It was a very quiet day today. After ping-ponging all over the place the last few days, I stayed home and Helena and Natalie went shopping. I had the three munchkins (above) for the day, so, what to do?
First up a trip to the movies. Ticket prices were excellent. Kids get in cheap on Tuesday mornings so it was only $28 for the four of us. Natalie gave the boys $3 to buy a packet of lollies but, as you’d expect, it wasn’t enough. The cheapest box of lollies (candy) was $4.80, yes, that’s right. I chucked in a couple of dollars extra so they could have a box each. The ice creams and popcorn I left right alone; I don’t really want to take out a second mortgage at this time.
The boys chose to see “Minions” and it was a great choice. What a hoot of a movie. The characters are excellent and the music, straight out of 1968 when the movie was set, was brilliant (though Thomas was a little discomfited when I leant over and sang “Happy Together” in his ear). Haven’t laughed that much for quite a while.
We came home and played some games and stuff and then, when Helena got home, we went down to the apartment’s pool complex and wore them out before coming back upstairs for tea.
Joshua is quiet, studious and clever. A star student in school this year, he has a wicked sense of humour and is a great oldest brother. Daniel is the wackiest kid and you can never be sure what he is going to say next. And, even if you think you can predict what it is going to be, you would be 100% wrong. He’s a great student and is headed for big things, just like Josh. Thomas is a ball of flame who never slows down, let alone stop. His first year or so at school has been a bit rocky but he finished off well. They’re 14, 12 and 7 and life with the three of them is like living in a revolving door. They are a credit to their parents and will go on to make them very proud.
Helena and I went for a walk last night and, nearly home, we found a coffee shop so we decided to have a coffee. While sitting outside in the cool of the evening, my phone beeped and I said to Helena, “I bet this is Natalie asking where we are.” Sure enough the text said, “Are you lost?” You know you’re getting old when your CHILDREN ring you up to ask when you’re coming home!
This trip to the States has been so good and we still have two weeks to go. I’ve still to head off to San Francisco to catch up with my friends from the historic bike scene and then across to Texas to see Ottis Lance and the Texas brigade. Great as all of this has and will be, in the end, as Danny Thompson said yesterday, it’s all about family and that’s the beginning and the end of it.