Turning 50 this year comes with upsides and downsides. Yesterday, playing soccer in the over 50 leauge was a thrill because my speed was a factor again. This afternoon, I had my first routine colonoscopy. Between the fasting and the prep, my weight dropped to below 160 for the first time since I can remember. That’s a 25 pound loss since January and I think I will stabilize here.

 
This morning I had a soccer scrimmage with my new team (hard to believe I have graduating to the over 50 league). I scored three goals and had two assists. Amazing what playing with guys your own age can do for your game! I thought I would spare everyone another picture of the kayak and instead chose this still life. These orchids were a gift from our good friend Aliza and make me happy every time I look at them. Kyle was also in action today and his team beat the Bolts, a top ranked club which they have never defeated in several years of competition.

 
Today I fiberglassed the deck of my kayak. Once again, Maya played a crucial role mixing epoxy on a just in time basis. It took roughly 20 batches to completely bond the fiberglass to the wood. Four additional layers of epoxy are required but these should go much more quickly and Nicolai has volunteered for the next round of mixing. Jeanine just back from a bike ride inspects the progress. You really need to click on the photo for a higher resolution view.

 
Maura and Nico spent several minutes attacking the dog before they all relaxed on the couch for a portrait.

 
Since Kyle will be shooting black and white film (they develop it at the school), I thought I would give it a try as well.

 
Kyle is taking a class in photography at the high school. His teacher prefers to start the kids off with pinhole cameras which the students construct and then move them up to film cameras with minimal automation. I searched Craig’s list and found a guy who was giving away a half dozen broken film cameras. I was able to repair three of them and this is the one I will give to Kyle for his class work. I forgot how much more deliberate shooting with film is and now fully appreciate why the professor insists on starting the kids with film.

 
Maura will graduate high school early, spend a year in India and is considering Tufts for her college choice. They will be visitig the campus tomorrow.

 
Linda Farrell and her daughter Maura have come to visit with us for a few days. Linda was our midwife for Maya’s birth.

 
Several weeks ago some baby sheep arrived to join the herd I routinely drive past on my commute. I kept telling myself that I should stop and get a photo but with all that has been going on at work it has been hard to spare the time. Today, on my drive home, I snuck up on them and was surprised that the babies have nearly doubled in size. None the less they are still pretty cute.

 
Maya and Nico played a little B-ball this afternoon after school. I came home a little early to take all three kids to their dentist appointment. I am happy to report no cavities and high marks for brushing technique. Jeanine has been away since Sunday attending a healthy living class at Kirpalu in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Holding down the fort has become easier as the kids have gotten older. Each child was assigned one night for making dinner and kitchen clean up and they can all fend for themselves after school. That said, we are looking forward to Jeanine’s return tomorrow.