Unexpected Fun

We were not sure what to do yesterday. We just wanted to make sure we enjoyed the weather, this Saturday that was finally not rainy or heat wavy.

We had decided on a butterfly sanctuary. Willow randomly informed us that she hates butterflies... apparently..  We were half-heartedly getting ready to go when I got a text from one of my best friends.  "Do you have any plans today?" "Do you wanna come to my house and hang out at my pool?"

Off we went on an impromptu day of fun and friendship.  I got to play in a pool with my kids.  I got to see and hear my kids happy, laughing and smiling.  I got to talk and spend time with everyone I love.  Later, we went to a socially distanced movie and dinner theater.  

It was wonderful and so much fun.  I am so glad I had a friend who thought of us.  And that we dropped everything to seize the day.

Been a long time since I have seen Michael in a pool...he had a lot of fun!

Ana and me.

July already---

June seemed to go by faster than ever and I find myself wondering how come it is already summer and July 4th already gone too.

I was a bit melancholy today.  Thinking about summers as a kid, thinking about people I miss, thinking about Grammie a lot today...

Michael went to see his friend Dylan today.  First in-person visit since the pandemic.  It went well, but it also felt weird that Michael wasn't just "on a drive" or "walking" that he was gone.  Which is weird in of itself, as it was just for 6 hours---but that has been the nature of thinks during this pandemic...my family has mostly been at home, if not out together.  So---it was just a bit weird.

And Willow stayed mostly in her room today...so, it was just...a bit lonely.  Although I did have Lennier cuddling up with me on the couch a few times.  And Chewy was here--it just was quiet...too quiets.

Even "normal" stuff is not quite normal yet.  We went to Canobie Lake Park...but with Willow's leg and with the weather and wariness over Covid...it was fun, but not FUN....

We had a subdued Birthday for Chewy--Willow made him a cake and we had pick up bbq delivery.

My melancholy ended today with a high note (literally)---going out for a drive with Willow, playing music that we both love!

Meanwhile--Picture Dump:

New Haircut!

Birthday Fluff (Note the HB for Happy Birthday)

Michael going on Zero G ride at Canobie.

He definitely had the most fun--rode the most rides, etc. 

Contemplating her next move.  Used a wheelchair so she did not have to walk on crutches.

Driving.

Cotton Candy!

John playing skee ball.

Michael's prize.

Chewy asked me to take this picture of him on his Birthday.

Lucifer eating a carrot.

Birthday morning.  With cats.

Lucifer.

Luci for short.

I bathed a Guinea Pig!

No More Braces for Willow!

Summer and more Normalcy...

Tomorrow evening we are going to the first family event that is live since the pandemic.  

Father's Day we sat INSIDE a restaurant to celebrate.

Yesterday, I forgot to wear my mask when I ran into CVS...

I am still weary about crowds, and annoyed at having to get back into the office.

And we move on...

Michael is having his usual anxiety attacks regarding classes for the fall (figuring out which ones and when, etc.) and he interviewed for a summer job...and is anxiously waiting for them to call...

A new member of our family---Lucifer the Guinea Pig...and plans for July 4th at Canobie Lake...

And now...pictures!

Willow earlier this week--part of our new couch is being repaired, so right now its a "love seat".

Father's Day Breakfast...

Mini Waffles and Ricotta Cheese

Michael assembled and painted a new model!

He is getting really good at it.

A few days ago--on a play ground...finding out she is not as small as she used to be...and being the HAM that she is...

Pride Celebration in Burlington

Kif being...well, Kif...

Lennier being Lennier...

Willow's leg after surgery...

Willow Selfie from her own cell phone (!)

Playing Horrified with Michael is really fun!

King Kong Model of Michaels.

"New" (Free from neighborhood) Curio cabinet for his models/memorabilia.

Early Father's Day Gift.

AND THEN THERE IS LUCIFER....

Chinchilla Dream

Since I have gotten the CPAP machine, my dreams/nightmares are more intense, and with the pandemic, more prescient.

This morning I had an intense dream that one of our chinchillas (long since passed on) was suffering a hurt leg and had a cast.  And trying to keep him safe and pain free (and in his cage) was our main goal.  Which, if you know chinchillas, is very much next to impossible, because they want out to bounce around and run free...

Willow's surgery went well...but now is the hard part of recovery...