Josie graduated from 6th grade last night, and though it’s a big deal, it’s remarkable what a big deal they make out of it these days. There has been so much eating and cooking – pizzas for a crowd, calzones for lunch, sandwiches and salads and root beer and real beer. With the warm weather, there is a constant flow of ice from my freezer. There are cookie trays and birthday cakes and baking…

…mixing and dipping and sugaring. As if a life-altering promotion to junior high isn’t enough, my sweet girl is turning twelve tomorrow. Oh, time is flying fast, but she can still be sweet – until she opens her spicy twelve-year old mouth to me with all the knowledge I couldn’t possibly have. Don’t tell her I said this – but thank goodness for spice. Life would be quite dull without it, no?

I don’t recall parties and presents after 6th grade, just a continuing struggle with frizzy hair, Sea Breeze and humiliation from older girls. This is not happening for Josie. She seems to be having a delightful time at this age, and that makes us pretty happy.

Sorry about the lack of recipes and food porn, and please forgive my momentary lapse into proud-mom blogging. But around here my kid is the girl of the hour, so today we’ll give her the last word. It’s not very clear, but I think the sound of being twelve and the itch for drama comes through. From Monday’s recital, here’s the evening that began a week of family, food, and everything nice.