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!

Ontario thunderstorms

The birds were singing madly.

I was forced in from the frog pond today.
Thunderstorms rolled through our area. Pounding rain, thunder, lightning. It was glorious, as the grass begins to green up in south eastern Ontario, the rain fills the ponds.

The dead trees sprout fungus. The forest is such a peaceful place.

Transplanting several wee conifers, to fill up what was lawn, I was happy with the rain!

Setting the videocam on my tripod, July 26, 2008, I captured a 20 min. of a passing thunderstorm, trimming it up to couple of flashes, the loons calling, and that lovely sound of rain falling. It was about 5:00 a.m. as the light slowly dawned.

But this is my favourite. Another storm in Muskoka. I set up the videocam on my not-so-trusty antique tripod and let it run. Trying to snap a photo, I knew my reactions were just too slow! The trick is to stop the camera after each bolt of lightning —that way you know better where to find it on the video when you edit it. I use iMovie for editing. The storm lasted about a half hour.

You can see them at 1:22, and 1:32 minutes in. Don't blink! This is a screen shot.