on the beach.

on the town.

we explored a bit of galveston tonight after a successful (and VERY full) day of conferencing. specifically, we were in search of local seafood for dinner. judy (last photo, center) remembered gaido's/casey's on seawall from a previous trip to the island so that's where we settled. my dad grew up in the galveston/houston area and it turns out he has eaten at the same restaurant many times. he said my grandparents loved to go there as well. the pablano pepper soup and casey's famous shrimp platter (grilled, fried, stuffed gulf shrimp + iced bay shrimp) were just what we were craving.

when my grandparents lived in texas, my grandddaddy worked for nasa and was involved in the spaceship that took the first man to the moon. so i was thrilled when i saw the front page from that day in 1969 framed and on the wall of a restaurant where my grandparents ate often at the time. so serendipitous and nostalgic. love it.

a quick trip to the chocolate shop put a sweet seal on a lovely evening.

on the way.

with stolen markers for (theoretically) lots and lots of grading on the road.

life's not as sweet without my sugar plum.

{pointing at the clouds.}

my little girl left yesterday to go with uncle mattie and aunt mush to dallas. for FIVE WHOLE DAYS. without me. i packed her little suitcase and all of her (many) necessities and she was off. so happy was she. so torn was i.

{searching for airplanes with her "telescope."}

i got regular updates while they were on the way. mamo rode as far as fort worth, and i heard she fed ellie cookies and candy the whole way. no napping in the car for ellie belle. this morning, however, i got a report that she had slept well and was playing with play-dough. plans for the day included lunch with mattie and a trip to the aquarium. lucky.

{i didn't cry until her back was turned.}

things are certainly much quieter without her. i got lots done last night in the calm. and i know she's having a blast. but, for the long run, i'd trade refreshed decor, clean laundry and dishes and silence for that sweet girl any day and every day. one million times over. until i die.