early riser

Just as we feared, Dennis was up before the roosters this morning. I've been so exhausted this week because he's recently bumped his wake-up time back to 6:00 a.m., not a time when I'm at my best. This morning we heard him broadcasting loud and clear right at 5:00. Naturally he woke Chloe up, and they were often shushed and scolded but never really returned to sleep. There are four very sleepy adults this afternoon!

We had a nice morning despite scary thunderstorm-and-wind-gust weather. We drove out to Dave's brother's horse farm and the kids played around in the barn, communing with the horses that were in there. Dennis wasn't comfortable petting any of them, but he did talk to them. He also talked to the tractors and the mule that was outside. His favorite thing may have been the John Deere Gator that he and Chloe pretended to drive (funny how she's always the driver when they are in a vehicle together). After they got out, he kept saying that he wanted to "ride the alligator". We're headed home now, having enjoyed several great meals and some very good company. I hope we'll see them again before the 4th of July, but we certainly have plans together for that day.