A Quiet Morning

on the lake yesterday

with Toby plotting a swimming course through the lily pads,

a moose leisurely grazing at the north end,

and Tulip lounging on the bank near our dock.

Bethels

Rachel and Simon flew back to Panama a few days after Sam and clan left.

David, Gwen Wren and David's dad John stayed on through the weekend.

This gave Gwen the opportunity to dress up

in many outfits.

 

And to dress up willing others!

 

 And gave me the chance to have almost another week of our early morning breakfasts together on the dining room porch--which I loved!

Then it was time for the 3 Bethels to climb into John's van, whisk away to Boston, and then David and Gwen return to Panama.

We miss you, Tulip misses you...thank you for coming.  We love you!

More Birthdays

 

Saturday before last we celebrated several more birthdays:

 

Gwen's 4th, which actually was in June. Her choice: this colorful (and tough) butterfly pinata. 

 

 

Theo's early 70th (we tend to celebrate these b'days early and late) which I haven't got any photos of, but which was fabulous!

 

 

 

And Max's real 3rd b'day on Sunday morning.  We squeezed it in at breakfast as Sam and family left for Burbank at noontime.

 

 

The bike helmet made it back to Burbank

 

 

 

 

but not the talking parrot which repeated everything you said--twice.  Delightful!  

But don't worry guys, it's in the mail to you as I write.  

 

The house is so quiet now.  We're missing you and we so loved having you all here!

Clarice!

What made the week of Sam and kids and Rachel and David and kids here so special and much easier was the magic factor of a patient and wonderful woman, Clarice!

 

Here's Tom, her dad, who brought her over from Portland at the beginning of the week.

 

Immediately she was gobbled up by eager kids.

 

 And more eager kids--all loving how she played with them.

She was a major factor in getting both Gwen and Maddie to learn to swim (underwater too!).

 Simon didn't want to be without her.

She organized activities for the kids--tricky ones too--like everyone icing Tulip's birthday cake.

We would find her at any time during the week gently talking to or playing with one, two, three, four kids.

Thank you many, many times Clarice.  We all fell in love with you!

 Chocorua Activities

Lots of help in repositioning the swing.

Watching the clouds.

Getting TV!

Collecting ultra big sticks.

Pick-up hockey in the barn.

A sweet moment of repose.

TV dinners while watching our first movie (Tangles).

Jess arrives--hurray!

At Storyland

Not far up Rte. 16 from Chocorua is a small special place for kids--Storyland.

 We went there on Thursday.

 

Waiting for the train.

Getting started.

The Whale Ride with Sam, Max, and Maddie,

and again with Gwen and Clarice.

 

Simon--digging the circus. 

Fun day!

Wednesday

Celebrating Tulip's birthday.

 

Blueberries on the cake, and candles.

Going to the Remick Farm.