Susanna and Isabella departed for Sweden yesterday. Will is volunteering as a preschool camp assistant at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center all week. So, Ben and I get today and tomorrow to hang out together. Today we put some time into the boat. We are (still) working on replacing the stringers. We had replaced part of the center stringer two summers ago, but we didn’t do a very good job at it. So earlier this summer Ben and I cut out the repair and more of the rotted stringer.

Today we glassed in (partly at least) the new stringer. Tomorrow we will put another two layers of glass and cover the entire stringer.

I had a great day. The boys came back early from their Mom’s house to spend the day here. Will came over pretty early and Ben followed a couple of hours later. Ben was sick last night and slept in late tonight.

This morning we had planned on doing a long hike as a family. But, Ben didn’t feel up to it, so we postponed the hike until tomorrow. We got to enjoy the beautiful day at home instead.

This morning I worked with Will on his mowing/trimming skills for the yard. His summer chore is keeping the front yard in good shape, which takes a lot of oversight to make sure it gets done right.

Ben and I worked on a quick project – replacing a the sill cock on the south side of the house. I have had the replacement. The old one leaked and was difficult to shut off. A trip to home depot to get the right connector for the PEX piping and some time in the basement clearing the spider webs in the way and the project was done.

The boys and I also disassembled the old microwave, throwing most of the parts into the recycling and saving a few choice parts for later projects (such as a couple of strong magnets Will pulled out – one of which he promptly broke).

It is nice that things are calming down – of course just as the school year ends and the summer starts its mad dash towards fall. I can tell when life is more relaxed; I write more. I have found time to post pictures over the past 4 months, but not much time to write.

Susanna, Isabella and I enjoyed a beautiful day in New York City today. I figured a picture taken in Central Park would be perfect for Selfie Sunday, so here it is. On Friday.

 

The weather this weekend was nearly perfect. Of course it wasn’t quite as nice as it was earlier in the week when I had to spend the day inside at the office (go figure). But it was nice enough to spend a lot of time outside.

My dad is visiting for the weekend – which is extra-exciting for the boys and fun for all. On Saturday we did a hike in the morning (yes, even the dogs enjoy guests). In the afternoon we went to the Preston park to watch Ben play baseball. Preston won. Ben is getting confidence to swing at the ball, even though this time he struck out (but better to swing than to not try at all).

Today we did another hike in the morning. Will joined us by biking ahead down the trail and sitting at his private spot along the stream (just downstream of a small waterfall). Ben is breaking in a new pair of hiking boots, trying to prepare for a three-day trip this summer to the White Mountains with my dad so he didn’t quite hike as far as the rest of us. And Isabella slept most of it.

This afternoon the boys and my dad biked up the hill into Norwich for a snack (donuts – go figure). And after everyone returned the family drove back to Norwich for a nice dinner at a new-ish brew pub. Will was even adventurous enough  to get onions on his hamburger. Ben will eventually get there – just not tonight.