We emerged from our quarantine just in time to spend a few days with our good friends, the Rushtons, who moved to Arizona a couple years ago.
I always wonder how the kids will adjust to friends they haven't seen for an extended period of time (especially Aubree, since the middle school years are a time of such major change and growth), but everyone seemed to pick up right where they left off.
We decided to meet at a nearby river. Of course, the morning dawned cloudy and cool. So, instead of heading straight to the water, we decided to explore the forests a bit.
The little monkeys were happy to have logs and trees on which to clamber and climb.
The berries they found as we walked were an added bonus. Nellie decided Curie was her special friend, and Curie was so kind and patient with Nell.
As the day progressed and the weather warmed, we made our way over to the river. Aubree, Bethelle, and Bethany, who became best friends in 3rd grade, kept themselves occupied catching up, chatting, imagining, and exploring.
While the younger boys threw rocks into the river, Bryce spent his time trying to catch tiny fish.
Sometimes Thane stopped to help Bryce, but Thane was more interested in catching water bugs than fish. While the kids played, Elke and I planned and schemed about cross-country road trips next spring.
The only down side of the day was when we got home and discovered Graham was covered in hives. Thankfully, the hives were gone by the next morning, but we have no idea what caused them.
We spent another afternoon with the Rushtons and other friends at a nearby lake. Originally, I planned to drop Aubree off to play with her friends, but we ended up staying. I told my younger kids to stay out of the water since they weren't wearing swim suits, but it didn't take long before I gave up and told them, "get as wet and dirty as you want."
Aubree loved spending time at the lake with her friends. Her back and shoulders got pretty toasted though. Whoops!
After playing at the lake, Zariah came over and the two girls made homemade cinnamon braid bread.
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