Ehlana and Ethan:
Happy 42nd Birthday, Aunt Grace!
We – and most of the family-and-friends’ kids – didn’t get to help out very much with the birthday celebration due to our exams studying, but we know that Aunt Grace has had a good day; and she is getting a kid-free night that we are not going to write about here! Ethan and I made a cameo visit to the Everett’s house, but we were too busy for more while studying with our friends.
Sophia hosted our study session tonight and dinner for the group too, but other than that; we really don’t have anything newsworthy to offer from that work. Our exams went perfectly; we took one break for a swim in the river during the afternoon and evening studying; and we multi-tasked the dinner and studying – though Ethan and I helped a bit with the grilled burgers and hot dogs and the cold salads and snacks sides that the guys devoured in scary quantities! After getting home tonight, Mom did a Magi lesson with us; we didn’t do any office work; and needed bath or Jacuzzi time because we spent a lot of that study time outdoors while enjoying the hot weather. Let’s also report that we did not have ball practices tonight – they were cancelled due to exams week; and that’s going to be true for our usual Tuesday music practices tomorrow. Some of the ball practices for our cousins will be on for tomorrow, but we’ll be busy studying again; and won’t be involved in any of that action.
That brings us up to now; so let’s finish up with the world news of the day. The news from the Middle East is mixed after the exchanges of missile strikes between Iran and Israel. They seem to have paused those exchanges, but Lebanon is still under attack; and the Houthis in Yemen have declared a partial blockade of the strait along their coast to all ships connected with Israel. They also joined in on the attack on Israel; and there are several groups in the region declaring their support for Lebanon and the Palestinian people. We have no idea whether there will actually be any de-escalation on any front; and will wait to see what actually happens on the ground in the region.
Ditto that sentiment for the Ukraine war. The talk of ceasefires and peace have already dissipated; the Ukrainian leaders appear to be preparing for the inevitable westward move of the frontlines as they build up defenses in Odessa and elsewhere; and Russia is continuing their methodical push toward the Dnieper River and possibly beyond if Ukraine does not accept a diplomatic agreement that would mostly need to be on Russia’s terms. Western leaders and media can’t even accept the idea that Ukraine is losing the war; so that isn’t going to happen and the war will continue. We’ll continue to hope for better – and that the war won’t expand beyond Russia and Ukraine.
That’s enough for tonight. Ethan and I need to get some sleep ahead of day two of our exams; so we’re out of here and off to dreamland right now.
Until next time, live with love, fellow Magi of the Light!
