Summer break: What could be better than a visit with family?

If a picture can be worth a thousand words, maybe several pictures can take the place of the 750 or so I write here every Wednesday. Our son and grandson from New York and daughter from Knoxville have been here since Saturday, and I must say there’s nothing better. We see the New Yorkers only a few times a year, so this visit has been highly anticipated.

Perhaps my greatest desire was for Evelyn to interact positively with the 5-year-old. He was more rambunctious last year, and she had trouble coping with the hubbub. But whenever anyone has mentioned him to her, she has always responded effusively: “He really is something special!”

Well, that feeling has been demonstrated this week, and I couldn’t be happier. There have been plenty of times with Evelyn resting on the couch and just watching the action around her, but every day she has pleasantly engaged with something happening. Here are a few pictures to help us remember.

There’s been much picture puzzle putting together. . . .

. . . And a family celebration when every puzzle in the set was finished in one day!

Our next-door neighbor graciously opened her pool to us . . .

. . . And even Grandma took a few minutes to get her feet wet.

Bedtime hugs may be the best part of each day.