August

Monday the 1st we were on vacation in East Longmeadow, MA at the Bradys’. Jill and Melissa took the kids to Spec Park that morning where Dominic works, then we were bird paramedics in the afternoon for a fledgling. It was rare for me to be caught up on pop culture other than music (as that day I was watching 3 kids in a pool), but having watched Ghostbusters 2.0 the previous week and having read Harry Potter 8 over the past two days, I thought both were excellent.

Ava Nina

Tuesday we took Nina to Nonotuck Park in Easthampton, then went to Northampton. We had lunch at Sam’s Pizzeria and Cafe (it was ok), then caught Pokemon with Nina as the other ran errands (CDs and yarn, natch). Jill had downloaded Pokemon Go that morning as Maddy and Tiernan were into it, and we started to get competitive. That night, Melissa, Jill and I went out to Max Burger for some delicious burgers and shakes.

Nina

Wednesday all the kids visited a friend’s pool. We forgot Nina’s medicine, so I went back for it and stocked up for camping at Table & Vine (the important supplies). We got takeout from Nick’s Nest for lunch at Sue’s house, then spent the rest of the day there (where even more cousins showed up). I went back to Northampton with Maddy and Tiernan so they could hunt Pokemon (and go to their first gym). For dinner I picked up McDonald’s and Chinese takeout from Golden Chopsticks (not bad, but I feel they were better last time we went).

Ahna Nina

Thursday the 4th we bought food at Stop & Shop, then found a Sonic that was kind of on the way for lunch before leaving for the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. We got the tent set up and welcomed the Cannons’ arrival, then helped them make Mexican for dinner. Afterwards we took the kids down to the Lounge Stage to see Reggie Harris with Pat Wictor, then I came back later to see Pesky J. Nixon, Peter Mulvey, The Sea The Sea, and Joe Jenks (summer concert #18).

Kerry Nina

Friday was lots of running around, followed by Stuart’s wake and the Shanty luau/steak and martini night. After the main stage, I went over to the Budgiedome for Summer concert #19: Mike + Ruthy, Eric Schwartz, and Pesky J. Nixon. Saturday had some light morning rain (pretty much the only precipitation of the fest), then Nina and I joined the Cannons at the kids tent for crafts and play (I managed to catch the Most Wanted Song Swap twice for summer concert #20). That night Jill, Nina and I joined some other Shantytowners at the main stage to see summer concert #21: The Mike + Ruthy Band. After all the kids were in bed, there was an epic singing night in camp.

Shantytowne

Sunday we packed up and unusually started heading straight home (we often had spent the night at Sue’s before going back). We made the early decision to go through Pennsylvania, and stopped at Salsa’s Mexican Grille for dinner. Nina had 2 more firsts that day: 1st pee on the side of the road, and 1st use of “dammit” (after discussion, she’s now using “shucky ducky”). Monday Jill and I were off, but work ended up needing me for half a day, plus I had to meet a contractor at my mom’s house (and inadvertently risked exposure to hepatitis A).

Shantytowne

Tuesday the 9th we went to Nando’s Peri-Peri for dinner before heading over to Verizon Center for summer concert #22. I was very tempted to take Nina to Paul McCartney 2 years previous when he played Nationals Park, but I’m glad it worked out to take her that night. He was in fine form and she had a great time. Hopefully someday she’ll be able to appreciate what he’s done for music.

Nina Paul McCartney

The next night Jill and I saw Matt Nathanson put on his usual crowd pleasing show on a sweltering night at Wolf Trap for summer concert #23 (and missed out connecting with our friend Linda). We had dinner at the Encore Circle, which has expanded in size and decreased the quality and quantity of the food.

Matt

Saturday the 13th was possibly the hottest day of the year, so of course I made the unwise decision to walk with Nina over to a birthday on the next lake. At least I was smart enough to have Jill pick us up at the end. Later I went to the 9:30 Club for summer concert #24: Belly. Amazing that I’ve been to so many concerts, but there are still acts I missed for some reason. Plus I even took Chris to a listening party for “King” and had them sign a bootleg (I was so snarky). Situation remedied, Tanya and Gail were rock stars that night.

Belly

The week of the 15th was no fun. Nina got strep and stayed home Monday and Tuesday, then caught a cold Thursday night and was home on Friday. Thursday the 25th Nina and I got takeout (Wendy’s for her, Santini’s for me and went to Lake Anne. We saw Iona for summer concert #25, played in the fountain and caught some Pokemon (Nina’s developing a really good throw of the ball).

Nina Barbara

Getting a dinner out (at Jardenea) and seeing John Oliver would have been a good night on Saturday (minus the idiot in the hotel lobby outside the restaurant), but we almost literally ran into the Greenes on the way into the Kennedy Center. Couldn’t have had a nightcap afterwards with nicer folks (at Bourbon Steak). Jill’s mom and Dave came to visit that night, and the next day Nina got to fish with Dave before we went out for dinner at Ford’s Fish Shack.

Kerry Jill

The last week of August Nina’s school didn’t offer summer camp, so we had put her in a half day camp at her gym. Sue and Dave picked her up each afternoon so neither Jill nor I needed to use vacation time that week. Wednesday Jill, Nina and Sue went to Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios in Tyson’s, and Dave and I walked over to Red’s Table for drinks.

Sue Dave Nina

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