Minutes after finishing Sunday dinner, I was bombarded with the same question:

Can you come play with us?

“Of course I can,” I replied, and off we went, down the stairs into the

playroom

family room

Larry Bird room

Man’s room

…   all the same place – but usually called “the basement” by you.

This time, I got smart.  Before joining in games of “dog catcher,” “knee hockey” baseball, and who knows what else, I gathered all of you up and said:

Before Papa can play, I need a photo of all of you together, looking at the camera.  Can you do this for me?

As soon as I finished speaking, you all gathered together around the sofa! I was amazed to see my seven samurai grandchildren do this without hesitation, without any crying, complaints or lack of cooperation.  It was amazing!  Getting a photo of you altogether with everyone looking at the camera at the same time is no small feat.

Thanks for cooperating, I love it!

Notice how almost everyone in this photo is doing something special? Camden is acting like a Red Sox player, Ainsley and Molly are playing dogs, Madigan is sticking her tongue out and Emma is pointing at Shrek who she added to the seven samurai group photo Ben and Jack are the only ones without special poses!