Grandsitting 2.0: August The Birthday

Sat., Aug. 12

Poor Grampa had a list. It included balloons. He found a few other goodies.
This was the plan: Momma's birthday party. Then, all do a sleepover, and then Momma and Papa go home. Caitlin's birthday isn't until Wednesday, but this was the plan!

The girls are here for a week, again! We'll see what trouble we can get into. Grampa always says, "beer and chips all around!" He doesn't drink, and we are pretty careful about what the kids eat here, since their parents are pretty careful, as well. Birthdays don't count, of course!

I videotaped the arrival. Josephine remarked, "You got your camera fixed," but I didn't, I ordered a new one. It is fabulous!

Arrival from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

First up, birthday for Momma. The Emoji tablecloth has been joyful!


I have fond memories of watching Sesame Street with Caitlin, and the kids I took in for home day care!


In the afternoon there was a massive thunderstorm! You can hear me screaming with joy, as I finally captured lighting. I am too slow to take a photograph, I just run the camera while the storm is passing by. We had so much fun! These girls camp all through storms, they are hardy travelers!



Mommy pulled up the lightning webpage, and we watched the range of the thunder.  Isn't that cool? She found out about the site through the Ottawa CBC weatherman, @BlacksWeather .  The yellow dots are strikes, the red is a current one. The grey circle reflect the noise traveling. Momma sent me a screen capture from her phone.



My son-in-law BBQd. Bless his heart! There was thunder and lightning! Thankfully, there was a rainbow at the end!
Then, cake! And presents. I put together a book for them, from their photos in the UK! Caitlin was pleased!


Momma and Papa took off for home. Isabelle decided to go for a swim. Then, lunch. Then more hanging about. Josee decided to go for a swim. Isabelle went again. Then, we decided not to go out. Just more fun in the pool.
Next, a video. Then another swim! It was fun!

Happy Birthday to my eldest!

After a very busy few weeks, the kids came for a sleepover. It was to celebrate Caitlin's 37th birthday! Where the heck does the time go?
Today is her actual birth day!

Caitlin is a Star Trek fan and hubby went out of his way. I decided to reciprocate with the cake.

We had Klingon Blood wine (AKA grape juice) and chicken.
Caitlin and I started, and son-in-law, Jean-Luc finished BBQing the chicken. Jean-Luc is in the Green Party Council, and has been interviewed regarding the Green Party BDS resolution. He was happy to have 24 hours off!

The mint created a 50th anniversary of Star Trek coin. We had to give her that.



Peanut Butter Frosting!

I'd made 'crazy cake', AKA cockeyed cake, from Peg Bracken's 1960 cookbook: flour, baking soda, sugar, cooking oil, vinegar, vanilla, and water. (No eggs, yeast or dairy, which hubby cannot have!)
I found one of the girls' astronauts from their play set!

On The Rocks Whimsical Creations

After a nice sleep Saturday night, some Olympics watching and breakfast, we had some outdoor play!

What does the fox say? It says Happy Birthday!

Caitlin, my first born, will be away on her birthday, Aug. 16th. We had a wonderful celebration at our house. What a party!

Firstly, her card. Traditionally, I write a poem for a birthday card.

Caitlin's 36th Birthday

The card I found you'd say is true
The beautiful things I wish for you
Yet as I read and take its note
(Not just 'cause on you I dote)
You are those things that you deserve
Confidence, skill, showing life your verve.
I need not fear or trust your choices
Your girls you given brave strong voices
Your friends, no lack, I'm in awe of
You live within their joy and love
Our kids we wish both roots and wings
To bear that which the Universe brings
Amazing to think the babe I held
Whose little hand to me upheld
Shy, at first, with determination
You lived and learned 
Yours is such a keen generation
I have great hopes for us, our nation.

Her cake has been fun to plan, we try something special each year. Hubby does it all, most of the time.  Caitlin loves Cake Wrecks. One year we had the grocery store create a wreck on purpose!
This one was the best, until now.

'Happy Anniversary Kate' –misspelled/.
She hates 'kate!'

Then there was 'Rock + water girl',
(she is a hydrogeologist!)

Hubby took an image to the store, and they scanned it!

Drakarys 

is the signal for the dragons to light their fires.

Aekslo YNE LLIRTIAS

"The Lord loves Me"

Caitlin likes Game of Thrones. I don't even know this show! Hubby does, and found a phrase site. They are all over the web, High Valyrian 101!

Hubby explains the text in this video: @Vimeo: https://t.co/YwLpHgJuCb

First up was lunch, then dessert, of course. Then, the gifts.

I pick things up all year for the kids. There are always fun things out and about. We try to buy local or, at least, Canadian and/or artisan products.

We go to a lot of festivals, craft shows, and the like. It's very good therapy for both of us, see all the beautiful items people craft with their skills and talents.
My problem, it seems, is that while I buy things well in advance, I forget what I've bought. I stash them in a secret spot. The 'green' dress (her favourite colour is green) was a surprise for me, too. It was blue. Sigh! Gotta love old age.
There was also a few candles, I know she likes those!

Caitlin works, and I could not possibly pick out clothes for her, for the most part. However, we like What does the fox say?
That spurred a thought.

Robbie Craig design

I spotted this beautiful design. I ended up ordering it and Robbie shipped it all the way from Yellowknife to Perth. Thing is, I didn't know he was having a booth at the Stewart Park Music Festival! Of course, hubby took a picture of him with me!

Robbie Craig designed the scarf!

The fun didn't end there.

Hubby created loot bags for everyone, this the man who lets me have a birthday party for him for his granddaughters.  He doesn't like his own birthday. We always have Close Eyes for the girls, but he went all out!

The girls were given snappy glasses with a nose attached. Also, t-shirts, with #happy minions!

Following the party was playtime...

 This is the fruit of their labour!