If You Please

John's parents came to visit us at the beginning of July (I think). We had a wonderful time. Now, mind you, their company is enough to make any visit with them more than wonderful, but if you haven't learned this by now, when Dude and McGamma come a'visiting, we sometimes Do Things. They took the us to Chuck E. Cheese's (I believe Millie has a crush on a giant mouse suit now), to a McDonald's Playplace (the girls' first time ever), to a moviehouse (Ratatoille! Popcorn! Soda! Candy!), and out to eat. Whew! Aren't you exhausted just reading that? Now imagine how they felt escorting me and three girls (and sometimes their bearded son) to all those places! Plus, John took us all to the merry-go-round and Italian ice place again. I bet they slept for a week once they got back to the Island. We miss them and hope to return the favor when we visit Long Island, Lord willing, in September. (You just wait, Long Island, here we come...)



Papa holds Susannah on the merry-go-round.




Here we are walking back to the car, post-go-round. Dude was not angry (he's a very gracious gentleman), but I did surprise him with a faster camera draw than Billy the Kid.




At the restaurant, Dude showed Millie how to hold water inside the straw with her finger. (You know the trick, right...?)



Susannah relished the restaurant's fancy butter.



This was Annika right before the movie began. Now imagine her during it. (Actually, she was transfixed, but she's clueless of theater etiquette and kept exclaiming her joy/fright/surprise/consternation/confusion in very loud overtones.)




The oldest and youngest fell asleep on the ride home while the middle child did a very poor imitation of sleep.



Grandma Owen brought the girls bags of loot, including fancy poofs of dresses and jump ropes. (You try to find a better combination.) Millie is holding the other side of the rope while Dude jumps it.




Here are the girls at their first visit to a McDonald's Playground. They hated it. Just look at those grimaces!!!



John's birthdate fell close enough to their visit for us to have a miniature Fakebirthday. Here the girls help him open his presents.



And here, John teaches Millie skateboard tricks. (Only slightly related to the birthday picture in that it occurred the same evening and they are wearing the same clothes.)