Let's Revisit That Reunion

We are so fortunate to have generous and loving children.  Perfect example of that are these photos below, some sent to me from Ray, others posted by Lorelei.  And, of course, there's a little story for each of them.

After the village's Independence Day parade, we went to a restaurant overlooking a waterway and dined out on the deck.  Under shady umbrellas, of course.  The little cousins waved and yelled to the boaters passing by and dropped pieces of bread for the duck.  No matter that there were no ducks to be seen - - too many boats?  too little duckfood?

  There was very good food - - lobster rolls, french dip roast beef sandwich, fish tacos (or was that shrimp tacos), fresh corn on the cob, and good fries. And lemonade and iced tea and cold beer.  Ray and Joe split this very red beast for their lunch.

Big one for lunch - for two of the guys.

But before the big red monster was eaten, somebody had to get close for an examination of the creature.

If you ever want to have breakfast with Gaby, you need to get up very very early.  I think she must open her eyes when the first sun's rays peek into the room.  Anyway, Joe and I get up early also, and we have our coffee and she has what her loving mother serves to her.  And then everyone is happy. 

This is what a well-fed granddaughter thinks of being held by her grandfather.  Cute smiles all around!

Andreas is an artist and Lorelei is director of an art gallery.  So it was pretty natural for them to go off to visit the Parrish Art Museum, recently relocated in a bright big new building on the Montauk Highway.

We know who the child is; we don't know who the man is.  And the painting's artist must be Fairfield Porter.  I once had a friend who mentioned his name as the only "representational" painter worth anything.  I had no idea what she meant.

There's a wonderful children's museum somewhere out on Long Island and we spent time there late one morning.  While Ray conducted some business via smart phone, Tara and Matt did many things together, and I followed the cutest girl in the place as she practiced walking and walking.  She's only 14 months old and still getting the hang of it.  I watched her walk up a ramp - a bit of a challenge, more difficult than balancing on a level floor.  We went outside for a few moments - glory be, it was HOT.  So before any photos were taken, I made sure that we were comfortable in a bit of shade.

Not much shade, but enough for baby girl.

On Friday night we broke out the boxes of sparklers and introduced Matt to the idea that he could hold sparks in his hand.  Carefully demonstrating how to hold the flashing wire, how to wave it around, run with it, make zig-zags in the air, and how to dispose of it when the flashes are gone.  It didn't take long for him to understand.  

Sparklers for four after sundown!

The holiday ran from Tuesday afternoon to Sunday morning.  It's always hard to leave, to drive away from people you love.  And this holiday had more than one of those - - Lorelei and her family left on Thursday for the long road trip back to the midwest.  When I hugged her goodbye, I said that I was not going to let go so she could not leave.  I felt the same way on Sunday, hugging Ray and Tara and the kiddos.  It was a very good holiday.