For the first weekend of spring we decided to fly down to North Carolina to see Katie and her parents. Old man winter sent us off in the middle of a storm, a wintry mix that required de-icing of the plane. But we made it safe and sound and spent a relaxing Saturday hanging around the house.
Katie was happy to see us, and I like to think she remembered us since she had just visited us the previous weekend. Her parents have lots of weddings to go to in Connecticut this year so we will be having Katie staying with us for quite a few weekends!
Saturday evening, a friend of Dima & Larisa introduced us to a cooperative game, Hanabi. It’s a new genre to us. Our family loves playing all kinds of games, but a game without competition is a delightful idea to me.
Cooperative games contain one simple concept… all players work together to attain a mutually desirable goal. Strategies, resources and decisions are shared. The challenge and enjoyment are in the teamwork and the story and setting of the game.
~ Suzanne Lyons
(cooperativegames.com)
Sunday we had a great brunch at Kipos Greek Taverna in Chapel Hill, and then we were off to a game store in Durham, Atomic Empire, to pick up our own set of Hanabi cards. While there we also found a cooperative board game which we are looking forward to trying out at home.
Later in the afternoon we went to North Carolina Botanical Garden to see Patrick Dougherty‘s stickwork sculpture, “Homegrown.” Some readers may remember that Janet and I visited one of his installations at the Florence Griswold Museum back in October 2011. This one was just as fascinating.
Another pleasant evening was spent playing Hanabi and then Monday morning Dima took us to drop Katie off at daycare and then dropped us off at the airport. It was in the 50s that morning. When we got back to Boston it was 22°F! Brrr… (But I still love you, New England…)
Sounds like a wonderful experience !
It sure was, Jeff!
NOTHING is as gorgeous and awe-inspiring as a baby’s face.
But that stick sculpture was really neat, too…
Happy Babysitting!
I couldn’t agree with you more, Pam! I’ve got a burgeoning collection of photos of this little sweetheart. I remember my own grandmother following me around getting pictures, too. 😉
Lovely record of a treasured visit. I too love that stick bower.
Photographs capture some wonderful moments in our lives – it will be fun revisiting them some future day.
Precious. Absolutely, completely and totally precious!
Thank you, Laurie! (I agree!)
How wonderful that you could enjoy a spontaneous trip to NC. Love to see those familiar faces.
And I’m going again tomorrow for a few days, Janet, this time driving down with Allegra, who hasn’t met Katie yet. Looking forward to playing Hanabi with you and your gang one of these days…
Katie is cute & I’m sure she enjoys being with her grandmother as much! Does she also like traveling already? how sweet is that! Cute lovely post Barbara 🙂 <3
Thank you, Sonali! It warms my heart when Katie’s face lights up and she smiles at me. 🙂 She’s even starting to say “Hi.” We’re so lucky to have her in our lives.
Cute little lady! Her eyes are so expressive. The arbor is beautiful, took lots of work I’m sure. Jane
Katie is a keen observer – she doesn’t miss a trick!
Jane, you might enjoy looking at Patrick Dougherty’s sculptures on his website: http://www.stickwork.net/
Hi. His work is incredible. Makes me proud to be a human being!
Me, too!