4th of July Perfection

I can't count how many years I spent at the Drake Estate in Easthampton celebrating Rod's birthday fordays on end over July4th weekend.

But all great things come to a close. Jamie's house has been sold and this year Rod is spending his birthday in the

Mediterranean Sea.

So this year I spent it with four of my favorite people and some of my oldest New York 'family.

Mark and Mary invited me out to Southampton for a long weekend with them and the kids.

Couldn't of been more relaxing or m

ore special.

Started off with rose wine and a sunset on the beach and toes in the ocean...

Followed by playtime in the sand...

Then pool time! Alistair is so big now that his toes touch the bottom

of the shallow end. A MOMENTOUS day for him, and a sad day for parents that their baby boy is bigger.

An evening at the Carnival was pure

horror for Mary and me (sorry, we are still snobs and those trashy rides, nasty food and poor hermit crabs piled in cages still turn our stomachs)

but the kids were ecstatic. Alistair was jumping up and down and Bea was shrieking on the carousel. All worth while although bedtime was not happening on time due to hyper activity.

And of course the parade which was (sorry mom and dad) the most Americana event I've ever experienced! Not that my childhood parades were anything to look down on, but one that has been going continuously for 234 years is well impressive!

And it all ended with turkey apple burgers, white wine and home bakes brownies.

And to make it all a happy ending? No traffic all the way home on the Jitney!

Thank you Mark, Mary et famille for a relaxing, inspiring and memorable 4th.