Grandhotwatercamp Day 8

After breakfast, we played in the back yard.


Then we made up the world's longest wood train consist.


Then we built things with the big Tinker Toy kit (that Pa got at a computer show years ago and kept for a future grandson.)


It's obvious that he's going to be an engineer. Sorry, Mama!


Other things we did:
Walked to lunch at Taco Bueno (Pa drove...)
Played a new version of Stand-on-a-shape-one-two-three-runandchangeplaces: this time with smacking foam tubes together as we passed each other.
Went for a walk and saw a hot air balloon.
Ate supper outside.

Grandhotwatercamp Day 7

Today, before supper, we went for a walk.


We ran part of the way, so we could get home sooner.



John took very good care of his passenger, making sure she didn't fall over too much.


When we got home, we played a lively round of "Stand-on-a-shape-One-two-three-Change-Places!"


While Mimi grilled up some delicious buffalo burgers - yum!


After supper, we did some toenail clipping before bedtime.

Grandhotwatercamp Day 6

Today is Easter - He is Risen!

John finds an Easter greeting on the easel. Thank you, Mama!


The egg hunt begins with goodies found in the Easter basket - like a new book...


...and a model glider! Pa likes this one a lot.


Eggs are everywhere...


...even in the light fixture!

Grandhotwatercamp Day 5

Worked and played outside, then had a snack. John peeled an orange.

Played the keyboard.

Ate lunch in the den (while watching the last part of a fishface video.)

We all went over to Grammie and Pa Smith's house for the Grand Annual Easter Egg Coloring Competition.

Naomi and Jack got things started.

John got some coaching on competetive egg dying.

Robbie and Pa Smith looked on.

Naomi climbed up for a better view.

Ava and Jack tried team coloring.

Ava gets some tips from the Chief Judge.

John makes selections for the crucial sticker application.

Julie threatens the Chief Judge.

Pizza dinner preceeded the final judging.

Finally, the winning categories (all 30 of them) were announced ...

...and labels were applied to the winning contestants.

Jack accepts an award label.

This year's winners!

Grammie S. presented the prizes to each winning contestant.

John proudly displays his new truck.

Thank You, Grammie and Pa Smith! We had a wonderful time.

Grandhotwatercamp Day 4

Today, Naomi came over to visit. We played with balls.

We played with the sticky ball game.

We played in the shed.

We played on the swings next door. (Thank you, James and Kathleen!)
And we went to McDonald's for lunch - and play.

Grandhotwatercamp Day 3

The only recorded event for this day was the traditional Sink Bath.

Grandhotwatercamp Day 2

The day began with some yardwork, involving (among other things) moving some things in the cart.

John developed a different way to bounce on the trampoline.

Pa hung some rope in tree.

Then we had a swing!

We had a snack among the flowers.

At lunch time, we ate outside.

John did some dirt work.

And so did Mimi.

Then we headed indoors for a little rest.

Grandhotwatercamp Day 1 - ARRIVAL

Julie and John arrived on time safe and sound. Jenny lovingly picked them up at the airport and then they went to Jenny's to visit Jeff and Naomi. After a short visit we all met at On The Border for dinner. Then it was time for baths, fish face and bed.

A big day was had by all. No pictures of today's events hopefully we will have some tomorrow.....good night.......mom (dad let me do today's post)

A book - two of them, in fact

I just finished reading two books.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (Bantam Books, 1993)

In the year 2026, the major countries of Earth launch 100 carefully selected scientists on a journey to establish a colony on Mars. When the initial habitation is completed, and more people arrive to begin expanding to new settlements, social and political issues begin to influence the proceedings. Once the space elevator cable is installed between the surface and a geosynchronous asteroid, new immigrants begin to arrive by the thousands. At the same time, Earth has come under the control of a few global corporations, which intend to profit from exploitation of the resources of Mars, regardless of the desires of the Martian settlers. Eventually, a revolution breaks out, resulting in the destruction of much of the infrastructure on the planet, and the escape of thousands of 'red' Martians into an underground existence.

and

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik (Ballantine Books, 2006)
Laurence, captain of a British warship, captures a French frigate carrying a precious dragon's egg to Napoleon Bonaparte. By happenstance, when the egg hatches a short time later, the dragon choosed Laurence to be his handler. This means loss of his naval career, and a transfer to the Aerial Corps. As time goes on, and Temeraire grows into a 30 ton adult dragon, Laurence grows completely devoted to it and his duty to England. Between training exercises and combat missions against the French dragon fleet, their favorite pastime is reading. This eventually leads to Laurence reading Newton's Mathematica to Temeraire and the dragon in turn explaining the mathematics to Laurence. When Napoleon finally launches an invasion of England, Temeraire and his flight crew exhibit extraordinary skill and bravery in turning the tide of the battle.

Both stories are told with realistic detail, and true portrayal of the human passions involved. Both are the first episode of trilogies. They are excellent and enjoyable books. I highly recommend both.

1820 Calories Doesn't Look Like Much Food

We decided to see how much food you get for a given amount of calories. So we laid out a day's worth of meals and added it up.


Doesn't look like much food, does it?!
Here's the list:

1 c cereal 90
1 c milk 100
1/3 c cherries 130
2 pc toast 140
1 T jelly 50
Breakfast 510

4 oz cottage cheese 90
1/2 c peaches 80
1 slice pizza 340
1 c squash 18
1/4 whole onion 16
1 T olive oil 120
1 oz choc chips 140
Lunch 804

1 c soup 70
1/2 c quinoa 170
2 c lettuce 16
1 T dressing 65
3.2 oz tuna 75
2 pc cookies 110
Supper 506
Total 1820
That's probably MORE calories than needed, given our lifestyle.

Grandcamp East - Day 7

This morning, I had toast and cereal and YoBaby for breakfast. I only ate a little toast.


Before school, I played with my remote control bulldozer. I figured out I can push my other toys with it.


Today was kind of a hard day, but after school Mimi and I went to the Botannical Garden to meet James and play. I played hard.
When we got home, I dug in the dirt a little. Then it was supper time and I asked to eat outside. Mimi said "Yes!" Mimi is always fun. I ate a bunch of pizza.


Tonight I was really tired.