St. Amy

Really fun weekend with Aunt Amy. These visits are brief--less than 48 hrs--but eventful. We took a trip to the mall Saturday morning, culminating in a ride on the two-storey carousel, lunch from Arby's, and a stop for sweet corn at a roadside stand on the way home.

The afternoon was gorgeous: cool, but with the sort of blue sky which people from Colorado are bored by, and we can't get enough of.

Sam got his first nosebleed. He was bouncing two rubber balls at once off the pavement and looked down just as he was bouncing them and got the hard one in the nose. He was amply consoled by his first trip ever to the idyllic Elison Park, where we dropped things off a footbridge over a meandering stream, and then wandered up a ravine trail in the waning light. ("An adventure!", as Sam said.)

That evening Amy watched Sam while we went out for our anniversary dinner. Amy had this well thought-out ahead of time. She not only had the special popcorn-popping pot, but also had on hand a set of plastic picnic ware. They sat on a blanket on the kitchen floor and did all the things which polite society and Sam's parents never allow, using forks as drumsticks, balancing bowls on their heads, etc. After a cleansing pair of Charlie and Lola episodes Sam went down like a happily spent boy.

Sam awoke at the unfortunately early hour of 6:12 a.m. this morning, giving us an earlier start to the day than anticipated. Amy added more jewels to her crown by watching Sam while we took a brief nap. While we snoozed Amy and Sam drew on an old cardboard box and threw sticks into the river.

Sam's been well lately. No swine flu as yet. He's been enjoying Montessori, though he doesn't always like to admit it. He's even been staying for lunch and recess twice a week, and getting used to that. (Though we learned today that they were forcing him to eat lunch all alone, the only boy at the peanut-free table. We'll talk to them about that one.)

Aunt Amy is gone now, Sam asleep (8:40!) and we are about to show great wisdom in heading up to bed, to sleep the sleep of the blessed.