Visitors

Over the past week we've had Mark's aunt and cousin come to visit. They had already spent a week in Pennsylvania and, while State-side, decided to spend a week with us too. We entertained our visitors with food, drink and regular trips to the pool. Evenings were spent either sitting and chatting on the decking late into the night or catching up on the latest episode of Big Brother, BBLB or BB's Big Brain (all with the requisite coffee, wine and liqueurs).

They arrived last Saturday to a summery spread that included ham, salad and smoked salmon. On Sunday we went to church, followed by lunch at Sweet Tomatoes and a trip to the pool. Monday was Memorial Day (the US equivalent of Remembrance Day / Remembrance Sunday), so the girls had a day off school. We took the opportunity to have a lie-in followed by brunch; then -- you guessed it -- the pool. This was followed by an evening meal of jerk chicken, rice and roast vegetables. On Tuesday Mark's cousin had lunch with Emily and Lauren at school. Then, after school it was the pool, followed by an excellent Mexican restaurant. On Wednesday, it was Mark's aunt's turn to have lunch at school. After school we went to see the film Over the Hedge, then topped it off with a trip to the Marble Slab Creamery.

Thursday was the day of the Third Grade Picnic at school. I had been signed up to help set up, serve food and clear up at the end. Unfortunately, this meant being out from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Mark took our visitors for a walk around the lake.

On Friday morning, Mark went to the school field day, then we went out to a really good Japanese restaurant for lunch, where we insisted that Mark's relatives try the restaurant's famous green tea ice cream, which is far more delicious and creamy than anything from the Marble Slab Creamery. By tradition, in our family, Friday night is pizza and Dr Who night and this Friday was no different.

Today was the sad day of their departure, but we'll see them this summer when we return to the UK for a holiday (vacation).