Our eldest and her hubby wanted to take advantage of warm weather for camping and hiking, which meant a looooong car ride. So we got their girls for the week.

The Play Doh lasted an hour and a half; then got spread around periodically. We devoted our usual breakfast table to Play Doh.

Day1: Petra was the early bird, coming to tuck in with us while we read the news and drank coffee.

L helped grind grain for rolls and then we got free entertainment for a day with cousins.

Day 2 gave us a walk to the river. We saw fuzzy cows and L was startled by the sound of Great Blues nesting. She ventured out on a downed tree over the water. That girl can climb. Petra contented herself with throwing rocks in the river. Hot chocolate on our return.

Day 3 brought new ducklings and snow.

A walk around the land and hot tea in fancy cups served for entertainment. The girls were very careful with Bubba’s teacups. Bubba was Michael’s grandmother.

Day 4 gave us a walk along the river. We saw where beavers gnawed trees, bears walked just before us, scarlet cups and skunk cabbage bloomed. Then we found ice cream.

Day 5 had us running errands to the feed mill to pick up duckling food, look for potato sets at the local grocery (not in yet, so mini donuts had to do); visit the graveyard where Michael’s grandparents rest, and then to The Upper (one of the two local bars) for burgers and root beer. Wearing a new dress made Petra’s day.

Day 6 we had a chocolate chip cookie fueled dance-in-the-snow rave.

Day 7 we went to Lion’s Park. The slides were sub-par for big-city kids, but the rocks and parking lot bumpers were pretty cool to climb on. The girls wanted pizza for dinner, so we went to the Wolf Creek bar.

Day 8 we had cousins again! Then mom and dad arrived in the afternoon. The girls waited for them at the end of the driveway…until they got cold.

Every day included cuddling ducklings, looking for new hatchlings, helping Boopa with chickens and ducks, seeing odd things like tree stump fountains in the woods, taking a bath (so you know when bedtime is), and getting a bedtime story. We are delighted to have had this Grand time. Now excuse us while we collapse in a heap!