it's showtime

So last night was officially my kick-off to Red Butte Garden shows for the summer. It was very warm to begin with, as my buddy Josh and I got there about 2 1/2 hours before the show started. We had wanted to get there earlier, because we know the set up and first come/first serve scenario can make it quite a task to get good seats. We didn't think we would be too bad off, though, as we had both seen that the show had not sold out by the time we left to go. I am not joking when I say that people must get there about 5 hours early to get good seats. We probably walked a good quarter mile passed people standing in line waiting for the show. They were obviously professionals at such a task, as they had umbrellas, good chairs, food, and much to drink as they waited. It very much had a "tailgating" aura about the whole thing. Josh and I just found our spot in line and tried to not cook ourselves in the sun. The gates finally opened at around 6:45, with the show slated to start at 8:00. We found ourselves a nice hillside seat with a good view of the stage and vowed to each other to show up way early for the rest of the shows we will see there. Bela Fleck and Chick Corea hit the stage about 8:10 and immediately wowed the crowd with their virtuosic skill set. They were amazing, to say the least, and even though I didn't recognize the songs at all I enjoyed them thoroughly. It cooled down as the sun sank behind the trees and the horizon in northwest Salt Lake City, and we were left to enjoy the show. It was a good night for music. I ended up getting home at about 11:20 and fell asleep a little after 12:00. 4:45 came early. And then work.

So Juancho has been sick again. It is tough to see the little guy looking so gloomy and having zero energy. He has been quite lethargic and absolutely inactive. He hasn't eaten a whole lot and ended up throwing up again tonight, but he has been able to take in some liquids and had a peed in diaper, so that is a good sign that he is not completely dehydrated. We don't really know what is going on with him and will make an appointment for him if this keeps up. We are hoping that it is just a virus that will work its way through him, but it stinks to see him completely not himself in the meantime. I feel bad for him.

Shirley is now working with second grade material. She was placed in the grade two summer school level on Tuesday, so we are pleased with that. She seemed to have no real issue with changing classes and we are hoping that she is able to get help on some of those skills that she did not receive when the school SKIPPED HER AHEAD TWO GRADE LEVELS when we enrolled her. Hopefully she will make some friends, also, and be ready to get started at the beginning of third grade next fall. With all the busyness that we have had since she has started, I am not sure if she is in a complete routine with it yet, but hopefully she will get there.

All three kids continue to do well in their adaptation to being here. I am always amazed at how well they have done in spite of all that has happened in the past six months. It is amazing to me that it will soon be six months that we have had them, with five of those months being here. There are times when I cannot really remember our lives before them as they seem to fit so well as if they have been with us all along. Every day is special with them, even on those days when they frustrate me, when I am cranky and tired, when they seem to challenge my every move and word. They are wonderful kids and I love them dearly.

Anyhow, I thought I would just do a quick update. I am still quite tired from last night's escapade. I will sign off for now.
Thanks for your time.

Enjoy refreshing Newman's Own Lemonade.