Summer 2014: Fireworks, swimming, fun!

Well, summer sure has been flying by...but we've had a lot of fun. Our background music has, as anyone with young children--especially girls--knows: "Let it go, let it go" from Frozen...Julia likes to belt it out wherever we 'go' ... complete with the hinky voice 'kink' in a line or two...

On the Fourth of July weekend, we were fortunate enough to see not one, but two sets of fireworks. The first was in St. Mary's County, MD--at the River Concert Series, a wonderful Friday night affair every July. It's right out of a Norman Rockwell painting--families surround a bandshell while the Chesapeake Orchestra plays everything from Schubert to Duke Ellington.

On July 6, we headed to Vera's Beach Club. It's a staple in the area--a huge 'beach club' on the water, serving mostly fried food...but with gorgeous views. Named after the original owner, Vera.

I met her when she was 99, with her hair down to her waist, moving from table to table to greet everyone...ethereal...She's no longer alive, but her friend keeps the place in its original format...

Here are some pics, more to come!

 

 Graham, flexing his muscles

 A 'museum' in the playroom, featuring painted clay tchotchkes, er, treasures

 Toothless!

 "It's not a whale, mom, it's an orca!"

 Julia, with her sweet little croacker, I think she named her Lucy. From Chesapeake's Bounty--we didn't go fishing

 More "toothless"

 Me, after having gutted my first rockfish--or, fish, ever!--taking the head off and wishing I'd also taken my wedding ring off. The background voices were "ewwww, that is so disgusting" to "cool"

 Fireworks for sale--Solomon's Island, MD.

 Solomon's Island fireworks, July 5, 2014

 Our dear friend Joe, an engineer, and Graham compare notes on G's Lego motor

 Future Engineer, adjusting the umbrella

 Blowing on her food to cool it down...at Vera's.

 Terence, looking content

 oops

 Julia, cuddled up at Vera's Beach Club, sunset

 Graham, standing next to his design for July 4. (I have another to post of an even cooler design--made from clay--to come.)

 Whoa! Look at how tippy this is!

 July 4, St. Mary's County, MD

 Fireworks behind the band shell, Cheasapeake Orchestra.

 Julia, grabbing a bite to eat at the concert.

 Mom, is she real? What Is This?

"Let it go, let it go....." belting it out at the pool.