Redefining "class"

Notice Eric's large cup of coffee.  A bit of foreshadowing for you.

 Friday, June 21st....the Summer Solstice!  Unbeknownst to us, the kids had collaborated to prepare breakfast in bed for their mama and papa, and were dressed for the day when they arrived at the top of the stairs to deliver the "bales of hay," otherwise known as shredded wheat.  Eric proceeded to work and picked garlic scapes, strawberries, cilantro, scallions, carrots, and peas. On Fridays, everyone is in action preparing CSA boxes for pick-up on Saturday.  Eric was all smiles upon arriving home.  He and the others at the farm parted ways for lunch with a giant group hug.  Frickin' hippies.

As Eric was easing Jamin and Cora into their midday nap/quiet time, Wendy called with exiting news.  We were all heading to the Hamptons to see where the hospital was located (in case of emergency at camp), and would continue on to the Mecox Bay Dairy Farm for an insider look at the udder side of cheese making.  So, foregoing the naps, we headed south on the ferry and drove toward South Hampton.  Ill equipped without snacks and books to entertain, we stopped for coffee and juice bars.  Hard to tell in the picture above, but Cora is topless.  That's how we roll....and the Manners were just getting started.  Oh man, it was all down hill from here...and let the hilarity ensue.  After locating the hospital and heading back toward Sag Harbor to the dairy farm, the kids were restless and cranky.  Just as we pulled into the driveway of the farm, we had no other choice but to call it a day.  The napless critters were provoking each other and whining incessantly.  En route to the ferry with everyone's nerves running thin, our dearest Cora announced she was peeing in her seat. Jamin was being a big brother and encouraging her to continue as we frantically tried to pull into a gas station that had no bathroom.  Continuing on our search and sensing the urgency in Cora's whine, we had no choice but to pull over on the side of the road and drop Cora's pants in a Hamptonite's  front yard.  Oh yes, and then we got lost on our way to the ferry.  And remember the cup of coffee Eric slammed earlier in the day?  While waiting in line to drive onto the ferry, there was no other option but to refill that cup.   And Eric promptly poured the cup full of urine into the street. A train wreck of an afternoon, but the picture to the right was the closest we came to throwing them out the window.

  It is hard to believe it is still Friday, but Eric pressed on to complete an herb bed assignment at camp while Wendy put the kids down for the night.  As the evening lingered into the horizon, our friend Ralph invited Eric to go paddle boarding into the sunset.  While Eric had never tried paddle boarding, he broke through the hesitation and accepted Ralph's invite.  The two of them paddled into the sunset below, and turned around once the sun was out of view to discover a waxing moon high in the sky reflecting in the calm evening waters of the bay.

Just a little side note, Aunt Denise was buried today, and our thoughts were with her and our family throughout the day.  She was good people, always working in a helping profession, and adored Jamin and Cora.  As this sun sets, we hope she was looking down on us today and laughing at how adventurous and classy we were as we strolled in and out of South Hampton.  A Mannerific day. 

On Saturday, we eased into our morning and prepared for a trip to Greenport.  Having never boarded the ferry without our trusty and beloved Iggy (the Honda Fit), we parked the car and boarded the ferry on foot.  Wendy and Cora were excited to see the carousel as we approached the mainland and prepared for a morning of fun in the sun.  Upon arrival, we headed straight for the carousel, and proceeded to the toy store in town (departed without purchase, success!).  We spotted our first banjo street performer while strolling through town, and made our way to the health food store and across the street for Italian ice.  Making our way back to camp around noon, we remained low key until supper time.  We walked to our friend's house here at camp (Lauren, Ralph, and Zoey Ruiz) and enjoyed the kids splashing in the pool while we munched on stank cheese and crackers.  We've been fortunate to establish an instant connection with the Ruiz family, which have provided comfort, intimacy and simplicity in a friendship.   We are looking forward to a summer of new experiences and memories with our Shelter Island tribe.