Anna Grows

1st day of 6th Grade Anna is officially in middle school!  Yesterday marked the first day of 6th grade for Anna.  She was very happy to be back at school (her parents were just as happy). There are lots of big things in store for Anna this year.  Anna's all time favorite teacher, Mrs. Wykoff, moved from 4th grade to 6th grade this year.  Anna was thrilled to be in her home room.  You know the teacher must be good when all of the students were giving her big hugs when they came in.  You know she must be a great teacher when the parents were also giving her hugs (Theresa definitely gave her a hug).  After a tough year last year with a new teacher, everyone was very happy to welcome Mrs. Wykoff to 6th grade.  Anna gets to switch classes for her subjects this year.  There is a long-term substitute for math thanks to a teacher surgery.  According to Anna, the teacher is Colombian and has a very thick access.  This may prove good tr...

Fishing with Dad Sometimes the best laid plans just don't work.  Such was the case for the 2017 summer vacation.  The initial vision was to leave the hot Washington weather behind for the coolness of Maine, where the Fagellas would frolic among the blueberry bushes and enjoy cheap, fresh lobster every night.  All the family had to do was get there.  Alas...that was the challenge. First, getting a rental place turned out to be harder than anticipated (note to self - start earlier next year).  Joe persevered and previously booked place magically became available. Second, getting there was going to involved driving.  A lot of driving - 12 hours or so.  No problem - the family will stop at Aunt Lucy's  for a couple of days.  Anna was still having a hard time with car rides, so this was looking more and more problematic.  Then there was the dog.  All of the usual dog sitters were booked or out of town.  The dog is also key to ...