Mom was here for 5 days before everyone else got here and we got the place ready for additional visitors by hauling out the pull out bed, and finding linens etc. We had a good time with mom, she's low maintenance and enjoyed new experiences like pulled-pork sandwiches, with coleslaw. And espresso ice-cream. Brother and family got here on Saturday and on Sunday we had other friends over for a clam-bake type cookout complete with lawn games and Frisbee.
We went Kayaking on Monday - in the worst heat wave that we have had in years. Of course we all jumped into the river and had a good swim. Cooled off and kept going for a few hours. The California crowd couldn't get over the heat and humidity.
The Family on the River
Brother and Nephew (aka minx)
A cool cloud and sun thing happening.
The Nephew.
Is a complete and adorable troublemaker. He's just 13, but you know how boys can be - he acts and seems more like 10 than 13. He loved the quilt I made for him and used it all week. He zips around the house with his iPOD getting in trouble at all turns. He surprises me, like the day he asked if all my CD's were arranged by "genre". (??). He is starting guitar lessons soon and wants to "shade on the rock side, as opposed to the folk side". He hates reading but loves music. He was amazed at all our "old" CD's - and tried to copy some onto his iPOD and my computer is still recovering from the assault. He's small, but keeps asking me how tall his Dad was at his age (small I tell him, and look at him now) - he desperately wants to grow as tall as his Dad. I don't point out that his mom is only about 5 feet tall, and her brothers are about 5'5" at the most - who knows how tall he will grow.
I think this kid is very special and enjoy the hell out of him. Below are some typical poses.
The Niece -
Shown in typical poses below. Always kind and caring, yet not a saint. Beautiful girl with a figure that is wow wow. Runner, soccer player, musician, reader, writer, photographer, straight A student - but realistic about not always being the brainiest in the class. Willing to work hard for her goals and wanting to do well. She looks so much like me at her age, but with a freshness and openness that I never had. A confidence and attitude that I envy and admire. This is one very special girl - I was amazed at the complete pleasure that I got from being with her. She is so smiley and happy to help around the house, but with enough 15 year old self absorption to keep her human. I adored having her around and encouraged her to apply to East Coast colleges when she is ready. She just smiled....
Sean and Brian came over on their birthday Wednesday and we had cake and candles and presents - they were just thrilled. After that - Movie night and we watched an awful movie and made jokes and ate ice-cream. I love these pictures so much I'm posting two.
We went sightseeing one day, and ended up at the Old North Bridge in Concord, MA - where the first real battle happened that started the Revolutionary War way back in 1775. The heat was on and the river was enticing. Mom wanted to put her feet in the river, but it was a bit of a walk over a slightly steep riverbank - my initial inclination was to say that it was too unsteady for her to walk down to the water. Then the better half of my brain kicked in with "it's your mom, she's old, she wants to feel the water on her feet - get real Mim - and just help her out". So we walked down to the water and she got to dabble her feet in the cool river. I felt good about this even if I did have to keep her upright by holding onto her pants waistband.
One night we even had fireworks and ran inside when we heard police sirens. They weren't for us, but sometimes people complain about the noise... but we only set off a few...
It really has been an awesome few weeks - from Sedona to Mass. Work again next week and I do wish I could have another week off to recuperate from all the activity. Happy last few weeks of Summer to you all...
18 comments:
I loved seeing the pictures and reading your thoughts about them.
I recently spent time with my family and it was wonderful too.
One thing struck me and that was the little posting about helping your Mom down to the river. I'm no glad you did. When John's mother was 85 she came out to visit us and we took a walk down the hill into the valley. The walk through the woods was about to end when we came upon a huge tree that had fallen across the path. I wanted to turn back. Mom said,"I really wanted to see the stream one more time, darn," John and I helped her crawl over the log. She saw the stream. I mention this because when she was 94 and dying she took my hand and thanked me for helping her see her favorite stream one last time. We never know how important those ripples are do we?
:)Bea
what an adorable post today. love the niece and nef...what cool kids,can see they are unspoilt and unaffected, happy to spend time with the family. lots of new memories were made and that's what counts. love the smiley pics, but that firworks one is fantastic. have a quiet and peaceful weekend mim.
Bea - you are SO right. I had a moment of impatience and then a revelation of compassion. Mom always loved putting her feet in the water - and I'm really glad I helped her do that and didn't treat her like an old lady.
SB - I am so blessed!
You have a gorgeous family. I know your home feels empty with them all gone but your heart is obviously full of wonderful memories.
wonderful stories of the visits and fun. Everyone so beautiful with big smiles. So generous of you to open your house and heart to them. And yes, I too loved the scene of you holding Mom's pants as she scooted down the bank. Lucky mom and luck y you.
Oh Mim, you are so right-let her feet get wet as often as she likes. Holding her pants, did you get a weird tinge of role reversal? I'm learning that the role reversal is normal and natural too-just go with it.
This post brought me happy tears and choked me up in a good, reminiscing way. I love the picture of you and your mom by the river bank. How precious is that?
Good one Mim. I've enjoyed the visit.
Mim, this is a delightful post! Thank you for sharing your week and lovely family with us. My family is mostly gone now, and the few that are left are scattered around the country. I can surely see the love in every photo.
That was a wonderful thing you did, helping your mom down to the water. The tiniest things are the ones most remembered, and I know that is a memory she will keep with her.
Happy last few weeks of Summer to you, too.
What a wonderful week you had. Your family is lovely. Thanks for the insite on each of them. I loved the photo of the sunflowers against that white building with your neice in it. Great shot.
Lots of memory making days you had with everyone and they too.
Oh Mim, there is so much magic here. So much magic in your family.
Your nephew is a cutie and your neice is absolutely gorgeous. As a matter of fact your whole family is beautiful.
I have to tell you though, the fact that your better mind got hold of you and you walked your mom to the water and then I saw the pictures made me cry.
love Renee xoxo
I'm so glad you had a happy visit, and I thoroughly enjoyed the photos. We have buckeye trees here in Oregon too thanks to people planting them as street trees.
Lovely post Mim!
Enjoyed all the pictures
Your niece and nephew sounds and seems like a lot of fun!
And so good your Mom had her feet in the water! Good for you!!!
Have a nice weekend!!!!
Wow...love the family stories and shots...cute beautiful children...love wild nephew and beautiful neice...and mom with feet in water and you for getting her there.
glad you had this time.
nice that your house and heart hold so many.
oh my wonderful friend mim.....
What a great post, Mim! Enjoyed meeting your family and seeing your pictures. How wonderful that you created great memories for everyone there.
Linda
I took my mom to our local beach last week, and she mentioned that many years ago, when her father visited my parents at their beach, someone would carry buckets of cold, ocean water up to where he sat in order to allow him to soak his feet. He too, was in his 80's but too unsteady to walk on the long expanse of sand.
Such a sweet gift to your mother.
Wow, what a nice "vacation" for you and your family. It looks like you guys had so much fun.
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