They traveled north to see snow. And see snow they did. Granted, we had to venture farther north from the crowded abode, but they got to experience firsthand how it feels to be underdressed in 20-degree weather with the snow flying. Not once, but twice! Snow tubing wasn't enough. They had to get their sandal toes into snowboots, bindings, skis and snowboards. By then it was midweek and their blood had slightly thickened so they were more tolerant of the cold and they actually did enjoy the experience. They even have a few black and blues to show off to their family and friends back home. Bruises for which they should be very proud, because it certainly isn't easy to snowboard and ski not only for the first time, but on 23-3/4" base of ice and 1/4" of snow. What do you expect at the end of the season? The resort was closing in four more days.
They toured Boston, revisited their old stomping ground dwellings, even went so far as to drive to Vermont for maple syrup. The officer who clocked them speeding at 84MPH had enough compassion to let them off with a warning upon being told that the wife wanted to go and get Vermont maple syrup and what with paying attention to the beautiful scenery and all, not enough was being paid to the speedometer. Yes, deadness all around. No green. The beautiful foliage had long since passed. It was a passionate quest that couldn't be marred with the excessive cost of a speeding ticket, and the officer could ticket some other unfortunate traveler who wasn't from Florida traveling so far for Vermont maple syrup. And even if he did feel obligated to ticket them, it's not like New Hampshire would ever see that money. My sister insists she won't be back to visit again. It's too depressing. She would require medication to get her through the bleak months. Isn't it amazing how your perspective can change so quickly over so little time? She only grew up here, even spent four years at a Vermont college!
Still, it was fun having them here. The kids all enjoyed seeing each other, and only on the day before they were leaving did her 14-year-old and our 8-year-old decide they had enough of each other. But in only 14 weeks, we will be vacationing at their home, and our kids, including Tommy, are already counting the days. By then, maybe their perspectives of our kids will have changed. Either that, or our kids will have changed. Jeffrey won't be so whiney. He was spending his last week as a 1-year-old, and what with potty training and seeing other people in his bedroom while he slept, who can blame him for not showing his charming side? Christopher and Joey have nothing to worry about, since they win their aunt, uncle and cousins over every time they see them. I don't see any hope for Tommy, unfortunately. But maybe since he won't be on his own turf he will show more respect than he did here while they visited.
Hugs and kisses were plentiful on the morning of their departure, except with Joey, who slept in. They are already missed. I told Joey when he woke up that Auntie missed kissing him goodbye, and he replied, "Yeah, I know. That's 'cause I was a lot of tired." And they should be reminded that now that they are back home, the Potato Man lurks about and he can't protect them with the 'wifes' (knives). Hopefully the Potato Man will hibernate at least for another 14 weeks until we can get there and Joey can save them from his wrath. Or maybe he'll just carry on and pop up in another 3-year-old's little head. Or better yet, he'll take the Nu-Nu's with him. Those Nu-Nu's still show up now and then here and even Jeffrey has seen them. But that's another blog story.
No comments:
Post a Comment