Weekend in the Midwest: Leah’s Bat Mitzvah/HOME!
Took a quick trip home for my cousin’s bat mitzvah in Michigan and to see my niece Amelia on her first birthday. When she was born, I remember that I was on a train en route from Osaka back to Takaoka after a Sigur Ros concert (a blast), but I missed her teeny tiny baby days…sad!
I flew into Ohio on Thursday, then we drove the four hours to Michigan on Friday, stayed there until Sunday, drove home, I played in Ohio on Monday, and flew back on Tuesday. I got back to Vermont at midnight, whew! But I miss out on so many things living either a few plane rides or a 15-hr car ride from home, that it was nice to be part of the party weekend.
So, the bat mitzvah, my first one and WOW. Leah did an awesome job (I would have been a paralyzed mess by public speaking at age 13) and what a celebration! I realized that Leah has like 100 of these to go to this year between all of her friends. It’s like prom times 1,000, and I’m so jealous of this 13-year-old’s social calendar, because it was a blast.
On Monday, Mom and I went on a little adventure to the Hartman Rock Garden (the strangest/coolest backyard in Springfield made entirely out of rocks) and to Yellow Springs for some hiking at Glen Helen.
We couldn’t get over how nice it was outside – the weather had been colder in the midwest than Vermont that weekend. I love the Glen too, the rock formations and water remind me of something out of Last of the Mohicans.
And look at this baby, coming to visit me in my room while I packed. Deliciousness. I could eat her up with a spoon.
I tried to get some outdoor pics of the birthday baby, but she actually HATES the grass. Hahaha! She’s walking everywhere, and I think doesn’t like the soft unstable feel of it.
She tried to climb up my leg, so dad got out a blanket for her, but she tired of that quickly too and tried to climb on top of him.
Mom and I took her on a stroller ride and she passed out before I had to leave for the airport. Such a short visit! I’ll be back for a longer time in July, which will be really nice.
And it’s already almost the weekend again. Peeps have fun plans? It’s marathon weekend in Vermont and I might watch some friends run this Sunday. It will be bittersweet, since I can’t run those distances anymore, but at least I’m able to go on 6-mile walks pain-free these days! Adulthood –> all about perspective.
