High School?

Can it be? I was just carrying him around the other day. Due to a computer-related, slow to post period, Luca's first day of High School was not mentioned. Until now.
Fortunately, it all takes place at the same familiar Latinoamericano, but everything else is new. We were all nervous about this new phase of life, but it went off without a hitch.

Here he is with his pal Emilio.
The new schedule is a bit hard to get used to. Luca is a natural early riser and we've worked out a nice morning routine to keep things sane. Alarms ring at 6:00 am, Luca tosses and turns while I stretch. We head downstairs together and share some responsibilities; he can feed the cat, I'll walk the dog or visa versa. There's a little breakfast to have and we head out to the bus stop at 7:20. By some miracle, he's got a classmate who's home is in front of the bus stop. Most mornings they are pulling out the car just while we are waiting there. They graciously and with out fail offer a ride, which he reluctantly accepts on many mornings. He's painfully shy at this age and the classmate is a girl, so you get the picture. A ride to school with absolutely no talking.

All these previously 'little kids' now have a schedule to keep track of; class changes every 40 minutes, things like physics to decipher and some days even coming home for lunch and returning later for gym class. Most ride the bus alone to and from school as well as to each others homes. 
Look at them. Clueless and having the time of their lives.

KERMESSE

Latino Americano's fund raising fair,the "kermesse", went off without a hitch. It was a great time, really. Most families and some friends showed up. The weather was ideal.
Janine was on the food committee and was kept hopping serving it all up. Some dads handled the parrilla, dishing out around 650 burgers!





































Crazy games to win back a bunch of junk that we had all just donated for the event, but it was a blast.
I know it sounds corny, but it was pure enjoyment. Real wholesome fun can be sort of a shock with the world as it is. A pleasant feeling just washed over me, sitting watching an uncomplicated good time. Nice.