All Things Bright and Beautiful

Finally, two days before we'd planned to leave, an opportunity was found for Leah and me to make a pilgrimage to one of the more sacred shrines of our childhood: the camp on Lake Ontario.

The lake was warm (well, relatively!) and the weather angelic. We ate our picnic lunch on the grass and wasted no further time in getting into the water!

It was a bit strenuous, trying to correctively channel the enthusiasm of our two preschoolers and two toddlers into non-life-threatening activities. But we managed. Everyone threw rocks, and no one was hit by one; everyone got in the water (even the ever-reluctant Adele!) and no one risked drowning; everyone climbed all over the rocks like goats and not one little body fell.

Not even this one, try though he might!

It was pretty much a gorgeous experience for everyone. We even taught them how to use rocks to write messages on other, flatter rocks.

Had the tinies cooperated and napped, my legendary partner here and I might have gotten more gab in. But we still found a way, in between episodes.

There was a dirt party, a golf cart expedition (courtesy of Grandpa King) and lots of wave chasing and stone throwing.

Leah even found more driftwood for her collection!

Alas, too soon we had to pile everyone into the cars to head home to Linden, where Jon was making dinner!

We did manage to sneak in a quick trip to Brown's Berry Farm, a place I grew up visiting and remember very fondly, but to which Leah had never been once! So I had the pleasure of introducing all my companions to this lovely farm experience.

The kids were happy even with the part that was available to them after 5pm. We didn't have time for the wonders of Barnyard Adventure this day, anyway. Our time will come!

Please note that this goat (below) is using a pulley to take hold of his own food. They grow goat geniuses up here in WNYS. 

Eventually Adele woke up and joined us, and we got to get into the thick of the berry bushes. I took no pictures for some reason, but we picked a WHOLE lot of absolutely luscious blueberries and ate most of them right there in the patch! Leah bought a small box and fortunately Miles forgot about them, because Abby ate them all on the way home! a decision that, while digestively questionable, certainly kept her busy on the drive home.

This day ended up being one of my favorites of the summer, for the pure sensuousness of it. Next time, it has been decided, we are going ot bring the menfolk, and suitcases, and we are going to stay a while.