Monthly Archives: February 2013

a special one-on-one day in Portsmouth

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This was a good week because we spent a lot of time together (thanks to school vacation).

On Tuesday, we had 2013’s Three Musketeers Adventure # 1 (see other blog).  On Thursday I picked you up in the morning and brought you to Portsmouth.

First we hung out at the office.  I had a few more things to finish up, so I set you up across from me at my desk.   We faced each other, me at my keyboard… you drawing on fresh sheets of white paper.  We’ve done this many times over the years since you were a little kid.   Just you and me, eye to eye, in very close proximity, talking about ordinary things. always joking around.

You were busy working on a new project.  When you came into my office you had looked at my door where I put drawings from my grandkids and said:

this picture is old.  I’ll make a new one.

You sounded embarrassed about the quality and evidently felt it was time to right this wrong and step up your game.  This is what you made:

I asked you to hang it up on my door, then requested a signature and date on the new masterpiece.   I keep a lot of my grandchildren’s artwork and like to know when it was made.  Thanks for the colorful, funny and creative addition.

When you were little and visited the office, we had a routine.  I’d put my office paraphenalia on the floor… the fish weathervane that comes apart… the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour bus…the big brass school bell… the Japanese gong… and the blow-up plastic balls.  We’d crawl around and fool around for hours.  I’d pick you up and put you on my black chair to see the boats going by and the bridge moving up and down.

So yesterday you said:

I like to play with your balls.

 

Then, looking at me with the knowing eyes of a young man who will very soon be 10 years old you said:

Oh, that doesn’t sound right!

That was a funny moment, a moment we wouldn’t have had when you were younger!

Lunch time was fast approaching – “Do you want Googies?” knowing full well it’s one of your favorite lunch spots.  We found out what Grammy wanted, put on our coats and walked over.  Googies’s was busy; we waited in line a long time to get your favorite:  a small sub with provolone cheese, turkey and mayo.

They didn’t have milk, so I let you get a Hawaiian Punch, a drink that isn’t great for you, but tastes darn good. I remember drinking that as a kid myself… their advertising slogan was  “You want a Hawaiian punch?” The character always held the drink in his hand, and the person he was talking to thought he was referring to the drink… but was always surprised receiving a punch in the face instead.  Ah, the good old days of political incorrectness…

On the way back we stopped in at a new cupcake shop called Random Acts of Sweetness.  You eyed a peanut butter delight and I was fond of a dark chocolate with buttermilk frosting.

We weren’t eating super healthy today, but what the heck, life is too short to never, ever make exceptions.

The three of us ate lunch in Grammy’s office.  You are not a fan of picture taking anymore, you must get that from your Mom:

After lunch, we left again, walking on Daniel Street.  On the way by the Post Office I explained how this particular building stood out  (u-g-l-y) from the other wonderful historic period architecture and should have never been built. It was a product of the 1960’s when everything old was being torn down.  Fortunately, at least in Portsmouth, people battled back and preserved the past.

In Market Square I peeked inside the Athaneum;   the door was unlocked.  An Athaneum is a place filled with historic artifacts, books and knowledge.  Inside, I showed you some of the items, the sweeping ceiling, the carved miniature sailing ship hulls and the carved wooden figurehead of a woman that used to be on a sailing ship’s “bow,” facing the sea.

We walked along Congress Street for a bit, then turned around and walked by the Old North Church – I pointed to the sign indicating famous people who had visited there.  “Are any of these familiar?” i asked. You said:

George Washington!

“Have you heard of Daniel Webster?” –  you hadn’t, so I explained who he was.

I stopped beside the historic Warner house, pointing to a metal wire that went from the ground to a lightning rod on the roof of the brick building.  “Do you know what that is?” You knew something about it and we discussed how lightning hits the rod and travels to the ground instead of catching the building on fire. “Guess who installed that on this building… it was Benjamin Franklin.”  The same guy who “discovered” electricity with his kite and key.  The patriot who helped shape America.  Old Ben would visit Portsmouth from time to time in his travels.

Back at Harbour Place we jumped into the “Youk” and headed for the Bowlarama in Portsmouth.   On Tuesday you had asked if we could go bowling; it didn’t work then, but it fit into the program now.

The place was hopping with so many NH kids on school vacation.  You were a little unsure of the whole thing… the location was new and there were fresh faces all around.  When we first got there you said:

“I don’t feel comfortable.”

I asked why and helped you through the moment.  We put on bowling shoes worn by many other people for many years and bowled a couple candlepin strings.  This was the first time you had done it without “bumpers,” so it was more challenging.  You were nervous, worried what others were thinking.  I pointed to the three people next to us and said “Look at their score.”  It was MUCH lower than what we were bowling.  I don’t think that persuaded you much.

Like life, there were ups and downs.  At one point you said:

I’m not having fun.

