Maya hard at work on a craft project this morning. She is making this as a present for one of her relatives. Jeanine and the kids will be heading out to Indianapolis on Saturday leaving me to hold down the fort for a week until I join them in Indiana for our trek to Geneva, WI. Viewers should anticipate a total lack of motivation once my photographic subjects have departed.

Maya takes on Nicolai and his friend Jeremy, employing superior water power to repel their attack. Please note that our midget warrior princess takes direct aim at her attacker’s head, offering no mercy whatsoever.

Maya, together with her new best friends, dives into the deep end. Although the side was very close, this was her first time in the deep end, and she was very excited about the accomplishment.

Maya descends from the tree house. There is little doubt in my mind that this child is part monkey.

Nicolai has improved his volleyball skills. Today, he successfully jump served and spiked in a game. I have never had so much fun playing with him. He never ceases to amaze me.

We spent the afternoon and evening at Tom & Karen’s Fourth of July gala. Tom was my wrestling partner in high school, and we are very lucky to live so close to him now. The party was fantastic, featuring fine food, swimming, volleyball, tree house climbing, and fireworks.

Tommy kept a watchful eye on Julia,

Julia (Christine’s daughter) and Caroline (Tom’s daughter) negotiate over a bag of chips.

Competition extended to the back lawn, where a very vigorous game of “500” failed to yield a definitive champion.

Nico and cousins deeply engrossed in a battle of wits.

Uncle Bob and Frank comparing arm crossing techniques.

Christine has a good grip on Drew preventing his investigation of all things dangerous.

Cousin Edward was the only adult willing to brave the chilly water. He is competing regularly in triathlons and has the physique to prove it.

Anita the quintessential hostess, leads the second wave of beach combers to the water.

Let’s not forget Rachel.

The Quinn family was in fine form as we ventured down to the beach (2 blocks away).

Frank and Angela made it in for the day and returned to Concord with us.

Several peacocks are among the menagerie of pets/potential dinner ingredients kept on the premise.

The resulting work of art.

Tony demonstrated how to carve a watermelon and I fear that I will not get to eat the next few watermelons that make it into our house.

Maya was our little bubble queen.

Nicolai discovered several toads during our bocce match.

Jeanine didn’t take long to latch onto Drew, Christine’s newly adopted baby.

We spent yesterday in Old Lyme, CT with Anita, Tony, and extended family attending a Fourth of July/family reunion. Naturally the food was exquisite and featured this little porker.

Play continued throughout the day and was only interrupted for air traffic (we were set up just off the runway of a small airfield).

Nicolai takes a break between matches and offers the canine mascots food for tricks.

I have seen the future and it is disconcerting. On the positive side, Maya seems to be in control of the situation.

Maya was the youngest participant in the competition and did well against older opponents.

Today, the family (minus Kyle, who is away at camp) spent the day at a croquet tournament. Here, Nicolai is taking practice strokes on one of the five regulation-size courts. The perspective in this photo is misleading as the first and fifth courts were separated by more than 100 yards.

The rule in the Calabria family is that you must study the piano for 4 years before you can pick your own instrument. Nicolai celebrated his liberation from the piano with the purchase of an electronic drum set. He contributed $400 of his own money (80% of his net worth) toward the purchase so it is clear to us that he is very committed to drumming. He has not stopped playing since we completed the setup (several hours ago) and I am pleased to report that he can practice with headphones on without disturbing the rest of the family.

Caught this little fellow this morning. Click on the photo for a more detailed view.