Gramma Camp – Week 24 Finale

Thursday 

Isabelle got herself up at 7. She asked if she should run down to wake her sister. Sure can! Grampa was out getting the oil changed on the car, he was up earlier than early. The day had begun.

Josephine was set up in the dining room today. Consequences. 'Nuff said! 

Of the 34 kids in her class, none had their videos turned on. It's rather interesting. The teacher was a replacement. 

I showed these to the girls. They always turn off their cameras. I keep suggesting the girls post a photo of themselves in lieu of an icon. Nope. We'll hope for regular school in September.

This was an cool activity: create a poster to change an opinion. Jos was working on a LGBTQ poster. She is using ProCreate. She knew her message, that it is OK to be yourself, societal acceptance of who you are, but was having trouble visualizing it. I suggested she close her eyes, which she did, to imagine for a moment, and she came up with this. I was so proud of her! The child is taking off her mask to reveal her true colours, a rainbow face. 

Jos has done 266 assignments over the two terms. The platform is quite complex.

They both had a break at the same time, which is unusual. They offered to hold one another's feet, doing situps for exercise, and then Jos began kissing Iz as she rose. Fair game for Iz's turn!

Outdoor play 

The poor parents have to report the exercise the kids get to their teachers. This is why I post our activities!

What a beautiful day!

Isabelle said, "Gramma, take a picture of me for your blog!"

The sun was gorgeous, refracting off the candle holder and sparkling on the wall.

This is where Isabelle usually sits. Thing is, it's where Nutmeg usually sits when they aren't here. Iz was sitting, reading or doing Minecraft. Nutmeg jumped up on the couch beside her, and meowed, "That's my spot!" We giggled.

Today we (Iz and I) learned that 'created' (en française) is créé. Isabelle was comparing Hip Hop to Jazz. The teachers are into these compare and contrast charts.

 Also, we (Jos and I) did some research on the influencers from Britain and Canada who were in favour of Confederation. I found a resource! We read together at the dining room table, Grampa beside her and figured out the story. 

Here are five reasons:

1. Britain wanted to assimilate the large French population in Lower Canada.
2. Upper Canada and Lower Canada were unable to rectify differences.
3. They were worried about American expansion to the north.
4. Each colony had separate railways, and they wanted to expand and create one railway across the continent.
5. Britain wasn't sure if there was any value in keeping Canada as a colony or not. Some thought it would be a safe place to go in case of war.
6. The Reciprocity Treaty was canceled by the USA in 1865. There was more strength in unity north of the border, to stand up to the USA.

Jos was adding a log to the fire. She set off the smoke alarm! PANIC! Just before dinner, she said we need to bring in wood. Isabelle said she'd help. Off they went. They left me to relax! Bless their hearts.

We watched a bit of the 9th Annual Arctic Inspiration Awards while we awaited our pizza delivery! Later, at bedtime, "Lights out, Iz." 

        "Gramma, you are a wonderful Gramma, could you get me some water?" 

 We've a strange mixed storm on the way this weekend.  We'll see what happens.

Friday morning

        "Are you packed, Isabelle? "

        "Almost, pretty much."

Friday was a bit of a blur. It was time to go home, the refrigerator was getting bare. 

A helicopter went over. It was a busy day for helicopters. First a Military helicopter, then, when we were down in the forest, a small, red one, neither of which showed up on the radar.

In Isabelle's class of 35 only 5 (including the teacher) had their video cameras on. I heard her talking, and wandered down the hall. She said, "My Gramma has a blog!" and in the comments sidebar she'd put my URL. Fortunately, I was dressed for the day and just for fun had put some makeup on! She turned on her video and swiveled the computer my way. "Gramma, you put on your face!" 

        "Yes. I need to keep up my skills!"

There was a hostage exchange, and off they went home. Sadly, we forgot Be-be, Iz's sleep buddy. I washed her and I might mail her again. (Usually, we are quite careful about this!) She does have a spare at home! 

We had leftovers and put our feet up! Grampa was happy to watch his curling...

They are home for two weeks, this time. We all have medical appointments, and with March Break cancelled in March, there is still school. 

Gramma Camp – Week 24 Monday

 Monday

We've a new buck.

 

18 deer Monday morning!

