Grandkids - week 3

 After having them for a week, I drove Avery and Maya to Toronto for 5 days with their cousins. There they did city things and played together.

I picked them up again for the flight back to Edmonton. We had supper at the airport where the server and another customer, both commented on how well behaved they were.

Maya stayed awake for the whole flight, watching the I-pad and scrounging cookies. Avery fell asleep on her.

For one day Chris, Jason and Cigi were also in Edmonton. They all went to the Science Centre (I begged off) and then we all went out for Sushi.

We made marmalade (from the can of Seville Oranges I gave Mike for Christmas)

We went for some walks in their neighbourhood, a bike ride to the library, a community fun fair (I rode the electric scooter home) and on one of Mike's days off, we went to the river valley.

Mike caught a Grasshopper and Maya held it

Avery didn't like the feel of it so he passed but Maya became an expert catcher.

It was very hot so they waded in the river

while River and I looked on.

The walk through the woods was very buggy

but there were lots of things to see.

Osprey hunting over the river.

Out of the stroller, River ran up and down the footbridge

with Mike in hot pursuit.

With River confined to the stroller again

they cooled off once more.

So hot that ice cream melted before you could eat it.

Back in Port Dover, Rick got up to check out the meteor shower but just got photos of the marina

and the lights of Erie silhouetting Long Point.

The next day he and Gord came first in their fleet, in the Chaos Race.

Still hot in Edmonton so we went to Wabamun Lake where Mike took the kids on a long paddleboard ride

and they played in the lake.

Mikes pride and joy, lemon trees, started from seed, during Covid,

and his tomato ghetto. He has already been harvesting, some in the freezer, BLTs and a large batch of tomato soup. Mine are all still green at this point. He has plans for spaghetti sauce and ketchup.

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.

Grandkids - week 1

I haven't been blogging because I have been laid low by Bronchitis and been busy with visitors. (A crappy combination!)

Mike, Aimee, Avery, Maya and River came for a week.

Joined on the first weekend by Jason, Chris and Cigi (photo by Aimee)

 

Swimming in the lake was, of course, a favorite activity, followed closely by bubble

making

and chasing.

Inside there was fort making

Cigi has to wear an eye patch for an hour a day to correct a "lazy eye".

Mike's reaction to the size of his cone from the Ice Cream Tank. Food is a big part of a visit to Dover ..... pizza, ice cream, Arbor hot dogs and Knechtels Perch and Fries.

More swimming. Maya was nervous, at first, about swimming in the lake (more used to a pool) but warmed up to it

with various floating assists.

Aimee's favorite spot...in the Unicorn with a drink. Photo by Mike.

The drinking made more difficult by the addition of River. Photo by Mike

Photo by Aimee.

Aimee's brother Jr and his family came for a day of BBQ,

swimming

and bonding (Olivia and River) Photo by Aimee

with cousins (Avery, Maya and Nolan) Photo by Aimee.

A quick day trip to Aimee's sisters to meet their newest cousin.

There was some "chillin"

and snacking.

Some time at the beach...

and a walk at the commercial harbour.

Mini golf. I was on stroller duty. Photo by Aimee.

Mike kayaked on the lake and on the river,

taking Avery back with him to see the Painted and Snapping Turtles.

It was a whirlwind week

then Mike, Aimee and River flew back to Edmonton

leaving Avery and Maya with me for another week.