I told you the story of when I used to go bowling with Grammy when we were younger and she’d beat me every time.  And I was trying to win!  Her Mom would tell her “You should let him win.”  And Grammy would say “Why would I do that?”

We pushed through it, both of us rolling gutter balls and sometimes only knocking down two or three pins.  But there were games when eight or nine pins fell and on two occasions you got two strikes, knocking down all 10 pins over three tries. I did it once.

Our final scores were close  – we each won a string by a few pins.

I was proud of you for hanging in there, pushing through a challenge, not giving up and proving to yourself you could achieve something new.   Remember this as you get older Ben… push yourself to get to a new, better place, don’t settle.  You can do it, believe in yourself.

our first three musketeers adventure of 2013

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“It’s time for a three musketeers adventure” I announced, “the first three musketeers adventure of 2013.”

You all looked at me, and in your own words, in your own time, you said:

“what are we going to do, where are we going to go, when are we going?”

“I’m not sure what we’ll do yet, but I can guarantee it’ll be something fun… and there will be something yummy,” I said.

“there’s always something yummy, are we going to that breakfast place we always go to?”

It was day two of school vacation – Tuesday, February 26 – a perfect time to get together again.

Sometimes you want me to tell you where we’re going before we go…  other times, you like to play my riddle game.  This time you were less patient:

“Just tell us what we’re going to do!”

… you all said excitedly from the rear of the “Youk” as I drove south toward Portsmouth.

“First stop:  The Friendly Toast”

‘Yay! I’m going to get pancakes.  Me too!  Not me, I’m going to get french toast!”

“Second stop:  the oldest house in New Hampshire.”

Uh, that one fell kinda flat.

“Third stop: a Fort where we’ll be able to play inside buildings and have a snowball fight.”

cool! a real fort? like a civil war fort?” Camden asked

I said, “it’s my favorite fort around here.  You’re going to like it.  It’s even better than Fort Constitution – the fort we saw last summer after the Gundalow ride.”

what’s after that?

“Fourth stop: the beach house!”

cool!  we haven’t been there in a long time…  can we play some board games? Ben asked

“Sure,” I said as we parked by Friendly Toast and prepared to get out. Here’s a photo of you guys when we first got there.  See Goat Man?  Ben and Camden like to make faces that make them look, well, not quite right.  Funny!

Everyone ended up getting pancakes except me; Emma gave up on her french toast idea.  I got two orders of crispy bacon for everyone to share.  Ben loves the bacon, and so do I. Emma and Ben had orange juice and Camden got a vanilla shake.  I ate a club sandwich and drank half of my chocolate shake. We were stuffed but ready for action.

Here you are after we had finished eating and you were fooling around (time to head out!):

Before leaving, you all made funny faces in the carnival mirror at the back of the restaurant.  I think this is one of the best 3 Musketeers photos of all time!

Next up was the oldest house in New Hampshire, the Jackson House.  I told you about the history, and pointed out the steep roof on the backside that almost touched the road. I tried to have you imagine what the land around it would have looked like over 300 years ago with no other buildings around.  Hard to imagine now because the neighborhood is so built up.    Here’s the Jackson House:

You were anxious to get to the fort- this was definitely what everyone was most excited about.   Being the off season, it was closed when we got there, but we walked in and had the place to ourselves.

THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!!!!!!

you said as you ran ahead full speed.

I showed you around all the different structures: first the big mound behind which they mounted the cannons; the tunnel (flooded with ice and water; you could barely maneuver through it and Emma got soaked!!); the white blockhouse overlooking the ocean; the old gunpowder and munitions storage; a brick house without a roof and high stone walled areas.

After exploring, I started a snowball fight – me against the three of you.  You hid in the brick building without a roof – I was outside, tossing snowballs over the walls.  Then I’d charge the building and you’d fire away. One time I jumped through the door and we went at it, firing snowballs at each other point blank.  Then we moved to the munitions storage building which was enclosed and a very neat place to hide.  One time Ben ran around the back where I was hiding in a sneak-attack move.  Emma joined my ranks at one point – she was getting cold from being soaked in the tunnel – and the battle continued.

Finished with the snowball fight we then played a game of target practice, snowing snowballs at targets on the brick walls.

After exploring the blockhouse area – with Ben and Camden sliding down the steep hill – we checked out the granite boulder field and then headed to the car, wet and tired but still laughing.

Next up was the final piece of the adventure – a quick trip to the beach house, now even more important because it would give us a way to dry wet clothes, turn up the heat, and bring everyone (especially Emma) back to normal.  Ben reminded us about playing board games, selecting the game of Life and a sliding version of Sorry.  You guys hadn’t visited the beach house since before Labor Day, so it was fun getting back.   There was nothing to eat, so we passed out glasses of cold water which tasted great after our snow battles.

