My final treat was the best gift I have ever received for Father’s Day. I armed each member of the family with a camera and asked them to take a photograph of me (since I am almost always on the other side of the lens). Second, I requested an artistic photo from each one. We agreed on the Minute Man National Historic Park as our photo safari destination. Above are the results of their portraiture. Now just make a guess as to who took each photo? (Hint: The order is the same as in which their first initial appears in the prior question.)

Plan B: My first treat shall remain undisclosed. My second treat was breakfast prepared by the kids and served to me on the couch where we gathered to watch home videos of the children when they were very young. My third treat was a visit to the National Heritage Museum in Lexington with Jeanine where we enjoyed a photo exhibit by Quang–Tuan Luong composed of a single exquisite photograph of each of the 58 US National Parks. My fourth treat was watching the Brazil versus Ivory Coast World Cup Match in the home theater with Maya. My fifth treat was a delicious dinner that was half indulgent and half healthy.

This is the first birthday celebration I can remember where the parents had as much fun as the child. Maya enjoyed herself, having reached the age where she appreciated the full mix of activities we enjoyed today. I hope we can do this again.

After another fountain cool down we reached our Faneuil Hall our final destination for the day. Here we enjoyed various street artists, birthday gift shopping, visiting with the local horses, and Maya’s all time favorite dinner, Mac & Cheese.

Georges Island is dominated by historic Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort known for its graceful granite archways and reputed ghost, the Lady in Black. Maya led us on a random walk tour and we eventually joined the end of a ranger led tour which took us through the very scary Dark Tunnel.

We arrive on Georges Island just in time to enjoy a wonderful performance of Brazilian music by graduating students of the Berkeley School of Music.

We boarded the Island Discovery ferry for the 30 minute voyage to Georges Island, part of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.

As the day was rather warm, Maya stopped to cool down at the leaping waters fountain on the green way. She was careful to study the timing pattern and was only partially drenched when it was time for us to leave for our scheduled ferry.

For her birthday Jeanine and I treat Maya to a day in Boston. Our first destination is the Long Wharf. When Maya realized this sculpture was alive she paused for a photo opportunity.

In preparation for an all-day adventure in Boston with her parents, Maya spends some time with Nala playing bubbles (worth enlarging the photo for a better view).

Maya is now 11 years old. Her day stated with French crepes filled with fruit, whipped cream, Nutela and topped with powdered sugar. Nico and Jeanine did the crepe making while Kyle and I assisted Maya with crepe consumption.

In this event, teams of student seek to suspend a bucket of balls using only their feet for as long as possible.

I was able to join the afternoon Fun Day activities courtesy of iRobot summer hours which allow for half day Fridays. In this event, one student is wrapped about the middle in double sided tape as their partner guides them, wheelbarrow style, over a course strewn with plastic balls. The goal is to pick up a many balls as possible using the tape. Still photos cannot convey the hilarity of this event.

It seems like only yesterday that Maya was in Kindergarten, and today, she is celebrating her last day of elementary school. During the morning, Jeanine was on hand to watch as Maya delivered a graduation speech to parents and students, the text of which is included here.

Hi, my name is Maya Calabria and I’ve been a student at Willard School since I was five.
I’ve enjoyed 6 years, 6 last days, 6 teachers, 6 carnivals, and unfortunately only 4 ice cream socials.
This year has been the hardest transition I have ever had to make. I’ve really had to step up and take responsibility for my learning by being organized and managing my time well. I learned how to be independent and to persevere.
In past years my work ethic has been to ask my parents for help. Now I can be patient and problem solve on my own.
I have learned more than in any other year and I had my first “ah ha” moment when one detail helped me link two pieces of history together. I will miss Willard but I am looking forward to the new challenges of Middle School and to making new friends.
I’d like to thank all of my teachers for being so understanding, for helping me to prepare for the future, and for choosing to devote their time to educating students. I’d also like to thank my parents for encouraging me and teaching me to value my education.There aren’t enough ways to say thank you.