyed chatting with him. The painting he and Howard are standing by had already sold. 
 

So Much to Experience

Lowell and I visited Science City to experience the heights, the science and the brain power. She loved the Whisper Dishes where she could sit and talk to me in a normal voice, several feet away.

She also was intrigued by the chess and checkers area and explained chess to me as she had learned it on Bluey.

 

World Peace Sand Mandala

I took Lowell and Adam to Unity Temple on the Plaza to see the monks creating a sand painting to depict world peace. Unfortunately they weren't working at the time and we couldn't go in the auditorium but one of the staff members took us to the balcony so we could look down on it. She explained how it was being created to the kids. It will eventually fill the blue square.

 

What Is Lost

The beauty of Lahaina before the devastating fire. We spent enjoyable hours visiting the shops and restaurants. So sad to think about it now. And the 150-year-old Banyan tree was such a wonder. I hope it survives.

 

Chefs Extraordinaire

Lowell, with some kibbutzing by Colin, whipped up some cookie bars.
 

In for a Taste

The hummingbirds don't want much to do with my feeder but they like the nearby red flowers.
 

Checking the News

Colin loves to do what Pops does. Howard was looking something up so Colin got his phone and started pushing buttons. So cute.
 

Happy Birthday to Matt

Matt wanted a truck for his birthday and he received one - a miniature - from the girls and Hayden.

Vala provided a dramatic reading for us.

 

Healing Winds

This phone booth at Lake Olathe is the creation of Jeff Ratzlaff, who created it to help his wife deal with the loss of her sister. The booth has a disconnected telephone that anyone can use to talk as if a loved one is on the other end. It's called a wind phone and is modeled after one established in Japan following a tsunami. I like the idea but the booth needs information explaining what it is as I don't think you would know if you just stumbled upon it.

 

Last Splash

We had our last swim for the summer as the guards go back to school next week and thus the pool will not be open during Gammy day care hours.
 

Crossing the Bay

Hayden and Stacy were a bit windblown crossing from Bainbridge Island to Seattle. 2006
 

Goats at Work

Colin and I visited the goats working the hills in Nall Park. Mission brought them in to remove invasive vegetation.

Colin waved to them as they started on up the hill. It's an electric fence providing a temporary barrier so I spent most of the time keeping Colin away from it as he wanted to get close to the goats.

 

Brigadoon

This fairy village appears and disappears. I haven't found a pattern so I guess sometimes the stars are aligned and you get to see it.
 

Quite the Upgrade

Back when the girls were in marching band, we rented a truck every game to haul the equipment. This trailer is a nice upgrade. I don't know how long they've had it but it's the first time I've seen it in the SM East parking lot.
 

All Aboard!

We took a ride on the Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad in Frank Vaydik Park. Lowell is purchasing her 75¢ ticket for a ride.

We tried to capture everyone on the play train but Vala opted out.

 

Good Morning

A delightful sunrise to start the day.

 

Happy Birthday to Stacy

Lowell was thoughtful enough to bring one of her tiaras for Stacy to wear as the birthday girl. And we were able to get a Kern family photo for the occasion.

 

First Boom Box

For her eighth birthday, Stacy was excited to receive her first boom box.
 

Aqua Kids

Lowell was great help with Colin at the pool. They both tired quickly of the wading pool and headed for the big pool. Once Lowell started jumping in, Colin followed. (No photos of him doing so because I thought the responsible grandmother thing was not to film but to catch him.)