Bliss-ted

Deckzilla Saturday

I know it’s not a word but I cannot help try to invent something to capture the joy of the past two days surrounded by some of the most important people in my life. It speaks volumes as to the depth of the blessings that my life is replete with when I consider the quality of those same people. I haven’t written since they arrived which means there was incredibly more important tasks to be accomplished – such as wearing hair curlers for the first time, chasing a certain young lady around the house, reading the newspaper with the same lady in my lap (along with her stuffed duck), and too many other mundane yet sublime tasks.

First Friday

Grampa - I Get Kethup! 

So, What Kind of Boss is my Grampa?

The New Jersey contingent drove through the teeth of the Memorial Day weekend traffic and predictably ran afoul of that traffic quagmire known as Connecticut. The delay in their arrival time allowed them to pull in directly to Brew City when they made it to Worcester to join in First Friday celebrations. The First Blog Reader immediately set about charming the entire resident population.

Very Happy

She continued that exercise at home and Saturday morning breakfast was memorable as she performed her usual role as my assistant/supervisor for the preparation of eggs and bacon. With the senior Panamanians present we approached full capacity as my yielded the master bedroom to the family and my wife and I spent the night in the Man Cave where my abilities inflating our new air bed was called into question. Luckily my Favorite Son and the ABFA were inbound to provide the needed training in that area. They joined us bunking in the Man Cave on Saturday night along with Buddy and Riggins which is probably past legal occupancy rates.

First Comes the Opening of Presents, Of Course

Grampa - You Look Stunning

Happy Abuela at Breakfast

Before that memorable night unfolded though we had a Mother’s Day celebration to pursue as Deckzilla was unleashed for the first time this year. We were blessed with perfect weather for an afternoon barbecue as Soxfather and the ABFA’s parents also joined us. You remember I was talking about most excellent people surrounding me. The Great Aunt couldn’t get out of work on this holiday weekend but she sent along bouquets for all the mothers present. We were able to wish stalwart fellow, the Soxfather, his well derived birthday wishes which goes down today. Soxfather is appropriately with his beloved Red Sox for a game today. I count my life exponentially improved on the day we met. He is truly my brother.

Brother and I Yesterday

Presents from Absent Great Aunt

My granddaughter initiated the next phase of her charm offensive on Deckzilla as she demonstrated her improved vocabulary and mobility. Riggins seemed particularly impressed with her while Buddy finally behaved himself around her. He even acquiesced to a couple of hugs and kisses from her. I think that may be a result of all the food she drops during meals.

It was one of those afternoons that seemed to pass at light speed which I guess every afternoon does but you know what I mean. I tried unsuccessfully to keep the mothers unemployed but the guys did manage to accomplish most of the major muscle movements for the barbecue. We had a mountain of dead animal flesh to sear and required a beer resupply late in the afternoon which was surprising. Apparently my wife’s uncle is a bit of a wild card when it comes to beer.

Dueling Rollers

Mom with Son and ABFA

The evening found most of us down in the Man Cave where the youngun’s tried to educate me on some of the internet capabilities of my entertainment system. I’m still not sure how successful they were but it was a lot of fun just hanging out with them. Riggins did not handle the new sleeping arrangements with a lot of grace and made my son’s life semi-miserable overnight. We set up a room divider between the two jury rigged bedrooms and Riggins’ head was wedged underneath it for most of the night.

Reading the Paper Together

This morning’s breakfast was every bit as fun as the previous one with my granddaughter once again establishing her primacy in directing activities. My wife was making a Panamanian breakfast which meant I was the designated horse for my granddaughter, a task I readily assumed. After breakfast my granddaughter took me on a walk around the neighborhood. It’s hard to match her energy level, especially after all that Saturday beer. All too soon everybody had to hit the road which left me bereft of joy and time to write for which I apologize. We received an update from my daughter who reported my granddaughter was asleep before they left the confines of Worcester, so I guess I wasn’t the only one taxed by her seemingly endless energy supply.

Seeing Abuela's Mother's Day Gift

Breakfast Gathering

Center of Attention - Of Course

Bogarting Abuela's Slippers

Burrowing in Search of Toys

Very Happy Grampa

Holding Court

Such a Fashion Plate