Cousins - Christmas - etc. 7/28/14

Hey, I'll post this on our reunion blog so ya'll can give your inpuy there please, so we avoid another e-mail chain  Wanted to share that Mom & I spent the better of the day together and the subj. of Jan 2016 and Christmas came up.  I know that we (Mom & I) are picking names this year - haven't gotten to it and can't really promise anything as cool as what Michael or Clare have done the past couple years but it'll be soon.

Anyway the point(s) I wanted to share was that Mom spoke of
a) "I don't know how much room there is, but I was thinking of my cousins - they have reached out to me since Dad died and that has meant a lot to me."  Shall we reach out to her cousins and extend an invitation?  Can we legally put Carvers on the floor for the sake of them visiting and needing a room?

b) speaking of cousins she spoke of the importance of the Carver cousins getting to know each other and what about asking anyone over 21 or anyone over 18? to participate in the Christmas Kris-Kringle - your thoughts?  My sense was that she feels family is important and we as the aunts & uncles should probably be doing more to help them get to know each other.   

c) so,,, I felt the need to share with you where her heart is "at" - at least right now....

xo bee

Since we are Driving to this Grand Event.....

I wanted to let everyone know that Mom and the "E's" will be driving.  It occurred to me the other day that by driving I might be of use for all those items that don't travel well via plane.  So if any of you wish to have me bring along extra liquids, b'room/toiletries, or camping stuff like sleeping bags, lanterns, whatever, please let me know.  Love to all. Bee

update on tellng Mom

Hello, (esp to Alex & Michael as they were not contacted)
After a few brief messages / texts between Kateri Bee Celia Chi Colette Clare Friday eve - it was agreed that Clare & Joseph will hopefully be telling Mom about the trip while she is with them.  This decision was suggested by Bee due to the fact that she felt so badly about being the possible "hacker" of the Carver Family Blog.  xo Bee

Summer To do list: Send Celia photos and videos for Mom's gift.

Remember a book you all put together through Joseph for me in 2009?   Two ideas come to mind that I'd like to work on:  a Family Movie (there is a wee precedent for these) and a hand bound book of photos and scanned letters, notes, jokes etc.  We can all participate in content and layout. as much as each person wants, or not.  I'll do a hard-bound perfect binding (that's what it's called) on the book, and cut together an amateur video with the footage you send me.

Now, if you are saying, "Darn!   I wanted to do that.  That was my idea."  Well.....GREAT!   Call me. Maybe it's your baby. 

Please send first round of photos/footage by early August for proof of concept. 

XO

Talking to Mom

Hello sibs! 

How about this idea for telling mom. 

We send her a beautiful invitation to come to a party - and she will be the guest of honor. This weekend or so. 

We  can do a few things like : 

Siign everyone's names 

Tell her to bring her bikini 

Ask her to start now to get replacement people to do her tasks for her 'people' ! 

Count out the days and add that number

Thoughts? 

I think she willl enjoy something to look at to remind her and for anticipation. 

The Fabulous Five

Aunt Cecelia's Open Letter to anyone under 14 on this blog and their parents:

( perhaps best shared only a few months ahead of the event):

Dear Eoin, Kate, Bobby, Rufus & Sutton (aka The Fabulous Five):

Perhaps you've heard?  There's talk in 18 months or so of a gathering.  That's two whole grades away from now, so you'll be quite a different person by then...well, sort of; you'll still be wonderful you.  I am already imagining it.

You'll be saying things like:
"Hey! Watch out for that Creeper!"
And I'll be saying things like, "I'm on Amazon ordering a movie. Do you want this one, or that one?"
You'll be saying, "Mango in my smoothie, yes please!"

And I'll be saying, "Everyone? The Fab Five are headed to the beach to collect shells. You're invited."  and, "The Fives will be studying constellations tonight - big people welcome to join us."

If ever you get tired, or hungry, or just out of sorts, we can go lie in the hammock and read together, or play a board game, or play cards, or go for a hike. Or we can go pile on Uncle Joseph, do canon balls and splash the grown ups, or decorate Aunt Haley's hair.

 I love you each so big, it's hard to imagine all that wonderfulness in one house!

It's waaaay too long to wait. 

As for The Big Seven:  Silas, Isaac, Charlie, Will, Xander, Eliza and Virginia, here's to hearing what would put smiles on your faces, too.  


PS  Yes, that's right, together you are The ___ Dozen.  (you get to fill in the blank).