Tuesday 30 June 2020

Gramma Camp is on!

Cat in a tree. The birds are smarter than the cats think. The cats are happy the girls are here for the week, as are we! They've been told that school will resurrect itself in the fall. Kids will be their either Mon./Tue. or Thurs./Fri., with the school getting a deep cleaning on Wednesdays.  We shall see how that goes. 

Grampa met them at the hostage exchange. I did some chores, i.e., vacuumed, laundry, and prepared.

It is such a relief that home schooling is done. We've planned meals by text. I'd made a meatloaf last week for this week. It was cooler then. This week is heating up. Thursdays we always order in. It's a chore, figuring out the best restaurant where everyone can agree to choose something. 

We looked at one another, took a deep breathe. Jos said, "What are we going to do?" We had some surprises hidden to celebrate the end of the school year. First up was Lego. 


Next, we did some art. I'd bought the girls some art books from our local bookstore, the Book Nook. They've a robust website, and their arts and crafts section is great. I bought some puzzles, too. We'll see how this week shapes up!


I'm proud of this photo. The sawyer was on the outside of the glass, and I managed to get one photo that was in focus by framing the focus. 

Never mind Art in the Park and all the art festivals we are missing, we did art on the deck. You'll note my laundry on the laundry tree. In the afternoon we had a wild storm, and rushed to take all painting supplies indoors. They helped me with my laundry, too! I took photos of our progress, and sent them as text messages to Momma. She misses them, and they have been wonderful during COVID–19. I know they miss their friends. 

Artwork... Jos sketched. Izzy painted.

I sent JB down to Miller's Bay farm to fetch some strawberries. Little did I know that he isn't overly fond of them. The girls and I finished them off! Momma sent a watermelon, as well. 

Elsewhere on the property, the storm from Saturday wreaked havoc on the phragmites. They are lying flat in spots. The wind whips in here, and flattens them. It's sort of pretty.

The frog pond and dock. The 'pond' part is drying up, as this is a vernal pond. 

After only 8 mm in the last storm, I noticed where I had accidentally lowered the mower blade too much. You can see how beneficial the higher 'grass' is during our drought. (It's mostly NOT grass!) We really have to rethink lawns in this day and age. I still see people putting poison on their dandelions. People cut their lawns too short, as well. 

This is how most of our 'lawn' looks. The daisies are lovely. The surprise is these lovely little wild flowers. 



As I mentioned, the storm whipped in on Monday afternoon. The arrow shows the direction. It missed us, again. Just a few drops. Smiths Falls had a downpour. 

There were thunderboomers, too! By this point, the girls were downstairs watching their afternoon video. 


Well, that's it for June. We'll see you tomorrow in July! It is Canada Day tomorrow.

14 comments:

Tom said...

...I hope that the happy campers have a fabulous summer!

The Furry Gnome said...

Your grand-daughters are growing up fast!

Nancy J said...

We have celebrated down here too, June 30th was grandson's 23rd birthday. The night he was born, storm conditions in Rotorua, and yesterday raining as well, A cold snap has descended and many places will wake to a minus C temperature, some reaching zero as their maximum. Love your garden and deck pics, that table is so lovely, and to have grandies stay, what a bonus for any parent at this time. Enjoy every day,XXXX

RedPat said...

We have had very little rain!

Linda said...

I'd love to be a Gramma Camp participant, so many fun things you do.

Karen said...

There is something strange going on up here. My grass is rapidly being overtaken by weedy things. On the slope directly in front of the house, over the septic bed, is some sort of purplish white stuff. Where it starts to flatten out is creeping thyme and beyond that is birds foot trefoil. We have a fairly large dead spot from winter burn. I put about five pounds of grass seed all through that area. It came up nicely during a rainy spell, now it's dying rapidly. We checked for grubs, but none to be seen. It's a strange season!

Anvilcloud said...

We seem to be missing the storms that are hitting all around us.

Christine said...

Happy Canada Day tomorrow! Enjoy the girls.

Red said...

Every month seems to go by faster !

Angie said...

Jenn - Happy Canada Day! Your grandkids are talented artists. I am sure that you will have an absolute ball with the rest of Gramma Camp!!! We had heavy rain the last 24 hours, and most of our tall grass is lying flat. We'll see if it rises again. Enjoy the rest of your week!

DUTA said...

Lovely two girls ! They seem very talented and I foresee them a bright future!

Lowcarb team member said...

I think art on the deck is a great idea.
Enjoy Gramma Camp :)

Happy Canada Day.

All the best Jan

Kay said...

Your granddaughters are lovely artists. That bunny reminds me of Watership Down. Looks like you’re finding a ton of things to keep them happily occupied.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

How great that you can help out with the babysitting like that. What wonderful grandparents. Fun for all!