While we didn’t want to go to Quarry Lake while Tim was having his birthday party there yesterday, that wasn’t a problem today; and being out there on a really hot summer weekday really seemed like a very good idea this morning when Rowen and I got together after breakfast. We were given parental approval to bike out there for the day, but before we could get our little adventure started, we needed to get backpacks ready with the usual supplies; so it was going on ten o’clock by the time we hopped on our bikes and headed out of town on Quarry Road.
Mom, Violet, and Alicia came out to the lake with Ethan and Ehlana to have a picnic with us and give the twins a chance to play in the water for an hour or two; so Rowen and I didn’t really have that much time to play there on our own after our ride before they were there too. Violet wanted to be home in time for Dillon’s afternoon break at the Inn, so they all went back to town again by two o’clock while Rowen and I played until nearly four before packing up and starting our return ride. We were home in time for a cool-down swim in the river before sitting down to have dinner with Mom, Dad, Violet, and the twins. We were in charge of Ethan and Ehlana after dinner while Mom, Dad, and Violet took care of the cleanup and did a little work in the office before Mom and Dad needed to be at the park for their ball practice.
Rowen and I added Naomi to our group after her parents got to the park, and spent most of our time at the playground and by the river while our parents were busy playing with their friends. From what we saw the couple of times we stopped by to check in with them, it looked like they were really working hard to get ready for their last game, but we’ve done the math; and if the Torpedoes don’t win the game, all they’ll need to do for second place is take advantage of the mercy rule before our Arrows can win by enough for second place.
Anyway, since we have our last riding lesson of the summer in the morning, Rowen is staying overnight with me; and Naomi and Ehlana decided that they needed to have a sleepover too – though only some of us knew that they actually did want to do a sleepover. That meant doing a little running around after the practice ended, and it was after dark by the time we were all home and inside for the night. Rowen and I helped out with the bedtime routine for three, and then went up to my room and took turns using the Jacuzzi before getting into bed with Mandy.
We’ve been chatting and surfing the internet since then; and I’ve done my usual nightly email and entertainment checks too. It’s heading toward one now, though, so I need to finish this up and we both need to get some sleep. (Mandy’s been asleep for a while now.)
For starting out with no plans at all, this has really turned out to be a great day – especially thanks to the parents giving Rowen and me a little extra freedom. Maybe next year we’ll see what they think about letting us try overnight camping at Quarry Lake! Now that would really be awesome! Anyway, that’s all the news for today, so...
...live from Witch Falls; this is Cassie Proctor, signing off!
