Of Shells

Joe's speech also still sometimes takes some funny turns.  The boys came back from Long Island with all kinds of shells: some clam shells, an oyster shell, a horseshoe crab shell, and a whole bunch of what Aunt Kate identified for Julie as "jingle shells"--thin peach discs that do indeed jingle, and which also look beautiful piled into a glass lantern.  One morning, not long after the boys were back, we were talking about the all the shells that they'd brought home, and Joe said there were also "shaver shells."  Some of our Fans might also immediately recognize these as razor clam shells.

This classic Southold picture brought to you by stringer photographer Grandpa Tom.

Clouds and Crackers

Sunday afternoon's sky

The Birds did the week's shopping this past weekend while the boys were in Southold.  As Julie was going through the coupons, she found one Ted had clipped for $1 off two Nabisco products.  No doubt he was thinking of spending it on two packages of Oreos, but--probably because Julie was missing the boys and feeling nostalgic for when she was discovering everything about Ted new for the first time, like all for what Southold was shorthand--she decided to get some Ritz crackers and whipped cream cheese, which she learned was an Ekkers snack.  She gave Clara some of both Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday afternoon, Birdie requested "clouds and crackers" as an afternoon snack.  (Fittingly, the rain had given way to blue sky, sunshine, and fluffy clouds by then, which found the Birds pattering on the deck.  Julie took the picture above while lolling about in one of the chairs with her book.)  Julie isn't sure if it was because Birdie couldn't remember "cream cheese," or she thought the whipped cream cheese looked like clouds, or a little bit of both, but in any case, obviously, "clouds and crackers" the snack shall be known as from here on out.

Birdie, on a Sunday afternoon

What the Birds Did Yesterday

They flew through a lot of rain. It was a wet day. Conditions were not ideal for the annual St. Louis Park Parktacular parade, but the Birds were undaunted. They made their way to Joe and Clara's friends Eli and Emma's house for lunch and then camped out with them ms their mother at the end of the block. Parade participant energy was low and their attendance may have been impacted by the weather. (There was only one marching band, which attempted Rhapsody in Blue, a bold choice for the early summer parade. Hang on Sloopy anyone?) The Birds wore the bunny glasses Grandma Connie and Grandpa Charles had sent at Easter which drew several cheers and comments from those  marching in the parade.

After the Birds had celebrated the Park, they made a summer cake (buckle) to take to Julie's friend Ms. Anne who had a baby a week ago yesterday. They stayed a long while. Julie held the baby and Birdie had tea with Ms. Anne's mom like a real visiting lady.

The Birds had dinner out at Hello Pizza where Julie had a moment where she observed Birdie's distinct otherness when Birdie ordered a slice with pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms.  Mushrooms? Mushrooms. Julie (and Ted) don't care for them but Birdie gobbled them right up. But they split a salad, too, including the croutons which were divided exactly evenly.

A stormy night followed a wet day, but that made snuggling in the big bed that much more cozy.

Southold Day 3

Nice weather can really improve a day out in Southold so we were glad we got one.  Joe woke up around 7 and headed out the door saying Uncle Scott said to wake him up. So pancakes with Scott was the first activity. It wasnt soon after that we were headed to the beach. Joe was determined to build a sand castle with a moat just like he heard from the "Moe and Sara" story Ted told him the night before.  So he dug and scooped various structures, sometimes while wearing his snorkel mask. He was convinced to go back to the house for lunch and soon after we all went to Greenport. He rode the carosel three times and even geabbed a few brass rings.  We also went and toured a fire boat that was as old as Grandpa, and stopped in at the tiny nautical museum.  When we got back to the red house Joe, Scott and Ted took out the kayak for a little spin collecting some clam shells on the little island across the water.  After that everyone enjoyed time on the porch.  He greeted Aunt Susie and Uncle Les with big hugs and showed Susie how his ipad worked.  There was one last trip to the beach to swing with Nick and look at shells and sit in a big hole in the sand.  Back at the house just as dinner was ending Aunt Mary Jo arrived (also greeted first with a big hug from Joe).  Over dessert Mary Jo asked Joe to read to us, so he got a "Harry the Dirty Dog" book and read the whole book to the room. By then the little man was done and asked to go to bed, upon whichhe requested another Moe and Sara story at the beach, "but a different one."

Southold Day 2

There is nothing quite as disappointing as a rainy day in Southold, but that is what we had so we made the best of it.  The boys were up early so they took a walk along the beach before the rain kicked in.  They collected fun looking shells along the way and watched the seagulls. After pancakes by Grandpa Tom, we headed over to Orient Point (or as Ted talked it up for Joe-the end of the world) to collect a few souvenir stones for Julie, and by then the rain was there to stay. Back at the house Joe played with silly glasses, did a puzzle, and explored the attic. Joe found 3 Berenstein Bears books so he clambered up on a bed to read one, and Ted found a painting and some jam jars. After lunch Ted took Joe on a drive. By the time they got to Horton Point lighthouse Joe was asleep, so they did a car nap for a while, and when Joe awoke he dragged himself out to look at a lighthouse still half asleep. They stopped off at the grocery store to get sugar and gelatin and then drove to a farmstand for strawberries and rhubarb, and finished with an ice cream cone too big to finish. 

Back at the little red house Joe went back to playing when Lynn found a bag of balloons for him and Ted settled in to make a batch of jam. Grandpa Tom took everyone out for a nice dinner, probably the nicest restaraunt Joe has ever been in.  All things considered Joe did well. Plain pasta and lemonade were procured for Joe, and there was a guitar duo to serve as entertainment. The pinnacle of the evening was when Joe had tied his napkin around his neck and had fingers in his ears because the music was too loud. Back at the house Joe tried all his silly games on Lynn and Grandpa Tom while everyone waited for Aunt Kate, Uncle Scott, and cousin Nick to arrive. Only then could the little boy finally go to sleep.