I wish every day was the 4th of July…

We had the boys last night, and once again, it was two geezers getting the toddler beat-down. And a fantastic time was had by all.

Seems it was Grandparents Take Grandchildren to the Park Night at Brookside East. And we didn’t even go till around 7:45 p.m. We saw two other sets of grandparents playing…possibly doing the “let’s wear them out before bedtime” game. Heh.

It’s not that I want to bomb my space with pictures of my grandchildren (all right, that’s a big fat lie), but what is more delightful and simple and beautiful than children laughing and playing? It’s something I wish I could watch all the time, every day. Behold:

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And that’s how I spent my Saturday night. Bring on the Tylenol, and let’s do it all over again.

And a fine Christmas morning to you all! I’m on my way to see my two most wonderful gifts open their presents. Jake, 2 years, and Justin, 7 mos.:

It was fantastic hanging with the family last night (minus Lars, Helen, Jon and Simone, who are in Texas for the holidays — we’re catching up with them in January). The boys had great fun opening and playing with their new toys — and so did the adults. We laughed a lot, as is our custom. It was a great night. It’s all about family, no?

Hope Santa was good to you as well, my fiends. After gift-opening, we’re on our way to Detroit. Viva la casino. Yep.

FO

Yay! We love giving feasts at the Fink house. Today is BFF Kay’s. Mavis and I spent some time yesterday and last night getting ready for it.

For those of you who don’t know, my best friend for around 18 years now is this lady. Int she the cutest? Kay has had a wonderful career as an opera singer, Ohio Arts Council Artist-in-Residence, and studio teacher (a bigger knock-out voice you’re unlikely to find — g/f can shake the rafters). She’s done everything from Puccini to oratorio to cabaret. I even got her to monkey around with some jazz once. I’m still working on the rock and roll…

Anyway, not only is she an amazing singer, she’s a wonderful watercolor artist, writer, and all-around world traveler. She and her husband, Bob (remember my serenade by the accordion player?) live half the year in Slovenija and half here in Buckeye nutville.

Best of all, she’s just good peeple. Fortunately for me, she chose to spend the last two decades wasting time on the Fink. She’s like family, yes Mavis?

Anyway, it’s her birthday feast today — and she won’t even mind that we’re fixing a meat dish for all the carnivores who don’t share her vegetarian lifestyle, but heart her all the same.

HB BFF K!

FO…gotta think about starting the macaroni and cheese

So yeah — got some work done on the thesis. It’s ready to submit for the final feedback, then I make some (hopefully) small changes and give it the heave-ho on Tuesday the 1st, and wait for my grade (oh, and the diploma). I can see the finish line.

Had my sis’s birthday feast last night (we celebrated the birthday of  Jake and Justin’s other grammie, Jane, too). It was a grand time.

Six-month-old Justin was making us laugh. It’s fun when you begin to see a baby’s personality developing. We told Hannah last night that she was fortunate indeed to have two babies in a row with happy dispositions. Yay!

Yes, I have an Obligatory Grammie Showoff Photo:

I predict lots of opportunities to hone my Flip Video editing skills. Just gotta get through these next couple of weeks…

Happy Monday.