Our Weekend Away

For my birthday this past weekend, Stefin set up a lovely weekend on the Northshore.  It's just 45 minutes away from the city, but it's definitely Not The City Anymore.  I didn't realize how accustomed I've gotten to hearing cars and strangers' voices all the time.

We sat on the porch, played in some sprinklers, walked, napped, watched the Saints win, and had a lovely dinner with friends and fresh-watermelon margaritas.


Some friends who are also co-workers were part of the bunch that made it over, including Claudia, who has a 19 month old daughter, with whom Aeli promptly fell in love.

First kiss!  (Well, second actually, but I caught this one in pixels!)

Continuing in the theme of being motivated by women: he was initially too nervous to go into the shoots-up-from-the-ground-sprinkler-situation that was just around the corner from our getaway house.  He kept grabbing my legs and clinging tight onto me.

Then a 15-month old girl arrived.

She came over and to say hi.
He pet her face.
She ran into the water and played.
Suddenly Aeli was ready to go.
The power of a woman!

It was so nice to just to have that relaxing time to hang out with my boys.  At home we often get so caught up in the chores of life that we don't spend enough time just "Big Chillin," as Claudia would say.  I'm going to make a point of doing that more.