Hearts, Hammocks and Holding Hands

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Dear Noah and Dylan,

    I got to enjoy you for an extra long day today since your mother had to stay at the hospital for the thing on her heart.  She didn't do so well on the first stress test and had to stay to do a different kind.  I don't know much more, just that it's related to possible heart valve replacement surgery and the fainting spells she's always had.  She was not in a good mood on the phone.  She tried to talk to you both but you were in the middle of playing ghost busters in the yard.  Dylan said "You are a meany, meanie jelly beanie" and Noah said something else goofy.
     We took Ruby on a new trail in W. Newbury at the end of Way to the River Road and followed the green trail markers along the Merrimack River past the foot bridge.  We hung out on the rocks under the bridge for awhile.  Ruby swam and we talked about the tidal creek water rising and falling. On the way back, Dylan wanted to hold my hand and then Noah joined him to hold my other hand.  I was so happy!  Then we saw a sign warning about ticks.  When I explained what that was all about, I noticed one crawling on my arm!  Noah got all creeped out.  We checked each other for ticks back at the car like a family of chimpanzees.  (Uncle Joe's joke)  Oh, you also picked up a couple of guns shaped sticks and pretended you were shooting everything, including me.  Back at the house you ate well; turkey burger, macaroni and broccoli for Noah, just macaroni and broccoli for Dylan.
   We read stories and then tried to nap.  Dylan popped up under my couch I was snoozing on but he did sleep a little.  Noah didn't sleep at all.
    When Uncle Joe came home, you helped him set up the hammock and came in to tell me about it when you finished.  You both held my hand and guided me outside!  Then you both jumped on it, shortly falling off and each of you ended up in tears whacking your head on the ground on the pole underneath.
    We watched Ghostbusters and waited for Daddy to pick you up.  A good day!  Daddy was happy he got to see you twice in one day but we are all concerned about your mom's testing.

Love, Auntie Kim