Crazy Like Foxes!

Somehow, we've managed to usher in summer while even busier and crazier than usual.  And what a summer it's been, too - this may be the most beautiful season we've experienced here so far.  We've had two months of warm, sunny, dry weather, with little of the wind we normally experience in the Matanuska Susitna Valley.  Of course, it was a mild and dry winter, too, and this year's terrible fire season has already gotten well under way, reminding us all that there's a definite downside to the picturesque weather.

Here's the recap on a few of the things that have been keeping us so busy these past few months...

Malcolm was part of his school's science "olympiad" team that competed in the statewide meet on the UAA campus.  Malcolm and his partner placed third with their handmade helicopter, and Malcolm's school placed first overall for most medals won in all events.  And Calvin was able to join the science bandwagon this year with his first science fair project, "Mixing it Up", in which he employed a five year-old's enthusiasm for household chemistry.  They all brought home excellent end-of-semester grades, with Chloe earning her class' top score on their big annual placement test, and Malcolm getting an A in every one of his six classes - an exciting first for him.

Unfortunately for Chloe, she fractured her patella (kneecap) back when there was still a bit of ice left on the ground, while she was on a school field trip.  She wound up in a full-leg cast for a month, then a full-leg brace for a month.  Now she's in a half-leg brace that can bend to a predetermined angle.  It's been an unpleasant way to start the summer for her, but she hasn't complained a single time throughout the whole ordeal.  She should be able to take it off completely by June or July.  Of course, that's put her gymnastics on hold, which is perhaps the hardest part.

Calvin still loves his weekly karate class, and Malcolm has been very busy with both baseball (he's on the Reds this year) and Boy Scouts.  He and Brandon have also started doing more hiking, and have planned a camping trip in Denali for July.  For now, we're all heading up to our usual camping spot of Byers Lake soon, with a second night camping in Fairbanks, which is home to the University of Alaska's flagship campus (and a terrific museum), as well as, surprisingly, a rather impressive car museum.

Stephanie's office has moved to a big, new location which she loves, and Brandon's new job has already started sending him around the state - including to the Native village of Quinhagak (QUIN-a-hock) on the Bering Sea.  The photo of the footbridge was a "work" day for Brandon, when he had to trek into the woods to inspect a beautiful public use cabin built in the 1930s.

We also find ourselves with yet another family member - Clover the cat.  She's already endeared herself to everyone, as you can see.  And one more animal wishes to join, but we're not letting it inside - a red fox, who seems friendly enough to hang out in the yard and pose for photos, but fortunately not enough to come too close.

As always, life is good.  Everyone's happy and healthy, Chloe's mending kneecap notwithstanding.  Stephanie turns a young and sprightly 41 on May 29th, and Calvin will hit the big 6 on June 13th (a Friday, no less).  Our schedule is packed, and we're making the most of the sunshine.  The kids are spending half of their days now at Boys and Girls Club.  School will kick in again in August.  This year will be Chloe's last in elementary school.

Next year will be no quieter; Malcolm is thrilled to be visiting Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia as part of a school trip in March, and in May we'll all be packing up and flying to Europe for our first international family vacation!  That's a BIG one, and something we'll certainly talk about more in the months to come.

Until then, have a terrific summer!