Saturday began with Jane dressed up and after she opened her eyes she was ready to go as were Sarah and Suzanne though Benjamin preferred to hide and then only appear in reflection.

We drove off to the restaurant and headed in with Father's Day gifts in tow. The menu offered some nice lunch specials as we had chips and salsa and drinks while we waited for Ben's quesadilla Sarah's (and David's and Jane's) enchiladas and Suzanne's tostada which made for a wonderful meal before David began opening presents and modeled the 2 ties and then tied them in simple knots while opening books to Benjamin's amusement as Jane Benjamin and Suzanne allowed Sarah to take further food pictures

After lunch, we did errands at the shopping center getting Yu-Gi-Oh cards for Ben and change back in our pockets As Benjamin posed with the cards Sarah began her search for the Nalgene helped by this gentleman who helped us decide. Once we got the Nalgene and a carabiner we were ready to go to Eckerd to get these supplies for David's trip as Sarah considered how best to dress her Nalgene Benjamin studied the trading cards and David bought this flag from the Italian cashier who said you couldn't buy flags in Italy. Next, Suzanne joined the crowd to buy these Floss Swords which brought her no end of happiness.

We still had time, so we drove on to the frisbee fields but paused en route to record this wedding party before getting to the field where Suzanne's joy about the Floss Swords continued as Sarah returned to the car for the trip to the concert where we were lucky enough to not hear a bell ringing so that we could enter the building and look down at Jane and Fred who turned to acknowledge our presence as we recorded the program for the day's music as Sandra Olson and the accompanist got ready and then gathered the flutes focusing on Jane and Fred while Inspector Gadget videotaped the first song before Jane returned to tune for her solo which went smoothly and inspired Ben and me to explore further returning in time for the duet before the final group piece which Cindy which Cindy faithfully recorded.

Back at home, Sarah fancied up her Nalgene and then she and Claire followed us to the Fourth of July gathering where Carolyn and Michael welcomed Suzanne as Lucy and Fred emerged from the back room. The balloons made for a festive gathering as the food worried Jane and Fred but amused Sarah and Claire and I had my gin and tonic to keep me happy before we headed outside with balloons (surrogate fireworks, no doubt)

and began to release them

until they could barely be seen far off in the distance though we kept looking to see if they would reappear. Next, we gathered inside where the champagne was opened and the cork removed so that I could be toasted (which was very kind) but there was no champagne for the dog.

Dinner was a Southern style feast of chicken and squash corn on the cob and greens and grits all served on festive linens which looked better when the flash was not used as did the plates. I began with a muffin and ended up with this plate of goodies as the kids drank the juice and Benjamin made headway towards the clean plate club all of which amused Carolyn and Michael as they conversed with Suzanne and Sarah and Claire got ready to head off perhaps because of the candle experiments at the other end of the table while we waited for the bananas Foster which looked much better sans flash as everyone ate in great joy before the Pop'ems came out in their bus-like container to the delight of Benjamin.

After dinner, we went back outside to release the remaining balloons and try to find them as a car drove by so that we went back in to have chocolate and more sugar that inspired further conversation by the girls Michael and Carolyn as Benjamin and the girls decided to go upstairs while Suzanne surveyed the remainder of a very happy meal and a wonderful celebration that ranks with July 4, 2000 and July 4, 2001 and July 4, 2002 in our happy memories.