Saturday - Starting in the late morning, the girls asked about every fifteen minutes, "How much longer before they arrive?" I had estimated that when Timothy woke up from his lunchtime nap, they'd arrive. Somewhere around 1PM Abby asked if we could wake him up. I laughed as I explained that waking him up early won't bring them here any sooner.
Everyone arrived in good spirits, happy to get out of the van and stretch their legs. The kids played in the yard all afternoon. TJ and Cass were looking around the yard for critters like snakes, frogs, newts, etc. The trampoline got a lot of use.
In the early evening Cass asked that we put on the Cubs game (big surprise) but we did get to see Greg Maddux become the 22nd player to have 300 wins. From a New England perspective, it just seemed wrong to see Nomar playing for the Cubs.
Later we fired up the grill and had the traditional hamburgers, hot dogs, corn, and baked beans. Between the kitchen table and the table in the screened in deck, there was a place for everyone. In the later evening Chris and Suzy headed to Brick House Pizza on the Milford Oval to have a few beers and listen to some live music.
Sunday - These past couple of mornings have started on the cool side with 50 to 60 degree temperatures. Since I hadn't seen our wood stove working yet, I used the cool temps as an excuse to fire it up for an hour. It was nice to finally see it working.
After Sunday Mass and breakfast we took the family to Greenfield State Park so that the kids could go swimming. The weather was a bit mild at the time so we didn't stay long. I was the only adult among us who joined the kids in the water. The cool breezes discouraged the rest from going in. Luckily the water was pretty warm, as it usually is at that lake. The kids also got a kick from seeing all the ducks in the area.
In the later afternoon the kids played while Michelle, Chris, mom and dad went to Home Depot for a screen door for our front entry. When they got back we had pizza and calzones from Besta One.
Monday - Today is supposed to be a beautiful day as well. The plan so far is to head to the coast to see the ocean. We'll likely head to Ogunquit, Maine (links here, here, and here) and perhaps NH's Wallis Sands state beach.
Anniversary - Today is also our fifteen year wedding anniversary. A decade and a half! I never pictured I'd still be this crazy for Michelle fifteen years later. I guess I was a bit too jaded by popular media and culture. When I look at all the forces that tend to work against marriage and family life, I'm happy to see that there are still plenty of happy families that still break the odds -- the millions of Americans who still take joy in the daily self donation that is married and family life.
Happy Anniversary! Did you know your anniversary is on National Polka Day?
Sounds like you are all doing great! I talked to T and Cass last night- they sounded tired!
Nothing is going on here. We went to Aunt Susie's surprise party last night- she was glad to know why people had been avoiding her! It was nice to get out a few hours without the kids- Chrissy babysat. With our new neighbors moving in this weekend, there have been lots of kids around our house. It's so nice to see activity going on next door. I think it is going to be really nice having a family there.
No plans for today. Tom is working (he worked yesterday too), but we are going to go to the mall tonite. A new Target opened there in July and we thought we'd check it out.
Are you off any days this week?
Give my kids, and yours, a hug from me!
Alyssa
Hi Lyss,
Thank you. Annual Polka Day?! Well, I guess that there are sillier things our anniversary could line up with.
We did go to Ogunquit but couldn't find route 1A to get to Wallis Sands beach afterwards. The maps were unclear and the signs didn't help. Abby had an emotional meltdown about not going, but I tried to make it up to her with a stop at the Black Forest Cafe in Amherst to let her pick out a treat.
TJ babysat last night while the six grownups went to dinner last night. I guess Daniel gave him a hard time about going down to bed. Daniel has done that a bit recently and I don't know why. Until recently the twins were pretty cooperative about going to bed.
I took Monday off but am going back to work today (Tuesday) after I get a haircut this morning. The family is going to go back to Greenfield because it is supposed to be sunny and warmer, possibly more humid. That might motivate the adults to actually get in the water this time. ;-)
TJ has been playing the piano every day since he got here. He's also been playing his songs in different instrument voices. I think it's nice that you let him get some fun songs to practice to, like the Weird Al sheet music.
I took some good pictures at Ogunquit. This morning on my way into work I plan on dropping dad's roll of film off for prints and a CD. Perhaps if I have time tonight I can combine some of his pictures with mine and put another album online. Several of the pictures I took yesterday turned out out decent.
Posted by: Scott at August 10, 2004 05:34 AM