Cold but bright Easter morning. Snow was forecast, and in fact fell in Round Lake Beach, where we enjoyed the afternoon at Sharon's cousin's house. Bruno decided not to accompany us the Greg and Barb's house, which from their point of view was neither here not there, but momentarily annoyed Uncle Lester.
Like coloring eggs, Arianna still enjoys the hunt . . .
Not in the living room, perhaps the Easter basket is in the laundry room . . .
Not in the broom closet . . .
Or is it?
One down . . . . Arianna ventures into the basement and supposes a basket might fit in the oven!
One of many cupboards an Easter basket might fit into . . .
Success!
Later, after breakfast, Arianna lounges in the living room . . . listening to an old radio broadcast of Abbot and Costello, while reading the funny paper, and eating jelly beans.
A time for giggles . . .
Although Arianna is no longer a little girl, she still enjoys coloring Easter eggs -- customarily done at our house on Holy Saturday.
Also, typical for this day of the year, is our attending Easter Vigil Mass. I say "our" but more often than not I attend the Vigil Mass by myself. Arianna has accompanied me in the past, but due to the length of the Mass, she's struggled to stay awake. This year, I didn't have to ask twice if she'd consider accompanying me. And, I think this year she actually saw some of the beauty that attracts me to this Mass. Upon its conclusion, she wasn't the least bit tired. In fact, after Mass, we lingered and visited with her pal, Bridgit B. and enjoyed treats made especially for the new members of St. Catherine of Siena Church.
When we got home, Sharon photographed Arianna's French Twist -- which survived the evening.
In DeKalb today Arianna won Highest Honors, Outstanding State Finalist and a trip to state. And, she won two special awards! The American Psychological Association recognized her for achievement in research in psychological science. The Office of Naval Research recognized her for an exemplary Junior Division project at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science.
It was a long day. We arrived in DeKalb shortly before 8 am; awards were presented at 3 pm.
Upon arrival we setup Arianna's project, socialized with some of the other kids from St. Catherine's, and were then asked to leave the presentation hall, where Arianna and hundreds of other students from schools throughout the region waited for judges to assess and question them about their work.
Arianna emerged from the hall shortly before Noon. She was fairly blase about what had transpired. Since the judges would not allow any of the kids to eat while in the hall, she hadn't eaten any of the snacks we left with her. So, we spirited her off to lunch.
After a nice meal at the Hillside Restaurant, we returned to campus and walked through the presentation hall to view the projects. Arianna caught up with her pals in due time and once more, Sharon and I found ourselves alone, sitting in a balcony, reserved for the parents of participants.
When Arianna's name was not called for Best In Show in her project category, I wondered . . . . Nixed again? But then came the presentation of the Special Awards. Hearing Arianna's name called and seeing her climb on stage once was exciting, but when it occurred a second time . . . . We were both dumbfounded.
After Arianna had won the Special Awards, Sharon was certain that she'd go to state. I reminded her that there was no correlation, that the presenter on stage made a point to say that recipients of Special Awards were not guaranteed a trip to the state-wide competition. With hundreds of kids to present awards to, this round -- the announcement of who would go to state -- was presented alphabetically by school. In other words, we had to wait until the presenters got to 'S'.
And there she was again . . . climbing up the stage to receive her award!
When the awards were finished we got down to the main floor as quickly as we could, where we found Arianna being congratulated by a number of St. Catherine of Siena families.
Bridget B., Ashley T., and Arianna. Both Bridget and Arianna are wearing the ribbon and medal awarded by the Navy . . .
So, we're off to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in May! Is it necessary for me to say I'm proud of Arianna?
Arianna's mild disappointment over her failure to advance to state-level science fair competition is already behind her.
She's busy trying to keep up with her homework, which gets done in any number of places in the house. Even Sharon's and my bedroom . . .
Today Arianna presented her science fair paper, To Text or Not 2Txt, at the Illinois Math and Science Accademy (IMSA) in Aurora.
She was three points shy of moving on to state competition. The reasons for this are many, I suppose. As a judge in today's regional competition, Sharon noted and compared her concerns with a couple other St. Catherine parents, who agreed that judgements are perhaps based too much on a subjective point of view than an objective set of standards.
No sour grapes though. And, unlike others in attendance, no tears.
By way of consolation, Arianna, Sharon, and I were extraordinarily gratified to have been sought out after the competition by one of her judges, who complimented her on her poise, communication skills, and intelligence. The judge, a mother of two IMSA students, went so far as to recommend that Arianna should apply to attend the school.
Sharon and I were astonished by the genuine outpouring of praise the judge ha for Arianna. Being one of three judges, had only one other judge been half as complimentary Arianna would certainly have closed the three point deficit in her cumulative scores.
So, like last year's History Fair, Arianna's exemplary efforts were not wholly appreciated.
Her project remains to be judged. We're hopeful our trip to Northern Illinois University in two weeks will be more successful.
Arianna's group called out of the auditorium to meet with their respective judges . . .
Awaiting judgement. Peyton J and her Mom, Arianna and Sharon confer on how things went. Both Mom's were judges and so hadn't an opportunity to see their daughters immediately upon return from their presentation . . . .
Of the 7th graders who were invited to IMSA, only Bridgit B. won a trip to Champaign in May . . .
Full house today.
Typically, I work from home on Tuesdays, but even if it weren't my customary day to work remotely, I think I would have today.
About 6" of heavy, wet snow fell in the Fox River Valley. --Enough for St. Catherine's to call for a snow day.
I shoveled three times to ensure I would fall over.
And, I got a chance to try out my new hat.
Can't remember the last time it snowed on my birthday. But then again at my age not being able to remember is what it's all about.
Flat Stanley is preparing to head on back to California. Having listened to Bruno tinkle the ivories, Stan wondered aloud if Sharon played the piano too. This was just what she needed to lead us in a few old time favorites.
Sharon, Arianna, and Flat Stanley did a little decorating in anticipation of commemorating my 54th birthday today.
What would have otherwise been a quiet Sunday was made festive by their generosity.
The dining room has been transformed . . .
A festive place setting . . .
Daddy mugging for the camera with Flat Stanley . . .
Flat Stanley with a birthday card . . .
To Daddy . . .
Thank you . . .
Out with the old (and ratty) . . . New carpet slippers from Arianna . . .
What's this? A replacement for the ol' standby . . .
Flaps up . . .
Flaps down . . .
First course . . .
Dessert . . . peach and whipped cream cake . . .
The cake on fire . . .
Awaiting the knife . . . note the protruding paunch of the middle-aged celebrant . . .
I was summarily dismissed from the kitchen earlier this afternoon: Sharon, Arianna, and Flat Stanley busied themselves baking a cake. --A birthday cake!
