We've had a busy month and lots of fun. We started out the month of May with a day at the races for Steeplechase. It has been a few years since I last went, and I forgot how fun it was! How can it be anything but a great day when you're dressed up, hanging out with good friends and winning bets on horse races?? Shameless self-promotion photo here - I loved my dress and hat, but sadly they are not my own. A great friend opened her closet to me that day.
Next up, a busy weekend that started off with a 5K race, the Tennessee Law Enforcement Memorial 5K. It was a humid morning and we brought Sophie to the race in the stroller because we figured we'd just run easy and enjoy ourselves. I felt like I was running pretty well and making decent time, but was shocked to discover I won my age group. That is very likely the first and last time I'll do that, so I'm proud!
The true highlight of the weekend was the opportunity to attend the Martin Luther King Magnet high school graduation where Michelle Obama gave the commencement address. It was truly the chance of a lifetime to hear the inspired words of such a strong and remarkable woman! This was her only commencement speech in 2013, such an honor for the well-deserving students and their families.
The best three days in May were over Memorial Day weekend with our trip to New York to visit Shannon, Michael and their awesome kids, our nephew Andrew and niece Olivia. It was a blast seeing the kids play and spending lots of good family time together. Sophie, Olivia, Shannon and I took a girl's trip to Manhattan one day, and did all kinds of girly things. FAO Schwartz was one of my favorite stops because of this fantastic musical entertainment on the famed piano!
Jason got to see Andrew play in a hockey tournament and I got to visit Olivia's school, and it's always fun to see firsthand the things we talk about on the phone. Shannon and Olivia spent the day with Sophie another day so Jason and I could have a date in the city, eat some great dim sum in Chinatown, shop, visit the 9/11 Memorial (beautiful and emotional) and eat yet more good food. On our last day, we spent some time on the Long Island Sound at a pretty waterfront park and finally had a chance to take a good family picture. Love these people!!
As you might imagine, Sophie wasn't too pleased about leaving her family behind, but she was excited about riding on the plane again. She's well-traveled thanks to our many trips to visit family and take vacations over the past two years, but this was her first paid flight with her own seat. She was a happy camper, but always wanted to go higher and higher!
