From my parents house it is a 45 minute drive to Saratoga Springs where Skidmore College is located. Just a tad larger than Union College with some 2400 students Skidmore seems highly focused on the arts. Kyle did not see as good a fit here and has placed it on his maybe list.
Union College is my alma mater and where my father taught psychology for most of his career. It was our first serious college tour with Kyle. Nicolai also tagged along for the experience. Union has changed appreciably since I attended and I found myself discovering a whole new school in many ways. Both boys came away with a favorable impression and given the proximity to my parents and to Boston it will likely remain on Kyle’s list of possible options.
Maya makes Belgian waffles for Valentine’s Day breakfast. We add food coloring to the mix in celebration of the holiday although it did little to change the appearance of the finished product. I had a nice two hour outdoor soccer scrimmage (first of the season) before the whole family drove to Schenectady to visit with my parents while doing a couple of college visits with Kyle.
Kyle spent the better portion of the afternoon creating a special Valentine’s Day present for Hannah. This bouquet features chocolate dipped strawberries with a white chocolate decoration. Meanwhile, my sweetheart arranged for me to receive an hour long full body massage for my special present. I am so relaxed I have done little today other than enjoy the Winter Olympics.
For my Valentine sweet heart. Maya distracted her mother while I arranged these roses as an early surprise for Jeanine.
Last night, Maya performed with the Concord All Town Band with her friend Sarinaugh. This was her first time playing saxophone in front of an audience, and she was fearless. Unfortunately, Maya was seated deep among the 50-piece band, and I had to settle for this shot of her taken as the band was taking the stage.
The Calabria men may have to step to the side for Maya, who is starting to rack up some serious hardware. Her indoor soccer team placed first in their division. Despite a long and interesting day in the office, I managed 2 goals, both toe pokes, and 2 assists to help my team to a solid win during my evening soccer match.
This evening Kyle completed his photography assignment for the week. He enlisted both his brother and sister as interchangeable models and gaffers. He set up the lighting for this photo and I simply shot over his shoulder. He is using film so it will be some time before I get to see his results.
Kyle is taking photography this term and we went out this evening to do a little night photography together. Kyle spotted this nicely illuminated tree and thought it would make a nice subject. I could not agree more.
Kyle and Hannah sit down to a game of cards after building a fire and preparing tea and snacks. Maya enjoyed a Brazilian dance and yoga class this morning while Nicolai spent the better part of the day at a wrestling tournament. He had a single match which he won by pinning his opponent in the second period.
After Nicolai finished wrestling last weekend, he borrowed my camera and took photographs of his teammates. This one was selected by the photo editor of the Concord Journal for the front page of the sports section. Click on the photo for a closer view and notice Nicolai’s first photo credit for a published work.
Lately, Maya spends a little time each morning rollerblading around the kitchen island. Today, she enjoyed skating around “Dusty,” our robotic vacuum cleaner, while he was busy doing his job.
Today I met with a former wrestler from my home town of Schenectady, NY. He wrestled for Niskayuna High School the arch rival of Mont Pleasant where I attended school. The encounter game me reason to search my archives in search of the name of another Niskayuna grad that I wrestled with in college. Points will be deducted if you do not pick me out on the first guess. Absent any other photos for the day this clipping will have to suffice for today’s entry.
Kyle requested a haircut this evening and I grabbed a before and after shot. I enjoy cutting the boys hair. It is a nice way of being close to them. They both complain that I take too long and that I cut their hair too short but I think they have also discovered that I do pretty good work. Reportedly Hannah approves which is really all that matters.
It was a very busy day at work and I came home exhausted with little energy to take a photo for the day. On such occasions I give myself permission to select a photo from the past. Here is my choice from exactly 10 years ago featuring my favorite daughter.
Since moving into our home almost seven years ago, this closet has been a dumping ground for luggage and backpacks. The key word here is dumping. Today, I took some time to build in a set of shelves, which, with any luck, will result in a more organized use of the space. While I was at it, Maya also got new shelves in one of her two closets.
Celebrating her 50th birthday today is Jeanine’s close friend Irene. Her husband organized a surprise private dinner party at the Colonial Inn, where we spent the evening enjoying the company of her circle of friends.
