Catching Up with Great Friends

Yesterday was a great day. I woke up early, got a few things done around the house and felt completely in the moment with my kiddos. That doesn’t always happen the way I envision it, so it was nice to be able to say yes to their quirky whims for awhile. We started by filling up lots of water balloons and having a water balloon fight.

This picture cracks me up! Audrey is very serious about chasing Cole with this balloon. This is definitely the face of someone who is trying to get a little revenge. Can you tell?

That’s a little better!

It was hard to take pictures of the part that I was involved in, but let’s just say that I was the most wet when we all went inside.

Then, we played in the gravel pit. Audrey and I dug the gravel (soil), dumped it into the wheelbarrow (garden) and planted seeds (leaves). Magically, carrots grew before our very eyes and we even pretended to eat them with ranch dressing. It is so much fun pretending with Audrey and Cole. They are both so imaginative and curious. The conversations we have while playing are priceless. Audrey even called me her Sweetie and Pumpkin Pie. Those are terms of endearment in our house. :) Never mind that John told me she called him the same thing that evening.

 

When we came inside, we put together a few puzzles and then I had to get ready for a reunion lunch with previous Kindergarten teachers I have had the pleasure to work with.  We ate at Mille’s and it was great, as usual. We met at 2:30 and didn’t end up leaving until after 6:15. It was so great to catch up with each of them. They all hold a dear place in my heart. It was great to feel like we just picked right up where we left off. No awkward silence. No feeling judged. No topic left uncovered. We talked politics, religion, friendship, marriage, dating, school and many other topics I cannot discuss. It was wonderful! I am so blessed to have these wonderful friends.

On the way home, I picked up a birthday cake for our neighbor since I wasn’t going to be home in time to bake one to take it over to him. Cole and Audrey walked over to his house to give it to him. They were so proud, as was I.  They love our neighbor, Gene. I believe that he is fond of them, too. He always shows a genuine interest in them. He has even give them several $2 bills. I think that is pretty special.

We like to have Gene over once in awhile for supper and family gatherings. We take him cookies and dessert when it’s fresh out of the oven. He comes to our house when there are tornado warnings. He calls to check on us when he hasn’t seen us outside or about in awhile. He’s such a great neighbor and we are lucky to have him looking out for us.

(Don’t look at the weeds. I am scared to mow them down for fear of killing what little green we have left in our yard.)

Our dog, Copper, had to get in on the action. I’m pretty sure she smelled the chocolate cake. :)

I am going to miss summertime.