July Loyd-Taylor Reunion Lives Up to Its Billing

If you have read my blog about Claire's big birthday party, there's one fact I withheld. Earlier that same day was another big event: the latest Loyd-Taylor reunion! None of these reunions have included the whole bunch, since the Taylor girls are scattered far and wide, but for this visit, Grace would bring her 3 year-old Elizabeth and 10 month-old Amelia.

It was the first get-together at our house since last fall, when Claire and Brianna were still pretty tiny and not even crawling. On this day, Jennifer and Claire were our first arrivals, and Claire immediately began polishing her newly acquired walking skills.

Within 10 minutes all the kids had arrived. Behind this lovely golden hair is Elizabeth. Later, she enjoyed the story of King Midas and the golden touch. Especially the part about his little girl with the golden hair.

Brianna now tours the Loyd house with total confidence, having been a walker for a few weeks. She typically enters a room with a triumphal shout, displaying something in both hands. Anything. She doesn't like to walk empty-handed.

Quiet bedlam is what these love-fests always turn into. Smiles everywhere. Toys everywhere. There was a lot of catching up to do.

Here's Grace with Amelia, who was content to take in most of the action from her throne on high. Little people could get stepped on down on that floor, she must have been thinking.

Amelia also got the "snacking" started. That's another indispensable component of these reunions. Elizabeth and Claire started in on a couple of bags of blueberries. Claire would have stayed at her friend's side all day if they hadn't finished off the berries. Or as Elizabeth so aptly put it, "Iate all the berries that were blue." : )

But not to worry, Claire. Mommy has more fruit! Open wide! Nana has joined us by now. Score: Adults-6, Children 4. And the kids are still winning.

Jennifer and Amanda will probably vote the Sit'n'Spin as the all-time best toy. Probably because they're "do-it-yourselfers," and this is a do-it-yourself kind of toy. The harder you work, the more fun you have. Nearly three decades ago our girls would spin themselves silly, literally ROFL (rolling on floor laughing). Claire seems to like her first exposure to this unique toy. In a few months, I can just see her and Brianna going round and round and round.

These are good times and precious moments. If that's not enough cliches, how about "The stuff that dreams are made of?"

It's a little wordy to call this the Loyd-Taylor-Talbert-Kirby-Fleury Reunion. But that's what it really is. Three wonderful moms and four delightful children.

Grace has spared no detail in building up the legend of the Loyd funhouse, and Elizabeth is eager to explore everything, both indoors and out. She's the first one to ride this glider in a long time.

There's something for everyone.

Elizabeth astonishes us all by doing an unassisted flip on the monkey bars. She's three years old! But then again, she's got Taylor blood.

Amelia really starts to get into the spirit of things. What a shame it's almost time to go home. But hopefully these girls will remember the fun they had here and hurry back.

A long-time favorite activity here has been wheelbarrow rides. Speed and wildness are adapted to the rider's tastes. Elizabeth, the eldest, gets first shot, and she loves it. Her taste is not-so-fast and not-so-wild. But just wait until next time.

Brianna thought that looked like fun, and Judy obliges with her first cart ride. Nice and easy. Sort of like a limousine stroller.

"This was FUNN," says Bri. " When can these guys come over again?"

Well, before this, the last reunions were last October and November. And in October and November 2010, there will be a new little Talbert and a new little Kirby. Sounds like a good time to get out the toys, bring out the food, and pull out as many extra chairs as it takes!