Dear Kids,
          We were all thrilled by the birth of baby Eli on Monday morning. He surprised us by coming early! Tom called me at the cabin at 5:00 that morning (of course I was awake!) to see if I could come and help with their kids. I was glad to hop in the car and go. Trieste and McKenzie came a little later in the morning, and we all went to the hospital to see Eli when he was just a couple of hours old. He’s very cute, of course. I’m sure you’ve all seen the pictures on facebook.
          One more May birthday! It’s such a great time of the year to have a party! There will be a birthday party for Dad on Sunday, the 27th at Donna’s house in Midway. We’ll be having hamburgers, and we’ll probably start eating around 5:00. Be there or be square! If you’re up for a food assignment, call Donna. I wish I could host a party at the cabin, but it’s looking its very worst right now. The dark before the dawn! Dad was so sick of chopping out tile that he decided to finish in one long marathon. He took Friday off work, and started early in the morning. He worked furiously in a cloud of red dust. (We went through lots of N95 dust masks!) He was sort of crazy, and he wouldn’t stop until it was done. That was about 4 in the afternoon. I was amazed. Of course it will be weeks before we get rid of all the red dust, and many years from now, we’ll still be finding things covered with it! Meanwhile, we ordered the cabinets from Donna and Bevan’s friend’s dad, Kent Winterton. His bid was less than half of what Home Depot would have charged. He says he’ll have them finished and installed inside of six weeks. Here’s hoping it all works out!
          I moved my hispanic piano class to Wednesdays, Dad’s day off, so Dad could go pick up kids, and drive them home again, and I wouldn’t have to sit in the car breathing all that exhaust in the late afternoon traffic. It makes a long day for us: my piano class at the Harmon Home in the morning, chess club after lunch, and then the hispianic piano class, but it’s nice to have it all in one day. Besides, Dad helps set up the tables. And he even helps teach the beginners. (OK, they’re practically all beginners, even after two years!) One little kid, Jonathan Mask, said he wants Dad to ALWAYS be his teacher! Donna and I have worked so hard, (and Kara, too) for so many months, and this kid prefers Dad! You never know.
          Hope to see lots of you on the 27 th! Love, Mom