Maya had a significant role in the ensemble that greeted the parents. Her confidence and projection were impeccable. She looked very at ease as she acted her part and sang with the troop. 

Today is Maya’s last day of performance arts camp and the family, minus Nico, who is away at music camp, will be attending her final performance. 

The pigs have become second class citizens now that we have a dog. I returned from Salem to find them outside for a little fresh air. I often wonder what they think about Nala who is keenly interested in sniffing them everytime they are out of their cage. 

Day two featured a team building event that I recommended to my boss. The group works collaboratively to prepare an exquisite meal with modest guidance from a professional chef. My team prepared the stir-fried shrimp main dish which was out of this world as were the other courses. The evening was a smashing success and my boss was gracious about thanking me for the idea. After dinner and desert, everyone got a little drunk, except me, and gathered around one table for loud singing that went late into the evening. 

Day one of a three day management offsite meeting held in Salem, MA at the Hawthorne Hotel. 

We have fenced off the new deck and Nala is free to roam there at will. When she gets bored she eats the house – literally. The day she gnaws on any of my photo gear is the day we will be back to two guinea pigs. 

Maya returned from a visit with my parents during which my mother taught her to sew (they worked together on the outfit she is wearing) and my dad was enthralled by her stories. She had a great time and was bubbling over with enthusiasm over her solo adventure. 

Kyle, Alex, and Dave checking out their friend’s Facebooks. 

Maya is in Schenectady with my parents this weekend (armed with her camera – so we are hoping she will return with some photos). My mother has offered to teach her to sew. With Nicolai at camp we had a rare evening alone with Kyle. After a nice Mexican dinner out we stopped at Erikson’s for ice cream. I saw an orthopedic surgeon today and my knee has a grade 2 MCL sprain. I go in for an MRI on Monday to verify that nothing is torn. 

Boy and his dog. 

This has not been a great week for photography. On Tuesday, I had to layoff about 70 people from my organization of nearly 500. These events are never easy but in this case it was the right thing for the company. On Wednesday, I sustained a rather serious knee injury while playing soccer. I am seeing a specialist tomorrow. Today while convalesing, I finally had a chance to grab my camera and favorite subject. 

Here is another photo by Maya of her mother lest you think the one of me was a fluke. 

I am not often featured on this blog because I am usually behind the camera. Today I was treated to this photo taken by Maya. I can not begin to express my pleasure in her budding talent. 

Mike treated us to Gelato after we enjoyed a nice dinner at Mama Maria’s providing a sweet end for a perfect day.