William visit Day 19 - the end

Thursday

This must have been a fun day. William came home with a model DNA ... in sizzlers and gum drops. He wrote 'do not eat' onto the plate though. He thought they might be dusty and germ-y and if his cousins see it they should be warned. Sweet boy. (He did not eat any of it either)

Friday

Last day of camp. And last day of William's visit. The great time we had needed celebrating. What other way than at Sweet Frog? It was on our way home. 

Uh uh, brain freeze?

What is for supper? As we really should not have any leftovers we decided not to cook but keep on celebrating by going to Olive Garden. When we ask William whether he would like that he jumped in agreement. 

See the empty salad bowl?

Doesn't everybody pick their favorite restaurant by the unlimited breadsticks? Especially when the waitress knows about grating parmesan onto a side plate for dipping?

No leftovers to take home. All three of us overdid it. It was unanimous to immediately go for a walk when home. And after that: packing and staging what to take on the trip.

Saturday

William has always been a good traveler. At 8 am we were on the road. Tea in to-go cups for James and me. Cut up apples for all. Too early to want more. After 2 1/2 hours our usual breakfast place. Sausage McMuffins from the dollar menu. With egg for William. No seating yet at this McDonald. Only take-out.

William said he had never had breakfast at McD and loved it. Best ever!

He asked for my phone so he could take this photo.

Of course there have to been stops here and there for you know what. 

No question, he has exceeded the minimum hight for sitting in front seats. Car seats not necessary any longer. 

He decided that he needed exercises. After our picnic lunch we did a few laps. We had to cut it short though because we really wanted to get to where we were going - 600 miles and only half way so far. 

The closer as we got William kept looking at the GPS and ETA and announcing how he was looking forward to seeing his Mommy and Dad again.  

We arrived in good time. Safe drive thank the Lord. All is good.

William visit Day 17 + 18

Tuesday

Second day of CSI camp. He is still a bit reticent about it. It is rather a long day. But there is no fuss getting up early and getting ready. And we do think he likes it because it is his thing.

The third Tuesday of the month - my day (smile) because I had a quilter's group meeting. It started at 10:30 am and it was a lot of fun. I came home for a very late lunch and James and I enjoyed our coffee on the back porch. For the first time we saw a bird enjoying the bird bath. I was able to take a photo zooming on the cardinal as much as possible. 

Right after he enjoyed some food.

My hoya carnosa, the porcelainflower or wax plant, has several of these. Gorgeous. But you really have to take a closer look. They are not that obvious.

Another 66 mile round trip to pick up William in the afternoon. Papa did it and they stopped at the library to search out some books for him. Gosh, he was so into one of them that he almost didn't talk for the rest of the day. Omi didn't feel like cooking (happens rarely) and we walked to the Mexican restaurant near us. It was lovely walking and the dinner was very nice. William took this photo of us.

He was hungry. And the food arrived too hot. He had to wait for it to cool down a little. Not easy when you are hungry.

Wednesday

Sarah's birthday is on Friday and it was complicated to decide when to celebrate. So this evening is it. She was very good about what she would like. I brought William to camp and went to their Fresh Market store to get 2 Little Big Meals "Greek Sheet Pan Meal" and put all into their kitchen/fridge. Then back home to take care of other things needing done.

James reminded me to take a look at the hardy hibiscus. He calls them 'your saucers'. They are really huge like little plates.

Pick-up time for William from camp is between 3:30 and 4. We tried to be as early as we could because he needed a haircut badly. He wanted Aunt Sarah to do it (if you read my blogs you know she is very good) but the days were just too hectic. But she texted me a coupon for $ 5.99 at this place which was conviniently on the way.

And then to "the cousins". Colin and Owen were waiting. All 7 of us played a game of Left-Center-Right which took a while because it took unexpected turns and was good fun.

William asked whether there was a bike ride possible. Yes, he and the twins 'did the cul-de-sacs' while Papa was walking with them. Wade took Stella on a walk. Sarah and I prepared the meal. It was so easy and quick. No headache. Actually, I was the sous chef.

Papa's photos:

On Sarah's wishlist was a DQ ice cream. Wade had organized that. It was very pretty and of course everybody liked it.

VIDEO   (0:23 minutes)

William sat next to me: "Look Omi, I made a heart".

Lucky boy William. He thought there was no more bike riding. But Aunt Sarah was up for it and took the boys. All were happy.

There were also questions about his CSI camp. Today they had learned about that it could be calculated how tall somebody was by the size of his foot. Auntie measured. We didn't quite figure it out though.

And then it was time to go home. Not much time left until bed time. 

William visit Day 15 + 16

Sunday

Caleb's sleepover was a really nice time for both. They had a good sleep but were awake at 6 am. Our church service is at 10 am. And not very far. Breakfast didn't take long. What to do? As it was still nice and coolish we had time to look at the garden. Caleb looooves to use the clippers and trim. Dead-heading is not a chore for him. Yeah!

We suddenly saw also that butterfly # 4 (the last one) had hatched. Not much time before we had to leave. We drove the awning out for some shade and carried everything outside. 

 

It wasn't ready to fly off. It had it's wings more closed than open. William took all the photos. So that is why we left it like this. When we came back it was gone. Of course.

We went straight from the church to bring Caleb home. His parents were still gone and his other grandparents needed to leave with him in good time because the next day the camp started which they had arranged for him.

James and I of course stayed with the twins. We built a very nice railroad.

Yes, yes, sometimes bribery is allowed. We went to Sweetfrog after the twins nap. A treat also for William because several days earlier we had wanted to take him to the one close to us and -big dissapointement - it was 'temporarily' closed. 

Too hot to go outside. Some TV and some wrestling while watching.

Monday

Not many photos! We had to get up early because we had a 38 minute drive to his CSI camp and sign-in was at 8:45 am. Luckily he had a good nights sleep and everything went fine. 

Unfortunately Sarah had a problem. The babysitter called in sick. Fortunately we could help. James and I were at her house at noon. We ahd lunch with the twins Sarah had to leave for work at 12:30. We had a good time playing then the twins napped. James went to pick William up from his camp which was not so far now and the twins were awake when they arrived back. 

Wade (and Sarah when she doesn't have to work at that time) take the children for a bikeride on the golf course which is open on Monday evenings. When Wade arrived from work he was kind to take William as well. It's much more fun for William to ride his bike with company. Papa and Omi can't help there.

When we thought they might be coming back we waited outside. I open the back of my car and use to sit on it. Soon we saw several deer including a young buck walk across the street into the back yard not far from us.

Stella's ears pricked up but she did not move. Interesting.

And then they arrived back. I think William is tired from a long day filled with experiences.

VIDEO     (0:43 minutes)

William was very grateful though that Wade had taking him on that ride. He says he needs to exercise.