I can't remember if it was the end of July or the beginning of August, but somewhere around then, I decided that it was time to go to visit my sister and her family, who live in Lafayette, Indiana.
Hannah and I packed our bags on Friday, September 4 and headed out on September 5, arriving two hours behind schedule at 4p.m. The first night we used for visiting about old times and catching up.
The second day was Sunday, so we all went to church. All the kids were good in church, despite the frigid temperatures in the building. In the evening, we hiked part of a trail running along the Wabash River. Hannah was the least prepared for the physical demands and was carried most of the way. We also saw a beaver up close, heading over the bank and into the water as the moonlight emerged to light its way.
The third day was labor day. We all went to an apple orchard and picked apples and then went out for lunch. At home, my sister made applesauce and apple pie. I stirred a pot, but mostly watched. Then I tried to keep children away from the grill while my brother-in-law cooked meat. I was somewhat successful, but was the most help, I think, when I went and got a plate for the food. After dinner, the children put on swim clothing and we all went into the backyard to watch them swing, get wet in the sprinkler, and generally carry on as cousins do.
The fourth day was Tuesday and the older boys returned to school. My sister and I took her youngest and my Hannah to story time at the library where we learned how to wash ourselves and then made makeshift bubble makers. Afterward, we went to the mall where we met another mother to let all of the children run around in a play place.
We also let the kids ride on what Hannah calls a "mover." I would call them small carousels. Owing to the fact that this woman we met had an impending birthday, we ate lunch together at Panera where Hannah finished her food early. She then borrowed my pen and paper and preceded to write a very credible rendition of her name. This was the first time she has written her entire name in fairly discernible letters. Back at the house, Hannah and I fell asleep watching bugs bunny on the iPad and when we woke up, we started for home.
When we pulled into the yard back in Kansas, Hannah started to cry. She wanted to go back and see her cousins. We will Hannah. We will.
Hannah and I packed our bags on Friday, September 4 and headed out on September 5, arriving two hours behind schedule at 4p.m. The first night we used for visiting about old times and catching up.
The second day was Sunday, so we all went to church. All the kids were good in church, despite the frigid temperatures in the building. In the evening, we hiked part of a trail running along the Wabash River. Hannah was the least prepared for the physical demands and was carried most of the way. We also saw a beaver up close, heading over the bank and into the water as the moonlight emerged to light its way.
The third day was labor day. We all went to an apple orchard and picked apples and then went out for lunch. At home, my sister made applesauce and apple pie. I stirred a pot, but mostly watched. Then I tried to keep children away from the grill while my brother-in-law cooked meat. I was somewhat successful, but was the most help, I think, when I went and got a plate for the food. After dinner, the children put on swim clothing and we all went into the backyard to watch them swing, get wet in the sprinkler, and generally carry on as cousins do.
The fourth day was Tuesday and the older boys returned to school. My sister and I took her youngest and my Hannah to story time at the library where we learned how to wash ourselves and then made makeshift bubble makers. Afterward, we went to the mall where we met another mother to let all of the children run around in a play place.
We also let the kids ride on what Hannah calls a "mover." I would call them small carousels. Owing to the fact that this woman we met had an impending birthday, we ate lunch together at Panera where Hannah finished her food early. She then borrowed my pen and paper and preceded to write a very credible rendition of her name. This was the first time she has written her entire name in fairly discernible letters. Back at the house, Hannah and I fell asleep watching bugs bunny on the iPad and when we woke up, we started for home.
When we pulled into the yard back in Kansas, Hannah started to cry. She wanted to go back and see her cousins. We will Hannah. We will.
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