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)
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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.