Gramma Camp 3.3 Sunday

1. Gramma Camp 3.0! (Thursday, the pick-up) | 2. Gramma Camp 3.1 Friday | 3. Gramma Camp 3.2 Saturday

Sunday, Nov. 25th

OK, I carry on with our tale!!! I'd taped some shows. We eased into the morning. I negotiated with Josephine to do her homework at 11 a.m. Next, breakfast, then we could finish the movie we began at bedtime. Gramma suggested we tidy and pack, then we could be ready. This was acceptable.   That done, movie time!


A rainy day, I'm happy we played outdoors Friday and Saturday. We had to get homework out of the way. Firstly, I looked up tuning a ukulele! The strings are G C E A. I have a tuner, which helped. C was tuned to C#, and it wasn't right. We fixed it.

A group of students are being taught the ukulele at Jos' school, taught by students. It's for the December concert. I explained that we strum in a regular rhythm pattern, not the rhythm of the melody. It worked better.


Isabelle wanted to take a selfie in the mirror! I encourage their experimentation!

Swedish Irish Magic Viking Meatballs

There is a good story behind the Swedish Irish Magic Viking Meatballs. Grampa went into the bookstore in town. He didn't know what to choose for 11-year-old Josee. He consulted the three 11-year-old girls who happened to be there with a mom, and came home with this. Success! Josephine had accidentally left her iPad on and went from 50% power to zero, so she couldn't read her book.


Out we went for a play. We were captured on the trailcamera.


Notice the difference between the frogpond ice Saturday and Sunday.

• Snow and ice Saturday. 

• Sunday, lots of dirty water and the grass turned green, peeking through.

It was time to go. Grampa came down to the frogpond to say he'd spoken to Caitlin. We were packed, Isabelle prepared a snack: grapes and dried cranberries. The parental unit phoned when they made it to the station, and we all hopped in the car.

On our way, we were stopped in a R.I.D.E. program. They asked if Grampa had been drinking (no, not in 17 years, he thought, but didn't say aloud). Then, she checked that all of us, including the girls, had their seatbelts on. We sure did! With a smile, and a verbal pat-on-the-back, we were good to go.


On our way. Isabelle's preference was The Beatles CD, disk 2. Grampa searched high and low for it.


We made it to the mall parking lot, where Momma and Papa were sitting waiting. They'd gotten off the train in Barrhaven, where they had gotten on, and drove here to meet us. There were Close Eyes for all. Josephine made us recite the Swedish Irish Magic Viking Meatballs incantation. (It used to be 'Irish Swedish Meatballs' – it has evolved.


Souvenirs! My Dad's team. I remember going to the Maple Leaf Gardens.


Farewell!


I waved to you, Anvilcloud.

We had to visit our naturopath's office,  We had to pick up meds for hubby from the athletic facility. They are doing more renovations.

The big kids had a grand time in Toronto! I grew up there, in the inner city.



We went home, and all was quiet. We miss them!

Gramma Camp 3.1 Friday

Gramma Camp 3.0! (Thursday, the pick-up)

Friday, Nov. 23rd, 6:50 a.m.

I went downstairs to see how warm or cold it was. The girls were reading on the iPads. Gramma put the fire on. The basement was chilly, even though I'd banked the fire. There were coals, but not many!
This is why it was chilly, it was -21 C. We have a lovely furnace, but the basement isn't really on high heat. Hot air rises.

Izzy and I watched Sponge Bob Square Pants. Morning cartoons are the best! Josee continued reading. Isabelle made her own toast. We hung out.
I took Josephine breakfast in bed, a bit later! I guessed at her order for her toast, one with peanut butter, one with strawberry jam. Bingo!

We discussed the day, and Josee asked which crafts we might do. I explained that we had some ornaments, or an Advent Calendar involving chocolates. (She also has L.A. homework, and ukelele to practice.)

Meantime, Grampa was asked, by Isabelle, to do another "Swedish Irish Magic Viking Meatballs!"  

He heartily agreed; off he went to town to get some loot. The cats encouraged him in the hallway.

Josee and I began work on the Advent Calendar I'd bought from Lee Valley (free shipping days!). Chaos ensued. I don't have any sort of decorator's bag. We tried an old baster that doesn't baste any more. However, the chocolate just got stuck in it. Then, I suggested we put the chocolate into the measuring cup, and pour it. That was messy. but more effective. I licked the bowl scraper, Jos the pot!


Next, Jos and I did some outdoor chores. Firstly, refilling the bird feeders, fetching the SD Cards from the trailcam, and refilling the birdbath. It was lovely having a pal! She is a bit too short to hang this bird feeder up. Sooooo close! She has grown, she'll be 11 next month.



Down to the trailcams. Josee mugged in front of the camera. The camera has issues. It's been assaulted by Junior Bear. It hangs precariously.

Jos took the ribbon off the Gold Goose, as it was what caused me to record 1230 photos, as it flapped in the wind.


The 2nd trail camera pooched out on me. Our buck did up his scrape, again. No photos, as I think the trailcam froze. We walked up the driveway and found lots of tracks. Turkey, deer (large and small), and Grampa tracks!


Izzy was tired, and went back to sleep. She was having a good nap. If she is tired, she should sleep!


When she woke, she regaled us with a tale of her dream. It was about a whole bunch of Daisys going after Hooper, "Oh, no, what will happen to Hooper?" she thought, but then she woke up. What a precious little lady! She has pink cheeks, but doesn't feel feverish. It's about 23 C. in the basement, though. The fireplace insert is difficult to regulate.

 Jos and I are having a lovely time. Grampa went back out shopping!!!
Mini-pizzas for lunch, thanks to M and M's.

Swedish Irish Magic Viking Meatballs!

Grampa bought them helicopter Lego. Jos wished she'd had it when we wrote her book! Isabelle asked that we resurrect this tradition. Grampa was happy to comply. Izzy fetched Darth Vader and Grampa's wig from the basement. 
Magic Meatballs from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

LEGO!!!!! Iz put hers together, Jos and I played Skip Bo.


By 3 p.m., it was movie time! I did laugh at this one.



Grampa bought us some new knapkins.


Dinner was special. I baked some chicken, we had peas and corn. Then, a surprise. Since we won't be seeing them around her birthday, we prepared a surprise with Izzy's help. Josee served the cake, Izzy served the fake ice cream on top of the cake. Yum!

New earrings!




It was a big hit. Sadly, it's a bit persnickety. People play this in the store and wear out the batteries.


Bedtime was close to the right time (8-ish). Sort of! They watched two Wild Kratts videos (we bought the DVD series), and then it was lights out. By the firelight, I told them another Nebuchadnezzar story about visiting Gramma and Grampa!

Gramma and Grampa konked out in bed shortly thereafter!