(no subject)
(Written after St. Patrick's Day.)
In many ways, the weekend began on Wednesday, March 10th, which was my husband’s best friend’s birthday. The house was relatively clean because we thought we were going to have to emergency-host a whisky gathering on Sunday. Phillip had finally convinced the president of the group that his work schedule would have him leaving for Raleigh in the middle of the gathering, so we couldn’t do it. With that stressor removed, it was a good time to invite people over for dinner. Chris brought his three kids: Ian, who is almost 11; Nicholas, who is in the neighborhood of 7; and Edley, who just turned 4. I was worried that they would be bored. Fortunately, they were fascinated with everything that was new and different to them. I gave the kids a tour of the house while Phillip cooked and talked to Chris. The kids loved the loom, the armor, the cats, the aquarium, and the fact that the house had an upstairs. Edley started asking “what’s in there?” about the perfect chest of drawers. It was perfect, because it was the chest that contains the few toys I own. The boys played with a hacky sack while Edley mused over my collection of McDonalds toys and foam stress squeezies from job fairs. They all fought to be the next one to ask my magic 8-ball a question and shook it so much that the bubbles made it hard to read the answer. Then, it was time for dinner. Phillip made radiatore pasta, which he pointed out looked like little brains. He also made mixed vegetables and toasted cibatta bread. Everyone seemed impressed except Edley, who would rather play than eat. After dinner, they found the bubbles. It was warm enough to take everyone out on the porch and let Edley and I blow bubbles while the boys scrambled to pop them all. After a while, Edley switched to the side of bubble popping and Nicholas took a few turns trying to blow the biggest bubble, or recatch bubbles on the wand. Meanwhile, Chris and Phillip talked and sampled different single malt whiskys. When we came in, Chris called the kids together. Phillip and I sat down on the couch and they presented us with our Christmas presents: a scarf for me, made by Chris’s wife, Jennifer; and a pair of books for Phillip, one of which was a giant, coffee table book of Scotland. The evening ended late with a round of hugs from the adorable trio. I think Chris had a good, if low-key, birthday.
In many ways, the weekend began on Wednesday, March 10th, which was my husband’s best friend’s birthday. The house was relatively clean because we thought we were going to have to emergency-host a whisky gathering on Sunday. Phillip had finally convinced the president of the group that his work schedule would have him leaving for Raleigh in the middle of the gathering, so we couldn’t do it. With that stressor removed, it was a good time to invite people over for dinner. Chris brought his three kids: Ian, who is almost 11; Nicholas, who is in the neighborhood of 7; and Edley, who just turned 4. I was worried that they would be bored. Fortunately, they were fascinated with everything that was new and different to them. I gave the kids a tour of the house while Phillip cooked and talked to Chris. The kids loved the loom, the armor, the cats, the aquarium, and the fact that the house had an upstairs. Edley started asking “what’s in there?” about the perfect chest of drawers. It was perfect, because it was the chest that contains the few toys I own. The boys played with a hacky sack while Edley mused over my collection of McDonalds toys and foam stress squeezies from job fairs. They all fought to be the next one to ask my magic 8-ball a question and shook it so much that the bubbles made it hard to read the answer. Then, it was time for dinner. Phillip made radiatore pasta, which he pointed out looked like little brains. He also made mixed vegetables and toasted cibatta bread. Everyone seemed impressed except Edley, who would rather play than eat. After dinner, they found the bubbles. It was warm enough to take everyone out on the porch and let Edley and I blow bubbles while the boys scrambled to pop them all. After a while, Edley switched to the side of bubble popping and Nicholas took a few turns trying to blow the biggest bubble, or recatch bubbles on the wand. Meanwhile, Chris and Phillip talked and sampled different single malt whiskys. When we came in, Chris called the kids together. Phillip and I sat down on the couch and they presented us with our Christmas presents: a scarf for me, made by Chris’s wife, Jennifer; and a pair of books for Phillip, one of which was a giant, coffee table book of Scotland. The evening ended late with a round of hugs from the adorable trio. I think Chris had a good, if low-key, birthday.