Happy twelfth birthday, Denise! We really hope you’re having a great day, and Rowen and I also appreciate being left out of the loop for another boy-girl party.
There was rain in the forecast all day that could have washed out most of our plans today, but except for a little early morning shower at around six; it’s been another beautiful day.
Wet grass didn’t get in the way of Tai Chi this morning, and wasn’t a problem at all by game time. Connor’s Colonists were the home team today, but that didn’t help them; and our Rovers took a lead in the top half of the first that we didn’t give up through to the end of the game. That eleven to eight win was our fifth, and gives us home team advantage for the Championship game regardless of what happens in the rest of the regular season games. Aunt Leanne, Violet, Chrissy, Dawn, and Jillian made a great cheer squad for us, and we took them along for our Emporium ice cream trip before we all headed home to some morning chores.
Mom and Aunt Leanne had a trail ride set up for the afternoon, and while Grandma and Grandpa took care of Ethan and Ehlana, pretty much everyone else in the family headed out to the Ridge River Ranch for the ninety minute ride. Rowen went with us for that, and the other ‘extra’ spots that had been reserved for friends were mostly taken by Chris, Martin, and Jonathan’s friends – including Rebecca and Jenny. Since Rowen, Dawn, Jillian, and I were placed right behind Rebecca, Jonathan, Jenny, and Martin for the ride, I’ll just say that this was definitely the weirdest ride of the summer so far; and move along.
The kids and teens had some free time after we got back to town while the parents were busy with getting another big barbeque dinner party and campfire together. That meant going swimming in the river and lying out on blankets or towels and just enjoying a lazy couple of hours for the girls. Violet and Chrissy drafted us to help when it was time to get tables and chairs set up and carry loads of supplies and food from the kitchen. Chris, Martin, and Jonathan had taken off to hang with some of their friends again, but wheeled their bikes into the yard just in time to sit down for dinner with everyone.
There were only a handful of extra dinner guests, including Rowen’s parents and brother, but since the most entertaining action along the river was at our house after we’d finished eating and cleaned up; it wasn’t long before more friends and neighbors started dropping in to hang out and join in for the games we were playing. Rowen, Dawn, Jillian, and I mostly did our own thing between dinnertime and the start of the campfire. We went swimming a couple of times; played Frisbee; watched most of one teens against adults volleyball game that Aunt Leanne and Rowen’s Dad in particular taught the teens a valuable lesson about why taunting your elders is a bad idea.
Note to Chris, Martin, and Jonathan: Your Aunt Leanne still has game, and really, really likes to win!
The campfire was lit once it was dark, and we had another big turnout for that. After two hours of music, scary stories, and one or two too many snacks, I was ready to call it a night early – especially once Rebecca and Jenny came over with the rest of Rebecca’s family, Dillon, and Stephanie. I have no idea what Miranda thinks about all of the time Rebecca and Jonathan have been spending together, but I didn’t really want to sit quite as close as Rowen and I were to them while they unsuccessfully tried to hold hands without being noticed and the rest of the gooey dopiness that they seem to have caught from Jenny and Martin.
Fortunately, Grandma and Grandpa were leaving early because of their trip in the morning, and gave me a way to escape the growing awkwardness that was watching two of my friends giggle and carry on vapid, whispered conversations with Martin and Jonathan. Mom and Dad took Ethan and Ehlana up to bed then too, though we all went out into the front yard for a long round of goodbye hugs and kisses that Aunt Leanne and Uncle Adam came with us for, and then I came up to my room after saying goodnight to Rowen too. She was going back to the campfire, since her parents were still there, but I’m sure she understood why I’d had enough for today.
I’ve been in bed; cuddling with Mandy; and working on my computer since getting changed. Dad and Uncle Adam brought Dawn and Jillian up to their rooms about a half hour ago, and they were likely both sleeping, since Mom and Aunt Leanne came along to help with getting them changed and tucked into bed. They all stopped in for another round of goodnight hugs and kisses, and then they went back out to the campfire. I’m sure that the adults have already started rounding up kids and taking them home, so I don’t expect Mom and Dad to be out there much longer, but I’ll take a wild guess that Chris, Martin, Jonathan, and most of their friends will be out there until two or three.
I’ve hit my limit for tonight, though, so...
...live from Witch Falls; this is Cassie Proctor, signing off!
