"Dewey, Why are You Stabbing the Potatoes?"

I can't begin to tell you how much fun I'm having on this trip.  Kids play Memory with me all day long.  Or Go Fish.  It never gets old.  Sometimes I win, but not this particular game with Julia this morning.

Nate and I played a two-person game of Go Fish.  A special vocabulary has evolved around my games.  For example, "You're bleeding" has a specific meaning.

Jacob horsed around with my camera while waiting for Matt to drive him to Grammy and Pa's house to mow their lawn.  He ended up taking the cap off and joining us in a few rounds.

Nate won a round with the creepy doll, a victory I never want.

Julia spent part of the morning washing her beloved kitchen.  She has made the decision to gift the kitchen to her little cousin Ben.  She sorted through dishes and food, too.  This was a tender time.

Dave spent a considerable amount of time trying to open the battery case to the burner so it would once again snap, crackle and pop.  The good news is we think a repair part is available.  An interesting fact is that this kitchen came to Julia via a garage sale.  What a well-built toy!

Matt loaded the kitchen in Papa's car while Julia laughed.  Then Matt and I dragged Main, so to speak.  I was game for anything except the car driving itself.

We arrived home just in time for lunch.  The watermelon came from the backyard garden.

After lunch, a birthday present was in order.  The resident diva, a.k.a Julia, looked on.

Before running off for a play practice. Matt and Nate enjoyed the birthday gift.

A brief interruption was necessary while Dad made necessary adjustments to Nate's costume.

Julia is going to be the tooth fairy for Halloween.

Afternoons at Dave's house are wonderful.  While some people napped, he and I and a few kids checked out the latest Star Wars trailer.

I put potatoes in the oven for dinner.  Nate and Julia were fascinated that I used a knife to prick the skins.  This ritual was an unquestioned part of the culture of my upbringing.  I explained that my mother taught me that a potato might explode while baking in the oven.  Their doubts led to a long, hilarious conversation with Dave explaining the dynamics of why an explosion was possible. Maybe you had to be there.

Grammy and Pa joined us for dinner and cake.  This is a special birthday for Nate, made even more special once the 8th candle was located.

Grammy's gift to 8-year-olds is a monogramed towel.  Nate loved it.

Fortunately for the adults, Nate also got some cool toys.

Mel had marched all day long, arriving home in time for leftover cake.

Will also marched.  Their band did well.  Notice their sunburns.

I was the designated tender while Dave made last minute preparations for tomorrow.  No one minds when I stream a little Star Trek.

In the meantime, Papa and Carolyn watched Matt, one of the leads in his school play, bring Will Shakespeare to life.  Finally the day was over, but I can't wait for tomorrow.