We would have enjoyed a walk on the beach, but alas, we ran out of time and headed home, satisfied and tired from one of our best adventures ever.

On the way home Camden said:

let’s have a three musketeers adventure every week!

 

 

 

 

laughter, rushed meals, basement games & funny accents

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Sunday dinners at 44 Waterloo are always an adventure.  Just about every week, all 13 of us get together in one place, at one time.  The minute you guys walk in the door, the madness begins.  You’re so excited to be here and we’re equally excited to see you!  And when the Beaupre’s arrive (sometimes before you, sometimes after), the pace quickens immediately and the noise level fills the ridiculous-monster-size house we call home.

You, Emma and Camden –  the famous “Three Musketeers” – typically huddle together and plan out the night.  Molly and Ainsley do their own thing, often getting into trouble (I’ve chronicled their adventures in their blogs).  Jack and Madigan – still being little tykes – walk around and enjoy whatever they decide to do.

It doesn’t take very long before one of you asks me if we can go play together.  Usually this involves going “to the basement” to do something fun.  Last night was no exception, you hit me up with this request before dinner.  I said sure, but we’ll do it after we eat.

I’d like to say dinner is the highlight of our Sunday experience, but despite Grammy’s carefully prepared and scrumptious dinners, they are VERY fleeting experiences that rush by.  Ainsley and Molly usually barely touch their plates.  The rest of you eat pretty well, but there are two pressing items after you’ve quickly downed the main meal… (A) “Can we have dessert now?” and (B) Papa can we go play?

After the brownies or cookies or cakes have been consumed (elapsed time, two minutes or less), it’s time to venture forth and begin serious play time.

six of the seven Samurai on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

Last night you guys (The Three Musketeers) wanted to play hockey.  We went downstairs,  set up the two mini hockey nets and each of us grabbed a hockey stick. I layed down the rules “if anyone hits anyone else with their sticks, they go in the penalty box.”

It’s not that people intentionally do this, but often in the heat of the games, we aren’t as careful as we should be and damage is inflicted.  Usually on poor Emma!  Everyone played by the rules and was on their best behavior.

The teams are usually you and Camden vs. Emma and me.  Let’s just say the sides aren’t exactly even – and I don’t mean they’re in my favor! The score is usually something like 12-1, or on a good night, 8-2.  Camden invented a new variation – knee hockey.  Yes, we had to play on our knees. Man, nothing’s easy.  Sometimes I get fed up and hide a puck and when you’re not looking, throw it in the net and yell SCORE!!!  But Camden calls me on it every time and demands a penalty shot.  I can’t get away with anything.

After hockey, you said

Let’s play baseball!

This often gets a bit dicey because it’s close quarters and when you guys hit the ball it goes flying – fast and hard.  Last night Camden hit it so hard the ball found my Adam’s Apple before I could even react.  Gulp.

We switched to the soft baseball.  Bases were set up (cushions). Teams were set (you, Emma and Camden against me).  This time around, I decided to use a small soft yellow ball as the ‘out ball.’  Being the only player on a one player team, I needed it desperately to try to get you out.  No matter, even if I hit you in between bases, you guys are never out anyway.  It’s not an easy life in the basement.

You guys each took 4 to six raps apiece while I pitch away.  Just about every single turns into a home run.  Eventually, you thought of me and said:

Papa it’s your turn to bat!  You can use invisible runners.

This time, to shake up the routine, I decided to invent characters. Every time I came to the plate, I was a different baseball player with a different accent.

Jimmy, the southern boy who talked smack.  Pierre, the pitcher, from Paris.  Franklin, the boy from London with the formal speech.   Agnes, the fast-baller who took no mercy on boys.  And Karl, the short, timid boy with the curious little voice who swung mightily but could never connect. I even threw in Miss Piggie and Kermit one time.

You guys couldn’t get enough of these accents and were laughing huge belly laughs, begging for more.  Karl was your favorite:

Papa, make Karl the pitcher, make Karl talk, make Karl bat!

Every time a new sentence would leave my lips, you’d crack up.

I must say my favorite was Jimmy. I always like the way Southerners can extend one syllable words, making them longer and more complex.  A word like “fast” for example, becomes “FAY-YAST.”  Or “pitch” which becomes “peah-itch.”

We had lots of fun and when it was time to leave (your Dad and Aunt Tarah came down to get you guys), everyone cooperated and climbed back up the stairs.  Molly always asks me to give her a piggyback ride to the garage, which I love to oblige.  I knock on the windows of your cars and bid you Adieu.

This morning I got a text from your Mom. It said:

“So… Ben is walking around the house, talking with a lisp like Karl.”

I told her:

Oh boy!  they were laughing so hard as the different characters came to the plate.

Your Mom said:

“He loved it!!”

To which I replied:

Well, he’s got a great sense of humor and that will take him far in life!

Let’s keep laughing Ben, there’s no better medicine.