I Finally Got Hot

 I've been waiting to bask in some warmth, but there wasn't any basking - just full-fledged heat!  I forget how much energy it takes to be hot.  

It also takes forever to make a simple outline of the day ahead so everyone knows what to expect, when, and where.  Right before lunch, I got a text from Gray saying that they'd like to swim and bring their friends Ellis and Harper.  That was fine with me, and I proceeded to get myself prepared - which doesn't take much more than just grabbing some Capri-Suns and putting them in a bag.  

Before I had a definite time, Harper and Ellis had been delivered by Nonnie, who wasn't really sure they'd been invited.  My look of confusion probably didn't add to her confidence.  I told her the girls were still at their house but were "on the way."  When I called Ryan, he seemed not to know anything was happening and quickly got them headed over with the big seal float hanging out the truck window!  

They were scurrying around changing into swimsuits, eating, drinking, hunting goggles, and just confusing me.  We were finally off - without goggles - to walk to the pool.  Luckily, the girls are all big enough now to settle in a little area and put on their own sunscreen and get ready to jump in.  I'm still wondering why 3 out of the 4 had on socks with their slides.  

We immediately saw Melissa from the apartment above us and two of her three kiddos plus two more little girls.  One of them, Zoe, said she knew me, but I don't remember her.  She and her mom were speaking another language, and I'm sorry I don't know exactly which one, but it was beautiful - Russian, I would guess.  The two groups, as is typical, ignored each other at first and did their own things.  Once in the little hot tub where they had to be in close quarters, I heard them making a little conversation.  

I happened to be talking to another person about her granddaughter and whether she lived in the apartments or not, and we found out she was Noreen's former upstairs neighbor who had moved to a one-story apartment.  That was nice to know.  I felt like I already knew her, and she'll be spending a lot of time at the pool, it sounds like.  

I read some but can't remember what I read, with all the eavesdropping on what the kids were saying and doing.  My four were doing role-playing, and that always makes me smile.  It gives you some inkling of what's going on in their minds without having to ask questions.  

Sorry that this is the only picture I took all day.  Graysen on Harper's shoulders.

Except for these.  I feel like it's my fault but not totally.  I saw a box of Skittles in the kitchen snack cabinet and grabbed them for the bag.  Naturally, Gray was a partaker and messed up one of the brackets on her braces.  She didn't seem overly concerned, but I knew they had to be taken care of, so I texted pictures to Ryan who talked with the orthodontist.  I don't know what that means, whether they'll have to do to Seattle today or not.

Right before we left, a few adults and 4 children showed up that I think were a couple of the new PTs at the new Proliance clinic.  I'm not sure, but the children fit the age bracket, and I know they live in the apartments.  So cute.  Then along the trail by the fence came Mary on one of her daily walks, headed to the workout room.  We talked very briefly about playing Scrabble this morning but didn't get anything worked out.  I've texted but didn't hear anything back.  I'm also not sure what the girls will want to do this afternoon.

We eventually got everything gathered up and headed back to the apt with all the usual petitions for more time together.  Whatever was decided, it wasn't going to be with me.  First, there is very little room for four big girls to enjoy hanging out, and secondly, I was beat and ready to cool off and be alone for a minute.  One decided to go home and the other three to hang out together - at their house!!  So we went and fed the cats and played with them a while and then I took them and dropped them off.  I know Gray had soccer practice at 6, but by that time I was already asleep.  The nap turned into all night, and I woke up at 6:15 this morning.  I would love to say refreshed but not hardly.  I seem to have just more stiffness and aches than usual the more active I get.  I guess I knew getting older wasn't going to get easier every day.  

On Monday, I went and watched Kate at her stripe test, and that was so much fun.  I didn't know what was going on most of the time, but she is such a serious little being.  Toward the end, she did relax and have more smiles.  Ryan and I took some pictures, but it was mostly videos.  I'll try to get some of his clearer ones here later on.  I've run out of time and will just pick a few pictures for now.