Omi Camp part 4

Behind again. So sorry.

Monday 6/27

Weatherforecast was not very good for the afternoon so we decided to take adventage of the dry weather in the morning. We decided to go straight through CrossRidge and squeeze through one of the emergency gates into the next neighborhood. We went past the middle school and onto the trail next to the frisbee golf course past the splash pad and back home ... squeezing through that chained gate again.

Of course at noon til 1 pm William had his coding class again on his computer. 

In the afternoon it rained buckets. The weatherman had not lied. So we had an easy rest of the day. Luckily William likes to read too.

And then he wanted to play Five-crowns but only with "unlucky Papa". You can see on the score card that he won by 7 points. The day before he didn't win and didn't loose. That was the game when Omi (C) played with Caleb.

Tuesday 6/28

In the morning James and I had an appointment to sign some papers and William had to go with us of course. It didn't even take 10 minutes which we didn't know so we had some time to spare. We stopped at Trader Joe's for some dumplings William really likes to eat and another store to get some treats for our trip the next day. And there I saw the sign that there was a "Sweet Frog" place in that area. The one close to us had closed during the pandemic and we only knew of the one across the river. 

In the afternoon William played cards again but this time with Omi. It was a nice day and we were outside under the awning. I teased William that there was a condolences prize for the loser but also a prize for the winner. We had fun because he tried to guess. 

Ha-ha, the prize was the same. He had asked a few times before whether we could go to Sweet Frog (just so he could say he did it) and when I had seen the sign in the morning I had duly noted.

Papa's knee (he had fallen on a few days ago) was acting up so just the two of us went for the treat. Needless to say that the boy was happy. We could sit outside and it was very nice.

Wednesday 6/29

This afternoon, when William is done with his class, Sarah will come with her three to pick us up and we all three will go away for three nights. We have rented a house in Massanatten. 

Adults always have to think what they need to take care off before leaving their home even if it is only for 3 nights. The plants needed watering. William was very happy to help with that. 

Don't forget Omi's rhubarb. It's the most important.

And then, just around 2 pm, we are on our way. Sarah's car is packed to the max. After all, we are 7 people with stuff. Only 4 children but at one point it felt like a busload. How long is the drive? Only about 2 hours. Are we there yet? Ha-ha. Sarah drove and James set next to her.

Sarah had heard from one of her friends that there was the Green Valley Bookfair (shop) which was very worth visiting. We were there with 20 minutes to spare before they closed at 5 pm. 

It is an amazing place and yes, well worth visiting. Everybody found something they liked, especially bookworm William. And the two ladies were beyond duty helpful. So friendly and knowledgeable. They knew exactly what William was reading and what the series was he was just starting. And the price was incredibly affordable. 

And on we continued. Are we there yet? But not on highways but a snaking country road. Gorgeous views.

And then we were there. A very nice house in a very nice place. We settle down.

Sarah even brought the hammock. These two trees were too far apart.

This will do. William is helping. He wants to be the first one in it. But he is not experienced and is also the first one to be tipped out by it. Everybody is laughing including William. He couldn't belief what just happened and said that he learned not to want to be first any more.

Everybody is settling in after investigating the house.

Sarah is starting dinner.

Dinner at a nice large table. Lovely.

The house does not have an ordinary lay-out. I am standing in the main living room looking at the front door on the right, another small sitting room with adjacent bedroom in the back and a little courtyard for the hottub on the left.

The boys could not wait to get in and injoyed it very much.

Finally the children are in bed and asleep. A few moments for us to relax. And then I see the sign just above James' head ...

What a nice touch. So far we are impressed with this house. Booked through Vrbo,  communication with the host had been great!

Time for me to turn the light out too. Night night.

 

Omi Camp part 3

When I started this blog today I noticed that I had made a mistake in the last one. Thursday 6/23 was missing but photos were there. Tsss, tsss. I made the correction there.

Friday 6/24

Nothing earthshaking in the morning, William's coding class at noon till one, lunch afterwards etc etc. But at 2:30 pm we were supposed to be at Caleb's sailing camp which was about a half hour drive from us. It is the last day of his week of sailing lessons. He likes it very much. 

So we were invited to be shown what they all have learned. In the first photo he is in the boat exactly in the middle of the picture. He has a lifevest mostly orange. 

The twins were there with their nanny too. 

There is Caleb is sailing around the red buoy.

Then all the boats (there was another class with older children) came to shore and everybody took care of their boat. 

Caleb was very busy taking down the mast (which was taller then him and metal) and sail, folding everything up and putting it into a sleeve and carrying it away.

Then he had to pull his boat to the ramp, pull it onto a trailer and up the hill and it is stored upside down on the grass. He didn't stop there but went to help the others until all was done.

The nanny brought the three children home. We went to the house too to relieve the nanny until Sarah came home from work. 

William was invited to spend the night with his cousins and Sarah. She sent the photos. The went for a walk to a lake in the evening. 

And watched a movie.

Saturday June 25

More photos from Sarah. A photo telling it all. Donuts - it must be Saturday morning.

And then a nice walk (to run the sugar off?). 

Oh, who can resist a nice creek?

Crawfish!

In the afternoon some pickle ball (or so). 

In the evening Papa and I were invited to dinner. Wade showed us his new cooking station. We had a hibachi meal. It could not have been better in one of those expensive places. Chicken, beef, shrimp and a very delicious fried rice. For those who wanted it: Yum-yum sauce - original or original spicy! Next time I go shopping ...

Afterwards seedless watermelon outside!

And more home-version pickle ball.

To top it all off, we took Caleb home with us and the two oldest boys had a lot of fun together. 

Sunday June 26

Getting ready for church but a bit early.

William took this photo on his phone and shared with me.

Yes, still time for a game of dominoes.

Whisper whisper "can we ring the bell?" Mr. Rick took care of it and also took the photos and shared with Omi.

Omi was hostess this morning for coffee hour at the church so it got a little later. And ... the boys were not very hungry for lunch. They had found things to nibble at the coffee hour.

They helped to prepare the lunch.

After lunch we decided to all play the Five Crowns game. Caleb has not really played it yet so he and I played together  against William and Papa. Unfortunately I am just often very lucky getting the right cards. Papa is used to it and William really is an excellent sport about it. He still enjoyes playing even if he doesn't win. Luck at "our" hand. This is the round for queens which means they are wildcards/jokers. 

When we were in England I could not resists bringing this LEGO British bus back with us. It stays and Omi's house, can be assembled and put appart again. I learned that it is a one person job. William felt a bit left out.

Sarah had to work this day (starting at 7 am) and dropped by to pick her son up soon after 3:30 pm. Time to chill and water the garden. A friend had given me a little yellow cherry tomato plant in an indoor hydro container. When we went to England I planted it outdoors into a planter. Soon we can harvest.

And that is it for now. So much is happening every day. So difficult to keep up with the blogging.