Grandkids - Week 2

 Mike, Aimee and River flew back to Edmonton on Saturday, leaving Avery and Maya with me. It was a difficult adjustment for Maya, missing her Mum and Dad and being nervous about sailing school (which would start on Monday). We went to the beach

and a walk around Silver Lake, with binoculars. So many Green Herons.

An Egret

and a Blue Heron. We also saw Kingfishers but there was no way that I could get a photo, moving too fast.

They snuck up on a Squirrel,

getting quite close before he bounded off.

They "sang" on the Bandstand.

Monday was the start of Sailing School and in the morning they went out on the boats, no sails, just to get a feel for being on the water. They were at the front. Avery said that put them in "First Class".

In the afternoon they were out with the sails up. Maya was scared and cried both afternoons as it was wavier in the afternoon. Avery liked it, paired up with a a boy about his age, he was as happy out on the water as he was playing games in the marina. I think his favorite activity was cannon balling off the boat on Friday afternoon and climbing back on to do it again, and again ...

Maya, Avery and his Sailing School friend, out on the water.

 Avery was signed up for the whole week but Maya was just there for two days as she is a year younger. So she and I found other things to do...

We picked Blueberries on two mornings. She is a world class Blueberry picker. Picks the low ones while I pick the high ones and searches for the biggest, bluest berries (competitively). She also eats very few but was a fan of the Blueberry tarts we made later.

We painted. I worked on the Pokemon picture that Avery requested while she painted rainbows.

Simon made this rocking horse for Christine in 1985. It was looking the worse for wear, lost its mane and tail, some war wounds, so Maya and I sanded it down and started to stain it blue (her idea).

We went to the beach and the park, read her books and when there was nothing to do she brushed Rasta and put treats in his ball.

Wednesday night I sailed and Wyatt babysat them. They had pizza and popcorn and watched Dungeons and Dragons on Netflix. Most nights we played either Waterworks or Labyrinth. The last night Wyatt hosted a Dungeons and Dragons game with them.

Saturday morning I drove them in to Toronto for 5 days at their cousins house.

Peace and quiet now reigns once again

and I am gradually getting my house back in order.

I have nearly finished giving the rocking horse a makeover ... just need to finish his eyes and get dowel cut for the handles. The votes are in and his name is Blueberry, Maya's suggestion and supported by the original riders.

Thursday I fly back to Edmonton with them.