Paul was here, for sure. Get ready for a lot of pitchers.

We went to Huntley Meadows. Della ate a pear on a fork.

We saw a ‘nake (snake), a muskrat, a turtle, and some Canada Geese (not Canadian). We heard a lot of frogs, and Della found a girl to copy. She also wore herself out running away from Paul and me.

Later that same day, we went to the legendary Clemyjontri, a playground so fun it ought to be unhealthy. But it isn’t.

Daddy! He was in Los Gatos for the wedding of this man (who seven years ago married the two of us). I heard from Steve that one of the guests bit her boyfriend and had to go jail. All weddings are bittersweet.

Back in Northern Virginia, there was a lot of hanging out and skill-building.

Synchronized drinking!

Paul and I had some opportunities after kid bedtimes to talk about grown-up things like his adventurous, scientist girlfriend and home renovations. Paul has been cleaning out Bappa Lou’s house and moving in. Among many, many other equally fascinating and disturbing things, Paul found this in Bappa’s garage. 

On Saturday we went to Ikea. We were there from 5 to 7 p.m. and it was crazy. 

There was a lot of running away/screaming/crying/lying face down on the floor/watching Frozen on a display couch. 

In the end, George got a high chair.

The next day we behaved more sensibly and did things like bike riding, pool playing, and picnic blanketing. 

That same day – oh it was Mother’s Day! – we went to Conn and Linda’s for London broil on the deck and ice cream on the couch.

Cousin picnic: Hot dogs and goldfish. Blueberries. San Pellegrino Aranciata. Internet.

Already Paul is gone, and already Della is saying, “Paul coming soon.” I tell her no, not soon. “Soon,” she says, affirmatively. So kind of like the Easter Bunny.