Friday

I'm up very early. Pack lunches for the two younger ones, fill endless water bottles, set up breakfast, tidy the already neat premises. (I'm at my daughter's home. Once I leave with the kids, I wont be back today, so everything needs to be done now, early.)

And at 7, the clock in the room of the older grandkids sings its happy wake up tune and the two leap out and announce their wakeful energetic presence! 

Their routine is to eat first, then bathe and I more or less follow that, though the oldest now is on her own with showering, so my job is actually not too hard. The youngest is still asleep, or at least not complaining about the state of the world and so I concentrate on getting the two big ones ready. 

(he likes a waffle with honey)

(she likes her blueberrymuffin, a peach, and lemonade!)

Then I bring down Sandpiper. 

(he likes blueberries and a waffle and his pillow!)

With the help of Snowdrop we hustle him through breakfast, then a bath, and then very quickly into his clothes and by 8, believe it or not, everything is put away and we are all getting into the car!

Drop off is easy. We go to the little guys' school first.

Then to Snowdrop's UW class.

And now I have time to make a trip back to the farmhouse. For breakfast with Ed.

Not done yet! Immediately after, I return to the University because it is Snowdrop's last class today (topic: science) and the kids do a demonstration for parents. Since her parents are still away, I fill in.

And still not done for the day! At noon, I meet up with Ed at the bike station. I rent a B-Cycle and the two of us ride over to the town on the other side of Lake Waubesa (McFarland). Maybe that was a bit ambitious: it's steamy hot outside and I could use a nap. Nonetheless, I'm on a biking kick right now and it seemed like a good adventure to cap a day of good moments and fine adventures.

(Sandhill cranes, keeping an eye on the expansion in the development...)

(Lake Waubesa, from the other side; Ed, drawn to the sailboats...)

(On the way back, just to the rear of the farmette: I honestly dont know what bird this is! Looks like a crane but the colors are wrong for a Sandhill!)

And here's where I should insert a nap, butter  two cups of coffee,  I am wired. I do rest a little, and then I'm out with the hose. I was going to stick to the tubs, but when I see a dry plant, I sidetrack into the field. So many of the flowers need water. I am really hoping that on Sunday we will finally get some rain. Maybe. 

It's very late before I start in on cutting up veggies for a soup.

It's been a beautifully long day!