a walk in the park, sort of

Over breakfast this morning, the kids asked for picnic lunch after school … since we were without a car anyway, it seemed like a great idea to combine the rather long walk to/from school with a picnic at the park just behind the school grounds. When I picked the kids up, I found Max being hovered over by a persistent Dutch lass who wanted to join in our sunshiney fun. After some effort to track down her phone number to ask her mom’s permission, everything was arranged and we headed off. There’s a big “spiderweb” climbing rack at the park, and before I knew it, both my boys were shimmying up and down it like a couple of monkeys, with their blonde goddess watching from beneath coyly lowered lashes. It was hard to stop laughing long enough to get a picture. Boys!

Rowen didn’t really see the need to impress Max’s friend, so she decided to perform a dance routine for me - which I quite enjoyed!

After awhile, Max and his friend wandered off, and I took this far-off photo because they just looked so young and so old all at the same time. Girls discovered Max nearly two years ago, but it appears that Max has just noticed them back rather recently.

Through all the birds and bees antics, Arden was happy to gaze up into the treetops and smile wetly at me. The very summery weather gave him the perfect opportunity to model an adorable outfit that Helen sent us not long after his birth. And which, to my shame, I’ve not shown a picture of until now. Helen, he’s so cute in this outfit that if he weren’t mine, I’d be tempted to steal him! Thank you so much!

And speaking of mail goodies, this one is much more recent - today’s postal delivery, in fact. You may remember my wee biscornu made for an exchange about a month ago … well, today mine arrived. To my delight, Outi sent me a biscornu of her own (unpublished) design - isn’t it lovely?! She also included some very yummy Dinky Dye’s silk in a gorgeous blend of purples and blues called Blue Mountains. Thank you, Outi!

Tonight when I made dinner, I was very heedful of Anna’s recent kitchen injury - I sliced these potatoes with the utmost of care! No missing body parts to report. I don’t have a mandolin, but use a cheese slicer to get those paper thin slices. It works pretty well.

Some stitching was accomplished today, but precious little. Even if it were not a secret project (which it is), it wouldn’t be enough to warrant a WIP photo. I also didn’t get much done last night on Thine Forever because (1) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was on TV, and (2) my mom called and talked for quite awhile about work woes. Maybe I’ll get more done tonight … cross your fingers.

Volumes three through five in the Gabaldon Outlander series have arrived, and I’ve started Voyager. When do Claire and Jaimie get back together? Do they?? No, don’t tell me!!!