The Lake House | An Addendum

The constraints of the caption format of the commentary that accompanied our lake house slide show didn't allow us to report everything that we wanted to report to you, Dear Readers.

Our trip to the lake house was so great in so many ways. We saw Aunt Kate, Uncle Scott, and Cousin Nick; we got to go swimming; and floating; and boating; and fishing; and save cooking and washing some beach towels, there were no chores to be done. Though one couldn't describe any vacation with a three-year-old and a 15-month-old as restful, many hands make light work, and anyway, it was lovely to have so many days with them unfettered by workaday demands.

Joe didn't demand that Ted do anything while we were there, or since we've been back. Tonight, Julie got Joe out of his car seat! Last night, the bambini had some trouble getting to sleep. Joe woke up needing to use the potty (and boy did he!). Clara woke up, too. After Joe had gone potty and was tucked back in, and Clara was tucked back in, the door was no more shut than near simultaneous wails began. Everyone was retucked in and Julie retreated upstairs. All was quiet--for about 10 minutes, when Joe began wailing again, which set Clara off again. It's been a long, long while since we've had a night like that! When Julie went back down and asked Joe why he was crying, he said, "I wanted you." It's been a long, long time since Julie's heard something like that.

Our week at the lake house also gave the bambini a lot of time to play with each other, and they are starting to do so, all on their own, which is a real kick to observe and overhear. Joe delights in telling Clara what to do. Tonight, Julie overheard him tell Clara "No! Not there!" and then "There you go!" as she removed a rectangle from a shape puzzle. In the car on the way home from the lake house, Joe got hold of one of the noodles and was dangling it in Clara's face, who tried to put it in her mouth, which gave Joe the opportunity to tell her "No!" They both thought that was hilarious. They also like to chase each other about. Already, they seem to have jokes that only they get. It's nice though, to be on the outside, looking in.

So it was a great week, that came at a good time.