Preschool Graduation

Piper had her first graduation, the first of what I hope are many. This was pretty low key as far as graduations go, considering we have her older sister and her uncle graduating from high school in a few weeks and her brother will graduate from C school and be off into the regular navy by December. It was sad to say good bye to St. Christopher's school and the wonderful loving staff that have taught Piper and her friends for two years. It was hard for me to know I won't see my 'kitten mom' friends on a regular basis either.


Here is Piper receiving her diploma from her teacher this year, Mrs. Daniels.







Here she is on her first day of school in September and her last day of school this week:











We have a tradition of getting ice cream on the last day of school too and this year we saw SHREK Forever After (it premiered on Friday) and Brad was able to join us. Fun afternoon and made it not so sad to be saying goodbye to her friends and teachers. Not to worry, we will see them but not a daily basis anymore.








Here are a few pictures with some of Piper's friends:

John Feinstein's latest book, Moment of Glory

Today I enjoyed my mother's day gift, with Brad, at the Hay-Adams Hotel Rooftop Terrace. It was an outstanding lunch of cold cucumber soup, followed by linguine, steamed green beans, carrot and baby turnips and fresh Halibut. A perfectly paired white wine (so wish I would have taken pictures of the food and wine, drives Brad a little crazy but well worth it in moments like this, ha ha). The dessert was a pistachio strawberry tart that Brad said he would have licked the plate had we not been in public, (me too). So, after a great lunch like that and a view like this;


we get Mr. Tony Kornheiser himself, introducing John Feinstein. I thought it was a good introduction. I had always wanted to see Tony up close, and yes, indeed, he is tall. But the introduction, for as long as he and John had been friends was kind of personal and yet not personal. I love listening to him on the radio every day and thoroughly enjoy him with Wilbon on PTI; I feel like he connects on those mediums, but in person it was not like I had always expected. (Don't get me wrong, had I been given the chance to meet him and shake his hand I would have gotten all giggly, but not like when I meet a pro football player -stay tuned for that report later this summer at the Pro Football HOF Induction).

So, I thought I was jazzed for the 'Mr. Tony experience' since I know John Feinstein from masters swimming. But in the end it was really the author and his new book, Moment of Glory, that had the WOW factor and was outstanding. John wove a tale of his experience writing Season on the Brink, his first book about Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers, the golf books from Q School to Tom Watson's best friend and caddy, Bruce Edwards, and his time writing about tennis and the prima donnas that play it. He finished by talking about the 'shiver moment' which is what the four winners of four golf majors had in 2003 in his new book. Listening to him talk about those moments reminded me of mine, when I knew as I made the last turn in the 200 free at World Masters Games in 2002 that I was going to win my first world championship. It reminded me of why I love to compete and why I love to win and how it feels. I can't wait to start this new book he wrote.

He finished by talking about another of his first books, The Civil War, about the midshipmen and cadets of the US Naval Academy and West Point and their traditional football game. He is a true historian of sports and his memory of the people he meets along the way is amazing. John Feinstein wrote another great book, I hope you take the time to read it. More importantly it reminded me that swimmers, in general, are really interesting and fun people with a lot of different talents. It was just a really fun afternoon with Brad and a wonderful opportunity to see John again, share a few words, meet his fiance and remind me how many great people there are from the world of swimming. Do I hope he writes a book on swimming some day? Of course! I think it would be interesting to see if he could do it weaving a tale of masters swimmers and how they got to the point in their lives that they wanted and needed to get back in the pool to complete unfinished business and start a new chapter in their career as athletes. Or maybe he can find a way to write about that hottie Ryan Lochte.
Here is John and me at the luncheon:

My Mother's Day

As I type this I am sitting outside on the step while Piper swings, the neighbors come and go and we all exchange greetings and 'happy mother's day'. It is not exactly the weather I planned, I'm in a windbreaker and long sleeved shirt. I thought I might be blogging from the deck in a tank top, or sitting on the couch watching The Real Housewives of New York City, but for whatever reason Direct TV doesn't seem to be able to broadcast Bravo to my house. My words to Brad just now, "I am going to seriously FREAK OUT if I can't watch this episode that I have now tivo'd twice", Gotta love him at the moment fixing it with Direct TV. (follow up, they need to come out and can't until Thursday...ugh).

If you are a mom I hope you are having a fun day too, I am, despite my RHONYC issue. I recieved the best card from Piper, it is her voice saying "Happy Mother's Day, I love you" and then the song I love you a bushel and a peck. She also gave me a bunch of scratch off lottery tickets, I only won $5 but it was fun to scratch them with her.

