Calix, Leslie and Calliope continued spending family time with Old Madam Xu, Andrian, Harper and the others from tea time to post-dinner. Their lively chatter and happy laughter echoed in the air, the sounds carried along by the passing summer breeze.
After dinner, Calix announced they were going to play sparklers in the backyard. His words earned excited cheers from Calliope, Amelia and Evelyn. Old Madam Xu jestfully said how playful they were.
"Let's go!"
"Yayy!"
The adults and children immediately moved from the dining room to the backyard. Calix had already instructed the helpers to prepare the sparklers there.
The coolness of the early summer evening was a welcome relief after the heat of the day. The huge family gathered at a spot near the pond. One big tin can loaded with water stood next to a garden faucet, waiting to be filled with used sparklers.
