But, before leaving the house on Hybiscus, we weren’t sure just how safe this trip would be.
Let me back up about four weeks:
On the Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend, after church, Debra decided to go shopping with a friend before going home. So, Ashley and I were going to drive home together in Debra’s car. As I was turning the key to start the engine, I smelled a nearby fire in the vicinity. Ashley shouted, “Dad! Look!” and she pointed to a cloud of smoke billowing into the car from under the dashboard.
I quickly turned off the engine and we both got out of the car before it burst into flames. The car filled with smoke and I did not feel compelled to try to start the car again. So, we caught a ride home with some friends, called a towing service and towed the car to our mechanic.
That was Sunday.
Monday was a holiday.
Tuesday we got a call from the mechanic saying that they couldn’t find anything wrong with the car. They started it several times. They drove it around. No smoke. No fire. No signs of any problems.
That’s the car we drove to Beaverton this weekend, by faith.
While eating breakfast at the motel this morning, with about 260 miles now behind us and with about 260 miles still before us, I took about 90 seconds to compose my 2nd great literary piece in less than a week, a limerick, and I quoted it to Debra and Ashley before we got in the car to return to the house on Hybiscus:
A family once went for a ride.
Soon after, their relatives cried.
As they went down the road,
Their car did explode,
And everyone in it was fried!
Well, we got home without any mechanical difficulties and without any human casualties.
No one was fried.
Nobody cried.
And we had a great time at the annual Beaverton Birthday Bash.
We arrived finding a small group, including Silas, playing badminton.
I, Papa, was soon recruited to play on Silas’ side of the net.
Eventually needing a break from badminton, Silas and Jayden squared off for a game of tetherball.
Hanging out with a camera in my hand and Devon on my lap I, Papa, tried holding the camera away and taking a self-portrait of the two of us.
Devon saw what I was doing and asked, “Papa, can I take a picture of you?” I said “Yes”.
Then Devon asked, “Can I take a picture of myself?” Again, I said “Yes”.
Soon it was time to open gifts. Silas and Devon assumed their tackle-the-pile-of-presents position.
And the tackling began.
Devon showed his new microscope to his mom.
Silas opened a new basketball and hoop set.
Devon got a new magnifying glass which, somebody mentioned, could work for burning ants.
The crowd was smaller this year than the previous two years because the boys chose to invite only those kids they routinely hang out with.
After the gifts were open, Devon challenged me, Papa, to a game of tetherball.
Meanwhile, Tim was grillin’ the dogs.
And Nana was chillin’ with Naomi.
Once the hot dogs were grilled, the boys started chowin’ down.
Keeping with tradition, the boys chose the designs for their birthday cakes and Bethany created both masterpieces. This year: the earth and the moon.
The moon up close. This looks like a news clip from 1969.
Ice cream bars were served with the cake and some people actually managed to down THREE ice cream bars.
Did you ever hear of the group “Green Rubber Ball Bongo Babes”? They performed live at this event.
There was one point during the party where Tim and Devon seemed to butt heads. But it wasn’t conflict. It was affection.
After the crowd left, Naomi enjoyed some down time with Nana and Bethany.
And Silas enjoyed some competitive down time with a game of “Operation” which was one of Silas and Devon’s new gifts.
Unfortunately, we suffered a failed effort at a family photo because Silas had a severe allergy reaction in his eyes. Just before the camera clicked, Bethany attended a miserable Silas who ultimately needed a prescription called into the pharmacy to survive the attack of the allergens.
Officer Weathersby, if you look closely, is sporting not only his new police uniform, but also his inflamed red eyeballs. Especially his right eyeball.
And the evening ended with Naomi relaxing with Ashley.
And that was our safe and fun trip to Beaverton and back!
1 comment:
My fave pic? Devon's face behind the magnifying glass. That's a great one!
Glad your car didn't explode on the way home. :)
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