Goen and I spent the whole time at the shady shallow end of the pool. I would have liked to play around a bit myself, but a mama's job is never over. When the shadows lengthened and it started to turn chilly, the two of us got out, dried, and changed. While everyone else finished swimming, I finished up my massaged salad for dinner (a recipe I will be sharing with you all quite soon). I peeled little cuties to put into the salad, though many segments were diverted to Goen (he loves those things). Dinner preparations proceeded at a leisurely pace. When the eggplant came off the grill, I managed to feed Goen a few pieces before he remembered he doesn't like eggplant. Then the chicken came off and he ate lots of that (dark meat, of course, and pre-chewed). Then he discovered there was cheese on the table, at which point he refused to eat anything other than delicious baby Swiss. We cleaned up and then it was time for dessert. I had made Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies using this recipe (though I did hold back a little on the white sugar), which we paired with ice cream. It was delicious.
As the gloaming hour approached, Goen made it clear that he was ready for bed. I ate another bite or two of ice cream (okay, maybe it was three) and then carried all our stuff out to the car while David held Goen. We gave hugs good-bye then loaded ourselves in the car and drove home. It was a fun and relaxing time for all. We were able to forget, for a few hours at least, all the work that still needs to be done in the classroom in preparation for back-to-school night. It was nice to get together with family and enjoy food together. And you know it was a successful get-together when you can't wait for the next one. And I hope the next one comes soon, because Fall is just around the corner.