It’s
hard to believe we returned from our family trip a week ago! We successfully carted my mom around two
states, spent quality time with my uncle and aunty, two cousins and their hubs,
and one adorable second cousin who is two, and with whom my DD2 tried to carry
everywhere they went.
It
was so awesome that my Uncle opened his doors to us, we were there Friday, Saturday,
Sunday, hanging out, or should I say, partying down!—for both Friday/Saturday nights,
we didn’t get back home to our hotel until midnight or 1am! My mom knows how to party with those board
games, card games, making s’more’s in the chimenea off the back porch. And it was so wonderful seeing the lightning
bugs come alive in the wee hours of twilight—to my girls’ delight. Truly, I
loved seeing my girls making connections with our family and also reconnecting
myself with my uncle and cousins. We’ve
been seeing each other off and on through the years for a meal or an hour or
two, but this was the first time in many, many years, where we spent extended time
together.
We
also strolled across over a bridge not too far from the Roebling Suspension
Bridge (seen above), the design/construction of which was the template for the creation
of the Brooklyn Bridge 30 years later, taking in the lights and pictures,
having walked from one state (Kentucky) to another (Ohio) and back again!
Some
of our views at the farm (well, this one was close by, but couldn't resist the baby foal and mom picture):
After
dinner, my mom settled into her hotel room with our caregiver that we’d hired; the
girls and I went back to the farm where my bro kindly blew up more fireworks
into the night. So exciting! It was great having bonus time with
them. My daughters were able to ride the
horses twice in a row with my sis-in-law; and my older nephew took me on the
golf course to teach me all things golf which was hilarious and fun
(considering I had no idea golf has a completely different language—he later
told my bro that I have a natural talent and that I should take lessons and if
I applied myself, I could be quite good! LOL).
Honestly it was just so much fun spending time with him—he is actually quite
good, second on his golf team as a freshman, regularly participates in regional
golf tournaments; my bro and sister-in-law are banking on at least a college
scholarship, here’s to hoping!
And,
I even dared to tackle the mountain biking with my youngest nephew again—while my
sis-in-law had my youngest daughter on the horse, DD1 hung with the barn cats,
and the next thing I knew I was popping wheelies over roots and trees and getting
my butt whipped by wild rosebushes. To
his credit, my nephew didn’t take us entirely into the middle of the woods,
just partly, and when we circled back along the old train tracks, he took the
lead (and the multiple cobwebs) by storm.
LOL.
Lastly, I came up
with the bright idea to take my youngest nephew back to town with us for
an overnight, so grandma could have bonus time with her grandson, plus her two
granddaughters, and while she rested, I took the three of them to the horse
park where we hiked around, went through a Smithsonian affiliated international
museum of the horse, as well as interacted with different breeds of horses.
The
one featured here is the Marwari
horse—DD1 was super impressed at the backstory for the Marwaris, that they
never left their riders in battle, and would defend them at all costs. Awww, my darling DD1 and her fierce and loyal
heart.
This
past week end, we had a belated birthday sleepover for DD1—plus a pal for DD2
to keep her occupied (this backfired, so will re-think this in the future, as
the little ones were way too interested in what the big girls were up to, lol),
however all in all, everyone had a blast.
We had pizza at night and watched movies, at bed time, the littles did
fall asleep way before the big ones and I let them do their group device games;
in the morning, I had craft activities involving pipe cleaners, beads—hand made
flower rings for themselves, as well as creating glow-in-the-dark beaded
jewelry or ornaments and exchanging from a name drawing (they loved guessing
who made what).
So…now
we’re back into the swing of things, the time-sharing “schedule” resumes
tomorrow. And I’m trying to be brave and
supportive, and outwardly I am, for the girls’ sakes. Inside, I’m dreading the nitpicking emails
and the complaints and the demands that are just around the corner. It’s been a nice two week break, I wish it
could stay this way for a while longer.
I
love my daughters with all my heart.
Please let them be okay. Please
let them always know there is room in their hearts for ALL of the people in
their family. Please let love always
win.
