Summer: NH, Fri. 7/30 - PA, Tues. 8/3

Fri., 7/30

Our last day in NH. We finished all the packing and cleaning in the morning, somehow got all of our stuff back into the car, and said goodbye to our month in the country. Lucia's hives were still hideous, and Greta's arms and cheeks looked inflamed and were itchy too. It was, it appeared, time to return to civilization. We crossed everything off our NH to-do list. It's very sad to think we won't be back till next year. Hopefully next year, once the kids are vaxxed and we can fly again, we'll be able to add a fall weekend into the rotation as well.

We took a quick detour to see a piano at our cousin's house in MA--a family heirloom Steinway 118 years old.

We stopped at a hotel halfway home, once again with a pool, and once again the weather was just not swimming weather--not rainy but chilly. But the hotel had a patio with a beautiful view, and we sat out there to eat takeout Applebee's for dinner. 

The night was not peaceful. The girls were unable to figure out how to share the pull-out bed. Sigh. We were all just really ready to finish the journey and get home.

Sat., 7/31

Home! Being back feels wonderful. And there was so much progress on our Long Room while we were gone--it's all painted and looks amazing. Our plants were all alive and thriving thanks to weekly visits from Mom and Dad. The kids immediately went to the basement to reunite with all the AG dolls that didn't come to NH. I set about unpacking and picking up groceries, trying to get us resettled. 

Sun., 8/1

Resettling. The girls and I went to Target for school supplies. No actual memory of what the rest of this day entailed. 

Mon., 8/2

I took Greta to the doctor this morning to look at her arms/cheeks. We got a prescription lotion. Lucia's hives are now gone so she escaped the doctor visit.

Mom and Dad came to see us today, a happy reunion, and they and the girls and I went shopping at DSW, B&N, and Claire's for various things. Then we all had dinner together at home. Dad showed the kids a magic trick and Mom played their favorite game, Hide and Seek Freeze Tag. 

Tues. 8/3

Spent a large part of the day cleaning the girls' bedrooms, which had reached a critical mass of clutter and unusability. We emptied their desks completely, went through all the piles of papers, organized everything, reorganized their bookshelves. Work remains, but their desks are now clear and welcoming. There are a lot of labeled folders. Reading, math review, a walk with Farrah, and trying on all the school clothes I'd ordered while in NH took up the rest of the day.