Nicolai demonstrating proper corn shucking technique or rather his significant displeasure with this very tedius task (they had to feed the entire camp).

Maya spent countless hours on the beach and playground connecting up with her friends from last summer.

Dad found adequate time to rest his eyes and allow his nose to recuperate.

We made sure that Seth was well nourished, although we did manage to sunburn him on the first day.

Carl got up early each morning and went in search of photo ops. This is the seaside village of Scarsborough.

Frank helped pass the time before dinner arrived by lending his nose to Maya who attempted to remove it from his face during some kind of game they had invented.

Angela and Maya snuggling at dinner on our first night out. We went to a local sea food restaurant which was only mediocre.

Jeanine was in fine form and made it all the way to the tournament finals with some unbelievable clutch shots. Nicolai unceremoniously dispatched his father’s team (which had survived two 90 minute come from behind wins) only to be defeated by his mother, who avenged her loss to him last year.

Kyle took little time to begin honing his croquet skills for the big tournament. Last year Kyle took a rather casual approach to the game. This year he was determined to defeat all opponents. His accuracy was greatly improved as was his power. He took particular joy from smashing his father’s ball into the next galaxy which he did on several occasions.

Nicolai quickly organized a volleyball match and proceeded to demonstrate a much-improved technique from last year. During day one, we were forced to play with a herniated ball, which added an interesting spin to the game.

Seth and Kyle also decided to test their speed against the ocean.

Maya made a bee line to the beach where she proceeded to race the waves, winning every heat.

Despite forecasts calling for rain and cold, we enjoyed two and half days of perfect weather at Ferry Beach with our friends at First Parish. Joining us this year were my parents and Kyle’s friend Seth.

A quote from my father: “I finally get it! The problem is I forget what it is or where I found it. I’ll let you know when I find it again.”

Maya getting the full beauty treatment from Nana this morning.

Kyle is spending a lot of time on the phone these days. I wonder who he is talking to?

My mother and father have come up for the weekend and will be joining us at Ferry Beach. Nana helps Maya with spelling as she composes a rap about a fat cat.

More goodies that I was not allowed to eat. It should be noted that I am frequently denied food in my own home because it is being saved for someone else. And then, should I be so fortunate as to stumble upon a hidden stash of cookies, for example, it comes as a great shock to the entire family that I feel compelled to eat a great quantity in anticipation of the long period of future deprivation that is sure to follow.

Preparation for a neighborhood coffee. Jeanine hosted an event for the Concord-Carlisle Parenting Initiative to encourage visitors to join. She is a member of the Board of this group which seeks to promote health and well-being and the prevention of risk-taking behaviors among the youth of our community. Nicolai offered interesting ideas on how to extricate this cake from the Pyrex.

Kyle is hard to get a picture of these days. I had to sneak up on him to get this one. Kyle is rapidly approaching his mother in height and his father in strength but because he lacks any wrestling training, we are still able to keep him in line. He continues to enjoy soccer and tennis and is especially devoted to improving his guitar playing skills. There is talk of his first on stage performance with the band at Ferry Beach.

Maya enjoying a little ice cream after dinner. The weather today was cold and rainy with more in store.

This morning we were treated to a wild turkey wandering through the backyard.

Last week we captured everyone’s fingerprints. This week we tried to lift them off common surfaces. Maya is using sandpaper to make a fine graphite powder from a pencil. Kyle is dusting the salt shaker for prints.

Jeanine taking auto safety very seriously.

Family night featured a bike ride around the neighborhood (Nico used his scooter), a friendship circle, a failed attempt at lifting fingerprints, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Kyle won his soccer game, and Carl tied his. The basement is nearing completion, with the painting completed this weekend.

Maya preparing party favors for her upcoming birthday party. She took great pleasure in carefully filling each bag with the same set of goodies and then using a twist tie to secure each bundle. I was offered two small chocolate treats for my photographic services.

Maya scored one goal today as her team, the Panthers, cruised to victory over the Snow Leopards. Kyle scored one goal in his teams 3-2 victory and Nicolai’s team won a loop sided 7-0 match.

Maya’s piano playing skills are increasing dramatically as she learns using the Suzuki method combined with large doses of practice. Looking over my shoulder as I type these words, she informs me that the piano has “very many keys”.

The children insist they have not been using the side of the house as a surrogate soccer goal despite rather compelling evidence to the contrary.

This morning I am the subject, courtesy of this photo taken by Maya. No surprise, I have a camera in hand. Last night I returned to duty on the soccer field (makeup game against Wellesley). The hamstring felt good and I was able to run at full tilt. A disappointing result with a 1-1 tie but not too bad considering we remain undefeated after six games.

Kyle peering out of his bedroom wondering why his father is aiming a camera at him first thing in the morning. Kyle is looking more like a man every day.