An Ideal Husband (just one more tiny example)

Yesterday, after one more sleepless, jet-lagged night, my sweet husband had a surprise for me. He told me to meet him at 7:00, dress casually (his example of the appropriate casual ware: slightly-less-than-fresh shorts) & that he was taking me somewhere for a post-birthday surprise, as I'd been in the States on my actual birthday (trip to the States to be revisited shortly).

By the chosen bus stop, I knew where we were headed: 007- a tiny club amidst the student housing on Strahov hill that we used to frequent before we were even dating.  I couldn't guess what we'd be seeing- an old punk band? Some garage band from the 90's that I hadn't thought about in ages? So I was surprised when we got there & saw the sign: Firewater (extra thoughtful when you consider that this is not at all Zdeněk's type of show- a very un-punk crowd). I was most surprised (excited) that they were playing in such a tiny venue- capacity: 180- & it wasn't even full (sad for them, for me, well, not so bad). They put on a fun show, although I have to admit I was disappointed that they didn't even give me even one song (just one!) from the oft-played album in my collection: Songs We Should Have Written. Sigh. I guess bands don't always love doing covers (even if- perhaps especially if- it is some of their best work)...

The Last Day of School

School was supposed to go until June 30th- the same day we'll be on a flight to the NW- so everyone was thrilled that Window-Replacement at the school forced an early end to the year (because nobody wants to miss the last day).  The last day of school is only an hour- the kids dress nicely, take little gifts for the teacher & are formally presented with their report card. Quite an official affair. The kids were actually sad to be saying goodbye to their friends for the summer.  Oh, how far we've come...

Picture Day

Today is Picture Day.

Well, at least for 2.d (Antonin) & 7.b (Lily)- 5.c had their photos taken a week or two ago &, not recalling before sending him out the door, Nikolaj wore this:

 We're just glad it was (mostly) clean.

It's an interesting strategy, taking the photos at the end of the school year, rather than, as we're used to, at the beginning.  Lily says it's better, because then everyone remembers how you really looked.  Well, how you really looked on an 85* day with 90% humidity, at least.

Maybe taking Spanish isn't so bad, after all...

At the start of this school year, Lily was put into 2nd-year Spanish, with the rest of her class.  (The school divides the kids based on the language they choose- & they teacher that was determined to be the best one for Lily happened to have a group of  "Spanish-tracked" students.)  The main difficulty was that Lily had never had Spanish before- & suddenly she had to try & catch up with the class- & she had to do it while being taught Spanish in Czech, while learning Czech at the same time.  It's been a bit of an uphill struggle, to say the least.
BUT, sometimes perseverance is rewarded (or perhaps, just patience), & today she is on her way to Madrid.
For the last week we've had a Spanish student staying with us- Victor, a very nice, polite boy who made his bed every day & played on the Wii with the boys- & now, for a week, Lily will stay with his family in Spain.  The kids didn't have to go to classes, instead they've been walking all around Prague, seeing the sites, going to the theater, parks & even had a day-trip to Karlovy Vary, to sample the healing mineral waters.

They now get to have another week like this, but this time in Madrid.  We're keeping our fingers crossed that the volcano in Iceland doesn't send another ash-cloud out & force them to return home by bus (although they'd probably be thrilled, as it would just extend the trip by another day or two)...

A Day of Mourning

Maybe I'm not supposed cook.  I'm just not sure how I can do it without this pan.

My great aunt gave it to me when we first moved to La Conner in 1998 & she was clearing out some things- & I'm sure it had a long & useful life before becoming my favorite (& much-beloved) pan.









I used it for everything. Everything.









(Well, for everything except comforting Gingerbread cake...)

The last remnants of ice (& the cold, very cold) are melting from my memory...

It is a gorgeous sunny day- Zdeněk has volunteered to do the florbal drop-off AND pick-up (where he'll, of course, be productive & fit in a long run) - a perfect opportunity to engage in my favorite spring activity- flowers!

Now that it's spring (no longer dark & cold), I'm able to freshly appreciate our neighborhood- & that we have a nursery about a 5-minute walk from our house.  I am slowly trying to acquire pots & dirt- no small investment- so that I can plant.  Today I bought some feel-good plants: lavender, jasmine, hydrangea (I feel like I've missed my sweet pea opportunity!)- & the prettiest little freesia. Unfortunately (because of the expense- not the work), I'll need about 50 more trips for my terrace to even begin to look as lush & green as I'd like it...

*and here is a bird that flew in disguised as a bee. It was at least 2 feet long, maybe 100lbs.

The Secret's in the Service

On Monday, after we'd returned from the village, I got a call from a traveling CrossFitter.  He explained that he & his friend were here from Washington, staying at the Hilton, & they'd like to come work out.  Always pleased to have people visit, and especially from our home state, I asked him where exactly he was from- he said his CrossFit was in Arlington- I was a little surprised because I didn't know there was a CrossFit in Arlington- & I told him we were originally from Mt. Baker CrossFit.  I didn't get much of a reaction to that, which was fine.  That was that.

The next day, after Zdeněk got back from the gym, he explained why: they aren't from Washington State.  They are from Washington D.C. (okay, there are more important Arlingtons, I get that)- & are secret service agents here with President Obama (well, will be with him once he arrives).  They gave Zdeněk some cool little secret-servicey doodads & bought some CrossFit Praha t-shirts.  I hope they come in again, or at least send us a photo of them in their new shirts (standing next to the president, of course, with him sporting one as well)...