Social Distancing, Lake and Poolside

Hi guys!

     We've seen you guys three times this summer so far, either at your pool or yesterday at Lake Gardner. What a great time we had, especially yesterday, floating around in the lake and then going back to our house for Lexi's burgers and a game of Guesstures (adapted for Covid) Noah rolled his eyes at first but then he had as much fun as we all did (even Uncle Joe started guessing!) The best part was laughing at each other's bad attempts to act out the words. Your dad, Uncle Joe and I were amazed at the twin thing going on, how you could each guess each other's when neither of us had any idea what you were trying to do. And your dad with "reindeer" looking like a frog taking off flying? Dylan became one with the crows, until they finally took off, letting Dylan win what they may have perceived to be a territorial battle. The neighbors on Doe Run provided our backyard music while we tried to outdo them with laughter and crow calls.
   Our first visit to the Oakridge Estate was on Uncle Joe's 60th birthday which was another great time. Your dad got three huge helium balloons and a Carvel ice-cream cake. I got to take a heavenly nap in the pool cabana with the dogs while you guys played Cornhole. I was pretty tired from chemo and dealing with the partial blockage in my colon. I did try to play but it wasn't pretty. We went over again a couple of weeks ago and you guys were in the water for hours, horsing around with each other. Noah was getting into snorkeling. On one visit we played a type of Jenga game you guys have, with these huge blocks. When the structure collapsed it just missed Frida was is always right near my feet. But disaster averted.
    There was a fourth time we got together too, so far this summer when you all came over, dinner from Lexi's again and a game of Cornhole. Conversation is a little trickier with you guys now that you are at that fun awkward age of the cusp of 13, but yesterday, you both got quite animated talking about The Haunting of Hill House. I watched the whole series alone since Uncle Joe doesn't like horror. And I guess your dad kept falling asleep when you tried to get him to watch it. (I swear he has sleep apnea) Both of you now are showing signs of puberty, Noah with height increase and voice changes especially. Dealing with acne is your latest challenge.
    Lake Gardner was so pleasant yesterday. We carried those huge pool rafts down from the community gardens, no easy feat. There were a few other people there, scattered along the shore, some going by on paddle boards or pontoon boats, and the family with the two dogs across the way. Their Springer Spaniel knew how to climb up the dock ladder! Carlos was the only lucky dog that joined us. Katie had injured her paw the day before and I thought it would be too hot for Frida since she doesn't like the water, other than to stand in it up to her ankles and drink. Katie was especially happy to see you all come back with us. She seems to really love your dad for some reason.
    I guess you have both started back at Baseball, adapted for Covid of course, and are doing quite well already. I hope we can go watch a game soon, if we just mask up and stay away form others there. The virus has gotten under control pretty much in Massachusetts but so much of the west and south are in crisis mode now since nobody took the CDC guidelines seriously and opened up things before meeting the criteria, thinking that saving the economy was the priority. Wrong!  And now, most school districts in those areas are going to be shit out of luck this year, again. And they will likely have to close up shop in non-essential businesses yet again, if they even did in the first place. Hopefully, the spread from those regions won't infiltrate New England and cause us an uptick. One day at a time. Covid, Cancer, catastrophic storms, OH MY!
XOXO
Auntie Kim