This was the last day of Gramma Camp, 2021. It is both sad and happy.
Friday, Aug. 13th
We all planned the party. Josee did the menu. Grampa did groceries early in the morning. There were no line-ups.
Grampa bought the two Happy Birthday balloons. Cinnamon thought the ribbons were the best thing. You can see his little face in the first photo, below, on the top step.
The girls were impressed with the balloons! We three decorated and set the table. Presents were ready.
Grampa made the bed!
We planned carefully for it. We planned our prep schedule. Monday Grampa took the girls shopping for presents. Wednesday we made the cake. Thursday we wrapped presents and iced the cake. Friday we decorated.
It was a Cockeyed Cake, which we usually call Crazy Cake. It was in the I Hate To Cook book by Peg Bracken.
The girls don't wear dresses much, so we dressed up in the beach cover-ups they wore in our trip to the Dominican Republic.
Momma texted at 4 p.m. to say they were on their way from Ottawa. Josephine and I had cut up the veggies for grilling. They arrived, and Papa began to cook the shish kabobs. I put rice on in the rice cooker. Then, time for dessert and presents.
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| our trip to the Dominican Republic, 2017 |
I wrote a poem, as I often do.
Saturday, The last day of Gramma Camp
Everyone slept over one more night. We eased into the day. All packed, beds stripped. The girls wanted to take Momma and Papa to Stewart Park, where they have walked all summer with Grampa.
We shall miss them, but they will be so happy to go back to school next month. Both are fine with wearing masks. I hope that wave 4 of COVID–19 will be controlled. We have learned so much about this horrid disease. I hope they can keep on top of it.
It's been a long haul caring for our grandchildren on and off for 35 weeks, since March Break 2020. What a good feeling to have helped Momma and Papa, who have been working from home. It has been frantic, during Virtual Schooling. It has been joyful, as well. They have grown mentally and physically, and are both getting as tall or taller than I am. We are all so proud of them. Goodbye to the schoolbus/helicopter.
Saturday morning we said our goodbyes. First, hugs.
Then a last rousing rendition of the Gramma Camp song, "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley."
I did some laundry: towels and sheets, then vacuumed the basement, now that the blow-up mattress is put away until next time. Cinnamon was quite fatigued!
14 comments:
...the finale?
You have gone well beyond the call in helping the girls, and particularly your girl. Enjoy the more subdued times ahead.
The Spice cats will miss the girls too. The long goodbye made me teary.
Hari OM
It has been a long haul - but you each made the very best of a difficult time and this will be logged in the banks for the next generation - or two! YAM xx
They will have fun back at school but will miss you both!
You've been AMAZING grandparents. Their stories won't even compare with their classmates. Those 35 weeks will be talked about 35 years from now.
Please make sure kitty didn't eat any of the balloon ribbons. My grandcat LOVES, ATTACKS, STEALS and eats the curly ribbon off presents, requiring a gut-checking scope by it's veterinarian hooman daddy to make sure the innards weren't getting twisted. I don't even take Christmas presents to their house with any curly ribbon.
Linda in Kansas
Way beyond what might have been expected from you both, and in years to come they will both remember this as the most wonderful time of 2020 and 2021!!! I am sure the days will be so quiet, more restful, maybe a little empty, but some time to relax, not to run to the school bus timetable, and as for myself, I will surely miss the Gramma Camp bulletins of daily events. Maybe they arrived as girls, but leave as young ladies, so grown up, not only in height but manners and the education you helped them achieve. mai you can write a book for them, keeping those memories alive forever. XXXX to you both. Send the bus into the garage for some maintenance, in case it gets called back into action.
You've built some great memories from these Gramma Camps. I've certainly enjoyed them. So much fun to see all these lovely photos and your interesting narratives. This looked like a great birthday celebration to end it on.
Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Bravo on looking after them.
Yes, it is both happy and sad. Congratulations for doing it. I've enjoyed it too. We're not getting to see our own grandchidren grow up 'cause they're in B.C. so I've enjoyed seeing yours!
Congratulations on time well spent! They will have great memories!
A sad and happy day for all. Gramma Camp has created so many memories.
Happy Birthday to Caitlin!
The song you've written is a lovely gift for her!
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