Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

We got back to Lexington late Tuesday night.  Callie's dance recital was Wednesday night and the Music and Arts Camp performance was Friday afternoon.  So it was only fitting that very early Sunday morning John left town for three weeks to participate in a seminar on Native American History in Washington, DC.  Life is never dull.  It was not easy being separated for so long, but the opportunity was one John couldn't pass up and Sarah was willing to support.  Besides, with the wonders of modern technology John could send Reese a picture of her favorite president.

Because of the timing of the seminar, John was in DC for Father's Day.  He was also in DC for his 10th wedding anniversary, but that's another story that doesn't have as many cute pictures.  All kidding aside, modern technology is a very helpful tool.  The pictures we sent back and forth were great, but even better was the ability to use face time on our phones so we could actually see each other when we talked.

The girls did great while John was gone.  Callie had a variety of summer camps she attended and Reese enjoyed the summer at Central Christian Child Care.  Through Central Christian she also got to take swim lessons at the YMCA one week which motivated her to move quickly each morning when it was time to get ready.  With that being said, the girls did ask every day, "How many days until Daddy gets back?"

And their Dad was missing them quite a bit as well.  He spent his days talking about Native American History, researching Native American History, and talking some more.  In the mornings he went for runs to the Lincoln Memorial or around the reflecting pool by the Jefferson Memorial. Spending time in the heart of DC is pretty darn cool, especially when you have a lot of friends who have settled in the area.  John managed to connect with all sorts of people for drinks, lunch, dinner, and some Women's World Cup soccer viewing.

Life is often defined by perception.  Or, as someone once said, we see the world as we are and not as it is.  For Reese, the world is defined by her perspective on it.  So when at her school she is asked to answer the following question:  "If my Dad were a superhero he would be..." and she answers Camping Man...we just have to ask, what world is she living in?  If you look at the answers she gives to the questions it would appear that none of them relate to camping.  Yet in the very last questions it would appear that Reese remembers her time at Yosemite fondly.

John also made sure that he took advantage of being in the heart of DC by visiting many of the museums that line the National Mall.  And at the National Gallery of Art he saw a number of Degas paintings of ballerinas.  He had to take pictures of them to send to Callie.  She appreciated the pictures, but Sarah and John know that it will be much better for her to see them in person.  And while DC is a great place to be, it will be that much better when all four of us can visit together.