Thursday

Much to her irritation and consternation, Kaylee's "free-style" swim day was cancelled this morning when we had big bursts of lightning and rumbles of thunder. So, we'll go tomorrow and hope tomorrow works out instead. If it doesn't, I don't know what exactly they'll do about it.

After lunch and a few errands, I ran out to Kokomo to fly the Baron for the first time since it went down for maintenance in I think March. Ah, old friend, how I missed thee. There's a 5500 lb 600 hp airplane that fits like a comfortable pair of very nice-looking (and well-equipped) shoes. ;) I even had XM tunes going thanks to the 696 that was still wired up in there. I went up and did a little air work then came in and did my three takeoffs and landings to a full stop. Did I say "Ahhhhh" yet? That was nice on multiple levels.

Steve and Nathan were taxiing back in the Saratoga from its maiden flight as I was leaving in the Baron. I took a photo of his empty hangar as a symbol of our Happy Dance to have the Toga back up and running. Alas, I photographed too soon, as the vacuum pump and alternator both failed during the flight. So when I came back in, it was to the view of the Toga in its corner of the hangar with the cowling off again. But hey, the engine ran great, it flew, and it is on its way. Progress!

Kaylee spent a lot of time making up a tea party for the two of us. She made up a hand-written menu, set up drinks and food and snacks and her little plates, cups, silverware, etc. She even set up two pillows on the floor for us to sit on. She did it all on the sneak-I didn't know she was doing it. She does some very elaborate setups sometimes, and she's very good at getting all the details. She would make an excellent event organizer. She got that from her father. When he came home, they wrestled for awhile, and she's getting harder to conquer. She's strong, and stubborn, and resorted to playing dirty rather than saying "uncle". I'm not sure where she got that... ;)