Norwalk, 2012

Aboard the QE3

The boys started off their visit on exactly the right foot. They leaped off the escalator at JFK and ran straight to their Grandpa, giving him their happiest smiles and biggest hugs. The boys handled their trip in decent style. As usual, Matthew took this opportunity to interrogate fellow travelers, flight attendants and family members.  The man with the Camelback water bottle was surprised at the level of detail demanded by a 5 year old about the precise mechanics of his water bottle.  Matthew was particularly merciless in ferreting out details of how his Grandpa secured access to a forbidden television program as a child. He was disappointed to discover that Grandpa had been 11 years old before discovering a solution to parental controls.

Every year the boys enjoy Norwalk even more. There are sprinklers to run through, old toys, new books to read, plants to feed, ponds to swim in and of course, everyone's favorite, boat rides in Grandpa's motorboat. Matthew was the recipient of an inflatable rowboat dubbed the "pumpkin boat". Owen was thrilled to receive a snazzy, red, big boy bike with training wheels.

Aboard the Pumpkin Boat

This summer, for the first time, the boys spent a few nights at Norwalk without us. My parents smugly remarked that the boys behaved much better when we weren't around. In fact, they kept the children so busy, even Matthew took a nap on the days we were gone. We take this as an invitation to travel more. In any case, Stewart and I were grateful for the opportunity to visit with friends and family in the Boston area and New York City. We even made it to a Yankees/Red Sox game at Fenway.

Every year it becomes clearer that Matthew and my father have a great deal in common. They share a love for the boat and water and a natural ability to cross examine.  Matthew accompanied his Grandpa for swims in the pond, off the boat and at Cockenoe Island. In fact, the first time he went to Cockenoe he was so excited to swim off the sandbar he went in with his clothes on. Not to be outdone, Owen gamely waded in after them.

2 peas in a pod

 Here is Matthew, showing off shells and sea glass he collected. He learned to identify mussel shells, horseshoe crabs and how to skip rocks.