Summer blast, part 1

I know that I am about two months overdue on reporting on our awesome summer. And believe me, it was awesome. I have the pictures to prove it. So, I am going to try and blast through the Brockway+Metcalf summer in a couple days. Lots of pictures, not so much tipsy narration. Hopefully I'll catch up and can resume posting semi-weekly updates for all six of our grandparents, and all of you other crazy people who want to cackle over my grey hair and ample butt.

Sooo, the last time our faithful heroes updated, we spent a soggy week visiting New Jersey and returning to my homestead in New York. I had a lovely weekend in NYC with Oscar B and Gretta and Papa Jim, and then my husband flew in from the West Coast. We smooched Gretta and Papa Jim goodbye and decamped for Pawling. 

 My darling friend Lexie came to visit. She snuggled with my kids and engaged them with tales of her doggies. Next visit to the East Coast will include a day or two at Lexie's place wallowing in pups. 

 

 

Evan and I picked up the kids from Farm Camp and made a quick trip down to South Orange. We had put out the call to local friends and they met us at our favorite local park.   

Here's my Goose and her bestie. I wonder if they will have a relationship like Lexie and I? They certainly pose just like we did/do.

 

Oscar B and his pal, up against the wall. 

 

Girlies on the rocks. I can't tell you how much I miss this vista. 

 

17 year cicadas? Yes, we have those. 

 

Plotting at the water fountain. 

 

Maia and her willing apprentice. 

 

Oscar and Lucas, doing all kinds of unacceptable play. With guns. 

 

Big Hank; Hank.

 

After a bit of running around we descended on the Trat for good pizza. Honestly, I hadn't thought this through. We showed up with 30 people and they managed to put some tables together and feed us good pizza. Our forever babysitter, Sophie, showed up with her dad. The kids attempted to crawl inside Sophie's skin and Evan and I gossiped with her dad. 

 

We had pizza, tipped outrageously, and made our way up the hill for frozen yogurt and Carvel.  We hung out in Spittola Park until dusk and finally had to say good night, since the kids had FARM CAMP in the morning. You don't screw with Farm Camp. 

It was a seriously lovely evening with many friends. As lame as it is, it made me so grateful for social media so I can stay in touch with them.

Back to Pawling and Farm Camp. 

Arlo gazing in the distance, Camellia pecking in the foreground.

I took those hills for granted when I was growing up.

In the chicken coop.

Sweetest cow ever. Not that I have a huge cow posse to draw from.

One day, the kids brought home this carton of eggs. We marveled over the breath of color and size. And then the kids refused to eat them. (Mom and I found them delicious.)

 

I could pat this fuzzy nose all day. Arlo, too. 

Oh! The piggies! They were named Beyoncé and something else. They were honking and wiggling and totally adorable. And, according to the farm family, quite delicious in about six months.

Farm built around a huge rock.

Bridles hanging in the barn.

Hay drying in the upper part of the barn. I have watched too many zombie movies because when I look at this, I assume someone will be up there losing their virginity while the zombie hoards move in underneath.

 

On Thursday, after Farm Camp, we went for a visit with my second cousin Susie and her mom, my Aunt Eli. They live on Candlewood Lake and always love a chance to take the kids out on a motor boat ride. 

 

It was seriously thrilling. Susie is an old hand at this and let the kids take the wheel at frighteningly high speeds, which delighted the kids and made me completely ill. 

Picture this image with Ride of the Valkyries playing in the background.

It did all kinds of interesting things to Arlo's hair.

It was a perfectly lovely day. The kids had farm camp in the morning, and then a breathlessly exciting stint on a really fast boat.

More in the next day or two.