Playing

Mira here. Last Sunday, Eric and I flew to DC where we met his parents and brother Mike and drove four hours to an incredible conference center in the mountains of West Virginia for the Carlson family reunion. Family members came from as far as Sweden and Spokane and nothing was planned but play! Though I had to return to Chicago on Thursday (Eric doesn't come back until this Tuesday), I did get in some good play while visiting with folks. We hiked, swam, played tennis and ultimate frisbee and ate lots. There were heaps of people there (maybe around 60?) divided into cute little cabins along a cute little road and each night, a different cabin hosted dinner and donated their lawn for a giant game of capture the flag or Kubb (a Swedish game) or BlongoBall. I had such a fabulous time seeing everyone. I've never known a family that gets along as well as they all do for such long periods of time! I left the camera with Goose and am hoping that he is taking lots of pictures! When he returns, we will post some.

The past few days in Chicago have also been more full of play than usual. On Friday and Saturday, I helped out with Lincoln UMC's Vacation Bible School, and because I wasn't officially in charge of anything, I got to just hang out with the kids. Last night, the niece of a church member celebrated her 2nd birthday in the church fellowship hall and this afternoon, Rafael, another church member, had a big party for his 7th birthday! The day was full of great water games and prizes and amazing tamales and birthday cake. I laughed so hard watching the excitement and intense concentration during the balloon-between-the-knees and the running-backward relays. I wished several times today that I had the camera. It's amazing what hanging out with kids can do for your spirit!

I also had a supernice visit with Abby on her way back from west Michigan to Arizona yesterday. I can't believe we hadn't seen each other for over three years! We had delicious minestrone soup, then an invigorating jog-with-bags so Abby could make the train to the suburbs. And she made it!