We took NJ Transit to Princeton Junction--this time on an uncrowded train. We have developed some expertise in buying tickets quickly from the kiosks. Jeff picked us up again and we had lunch at his house. Then it was on to Gladwyne to Laura's home. Google Maps took us on a bit of a run around and we probably should have trusted our own instincts.
Once everyone gets home from school, the noise and activity picks up considerably. I played Chutes and Ladders with R while Jim played another board game with A. Gabrielle, the wonderful nanny, fixed chicken salad sandwiches for supper. There was more kids time in the basement before everyone finally got settled down. R insisted some of us at least had a prayer time before bed--which she remembered from previous trips. She still likes me to sing the same songs with her--always making the on purpose mistake of singing Laura's name instead of hers. I wonder how long she will think that is funny. I will be sad when she gets too sophisticated.
We didn't watch the Warriors beat the Cavaliers in Game 3 or watch the Cubs beat the Phillies but Jim gets the wrap-ups on his iphone.
Thursday: A woke us up by jumping into bed with us at 6:30. By 7:30 all four kids were in bed with us at one time or another. By 8:30 it was quiet again with three of them off to school and A off on his adventures with Gabrielle. After getting a much needed load of wash started, Jim and I walked to the center of town and enjoyed an outdoor coffee at the Coffee Bean--as we do almost every time we come to Gladwyne. Again, it's a quiet day until 4 pm when the pace picks up considerably.Laura suddenly had the opportunity to have an essay in the weekend WSJ. That meant she had to write and edit with an immediate turn around. So we brought J to Bluet Theater at St. Joseph University for his play call at 6 pm. We got a quick supper of pizza slices and a burger at Larry's Steak--not recommended. Laura and R met us and we enjoyed Son Pinocchio--me with R on my lap so she could see past adults blocking her view. J had a short solo as the perfect boy Lorenzo and then a speaking part as a pig. He was on stage singing in the chorus almost all the time so he was our star!
Friday: After helping out with transportation for the van's servicing, Jim and I used Laura's membership pass for the Barnes Museum now located downtown. We saw the special Renoir and Son exhibit and then toured the regular galleries. The building was beautiful. The collection which was left as stipulated in Barnes' will was eclectic and sometimes a bit strange with its juxtaposition of nude women and scenery and flowers and even a crucifixion scene. We avoided a very busy I 76 and had interesting routes through the city and suburbs.
We celebrated Michael's 50th birthday with all eight of us at Coyote Crossing, a Mexican restaurant in Conshohocken. I had crab tacos which were pretty spicy and a very strong margarita. The kids behaved decently in a grown up restaurant. Michael had wanted it to be a family celebration. Ice cream cake was a great birthday treat afterwards. A highlight of the evening was the "rainbow" car wash en route and the Awesome Eggs sing-a-long on the way home. |
| S got the wrong maroon shirt for baseball! |
Saturday: Laura's Fox and Friends scheduled TV appearance at a NYC studio was postponed due to the news of Anthony Bourdain's suicide (celebrity chef and writer). So she was home to help with simultaneous events of Jasper's play, Sam's baseball game, and our needing to pick up cousin James at his summer job orientation for Lavner Camps in Narberth at 11:30. Google Maps helped us find our way!
M's dance recital Island Adventure at 2 pm in Trenton was next on our agenda. A highlight every year is the Daddy's dance when we get to see Jeff do his thing! M is a great tap dancer and jazz dancer. Susan runs everything behind the scenes and Katie, a graduate of the Dance Company, helped as well.
We brought James back home, got ourselves some food and drink at McCaffery's and enjoyed a quiet happy hour at the Homewood Suites.
James's Princeton High School Choir presented a Cabaret in the evening. It was a two hour show non-stop showing off so many talented and spirited singers. It was fun to watch James in the chorus singing and doing the choreography. .
All the Princeton VKs were too tired to join us at Ruby Tuesday's for our traditional late night shrimp fondue and sangrias so Grandpa and Grandma had to party alone!
Now it's time for the long drive home after a really wonderful trip.
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We did the trip in one day this time--leaving at 9:30--692 miles via I 76 and I 80. The rain was heavy and the fog with the rain on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was dangerous at times. But Jim did well and we were safely home at 8:45.
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