William's visit part 7 -

Saturday

Wade's parents had come for the weekend and the family was busy. Caleb had his last t-ball game Mike and Kathy had wanted to see.
So, we decided to go to the Farmer's Market and find the world's biggest donuts (we think so). Oh oh, we have had them before. They are still warm when you get them. Awesome.

This is always a very busy place but James found a great parking place and we hardly had to walk.

Right near the beginning was a firetruck and William's eyes lit up.

Oh yes, VIDEO! about William as a fire fighter.

2018 07 28 Farmers' Market Firetruck     (1:02)

Actually, a composition of Helen's and mine. 

I knew Helen would love it. All the stands with fruits and veggies straight from the farmer. If they had eggs she would ask what hens they have. She knows the different kinds. And if they don't know she knows that they are not really from their farm, in which case you might as well buy them in the store.

Papa had gone straight to Mrs. Yoder's sourdough donuts. There is always a very very long line. We were early so it was not too bad today. They are big. Helen and I shared one.

Helen spied this salsa kit and bought one to make for Sarah.

She also bought these sunflowers for me. We didn't have quite the right vase but cutting some greens in the front yard took care of that. Aren't they gorgeous. Big hug, daughter.

After lunch Helen started on the salsa to take to Sarah's. We all were invited to what Sarah called an easy supper. I volunteered to bring my salad.

Helen was so excited about the variety of the ingredients. All but the lime and the cilantro had come with it. For that we had stopped at Lidl on the way home because Helen wanted to see it since they don't have one. Lidl didn't disappoint her.

Now, here is a big story. When we had gone to the airport on Wednesday we had too much time since Helen's plane was late. William saw a plane in the gift shop he really really wanted. We told him that you can not just ask for and expect gifts but we all had to earn our things. Being nice and helpful without rewards should be normal but we decided that he could earn the plane if he got 15 points until leaving.

He was really into it. Here he is cutting up things for the salad to take tonight. Peppers and grapes. With a REAL knife.

We had also agreed that 'tantrums' would be bad points = points moving back. Luckily we didn't have to do that. The left side are the earnings. Not much left on the right side.

The rest of the day did not go as planned. We arrived at Sarah's at the same time as all of them. Sarah and Caleb from a birthday party, the others from an outing. Caleb said that he didn't feel good and just perched on the sofa. Colin was puny and clinging to his mom. Shortly after he puked all over Sarah. 

Not knowing how it would go from here we felt that we couldn't help but that we would be more in the way/burden. So we left hoping that it was the right thing to do ... wishing that everybody was going to be o.k. soon.

We decided to just stop for dinner on the way home and the first we came to was "Toast". We sat outside. Everybody was happy with what they had ordered. I like to order fish when I can get it.

After that time went fast. A bath for William. Reading time etc etc. Night night.

Sunday

Church service is at 10 am. Enough time for breakfast and getting ready. Everybody in our church knows Helen and William and coffee hour is always fun.

Lunch at home. The clothes were already in the washing machine and only the button needed to be pushed to start it. Sarah texted whether she and Caleb should come over for an hour. Great idea. There was time to be passed (especially for William).

Up in the guest room Auntie decided to try out William's blow-up bed. Some romping around occurred. 

It didn't help Helen to pack so we all went into the loft. Caleb had found the velcro game and we had a lot of fun with it. But did you know that the thingies don't stick to t-shirts or jeans?

When we went down Caleb and William found a book and asked Papa to read. He is a very good story reader.

Sarah and Caleb had to leave. And we had to get on the way to the airport too. A quick point discussion confirmed that William really did earn that plane. All pins on the 'good points' side. And he still wanted it.

And being helpful continues!

And there it is already in Nashville (Helen had to text a photo to me because I had forgotten). The yellow plane is the one he selected at the gift shop.

Boarding was a little late and they arrived a little late but a non-stop flight is always great. And the delay was nothing compared to the arrival flight. Ben was eagerly waiting for them. It was his birthday. And it was a special birthday too. 

Happy happy Birthday, Ben. Wished we could have celebrated with you.