Rainy Days & Rainy Nights

Stormy weather has led us to unexpected activities, each with their own rewards:

• Bed-hopping. Due (in part) to the thunderstorm, our sleeping arrangement last night changed 7 times: Jeff/Alice + John + June + Will - Jeff - Will + Will - June.

• Game Room. Mentoring relationships blossomed. Will to Clara in pool and checkers; June to John in foosball and chalk.

• Exercise: John became the stair-master.

• Tea Party: You don't want to know how much honey is in that tea. Or in June's case, how many tea leaves.

• Toys: John bonded with a favorite new toy, while Jeff and I silently questioned his intelligence.

• Horseback Riding. We finally got out, and the rain only made our ride more memorable. Since I was in Aspen at 19, I've always wanted to get acquainted with the T Lazy 7 Ranch. I rode for an hour with Will and Clara, while June had a 20-minute pony ride on "Buttercup." Will steered "Moonshine" with brave aggression (I'm sure he was acting out some battle in his head, poor horse), while Clara, on "Mouse," wore carefully safety-pinned jeans and a rare look of calm the whole ride. John cried and slept in the stroller.

• Movie: To wrap up the day, Will seized on the rain and begged for Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone. Jeff seized on the movie and had a date with his i-phone.