Thankful Tuesday

 1. Henri's winds weren't as bad where my Aunt lives as the storm that came through Long Island when we were there last summer. She just got a lot of rain. In hindsight we probably could have gone out there. We wouldn't have gone swimming on Sunday or Monday, but she didn't lose power as she did last year. We erred on the side of caution particularly with flights from Chicago involved in the decision. The good news is that we ARE going to drive out there tomorrow morning and come back on Sunday.

2. My sister made it here safely with Grace on Sunday evening. Her girls really wanted to go to a trampoline park. That didn't happen due to reduced hours at Kaos due to COVID, but we did go roller skating this morning. It cost $20 for me to pay for admission for my 3 kids plus rent skates for Nadia. This made me appreciate that fact that we usually skate there for free. Wendy, Rachel, and Grace hadn't roller skated in a long time. They improved over the two hours they skated and also appreciate the tips one expert skater was giving people throughout the session. Oliver was in third place in the limbo contest.

3. We played a variety of games together such as Racko, Rummikub, and Quiddler. 

4. We had lunch at Kid's Café yesterday and today, and both times Wendy and I also received a free meal although it's usually only for kids. Today was "parent's day" so all parents were offered a meal, and yesterday we were there at the end and they had so much leftover pizza they opened it up to parents at the end. The tacos and also the éclair cake were tasty today! 

5. Oliver has improved over the last several months in his ability to sit nicely during a worship service, and he's even begun to take notes (fill in the blanks in the sermon outline) on his own initiative! Way to go, Oliver!

6. Nadia and Rachel have loved having a little over 5 days together!! Wendy told me that despite the miles between them, Rachel has previously said that she considers Nadia to be her best friend. Awww!!

7.  Most of the National Parks I had planned to visit in conjunction with our trip to Long Island are currently only open Friday through Sunday due to COVID, but it turns out that Paterson Great Falls is not only open tomorrow but is having extra activities due to the fact tomorrow is the 105th birthday of the National Park system! So we are planning on stopping there on on our way to Long Island tomorrow.