It has been quite a week. We've had a house full of guests, friends, campfires, and brunch, and days full of visits to all the pretty places. It's been so lovely-busy that I've neglected to write about any of it. And here at the tail end of this rush of love, I find myself too tired to do it justice.
So, a picture-log will have to suffice.
Monday: A picture-perfect day with our friends at Virginia Kendall Park.
Lunch in Peninsula. The three girls sat at their own table and they were so proud.
Picked up our friend Leigh at the airport Monday night and got to wake up to one of my favorite things: coffee and conversation with houseguests in the morning.
Also Nat brought a chicken inside. Because he could.
We spent the morning at Lakeview...
Don't cemeteries make the BEST picnic spots?
Then off to public square after supper.
They didn't want to bring swimsuits to go in the fountain. They weren't going to go in the fountain at all...
Oh well.
Quiet morning fun with slime...
... and a trip to the stables for a little girl and I.
Picnic dinner with friends...
... and chickens (our babies are so grown up!)...
... and then a hastily planned Solstice party!
Why not invite everyone you know to come over, with about 24 hours notice? A whole lot of them said yes, and it was terrific. Probably the easiest party we've ever put together.
Fluffy the baby blue jay. much time was spent looking over the fence at this little guy.
There were nerf guns EVERYWHERE.
And friends from college, work, the parent center, the neighborhood, the kids' school-- all mixing and mingling together, and lingering for conversation into the night.
Day after. Solstice parties are tiring.
Thursday: A trip to one of my happy places-- Stan Hywet
Home in time to refresh and get ready for our night out as rock stars!
Dinner at the Greenhouse Tavern:
Some aimless wandering around the city, meeting disappointment at every turn (no more wine sales at the the fancy Heinen's, Arcade was closed, Voinovich park was closed (!))-- and the the evening took a turn for the way cooler when we happened upon free salsa lessons at the Lakefront Mexican restaurant.
And then this view off the balcony...
... complete with wind effects...
... perfect for continuing our rock star photo shoots...I love my crazy friends.
An attempt at normalcy on Friday morning: Math work...
... and piano...
...Then off to the history museum!
A little rain is not going to keep up from enjoying the otter exhibit.
Lego madness to fill the rest of a rainy afternoon...
And then a party at the Jamieson house. This family sure knows how to have a great time.
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| I believe this was the hit when Jack broke the pinata stick. |
Saturday morning rabbit. (The calm before the crazy day.)
We left the house for an odyssey to Hiram that included:
A visit to Barb's dad and his bakery (the hammock, and munching on still warm banana-blueberry bread)
Climbing at Nelson's Ledges...
Boreal realm of magic that it is...
And of course, a trip to see Goat and her sheep!
I love this picture-- The kids are very carefully examining and commenting on Goat's anatomy...
Kids were pretty tired already by this point....
But we weren't done! After a (rather relaxing) dinner at McDonald's, we participated in the Garrettsville Summerfest by visiting the vintage car show. We opted to not take our overtired troupe to the full lights-n-rides area...
Then, on to campus, where we walked the labrinth and sheltered from a sudden rainstorm in the Hinsdale arch
Met up with some of Leigh's friends and visited the math professor's office...
...before visiting the observatory. The skies cleared and we saw Jupiter and Jack was so very thrilled. We left Hiram at 10:30 with three exhausted kids!
Sunday: Brunch with friends!
The perfect way to recover.
Some playground time at our beloved Coventry Park didn't hurt either.
City council meets this week to decide what to do with this site, which has been sold to the City by the district. Praying they keep our park intact. And, preserving the building that houses a number of great arts non-profits-- that would be cool too.
Oh! And our basement rec room is up and running, thanks to a new estate-sale TV!
Kids playing together while adults use the upstairs TV-- acheivement unlocked!
Our last night with Leigh here-- we took pictures in the rain with light and fire, and drank lots of gin and tonics. Like ya do.
A grand week indeed. And now, to rest....
