Mother’s Day weekend started on a forbidding note, as we drove West to Dundalk under gloomy skies. Our host for the afternoon was the North Point branch of the Baltimore Public Library system.
According to the sign that greeted us when we walked through the door, we were expected to have something to say.
It was raining outside, but the interior was cheerful and full of books.
While we set up our projector, Kato made himself comfortable.
Our excellent friend Carol was kind enough to come read books with the kids while Robbi and I did our thing.
We had a special guest, Iris, daughter of Christian and Emily, and owner of extraordinary facial expressions.
We had a small but attentive crowd as we explained how we make our books.
And when we were done, we explained to kids how to make their own.
A challenge they undertook with enthusiasm.
On the way back home, we stopped by IKEA, not with any specific goal in mind, but unable to resist the lure of Swedish meatballs.
We went through the paces of walking the vast maze of furniture options.
And were intrigued by a rug that we will, nevertheless, refuse to buy until the children have graduated from the rampant spilling age.
The same children, who have not yet graduated from the macaroni age, shared a celebratory toast before digging in.
And what were they celebrating?
It was unclear, but it might have had something to do with the pool of chocolate milk Kato had somehow added to his plate.
I had to stop and admire a piece of signage, which served to remind us all how important the letter k can be, especially in its absence.
After we ate, we let the kids play in the children’s toy section for a while. I’ve often wondered if I might not bring the kids to IKEA this summer when school is out. I could sit with my laptop in a tiny plastic chair while they play happily for hours. I think it might work. I wonder if IKEA would mind.
Instead of driving home over the Bay Bridge, as we usually do, we took the northerly route, over the top of the bay.
This route takes one over a different bridge, a beautiful span that towers over the little town of Chesapeake City.
We decided to stop for a while by the water.
And discovered a little ice cream shop that just happened to have Robbi’s life philosophy printed on its wall.
Take a closer look.
She was tempted to apply for a job.
Instead, we took our cones outside and sat by the water as a light rain misted down.
The actual Mother’s Day was yesterday. The kids brought Annie a snickerdoodle and a cappuccino.
And then proceeded to maul baby Charlotte with more than the welcome degree of love.
We took a walk around the block.
Climbed trees in the town park.
And did some climbing at the brown playground in Church Hill.
It was a good weekend, a full weekend.
I’m grateful to the moms who made it possible.
