Birthday Gift

I decided in late January to put together a box of cards for Mom's 75th birthday.  I gathered addresses of friends and family from her birth to current times.  I designed a simple card and wrote a note to go with the card, instructing all recipients to write a birthday greeting and mail the card back to me in a self addressed stamped envelope.  I received over 100 birthday cards for Mom!  I found a box that looks like a book to put all the cards in.

I gave Mom her box of birthday cards over the weekend.  She was surprised and happy to hear from high school friends, sisters and brother, grandchildren, old friends and new friends.  

Its a gift she can look at over and over.  Happy 75th Birthday Mom!

Girls Weekend on Longboat Key

This is the third year I've treated the girls in our family to a girls weekend.  Not everyone can join us, but this year Audrey and Lauren, Mary, and my Mom gathered with me on Longboat Key, Florida for a long weekend together.  Whitney and Greta had planned to join us, but Greta woke up sick the morning of their departure, so they stayed in Austin. 

This year we celebrated the 75th birthday of my Mom.  We spent time on the beach, walking and looking for shells, had ice cream on St. Armand's Circle, went to the Ringling Museum, worked on a 1000 piece puzzle, Mom taught us how to sew pieces together to make a quilted pillow, and Mary shared photography tips.  We enjoyed meals together, conversations, and sometimes silence on the deck overlooking the beach.  Lauren loved the double chaise on the deck!  We had a wonderful time!

Petra Again

On Sunday, I made my second trip to Petra, this time with Mary.  We planned an overnight at the Movenpick Hotel and took the JETT bus from Amman at 6:30 on Sunday morning.  We arrived by 10 a.m., had breakfast, and arrived at the gate to Petra by 11.  As I visited Petra last November with Papa, Claire, and Emerson, I had an idea about the things I wanted to see this time.  We got off the beaten path, up close, and inside many of the ancient tombs.

In mid afternoon, as Mary and I were hiking amidst ancient church ruins, we saw a camel vendor that Papa had chatted with months ago.  We saw him again later in the day and made arrangements to meet the next morning.  On day 2, Mary and I rode camels for over two hours, in a quiet area with few tourists.  We had mint tea with a Bedouin family living in a cave.  We then hiked to The High Place overlooking the valley of Petra.  The whole experience of going to Petra again was incredible! 

Umm Qais

Mary and I joined a group from the US Embassy this morning, on a bus trip to Umm Qais.  The ancient city is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights, and the Sea of Galilee, and is the site of Jesus miracle of casting the bad spirits of a man into a herd of pigs, which then ran down the hill into the water of the Sea of Galilee.  Umm Qais sites include a black basalt theater, a colonnaded street, an underground mausoleum, and fields strewn with large pieces of stone.  We ate lunch on the patio of a restaurant with amazing views. 

Ancient Amman

My sister in law Mary arrived in Amman two days ago.  Late morning yesterday, she and I took a taxi to downtown Amman.  We visited a small souk, had lunch at the Wild Nature US Aid complex with beautiful views of the city, went to the Roman Theater, and finally to the Citadel overlooking the hills of Amman.  I had been to most of these places on previous visits, and enjoyed seeing them all over again.  The Greeks and the Romans were incredible architects and builders.  The tons and tons of ornately carved stone, perfectly matched joints, and colonnaded  streets were not easy feats with the equipment available at the time they were built. The Citadel origins date back to the Early Bronze Age, 3200-2000BC, and the Roman Theater was built between 138 and 161 AD, to hold 6,000 people.  The Theater is used today for arts performances.

Reading to Emerson

Emerson loves having anyone read to her, especially her Mom and Dad.  They read to her so much that she has memorized many of her books, so they will stop short of finishing sentences and she will fill in the blank.  Some of her favorites are Paper Boy, Brown Bear, Olivia, and all Dr. Seuss books. 

First Bath

One of the best things about being a grandparent is the joy of being with a new addition to the family when they have first time experiences.  These are photos from Colby's first bath.

Children's Museum

I went to Jordan's Children's Museum this morning with Claire, Emerson, and Colby.  

Emerson goes often and knows her way around.  She had a wonderful time. 

Grazing Sheep

I've gone for walks in Claire's neighborhood the past evenings after dinner.  Just as I was in front of the British Embassy this evening, I noticed a herd of sheep on the other side of the wall across the street.  Another man out for a walk saw them first and started taking photos.  I opened my lens cap and did the same thing.  One of the armed Jordanian guards in front of the British Embassy started yelling to put the cameras away.  These guards are armed with machine guns!  The other man quickly moved along.  I walked toward the guard and asked if I could take photos of the sheep, assuring him that I would not turn around and photo the Embassy.  He stood next to me while I took photos. 

Seeing sheep in the middle of the city with their shepherd is quite common in Amman.  

Bedouin can graze their animals on any open space in the country.

The Jordan Collection

I went with Claire to the American Embassy in Amman this afternoon.  Emerson swam in the 

kiddie pool and played on the playground.  I stayed near Colby, as he was sleeping 

most of the time.  An afternoon in the sun is good for every child!

As we entered and exited the Embassy, we enjoyed a photos exhibit, The Jordan Collection.  

The photographer has captured some of the best of Jordan.