Saturday, July 16, 2022

Wonderful And Precious Day

Ellen and I did this and that in the morning, then went to Sea Fresh for lunch after Greg left for work. We were in touch at various times for the boys, who were at The Promenade. They had planned to go to some kind of rock(?) music festival on the beach, but when they discovered admission was fifty bucks a pop, changed their minds. Anyway (not "anyways," damnit!), we decided we'd meet at the harbor and El and I, with the assistance of text, Facetime, and Messenger, communicated that to Mike. 

Got there, the boys got there, then we walked the harbor, exploring a bit. Decided to stop at the lower level at Brophy's for cold drinks, did so, and then--in came Mike and sweet Violet! She got acquainted with the boys and they with her before we were called upstairs for dinner.

It was so good and so much fun to have that much of my precious gang together! The older three carried on a warm, funny, inclusive conversation, while the younger four--all of whom tend to be more introspective than outgoing--were drawn out and chimed in. El and I had decided beforehand that she, Mike, and I would go threesies on the check (which was substantial, this being southern California during the tourist season, COVID be damned), but Mike grabbed it and treated us all. I'll add the full group pic when Mike sends it to me, but here are J., J., and T.:

We then strolled the harbor, talking and laughing all the way. Here are Joel, Senior and Violet, who are the actual first cousins--Joel, Junior and Tristan are first cousins, once removed: 

And here's the whole darling gang sans Mom/Nana/Mimi, who took the pic:
Standing, l. to r.: Joel, Jr., Mike, Ellen, Violet; seated, Tristan and Joel, Sr.
Mike and Violet, with ship:


But we finally had to say goodbye to the dear boys, as they had to get up at 4 am this morning to catch their 7:20 plane at LAX.  Many hugs and kisses, with some tears from Nana/Mimi (that's me), then off they went. My sadness at their leaving was eased just a bit by knowing Mike and Violet will be here at least for the next few days. 

4 comments:

iloveac said...

So glad you had time with all of them. The saying goodbye part is sad, so concentrate on the fun times you had. Joel Sr. is one handsome man.
Now, I have to just say... your daughter and son's children are first cousins...they are not once removed. One of Violet's future kids will be 'once removed' to Joel Sr. Then the children of Violet and Joel jr will be 2nd cousins to each other. There will be a quiz on kinship lines later this month. LOL.

Rosemary Molloy said...

Pat, read it again.

iloveac said...

Joel jr and Tristan (sons of Joel Sr.)are siblings to each other and they are first cousins once removed to Violet who is a first cousin to Joel Sr. Is that right? Boy that is confusing.

Mimi said...

Bingo, Pat! Think of it as a ladder: Alison and Mike are sister and brother. Their children--Joel, Sr. and Violet--are first cousins. Any subsequent children of Violet's will be second cousins to Joel's children, Joel, Jr., and Tristan. But wait! What about his children to her? They are first cousins, BUT ONCE REMOVED, soa step down on the ladder. Clear as mud, right?

Tuesday

At nine, I called the Access Van to take me to Ellen's retirement party today and was horrified to learn they don't go to her school...