Life after visitors

Already two weeks back to "normal", whatever normal is. One thing is for sure, we are never bored. Here are a few snippets of "daily life".

Tuesday July 12 we picked our friend Julie up to have lunch in a restaurant. We had not seen her in quite a while and had a lot of catch-up to do. Julie highly recommended Pho Saigon and she was so right. I had a most delicious curry. I could not eat all but took some home as leftover. When we were paying Julie wondered why I had not taken any photo of the food. Ha-ha, had totally forgotten.

Next day: grandson duty. It must be Wednesday. Only the twins though as Caleb was with his other grandparents because of the horsecamp. It was a very hot day so we decided to go to the Science Museum. There is so much to see that it is never  boring.

Ha-ha, I love this photo of Colin taking his turn now.

Learning about wind speeds.

Ah yes, where is the queen bee?

Day after that it was actually quite comfortable at 8 pm and we can go for a walk in the neighborhood. We so miss walking every day.

Almost back home we were happy to see the heron which doesn't seem to be around that much any more. May be he (or she) has picked out all the goldfish already?

And he looks rather scruffy.

Saturday the 16th Wade took Sarah out for her birthday. James and I had been asked whether we couldtake care of the children ... starting at 2:30 pm til ? They went with two other couples on a RVA tuk tuk tour with dinner afterwards. It sounded like a lot of fun.

But it was a very hot day. What to do with the children? Well, our friend Ms Julie finds it always a bit boring on the weekends. I called her in advance to ask whether she would like a visit? May be learn how to play the 'double domino' game (91 tiles!)? She found a place where we could comfortably do that and we all had fun. The boys really like visiting her.

At bedtime Papa is the best to read the stories. 

Caleb told me that his routine is that he cuddles with Stella.

Next day, Sunday 17, we were lazy in the afternoon. Late afternoon we decided it might be cool enough for a short walk. We set off in one direction when we suddenly remembered that a free concert had been advertised for 4:30 pm at the Gazebo. Quickly back, finding the folded lawn chairs and some refreshment. The Gazebo is not far and we arrived with the second song.We sat with friends and had a good time!

Wednesday the 20th I had promised Ms Julie I would take her to the church service at St Martin's at 10 am. Afterwards we went for an early lunch. This time it was the Corner Bakery. Ordering is cafeteria style. Not quite what we had expected but Julie enjoyed her salad tremendously. It was such a generous portion that she could even take half of it home and enjoy it for another meal.

Yes, it was Wednesday so we had to hurry afterwards and relief the nanny to take care of the 3 grand boys.   When one of the parents arrived home and we were leaving, we took Owen with us. His brothers had had their 'alone overnighter' with us some time ago and we still 'owed' one to Owen. He had not forgotten and sometimes reminded us. But with them being so busy with camps, swim practice and other things it was never that easy. 

Ha-ha, when Sarah asked him whether he wanted to go he wasn't so sure anymore but quickly changed his mind and decided to look forward to it. We did have a very nice evening. When asked where he wanted to sleep (upstairs guestroom or downstairs in our room) you know which one he picked. He was on a matress next to us but in the morning he climbed into the middle. 

Coming to the breakfast table he announced that 'alone time' was actually very good.

Since we not once had to scold him and had fun we offered to buy donuts on the way to bring him back. I was bringing him to the swimming pool to meet the Nanny and his brothers att 11 am. I cleared it with the Nanny whether it is ok to bring a donut for each one. She thought it was a good idea but didn't want one for herself. Since Owen had to wait and eat his together with his brothers I bought him 2 donut holes though he was allowed to eat in the car. He was so happy.

Ha-ha, nobody turned them down. The pink icing of course was Owen's choice. 

And then there was Thursday. I had made another 'Mango Royal' (the recipe Helen had brought a week or so ago) because I thought that our friends Kim and Mike would love it and I had plenty of mangos. The challenge was when we could enjoy it together. 

Finally we met at Pho Saigon because at church we had talked about our visit there with Julie and they had not been there. Afterwards they came to our house for dessert. 

We had a lovely time together and yes, they did like the dessert very much.

Otherwise there are also all those little joys like when another of our plants decides to look pretty.

Saturday July 23 - Sarah's birthday! She had quite a day because just before lunch that had an appointment to pick up their new puppy. Cooper Dandy is a Brittany dog. Stella is totally accepting the new one in the family and the boys of course love their dogs.

Wade has gone through great effort to find Sarah a gluten free birthday cake. We all sang THE song and said hoorays when she did the three cake cuts. 

Lucky boys. There was another cake because Sarah had been gifted by Wade's Aunt Leslie with a great surprise. It was an 'explosion' birthday card with cake. We all had fun with it.

And that is it in a nutshell. No, we are never bored!