We’ve had plans for ages to go to visit Jo and her husband, Fred - the couple from Wichita that we met through Clint’s (of Clint and Molly goodness) mom.
They live in a little town in Surrey and we headed out this morning after we got the kids ready to go.
Of course, it rained. It didn’t matter anyway…the kids had a fantastic time playing in the puddles. Liam managed to get into one that was almost as deep as his boots are tall.
It did finally stop raining and we took a leisurely walk to feed the ducks and swans. The kids got a little hungry on the way and greatly enjoyed the cheap white bread that Jo brought for the ducks. You would have thought it was candy the way they were snarfing it down. Too bad they couldn’t eat the healthy bird seed mix that she brought for the birds - turns out they’re fans of the white bread too!
We went with a family from Santiago, Chile as well. They have six children ages 17 to 5! (You can imagine I about passed out thinking about it.) As we were leaving, Aaron heard Paulina talking to herself, “Uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinco…. Hmmm, I’m missing one! Oh there he is. Seis.”
The older ones definitely help with the younger ones. They really enjoyed Liam and Elena.
Our kids had a blast as well. Both of them learned to kick a soccer ball - although Liam likes to pick it up and place it where he’d like it before kicking it.
Aaron and I actually got a little break from the kids since everyone else was playing with them.
Eventually though, Elena saw the big German Shepard and we had to go and throw a stick for him. She gave him kisses and petted him very gently, as one should do with a big dog. The girl has no fear.
Liam and I also spent some time messing around in the trees. It reminded me of going to my cousins’ house out in the “country” when I was a kid. We used to play in the trees for hours building forts, looking for Monarch caterpillars in the milkweed, and running away from ticks. (Oh…that was just me.) Anyway, Liam and I collected rocks and he filled his entire bucket. He was quite proud.
At one point I got very excited about a very large one and asked him what he thought about it. He also got very excited and said, “WOW, that’s ridiculous!”
I think Jo sat through at least three tellings of Liam describing the rocks.
(”But Jo, LOOK! This one is GRAY!”)
After the park we went to have tea and cake at a little shop run by women who go to this church.
It was a beautiful view, even with the cloudy sky.
I like to read head stones in cemetaries, but much of the writing on these was worn away, thanks to the lichen.
This is Paulina and Alejandro’s oldest. Isn’t she beautiful? (Oh to be 17 without larger-than-life hair.)
All of their children are adorable…and very well behaved as well.
(Though not all fond of the camera.)
Tea was tasty and Elena managed to share a huge piece of chocolate cake with Fred. She was on his lap and she kept looking up at him to say, “mo chock-wat cake, peas.” I bet she ate 1/4 of it. She’s a girl after my own heart.
Jo had May baskets for everyone to take home. Aaron and I ate most of the candy. Sorry kids.
So here’s everyone but Elena. Names escape me at the moment, but I will get them from the fam and include them later.
It was a great day and I hope we get to see everyone again…even if it has to be in Wichita!
