Helen and Ben's turn ...

.... to have vacation!

24th of January ~ ~ ~ my wonderful daughter Helen arrived xx years ago. She wanted to go away for a few days for her birthday so Papa and Omi volunteered to take care of William.

Tuesday, on her birthday, she has to work. James and I get a "super salad" and a coconut water can from Publix and bring it to her for her 30 minute lunch break. I had something to do with her day of birth after all and wanted my hug too. She has done such a wonderful effort to eat healthy and exercise for several months now (losing about 40 pounds) that we didn't want to sabotage it with a cupcake but brought her a celebratory chocolate covered strawberry. She loved our choices.

 

 

After her work she and Ben packed the car and off they went.

 

We had a list .. when to get William from school and where he had to be when. Tuesday he had Green Machine Club at the school till 5 pm. Uggghhhh, the Nashville traffic at that time. Just something we had to learn to live with.

William wanted to congratulate his Mommy. We took this photo (with my balloon from Sunday) and he threw a kiss. Then we texted the photo to Mommy.

 

 

I must say that it was a pleasure to have William. Papa was responsible for the homework. Helen said Tuesday is the toughest day in the week and it was. He did it willingly though and we were done soon ... after a snack!

He likes healthy food. Salads are always winners. Most of the time he wanted German bread (whole kernels) with Brie. He loves goat cheese and sheep cheese. My Spanish Manchego cheese was always requested. Funny boy.

 

We had to wake William at 6:30 am to have him at school at 8 am. James brought him to school since I was working on the church newsletter and the Cuba blogs. James was pleasantly surprised that the traffic wasn't quite as bad at that time as he had feared. He also took care of granddog Drifter, who of course wanted food and walks too.

Again, William was very good in the mornings too. Always gave me a smile when I woke him. He might have had enough sleep since going to bed also was never an issue.

He would have loved to see the delivery of drywall next door which has had the fire several months ago. But he was in school of course. Took these photos to show him.

 

 

 

Thursday the school celebrated 100th day. Each student supposedly had a bag with 100 treats. I had been signed up to bring mini marshmallows which he took in the morning. No worries, he didn't eat all that. We put most back into the sandwich bag.

 

 

We played Skip-bo, dominoes and battle ship all week, besides building forts/houses, whenever there was a little time left after school and before bedtime.

And, oh yes, we also played with balloons from the Dollar Tree.

VIDEO 1!

VIDEO 2!

 

 

Sunk!

 

 

Friday we both brought him to school because we had to be there at 9 am for the honor ceremony.

 

 

 

Those with certain ribbons had to stand up and pat themselves on the back.

 

 

Well done, William!

 

 

What else? Auntie Sarah called and we did FaceTime.

 

 

 

Friday evening we were supposed to bring him to Taekwondo at 6 pm. OMG that traffic clear across town. We had left so early but just made it with one minute to spare. It was fun watching him. He is very intensely paying attention.

 

 

 

Saturday morning. Finally a little easier schedule. I love it when he helps me. Putting away the silverware from the dishwasher is "his job".

 

 

10 o'clock at the school. Volunteer work. Not sure whether it was Garden Club or Green Machine. He loves it. It was a very cold but sunny day. First I was asked to do some weeding, then photographing, then assembling shelves for the shed. The last was just my thing. James had to take care of something to straighten out or AT&T/wifi situation and then we finished the shelves together. By noon all the work was done. Lunch was provided but William said that hamburgers were not healthy and not good for him. So we went back to the townhouse for lunch. He would have liked to go to Chick-fil-A (not sure why he thinks that is healthier) but there was none on our side of town. We promised we would go for dinner after Taekwondo because there is one close there.

 

 

 

 

4 pm on a Saturday afternoon. The traffic is so much easier today. We were even a bit early. Helen's friend Sarah helped with William's belt. There were less students there today and William got a good workout. It amazes me how intense he watches and tries to learn.

 

 

Dinner. We kept our promise. I think the reason why Chick-fil-A is "healthier" is that here is an indoor playground. We had fun though.

 

 

William is talking about snow for several days now. Saturday night he throws ice cubes into the toilet and goes to bed with his pjs inside out.

 

Sunday morning he is very disappointed. No snow. All the talk about safe roads for Pops and Mommy to come home is no good. Pops has a 4-wheel drive and can handle it. William just couldn't believe that his effort didn't bring the wanted results. We made it to church at 9 am though.

People at church were especially nice and asked him to help with the service a lot. He got to help bring the cross to the altar, help with the offertory, bring part of the communion elements to the front and help carry the cross out at the end. Of course he is not shy giving his opinion during the children's sermon. I told him that it was a good thing that the roads were clear so he could help in church since we don't have a 4-wheel drive.

I took a photo of the banner because it could be an idea for a Chrismon.

 

 

Pops and Mommy had a good drive and came straight to see us. They seemed to have had a great time. They both really had needed these few days of relaxation. We raided the fridge for leftovers for dinner.

 

 

 

Monday

Since Helen had not seen us much we didn't get on the road as early as we usually do. We took our time getting ready and pack the car. She came over after William was in school for a little while. We had a few things to discuss.

We must have left about 10 am but the roads were good and all in all the drive went well. We did see some snow on the Cumberland Plateau though.

 

 

We had to drive some in the dark at the end but then back in Virginia. What a great time we had.

 

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