And Then There Were The Two Of Us

Aloha Jen, Robert, And Family...It's Been A Fun Week

6:45

 A mostly overcast morning as I look out at the lake at 7:30 although I can see some blue skies off to the north.  I was up at 6:40 to a gray morning, a dot of light over Long Point, the sunlight peeking through the bay.  It's 9:30 as we finish this up.  I had a good, long paddle, over to the Long Point Bathhouse, across to Sandy Bottom and home, with four different heron sightings. Cool beans.

Kayak Morning

Heron In Flight (taken from Long Point Fishing Pier)

Yesterday morning was our usual routine, a kayak paddle for me, the blog done, then off to yoga at 9:30 with Julie.  I then stopped at the coffee shop, bank, Dollar Store for paint brushes, and went to a self-serve car wash.  I was home around noon and Evie had been busy, straightening up the house some, cleaning up our 18-year old Accord, but mostly getting ready for the boys because this would be their last day with us.  I had lunch, leftover pork chops, and ratatouille and watched DSI Banks until Evie got a message saying the gang was on their way.  Evie went out to meet them and as usual, the boys were so excited that they ran to her to give her a hug.  We have not had four or six-year-olds around in quite a while so its a treat to have them with us for the week especially such charming kids.  They love doing almost anything.

Walking To Our House

One of their first questions is, "Are the doors locked?" and when told no they would race ahead, run in the house and pick their favorite from the cache of toys waiting in a corner by the fireplace.
They were particularly attracted to several of our magnet games and tinker toys.

A Family Tradition, Painting Rocks

After that, we got out the paints and set up our table outside under the trees and got to painting.  Jennifer took it most seriously and painted a picture of their RV Cousin Eddy, named after Cousin Eddy from the National Lampoon film Christmas Vacation.  Everyone painted at least one rock and the boys were excited later in the day to put their rocks down among the rest of the painted rocks outlining our driveway and Robert's (he's a former Marine) depiction of a grenade was truly a "work of art" but hard to capture in a photograph.

Jennifer's Art

The Boys Rocks Among Nick's Superhero Rocks

We then alternated between fishing, blowing bubbles, and swimming out on the dock.  Evie always has another fun thing for the boys, this time chasing bubbles in the yard.  I started Will fishing, Evie, Robert and James soon joined us.

Will Blowing Bubbles

Happy On The Dock

Everyone caught fish but only Will let the entire neighborhood know when he caught his three, screaming with delight, "I caught a fish, I caught a fish."  What excitement and fun.

I Caught A Fish

James is the one who loves to swim so he and Evie swam for at least a half hour, James practicing jumps off the ladder.  They stopped only when James became cold.

James Swimming With Aunt Evie

So we had enough of the dock and fishing and swimming by 4:00, so Evie got out a snack, cheese, salami, watermelon and crackers and the boys devoured it, Will taking two or three pieces at a time, both loving the watermelon.

Chasing Balloons

Within 15 minutes, both were fired up again so Evie pulled out the balloons, a game our grandchildren love.  Evie pumps up the balloon, hands it to the boys, they let it go and chase it,  trying to catch as it crazily spins, dives and twists before it hits the ground.  It usually ends up on our roof!  Just before we were leaving for the Casino for dinner, Evie introduced the boys to our neighbors and Will gave everyone hugs,  practically knocked them over.

Video Game Wins and Will's Pet Balloon

We drove to the Casino around 6:00.  Jen remembers going there when she was probably nine or ten, but she remembers mostly the game room and playground.  Robert and I sat down with Henry, ordered beers and Robert fed Henry and the rest of the group played on the swings until they came in  to play on the video games, hoping to win a prize.  We all ordered something different.  Only Robert had wings but our meals were fine.  The boys, however, had to be cajoled into finishing because all they wanted to do is get back to the game room, the same as all our children and grandchildren.  Everyone wants to win a furry animal.

Fun At Lenhart Hotel

After the games, we walked down past the Lenhart, took some photos before walking back to the car to say our goodbyes.  It was hard to say goodbye without tearing up but we managed.  The house is going to seem awfully quiet and empty this weekend.

We were home in time to watch another episode of THE HANDMAIDS TALE and a week old Stephen Colbert, who is on vacation for a couple of weeks.  Not sure what today will bring because we will have no James, Will or Henry to play with, Jen and Robert to enjoy.

Henry, Nine Years Old

James, Six Years Old

Will, Four Years Old