Katie brought the babies over on Saturday afternoon. They were delightful. After spending the last five afternoons and evenings with them at their own house, I was reminded of how much more fun tiny kids are when they’re on their own turf. Even at three months, BoopityBoop were very distracted by the new surroundings and all the people, so it was not as easy to get them to giggle and play as it is when they’re at their own home. Even so, they were lovely! They seem fascinated by Zack and his big red beard. They can tell when he holds them that here’s a man who is very confident and knows how to hold a kid.
MJ brought her kids over, too. Tot was super excited about the twins for about a minute and a half. Then, he discovered the big bin of toys I keep in the little bedroom. Babalouie has lots of balls and trucks and a lawn mower that had to be pried out of Tot’s hands when they left. Nanners and Bean both held each of the girls for a long time.
Sunday, my crew went out to Grandma Punkin and John G’s house for dinner. I love that the great grandkids have come up with their own designation for Dad. The first time I heard Xena and Babalouie call him that, I thought “oh, of course!”
Ty and Megan won’t be able to join us on Easter so Mom invited them for Palm Sunday dinner which turned into the Pivec wing of the family at Mom’s for dinner. Adam had returned home from being away for a week on business. I asked him if the girls punished him for abandoning them. Anyone who has ever left a baby for an extended amount of time knows what I’m talking about: they get mad at you for leaving and won’t look at you.
“No!” Katie told me. “It was sickening how happy they were that he was home! Especially Boop; she was crying because she was hungry but she couldn’t stop grinning at him. She’s such a Daddy’s girl.”
Adam just grinned. I think he likes having an adoring fan club.
Dinner was ribs and it was fabulous.
Life went back to normal this week. With the season over, Jay’s travels are done for the moment and I don’t have to make the trek north every day to help with the girls. I miss them already.
The weather turned back into April. We went from 70s during the weekend to snow on Tuesday. The snow didn’t last but it’s still grey and cold. My oil painting class had planned on going outside this week but if it’s still this nasty out, I kind of hope we don’t.
I did get myself a field easel, though! I had thought about borrowing Katie’s but it’s broken. I checked both the local art stores online to see who had the best deal on French easels. Amazon had a good deal but couldn’t guarantee delivery by Friday. Now ads for easels keep popping up on the margins wherever I go online. Creepy.
I bought my easel at Dick Blick: it was 70% off. Heh. I love when that happens. I picked up some ultramarine blue while I was there.
Yesterday I got a call from MJ; she, Tot and Nanners all had the stomach flu. Bean was the only one who got out the door for school and she didn’t make it till lunch. Now they were all home, puking. MJ wondered if I had any ginger ale on hand? I told her I’d drop off the pop and a box of popsicles on her doorstep. My plan was to ring and run: I don’t mind delivering groceries but I wasn’t about to expose my barely recovered self to any more illness.
I’m feeling better every day but I’m still far from well. My energy levels are low and subject to quick depletion. Slowly but surely I’m working my way back to where I need to be.
Today I have to finish inscribing a load of basketballs and get to work on a large bench covered with irises.
I still have to recover the last arm chair on my deck and put together the Adirondack chair I bought nearly three weeks ago. It’s been sitting in a box on the deck since just before I got sick.
We are going to be ready when the weather turns summery!
I’ve been looking at planters at Marshalls. A couple of colorful pots on my front wall might be spectacular! Jay will just complain that more planters means more money on flowers but he loves them. He’s his father’s son.
Have a Blessed Holy Week!