Baccalaureate

Last night, we honored Mizuho's academic successes at the David H. Hickman High School baccalaureate for the class of 2010.

As an alum of David H. Hickman High School, Claire shared pearls of wisdom with Mizuho.

Mizuho and her good friend Mariah (a.k.a. Max) are captured out standing by the outstanding high school sign. 

Baby shower

Yesterday, I went to my first baby shower. Much to my surprise, there was no shower. Not a sprinkle. Certainly no rain. No bath, no locker room. Not even a garden hose or a kiddy pool. Just people sitting around saying, "Oooh, look at those booties." and "Pass that onsie around so we get a good look." Thankfully, Claire catered the event. There was tons of fabulous baked goods, and I ate half of it. If you ever wondered what a baby shower looks like, see the three pics below. It is like Christmas, except all the presents go to one couple. Seated on the right, Andrew and Sarah are the proud parents to be of Findlay. Andrew and Sarah are our outstanding dog sitters when both Pat and I are traveling, which is why Mr. Bojangles will be moving to their house to help care for the new baby girl when she arrives in July. Congratulations, Andrew and Sarah!

Korean guests

The Yu family were our dinner guests this evening. Mr. Yu is a visiting agricultural economics professor from Korea and a friend of Claire's from her volunteer work at the Mizzou Asian Affairs Center. The Yu family are very polite and equally funny. We had a great time.

Hickman Prom

The David H. Hickman High School prom was last night. All gussied up and looking fabulous are (L to R) Mariah, Claire, Yukiho and Mizuho. Claire did not go to the prom. She was the chauffeur, and took advantage of the opportunity to wear her "backup prom dress" from two years ago. The Hickman prom was the first of two proms for Mizuho and Yukiho. The girls had a fabulous time, and they made it home before sunrise.

Sophomore

Thursday, Claire finished her last final of her freshman year at Mizzou. Friday, she moved home for a couple weeks. Next, it is back to Belgium for the summer for another French pastry chef internship. Below, Claire is all smiles before diving into her last lunch at the campus cafeteria Plaza 900. It was my first meal there, and I have to say the food quality and choices came from a different stratosphere than the goop I ate in college.

Honors night

At the David H. Hickman High School Annual Departmental Awards last night, Mizuho was honored for her outstanding work in Art class. Below, Mizuho is pictured with her Missouri family, a.k.a. the Metro Rotary host families and counselor. Front row, L to R: Yvan, Christiana, Fran, Mizuho and Liz. Back row, L to R: Jim, me, Pat, Steve and Lynda. Jim, Christiana, Yvan and Fran were Mizuho's host family from August through November. Steve and Lynda hosted Mizuho from December through February. Liz is Mizuho's Rotary counselor. Also note Yvan was honored for his outstanding score in the American Math Competition. Congratulations Mizuho and Yvan!

French trout

For dinner tonight, Claire pulled out her French chef magic and fried flour-encrusted almond trout, and Pat baked a magnificent loaf of Swedish limpa bread. Oooh la la, them's fine eats. 

Bananas Foster

Mizuho and Claire whipped up some fabulous Bananas Foster for dessert last night.

I am all smiles as I anxiously await dessert, totally oblivious to the fact that between the riding lawn mower and Bananas Foster, we facilitated Mizuho violating two of Rotary's four forbidden Ds in just a couple hours. We're going to be sent to host parent credit recovery summer school. Arrgh! 

Flower pot

If you hang around our house in the spring time, Pat will get your hands dirty. Below, Mizuho plants flowers for the first time since second grade. Note she is all smiles. The combination of flowers, sunshine and Pat's teaching does that to people.

Garden time

After being delayed by 10 inches of rain in 10 days, it is finally dry enough for Pat and Claire to play in the garden. Below, Claire demonstrates her planting repose, which is a maternal legacy. Check out those strawberry plants behind her.

First mow

Mizuho discovered the excitement of mowing yesterday. A test drive turned into a two-hour thrill ride of mowing the entire yard. Thanks, Mizuho! For all you readers out there, follow Mizuho's footsteps. If you crave entertainment, come on over and mow our lawn. Contact me directly to purchase your tickets.

Earth Day

After church, Pat, Mizuho and I went to the local Earth Day festivities. I know today wasn't the Earth Day, but our Earth Day was washed out. The surface of Earth is almost 70% water. Here, it was a 110% on Earth Day. Pat bought a collapsable clothes dryer thing and a dead trilobite stuck in a rock. I got a jar of barbeque sauce. I think Mizuho got a toe ring, and I though she was gonna buy a hula hoop.

Om Rice

Saturday, Pat, Claire and Mizuho went to the Farmers Market. Afterwards, Mizuho was executive chef and Claire was sous-chef. They made a Japanese meal called Om Rice and Curry. There is a dome of fried rice underneath the fried egg and a vegetable curry sauce on top. It was an awesome meal!

DeLynn and Esther

We had a fun evening catching up, reminiscing and gossiping about friends from our Waverly days on Thursday evening with DeLynn and Esther. DeLynn and Pat worked on a project together at the University of Nebraska many, many moons ago. I am glad DeLynn and Esther dropped in. We need to find time to get back to Waverly this summer.