There is a song I made up several years back -- I sang it pushing a grandchild in a stroller. The lyrics ("what a beautiful day to be with ...") changed at different times, only to reflect the name of the child before me.
This was the day to sing it again as I walked swinging the hands of one, often two young ones on this cool but brilliant, sunny day, the last day of April.
I'm going to do a post of family photos. Nothing more, but nothing less! It's a day that calls for it. The Chicago young family is here for three days and we all want to soak in the magnificence of being together after nearly a year of being apart. So, twenty photos depicting this most splendid gathering, still with pandemic overtones (mostly masked, mostly outdoors), but we do not let that stand in our way. Let's start the album right after breakfast -- which was on the porch because it really was a bit nippy this morning, but Ed and I were nearly sweating from a rush farmhouse cleanup in anticipation of family arrivals...
We launch our time together with a trip to the zoo. And not just to see the animals. There is the merry-go-round, though Sparrow prefers to sit it out...
... while Primrose happily rides in a carriage with her mom (and later on an up and down animal, having figured out that that is where the thrills are).
Snowdrop is happy to be left riding her favorite each time: the koala.
Next, a few of the animals. A very close encounter with a very energetic polar bear.
Walking toward the playground: two girls having a wonderful cousin moment.
Here's a photo with the whole lot of them, minus the men in our family. Well, except for Sparrow.
One more, of Snowdrop and Primrose.
Now they are on the playground structure. And the swings. And the rest of the stuff that so grabs the kids.
From there to the farmhouse porch. We're keeping to the outdoors. Do note the birthday presents from the Chicago bunch. My birthday does not end at midnight of April 21st! A memorable moment: when the three kids (and only them) sang happy birthday to me.
It's not all porch time. Just before lunch (well, that meal is in fact on the porch), we open up the sand box...
And, too, there is time in the magic meadow.
Yep, the two locals share the idea of making announcements from the front steps with their cousin.
(happy guy)
In the afternoon, Primrose gets to spend a tiny bit of time inside the house. The cousins aren't around at the moment. She is just after her nap, happy as anything to rediscover farmhouse treasures, including Gerald and Piggie.
Okay, back on the porch. My younger daughter has picked some farmette wildflowers and she is showing these two how to do a flower press. With ferns picked by Primrose and Snowdrop.
Lots of art done before dinner. Lots of smiles and funny moments too.
Including a robust tickling session.
And eventually, dinner. I'm not cooking this time. We do a pub take out just so that I can be here, with them, rather than inside, stirring stuff in pots.
The day ends. But not the memories. Sacred stuff. We all love our families and we are going through some really tough times and we all want sweet and awesome "normal" to be with us again. If we are lucky, we will get there, one vaccinated step at a time. In the meantime, we have this: a spring of joy, outdoors, together, though still mostly with masks, but hey, together, in sunshine, among blooming flowers, so very happy to have this much. So very very happy!
A beautiful day to be with them all...
