A trip to Rhode Island

The Burlington kids love to travel- especially on a plane! My father-in-law, Big Daddy to me, gave us a wonderful reason to do so- he retired from the priesthood on 10-10-10. We celebrated his service, my niece Rebecca's 5th birthday and our 10th wedding anniversary. And we just had a lot of fun.
CC and Esther with their growing cousin, Laurence.
My very generous in-laws sent Rob and me to the Hotel Providence on our anniversary. The view of Grace Cathedral from our room:
In the hotel lobby next to massive jade sculpture that I loved.
We enjoyed a LOVELY dinner at Chez Paschal so much that we tracked down the food cart run by the same folks and bought lunch there the next day. :) I love a good food hunt.
So does Rob.
Rebecca celebrated her birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. Really people, how do they grow so fast?

Uncle Dickie, in town for the party weekend, Stephie and Laurence.
Esther models her new boots later at Tante Jen's house.
Now, what can I say about the fabulicious, glorious and heartfelt send-off tribute that St. Luke's gave Big Daddy? Well, let's start with the red beads that everyone wore for the service. Ron Clement models here:
One of many many gifts, a quilt inlaid with photographs from BD's tenure.
Quilt detail.

BD and LM listen to a musical blessing.

Viewing a bound album of their lives, another gift.
A signed framed photo. Did I mention the gifts?

Following his formal retirement service, there was a reception at the parish hall. And then, lunch at the club. I think St. Luke's loves BD and LM.
Rob and Meghan at lunch.



Jen and Rebecca.

Looking dapper in his Austrian jacket, the man of the hour.
Esther drew a picture of 'Esther airlines' for the pilots on our return trip. I think they liked it.
Other trip highlights: we finally got to see Stephie and Larry's house in Walpole where they have done an extensive and beautiful renovation. I LOVED their light-filled and well-organized place so much that I threatened to move in. Also we rented a car for the weekend which turned out to be a guilty pleasure- a red Chevy Suburban. Wow. That puppy was huge. I could get used to driving around with that much space- enough room for 9 people! And a huge trunk! I am starting to gush. . .

seeing red

Red has been the color of the month for the Burlingtons. First, Robert and Esther's school, the Main Street Academy, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the birthday of their brand new school. Everyone was encouraged to wear red. Robert represented the second grade by reading about one of the core values of their school, courage. Watch it here:


He did a great job- way to go Robert!
Here he is with classmates at the ceremony.
Below, a drum circle of students played before the festivities began.

Here is Esther with her classmate, Emani.
Later Esther and CC were cuddling in the big yellow chair. Why this picture on this post? Because CC is wearing red shoes, you just can't see them. :)
All Saints' choir recently performed a Broadway revue entitled Love Among the Saints. As you can see, the performers wore red.
The revue was a blast with top notch performances by members of the choir. I loved listening to all of the solos, duets, and trios. I also loved doing some singing of my own. :) I sang 'Til there was you from The Music Man and Rob joined me on the last verse. Sweet.
Another VERY IMPORTANT post about red is coming soon. You see, my brother-in-law, JP, got married this summer. The color of the wedding was red. Naturally, an event of such magnitude deserves a post of its own. Coming soon. . . .

CC and Esther are stars singing about stars

Things that have happened lately that don't fit into any blog on their own so I lumped them all together.

Last month I had the pleasure of spending the evening with several members of my dad's family that I haven't seen in about 20 years. Back l to r- Kathy, my second cousin, me, Karen, also a second cousin, Scott, Gloria, mom. Front l to r- My 1st cousins once removed, Bill and Barbara Brock, Esther, CC, Dad and Robert.
CC spends time with Rybolt Miller every week now that Erin and I have arranged a baby swap when we would normally need babysitters. They are very good friends.
Robert and Esther help dad with breading the fish, above.
Do you think that CC looks like Delaney Mitchell (on her dad's shoulders here) ? We do.
Dear mom, when you leave your make-up on the stairs I like to play with it.

Trip to Maine: Part 2- Celebrating Laurence

While in Maine we had much to celebrate (a 40th birthday, a baptism, and a wedding!). The first weekend we were there Laurence was baptized into the household of God. I am very proud to be among his godparents.
After the baptism, BD and LM hosted a lovely party at the cottage. As always, flowers graced every corner.

Brothers in the kitchen.

CC and Laurence.
Rob and his beautiful nephew.
Two proud granddads. Big Daddy Burlington and Larry Daniels (who travelled from Georgia to come :)
Nonnie and the effervescent Anna B.
Stephie and her mother-in-law, Susan Daniels. What a pretty pair!
Nonnie with Laurence and Rebecca.
We love you little Laurence. See you in October. xoxo Laurie

A tribute to Gram and Pop Fiske

Ernie and Lorraine Fiske rented a cottage to my in-laws 40 years ago. The cottage was built by Lorraine's grandfather and as a child she rode in a wagon for 3 days to get there.
The Fiskes moved permanently to York Beach, Maine in the 1970s and during summers in Maine the Burlingtons adopted the Fiskes as grandparents.
I met Gram and Pop in the summer of 1999 when they welcomed me like family on my first trip to "Old York Beach."
The summer of 2010 was the first we have spent in Old York Beach without the presence of the Fiskes.
I missed them terribly and had a good old-fashioned cry on their porch. Looking out at the water I slowly filled with gratitude to have known Gram and Pop at all.
Since their funerals I have longed to make a tribute to two people who lived life so very fully.

This is it-

Gram and Pop, I miss you.

1st day of school!!

Above: ready for the backpack blessing at church yesterday.
After months of great anticipation and a really fun summer, Robert and Esther started school at the Main Street Academy, the brand new charter school in College Park. Robert is now a second grader and Esther is (big gulp) a kindergartener!
CC had a playdate with Jack Frilingos and I had some good mommy to mommy time with Beth. :)
The kids were still smiling after school!
While the kids started school I sat on my ---- and watched 2 people clean my house from top to bottom. Mama like.