Happy At Last

This is M., uncle hubby's 'favourite' niece (bro-in-law J's eldest), and actually the quotation marks are there only out of deference to the other 16, thirteen of whom he hardly sees (not that he minds).  After a horrendously stressful divorce, she's living a new life in a new (rented) home with her new friend and two of her three kids (the middle one chose his father's side).  We visited her today and what a happy noisy afternoon it was! Her friend's two daughters had spent the weekend with them (part of the arrangement with his ex) and, together with her daughter, the three girls had a ball with hubby -- clambering onto his back while we cautioned them to be careful not to break it, pulling on his arms (ouch! haha!), and scrambling to pose with him everytime I stood up to shoot.  'My prince', M's lively 11-year-old daughter called him.  All this time, her eldest sat upstairs in his room, alternating between homework and games, although he did come downstairs for a spell because he hadn't seen us for some time.  We have been invited, and have promised as well, to come loads more often in the future, something we intend to do.

Another set of grandnieces to 'replace' the grandchildren we're not allowed to enjoy.

After the rowdy afternoon, hubby and I went to Oud Beijerland (sounds like Bayerland) to make use of the Groupon my students bought me for Christmas (I was flabbergasted! They like me that much?) to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary, which was actually last Friday but which I keep forgetting to mention.  No matter ... everyday is an anniversary with dear hubby.