Nicolai won three matches today to win first place in the DCL (Dual County League) Tournament in the Junior Varsity 100 pound division. He wrestled with great composure and strength beating every opponent by a margin of 10 points or more.
When I returned home from work this evening, I found Kyle, Hannah, Nicolai, and Maya playing this game of their own invention. The binders created ramps down and up on which a quarter is rolled with the goal of landing in one of the bowls, each carrying a different score. I am always thrilled when the kids find an activity they can all enjoy together. When they have invented the game themselves, it is that much better. The brothers teamed up against Hannah and Maya who led up until the final round.
I received this bonsai tree more than two years ago as a gift from the family, and it has thrived under my care. I water it weekly and prune it once a month or so. I realized I had never posted a picture of it and decided to rectify that oversight today.
Nicolai defeated his opponent from the Boston Latin School this evening with a first period pin. His match finished at 7:30 and I raced to Acton for my 8:30 indoor soccer match. Unfortunately, we lost 4-1 against a team I felt we should have beaten. Kyle has really improved his study habits and is applying himself with real intensity for mid term preparation. We will all be glad when the week is over.
Every year, we post select holiday cards on the wall in our breakfast nook. This year, the task was not completed until our order for small magnets arrived today. Before wallpapering this wall, we painted it with magnetic paint, which makes it ideal for posting photos and artwork. See if you can find your card.
Everyone looks on as our new Roomba (floor cleaning robot) drives around the kitchen in search of things to vacuum. It employs several different navigation algorithms (diagonal runs, spirals, wall hugging, cliff detection) which the kids have already started to evaluate. Nala does not know what to think of this low profile intruder but has so far elected to keep her distance although she did become quite concerned when it started to push her food bowl around. Jeanine is reserving judgement until she sees the final results. We have tentatively named it Dusty.
In the sitting area off of our master bedroom we have a rowing machine that Jeanine uses from time to time. In one of her rare requests for a technology addition to the home she hinted that she would enjoy a TV she could watch while exercising. She was thrilled when she discovered the new set installed. The kids are now vigorously calling into question the family policy of no TVs in the bedrooms. Technically this TV is in the sitting room or in our case the rowing room and their protests were summarily dismissed.
Jeanine on her way to attend a fund raiser for the Concord Music Conservatory pauses to let me take a few portraits. She just keeps getting more beautiful with time.
Hannah and Kyle went grocery shopping together and returned home to cook dinner. They were kind enough to make an extra smoothie for me as I recuperated on the couch from an unusually stressful week at work. Later, they played cards, which is exactly the right speed for Kyle as he recovers from his snowboarding injuries.
It doesn’t take much to tie up traffic during my commute. This morning, a tiny accident slowed down the works. On the bright side, I noticed this interesting tree which I have sped past a thousdand times. It is far easier to smell the roses if you are not racing past them.
When I returned from work this evening I met Danielle for the first time. She is a college student who helps us out on Wednesdays while Jeanine is attending her Stand and Deliver workshops. She drives the kids to and from their activities, prepares dinner, and keeps the house clean. Anyone who operates our cook top immediately qualifies for inclusion on the family blog. Later in the evening I had an indoor soccer game. I had a goal and two assists but we lost 4-3. I was out of shape from my recent travel and the fact that we had no subs did not help.
Maya’s room transformed. There are some fabric details which still need to be worked out but the basic layout is complete. I designed and built both beds, a bookshelf which is off camera (on the near wall) and the coat stand all in cherry. I am very pleased that each child in turn has enjoyed these pieces and hope they will one day be passed to the next generation of Calabrias.
Maya requested a total makeover for her bedroom today. She has outgrown the style of her current furniture which she now regards as childish. Before removing all of the items pictured here I took several photos to help sell these items on Craig’s List or eBay. The new motif is entirely cherry and teak wood and we were able to refurnish the room with items we already own. Maya and I worked together on the project for the better part of the day and I really enjoyed our time together. I will post an after photo tomorrow when we have natural light again. The new look is not as well coordinated but definitely more mature.
As the resident snow blower, I have a love-hate relationship with snowfall. On the one hand, it usually translates to an hour of hard work; on the other, it makes for the most beautiful photos. This is the farm across the street from our house.