Monday

Gaga Camp, Grandma Camp -- call it what you will, it continues today, full steam ahead.

The day starts calmly enough, though both Ed and I could have used more sleep at night. He was restless, I was restless. Too warm in the bedroom, he -- too distracted by details of what to take for his sailing adventure, what to have ready for it, me -- trying to imagine how to move ahead with this hot, hot day. But by 7 -- Primrose waking time -- both he and I are ready to take on the day!

Just a glance outside. Later, I will find the time to water the tubs. For now, nothing more than a quick look.

 

Ed leaves (for his sailing adventure)...

 

Primrose and I sit down to breakfast.

And minutes later, the two older cousins arrive. Explosive energy! Time to launch an art project. I have these bird houses... they need a decor... with colorful tape.

Done!

One of the kids proposes a walk across the farmette lands. I love doing that with them -- it's always fun to see what captures their interest.

But it really is too hot to stay out there for long.

Lunch: at the kitchen table. I ask them what they would like, knowing darn well they'll say pasta. 

They said pasta.

Immediately after, we go out to clobber the now filled pinata. (If you recall, we went to a parade yesterday and wound up with bags and bags of candy. The kids wanted to stuff a pinata with it and have a bit of a party today.)

Pinata now destroyed, candy dished out, swapped, and swapped again.

We head for the movies.

There had been much discussion as to which movie we should see. Finally they settled on Inside Out 2.

I have not been to the movies for maybe ten years. Since when does a noon show attended by one senior and three little ones cost a small fortune? And the popcorn?! And since when do kids expect their viewing experience to take place like this (3-d glasses and all!):

And the volume level: wow. Are young people deaf these days?

But in fact, the movie was fun, the story line is sweeter than sweet. Gaga cried at the end.

No time to dally after. We rush home, the kids change into swim suits and we head out once again, this time to the Fitchburg Splash Pad -- surprisingly uncrowded for such a hot day.

(in a water bubble)

Back to the farmhouse. My daughter is there now and her husband and Sandpiper arrive as well. Time for me to bring home a couple of hand tossed pizzas.

They're still here at dusk which is hugely helpful for me because I can step out to deal with the animals while the kids play, or do somersaults, or whatever.

It is late by the time the young family leaves and the visiting camper is in her bed upstairs. I have to think that they all went to bed happy and excited about the possibilities. That's why you go to camp, isn't it? To cultivate an excitement for life,  for activities that take you out of your comfort zone.

Tomorrow we return to it: the arts, the play, the water splashing. With so much love...