Brad totally surprised me (it's like he can read my mind sometimes), and is taking me to the Hay-Adams for lunch on Wednesday to hear Tony Kornheiser introduce John Feinstein and John will be launching his latest book, entitled Moment of Glory. I can't wait!

John swims masters and we've become friends over the years from talking swimming, attending swim meets and he has graciously autographed all of his teen novels for Kaitlyn. Brad met Tony a long time ago when he was still doing his ESPN radio show from the ESPN Zone downtown DC. He spent a segment in the booth with him and 'Andy Polly'. Brad was in uniform and went down during his lunch to get I'm Back for More Cash signed for my Christmas gift. Needless to say, I am a fan of Mr. Tony and a friend of John Feinstein and think this is a great gift. I am giving you a few websites and after lunch will update you all on the event itself.
John's website: http://www.feinsteinonthebrink.com
http://www.espn980.com/shows/the_tony_kornheiser_show.php

New Book Out in Time for Mother's Day

Just in case my husband is reading this...and I am sending it to him this week...there are some new books out that look pretty good. Since I am sharing what I like I wanted to share this one with you. (If I get more time later today I will add a few more I want to sit down and read this summer).

Let's start with a swimmer who has been an inspiration to me since I was 14 and like me, still swims, unlike me, with A LOT more success in her 40's! Dara Torres has her new book out today, "Gold Medal Fitness, A revolutionary 5-week program" I can't wait to read it. Here is her websites and a little about her. http://www.daratorres.com/
Dara Torres; 5-time Olympic swimmer, mother, model, TV personality, and motivational speaker.

Since her first international race at the age of 14, Dara Torres has proven that she is far from your average athlete. Outside of swimming, Dara has made a name for herself as a TV commentator and a print model and was the first athlete to appear in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in 1994.

For the past year Dara Torres has successfully made her comeback in qualifying for the Beijing Olympic Games; the most ever for an American swimmer.

Here is a description of the book (available at all major booksellers)
In Gold Medal Fitness you'll find all of Torres's tips for getting back into the game and staying in shape for many years to come. Her unique combination of stretching and strengthening exercises both tone and elongate your muscles, leaving you with that perfectly sculpted and slender shape. And in this revolutionary 5-week program, she's adapted her workout plan for you!

Torres will take you step by step through a nutrition plan to prepare for the workouts. She'll walk you through the strengthening and stretching exercises, including the Ki-Hara method that has transformed her body. She'll give you hints on how to enjoy your cardiovascular activities. And, finally, she'll share her wisdom about rest and recovery and why it is as essential for your body as your training.

Whether you're looking to lose those last ten pounds or get back into a sport that you used to love, Gold Medal Fitness will produce the results that you want, reignite how you feel in your own skin, and change your lifestyle.

I have been so curious as to her stretching and strength workouts and now I can have them from her book. I just hope this motivates me to swim more...or will it motivate a coach to actually have a 9 AM swim practice that I am awake for?? Hmmm, must ponder that angle.

Finally, you can have her autograph is, just send a self addressed stamped envelope (so you get it back) to: Dara Torres c/o Tina Proctor 12441 Royal Palm Blvd. Coral Springs, FL 33065

Lunch with Dr. Roland Mesnier; former White House Pastry Chef

Friday was a great day, the Naval Officers' Spouses' Club hosted it's annual Spring Luncheon and this year the featured speaker was former Head Pastry Chef for the White House, Dr. Roldand Mesnier. He served 25 years in the White House under 5 different Presidents. Starting with Jimmy Carter and ending with George W Bush. Before the lunch, Chef Mesnier signed all of our books and was an utter delight to chat with. Loved his French accent and his knowledge of restaurants to eat at in both Paris and Washington DC.

I was also lucky enough to put 25 of my 35 raffle tickets into the "Stay-cation on Penn Ave" prize...and I WON! I get superior accomodations for two on a weekend night at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, a $75 gift certificate at Old Ebbitt Grill, a bottle of champagne, Bath and Body Works bubble bath set, candles and the book, America's First Families. (So we can learn about the neighbors, ha ha).

Chef Mesnier has three books, Dessert University, Basic to Beautiful Cakes, and his Memoir entitled, All the Presidents' Pastries. I bought the memoir and can't wait to read it. Well, I bought it for my mom, as a birthday gift, but I am not seeing her for 3 more weeks, plenty of time to read it before I give it to her. If you are interested in Chef Mesnier, here is his website: www.chefrolandmesnier.com