Today was the first day of summer, for all intents and purposes. Yesterday still seemed springlike, but today was hot enough to give me that feeling of being suffused with heat. More to the point, we were lucky enough to partake of a classic summer activity: a garden party held by an old friend who, in the past year, has both beaten cancer and earned her PhD. Anyone who accomplishes either of those things should have the right to throw a celebratory party for herself; doing both in the same six months is phenomenal. Congratulations to her on both counts!
So we headed up to the Cities for the party, and had a blast. Julia made a new friend (the four-year-old niece of our friend), all the kids cavorted in one of those inflatable bounce houses (rented specially for the occasion), a great deal of excellent food was had by all, and Shannon and I caught up with a bunch of old friends. Not a bad way to start the summer.
Thank you all for coming. It was great to see you before we drive off into our new life. I wish I would have been quick enough with the camera to get a snap of Julia and Oatmeal holding hands.
This morning ReeRee told me all about talking to you and another Dad (“the two Dads with the glasses”), my friend Ruth’s husband, Sean. And Oatmeal went excitedly told me about her new girl friends. I guess the boys were okay, but were kinda “rough”.
Glad to hear it! Julia really liked meeting the twins, too. I’ll have to make sure she sees any pictures you post online…
Julia said the boys were rough too!
I am convinced it is impossible for boys to not be ‘rough’ in those jumpy houses.
I guess, for girls like J&G, who don’t have brothers, they are surprised by that. Girls like my daughter and niece, don’t think twice about being knocked over. And despite being knocked over repeatedly, they would never do it to someone else.
It’s very true, Donna–girls who don’t have brothers or boy cousins they’re with frequently are very unnerved by the way boys play, in my experience. My girls don’t know WHAT to make of roughhousing in any way, shape, or form. It’s just not in their nature, and it’s not in their daily experiences, either. It’s kind of interesting–but I feel a little sorry for them when they’re so intimidated by the “rough” little boys in public play situations. They don’t know what to do and spend most of their time trying desperately to get as far away from the boys as possible.