A Happy Day

Missy woke up determined to be happy and get her things done with a happy face. She was tired of the restrictions that come with unwillingness to comply. It was, after all, the last day to play with the cousins, and the neighbor kids have been hanging out here a lot and she was tired of sitting grumpily by watching them play.

Even this morning she was the first one to sit at the table to wait for breakfast. It helps that it is Daddy's birthday and we have "PLANS!" and there's nothing she likes better than a birthday! She didn't know it was his birthday until last evening but when she found out she was completely animated in her joy. She was oblivious to our laughter at her antics and chatter. She asked how old he would be and was completely gullible and excepting of all the age guesses thrown her way - everything from 42 to 50. If you have never heard Vanessa really, really laugh, you've missed out on something.

Our guests left at 3:30 AM. By leaving while James as asleep they unwittingly spared him the trauma of goodbyes. However, he's less than cheerful this morning and we all know why.

I took the kids to the Icicle in the afternoon. This river was aptly named. Our cold summer hasn't warmed it a wit! Mister!! I stuck my feet in the water and it was instant pain in every joint all the way to the hips. The kids managed to have fun, though none of them stayed in the water more than a few seconds at a time.

I thought I would treat the kids after the river with Gelato - a dairy free ice-cream found in "tourist town". Ha! Think again. At $3.50  for a small ice-cream cone times 8 kids..... nope.  I found Amish candy sticks at 6 for a dollar. They were just as happy.

 Missy found the COLD water exhilarating.

 The water is SO cold that the kids would dig pits that would fill with water that would warm in the sun.

The kids would then sit in them to defrost.

 See that croc?

First it was a boat, but

it's tied to a piece of fishing line that James is towing.

It made for a comical walk through the park to the car. 

Everyone noticed the shoe walking along by itself and commented.

Little kids laughed and giggled.

Teenagers even took a second look and said stuff like,

"Ummm... interesting!"

And even though Bri knew about it, 

it still managed to freak her out when it came trotting along past her.