(no subject)

Yesterday was a true family day! I’m catching up on LJ since the computer doesn’t go on at all on days like that. The Don and his family are still here – can you believe? The power company is really struggling to get things under control from the storm/derecho we had nearly a week ago. So much around here was absolutely flattened or pulverized. He still can’t park behind his house because the huge tree that took down all his power lines is still blocking the alley. He’s been six days without power and the ETA is still by Saturday… Nicole and I keep thanking our lucky stars that we were not affected and have plenty of room to take in the family. I love listening to little girls across the hall from our little boys! I know The Don is ready to get back to normal, though.

Last week on Family Dinner Night, The Dona and I were explaining 4th of July to the girls and we ended up saying that it was basically a birthday party for the USA. So, yesterday morning they helped me bake a birthday cake. They each took turns with the beater, we separated eggs, measured ingredients and I divided up the batter and let them each color their bowl – one took red, the other blue. We iced the cake after lunch and had a marbled red-white-blue cake with a “4” candle on it for the 4th. We sang Happy Birthday to the USA after dinner and had cake (and other tasty, nummy things). A new tradition? Maybe!

From Drop Box

Nicole also bought a new wiggly sprinkler toy, we filled up both kiddie pools, brought out every ball in the house and had a full-on yard party. The adults in adirondak chairs, the kids in bathing suits, water flying, watermelon eating and grilling out. My heart lived in a place of deliriously happy yesterday. While so many kids can cause you to draw a breath and ask for patience or mercy, there are so many fun little moments that I think it was all worth it.
At the end of the day, The Don, the girls, the boy, Nicole and I (and two doggits) sat on our attic stairs and watched the fireworks. Last year The Dona, Aunt E and Nic and I sat in the same place watching the fireworks while our 6-month old babies slept below. I have to say that this family we have here is precious precious precious and I am blessed every day to know them and be with them. Go Family!

From Drop Box

(no subject)

Yesterday was a true family day! I’m catching up on LJ since the computer doesn’t go on at all on days like that. The Don and his family are still here – can you believe? The power company is really struggling to get things under control from the storm/derecho we had nearly a week ago. So much around here was absolutely flattened or pulverized. He still can’t park behind his house because the huge tree that took down all his power lines is still blocking the alley. He’s been six days without power and the ETA is still by Saturday… Nicole and I keep thanking our lucky stars that we were not affected and have plenty of room to take in the family. I love listening to little girls across the hall from our little boys! I know The Don is ready to get back to normal, though.

Last week on Family Dinner Night, The Dona and I were explaining 4th of July to the girls and we ended up saying that it was basically a birthday party for the USA. So, yesterday morning they helped me bake a birthday cake. They each took turns with the beater, we separated eggs, measured ingredients and I divided up the batter and let them each color their bowl – one took red, the other blue. We iced the cake after lunch and had a marbled red-white-blue cake with a “4” candle on it for the 4th. We sang Happy Birthday to the USA after dinner and had cake (and other tasty, nummy things). A new tradition? Maybe!

From Drop Box

Nicole also bought a new wiggly sprinkler toy, we filled up both kiddie pools, brought out every ball in the house and had a full-on yard party. The adults in adirondak chairs, the kids in bathing suits, water flying, watermelon eating and grilling out. My heart lived in a place of deliriously happy yesterday. While so many kids can cause you to draw a breath and ask for patience or mercy, there are so many fun little moments that I think it was all worth it.
At the end of the day, The Don, the girls, the boy, Nicole and I (and two doggits) sat on our attic stairs and watched the fireworks. Last year The Dona, Aunt E and Nic and I sat in the same place watching the fireworks while our 6-month old babies slept below. I have to say that this family we have here is precious precious precious and I am blessed every day to know them and be with them. Go Family!

From Drop Box