Graham and Charlotte for the kids - a little heritage and family history

A few days ago we took the kids and Matt and Laura by Mom and Dad's old house in Graham. It looks kinda rough compared to how it once looked but it was nice to see it and have the memories it prompted. Eric met us there and regaled us with stories as only he can. The kids allowed as how he would be a "good grandpa" too.  

Part of the tour included a trip down to the barn where part of Eric's charm included telling some stories about Paul's horsemanship - or rather propensity to fall off one or another of our various horses. The kids thought those stories were funnier than I did. In fact, some I do not remember.  Could be like our TV though.

We then went down 54 to the graveyard to visit Mom and Dad's graves. Was a nice remembrance time there.

The kids asked good questions and seemed genuinely interested in the lives of my parents. I am so glad they went. John Paul stayed connected to me the whole time we were there.

Then it was on to Charlotte and Betty and Arthur's back yard for a picnic lunch. Guess who had the boys excited? Well the three boys, especially these two, followed Art around like he had the keys to the riding lawnmower or something.

It was a beautiful afternoon and we had a nice luncheon. Randall and Sheryl came down from Concord to visit and it was good to seem them too.

Standing on the fence hollarin' for the donkeys. It was in vain. But it was not for lack of effort.

Later riding in Eddie's van — 10 of us, yes 10, we found the donkeys and got to pet one of them.

A lot. He, the male, was quite friendly and patient, apparently enjoying the attention from somewhat reluctant attention givers.

The donkeys hang out with the cows. Actually donkeys keep coyotes away and are social animals who get along with other domestic animals. That is your animal husbandry lesson for the day.

And Ed led an excursion to try to get close to the mother donkey and her two week old baby. To cut to the chase, that is as close as they got.  Mama donkey judged approaching crowd as potentially dangerous — which I assure you, was not.

We reassembled for a swim party and dinner at Ed and Cathy's — you know, work hard, play hard.

and rest hard.

And on the way home got eye exams from Randall while Patt and I visited with Sheryl and Jackie.  A great day — long indeed and slept that evening so we could play Nop-ly the next day.

Back in Raleigh but still traveling and staying busy

There is an amazing park near our home that among other very nice age-sized facilities and things to crawl on and climb over is a six foot high basketball goal which we about wore out. It was bombs away. Good thing we had a bag full of balls. (Child peace hint here - at least one for each seems to satisfy most of the time).

And a makable six foot goal is a real re-enforcement device.

And at the downtown Marbles Museum there are even shorter goals. From the dunkable for Luke which he did once or twice and the more challenging which he gravitated toward for his jump shot.

Isaac liked the jam shot dunk. Only once though as I think a little rim to the wrist action is an unpleasant part of a slam dunk. The uninitiated need to develop a work around. Probably not something Isaac needs to spend a lot of time on though. I did not either when I discovered that wrist hurt thing associated with my slam dunk on a short goal.

Also at Marbles Museum is just about every single other nice toy do-hicky device a kid could want.  The kids had been there three years ago and remembered it very well and wanted to go back to certain "rooms".

There were also various game boards and a big water play area that Luke just about bathed in.

Not that he or any of the other kids would need a bath after eating pudding or anything else. We wash tablecloths daily, enjoy pistachio pudding, molasses and butter mixed with leftover biscuits as desserts and continue card games and Nop-ly.

some last beach photos

As is the story of late, shoulda woulda —da da —nevertheless, To keep the record somewhat straight,  as part of beach week we enjoyed the USS North Carolina despite the inoperable antiaircraft gun.

the steps were plentiful 

portholes and gun turrets great for crawling into and out of - and lots of 'em too.

Meal prep time was not always this full of helpers, but on occasion Patt could assemble an army.

 and they did work well and do real stuff too.  Patt just stays cool and calm, and lets them go.  The little two need some calming down - understatement - on occasion but the big three can get stuff done.

and the nine of us can eat some groceries.

the Wheel House, looks like the Wheel House

Windy day

all of us

the game really was organized, just looks like it was not.

Luke was excited with his teammate - me!  There is no joy in Mudville like the joy of a lucky streak in Noply for Luke and we were on one for a while.

Things we learned you can do at Oak Island

Just a few of the things we did and learned we could do at the beach.  One of the things we did not learn was that John Paul is gregarious and made friends with the group next to us where two of the men "happened" to be fishing.  Well it was not long until one of the men had outfitted the talkative one with a fishing pole and 

well he caught a fish.  

The fisherman was such a nice guy (must have found his hat) and had the other kids sharing a chance to fish as well.  Isaac and Luke caught fish.

We learned how to sit in chairs at the beach at low tide.

We thought this was a good idea.

The kids and Matt built huge sand structures.  Complex engineering structures, well-built structures.

and played on them.

This being the beach and sand being sand, and a new day being, well, new.

 And new plans meant a different structure was built.

And tides doing what tides do made, this one a lot of fun too.

Sand bars are great places for tossing a football.

And as the tide rolls in for sitting and talking

or sitting and answering questions.

Beach shopping is an important part of going to the beach.

 And "keep away" is such a great game.

At Oak Island with 5 of Our Grandkids (and Matt and Laura too)

Patt and I are here with Matt, Laura, Julianna, Lydia, Isaac, John Paul and Luke.  AWESOME!

Oak Island Fourth of July week has not changed as much as I thought it would. Check out the crowd.  Uuuuge, just huuuuge.  Not.  This is a 10:30, 11:00ish photo and well we are not to fenced in by people.  (the PM is a little different).  

The tent is a new addition and well we shoulda had it long long ago.

Luke and John Paul saw two young teenage boys down the beach fishing for bait fish and it was not long before they had helpers.  The guys were amazingly patient with the two talking machines and helpers who were quick to pick up the fish that WERE caught. Yes they caught about a dozen. Great excitement and events to retell.

Waves to ride

Sevens (and rummy) to play, here the kids are playing among themselves!!!

Granddaddy taught them Monopoly and Luke and John Paul and all of them love it. Look at John Paul and Luke discussing rent to be collected on a property as Lydia is completing a transaction. Seriously they were - and with delight.

Note John Paul's reaction over a missed opportunity for rent- or conversely Luke rolling the number he needed to collect rent. Patt did an excellent job on this photo. Check out Lydia's, Isaac's, Julianna's and my attention too, to the roll of Luke's dice.

We have enjoyed all sorts of surf play.

And basically enjoyed being at the beach.