Idyllic Day

Today we had the most idyllic day in Utah.
It started out crazy as we overslept. We had to race out the door to my sister’s to babysit Zoe and Watson so she could exercise. They are 3 and 4 years old. We made bluberry muffins–they loved the tops–and then jumped on the trampoline and chased butterflies around the yard. My sister’s yard is lush and beautiful with acres of emerald green lawn, towering pine trees and the most fantastic pink trees–magnolias and weeping cherry trees. There’s a whole pink section and when the wind blows, it rains delicate pink blossoms! So, you’re surrounded by pink and walking on pink, and there are butterflies everywhere. A monarch even landed on me!! Magic!!
It felt completely perfect to lay on the trampoline, the sun on my back, and watch those beautiful children running around the yard, chasing butterflies, screaming with delight, pretending Zeus (Marlise’s bulldog) was a dragon.
I just kept thinking to myself, does life get any more perfect than this? 
I did, however, have to remind Annabelle and Zoe not to kick Henry and Watson. “But we need them to be our audience, Mom!” said Anabelle. “You can ask them politely to be your audience. You don’t need to kick them!” I replied. They asked, the boys complied, and they performed the number “Sisters” from White Christmas with Bing Crosby. 
Marlise came home from mountain biking and we all jumped in the pool. More perfect moments as I was holding my totally delighted naked baby, the skinny dipping Henry, and watching the other three munchkins kick around in their floaties. Next stop, the hot tub. I SOOOOO need a hot tub!! Totally sublime to sink into the hot water. Marlise says she feels like the Grinch slinking and slunking into various pools of water every day.
Her teenagers came home and in their teenage goofiness, had bought speedos and wore them with crazy hats and played the ukulele’s and served us punch while we lounged in the hot tub with the little ones. From there, it was nap time for Henry and cookie baking time for the rest of us. We made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, then all traipsed like a parade over to the swing and slides. Henry woke up and sat in the sandbox wearing sunglasses for a long time, and Annabelle experimented with all the new things she’s daring to do–slides, climbing, swinging. I heard her telling Zoe to sit down so she could tell her a story since she(Annabelle) was an old grandma.  She was wearing a nightgown and a pink hat. She loves to play dress-up with Zoe and they must have changed outfits 8 times today.Finally, we had to leave as we were nearing bedtime. We were worn out and blissfully happy. I have to say we have such a beautiful life. Thank you to George for working so hard to give us such a beautiful life.And we’re ready to do it all again tomorrow.