Everyone got up well Monday morning. Toast and cantaloupe for breakfast. (Grampa bought more cinnamon bagels later in the day!) Momma cut some cantaloupe up, and put it into a container and sent it over at the hostage exchange. Jos grabbed the container, and two forks. They took turns spearing it, fighting over the last ones.

I told Jos, "I'm going to have to tell Momma!" Jos pretended to quote me to Momma, "Your children don't share cantaloupe well."

Grampa said something about Canta loping across the tundra.  They love his puns and word play.

Grampa transformed the school bus into a helicopter bus. It came by precisely at 8:47. "WHOOP, WHOOP!" I wonder if we can create a motor for the rotor blades??!!

Cinnamon is enjoying algebra today. We know Jos likes it! She's a STEM girl.

Iz was watching videos of 'elephant toothpaste,' created by Mark Rober. You should Google it! They are doing science stuff on matter. 

School went well. At 1:45 when we had our 2nd break, we all went outside. Now, normally I take photos. However, Jos was the last out and she accidentally locked the door before I grabbed the camera. It snowed pretty much all day.

We went out, and the girls played in the snow. Jos and I went down to fetch trailcam videos. She said, "Gramma, come lie down in the snow with me."

    "OK, but you'll have to help me up! Too bad you locked us out, we can't do a selfie!"

    "Sure."

It was funny. It was cold on my legs, I don't have snowpants. She tried to help me up, but it didn't go well. We laughed and laughed. My knees aren't too good. Ah, my. It keeps me having fun.

They played around in the snow. We have quite a bit of it.

Izzy made the circle with her arm.

Back indoors, we completed our asynchronous work. Izzy did some passé composé. I asked if she wanted us to check it. Grampa is pretty good at that. She declined. She said, "I'll learn from my mistakes!"

Dinner was baked chicken and veggies.  We had a candle-lit dinner! This is the candle JB's late aunt got for us. She died in July, 2020: The end of an era.

Then, Crazy 8's for the three of us (Jos won), and Skip-Bo with Jos (Jos won). 

Grampa did some more entertainment, this time there was a prize! Dr. Watt returned with Darth Vader. It was a long performance. Dr. Watt pt 1

He is so funny, Dr. Watt pt 2.

  

There is so much fun to be had in the snow! This is what the kids can do with their iPhones! IMG_0170 

 

 

Gramma Camp – Week 24 began Sunday

It's been cold. We've warmed up a tad, with a Colorado Low moving in. The cats were pretty bored, and started to play around.

cat play  bored cats  

Sunday afternoon the girls came over with strict instructions to stay off the computers and play more games. Izzy and I played two games of War. I won. They were quick ones. We played two games of Crazy 8's and we both won one each. I felt badly. I kept getting the queen of spades (pick up 5)! 

The family is really good at getting outdoors. Bell's Corners, where they live, has a great network of conservation areas and hiking and biking trails. People feed the chickadees.

The girls made up their beds. I was making up the basement bed when they arrived from the hostage exchange. Just in time to change plans! Isabelle will sleep in her office, AKA the guest room. The cats were pleased. Her bedtime is a half hour before Josephine's, so this makes sense. Jos made herself a fire, and I helped her bring more wood in for the night.

Grampa had bought food for the week. We send the menu to the girls and they chose 'Beaners and Weins' for Sunday. I mixed that up in a pot, popped in some green pepper, and some Patak's curry, for a bit of flavour. 

Dr. Watt made an appearance for dinner entertainment.

After dinner we played with cats. Nutmeg continues to slaughter the box from my new mailbox. I'd vacuumed before the kids arrived. Good thing! 

Nutmeg didn't like where the cat beds were. I moved them to make the bed for Izzy.

Grampa bought Isabelle some new paper clips. She has a thing for butterfly clips. These are fun, too.

Here is Queen Josephine. She has an entourage. She also has all the pillows in the basement.

Isabelle is all tucked in. She insisted on more pillows, as well. She read until 8:30, then, at 9, when I went to bed, I heard a small voice. Apparently, mice friends are in the walls. I suggested we write a story about them. She named them Bob, Bobette, Bobbin, Bobena. If we have a creative writing assignment, we can incorporate this!

A good day had by all.