Meals

Before heading away to Camp Grandma/ Grandpa, Calvin declares that he was very much looking forward to meals at their house. Ellie agreed and said that they had real meals, with real food that Grandma cooked. 

Good for her.

Internships?

I’m not sure if Camp Grandma and Grandpa is really a vacation or an internship? They have got these kids, well at least Calvin, doing quite a bit of free labor. 

Sorry, skills building. 

Sleep away camp

Ellie’s sleep away camp was cancelled. Fortunately, Camp Grandma/Grandpa still had space available and she got a spot during the same session as her brother. 

Stage combat

Acting camp, like everything else, has been Covid-cancelled. But, the camp has made videos for online “camp”. Those videos include stage combat lessons.

When you don’t have a prop sword, use a hockey stick...I guess.

New bike rider

Calvin is becoming more and more confident on his bike...without training wheels. Of course, his bike is too small, and the other one we have is too big. But at least he had figured out his balance and how to ride a bike.

Social distance soccer

I took Ellie to social distance soccer today. It’s good to have some normal back and get her moving and active. She needs it, in some ways more than calvin. Without physical activity she gets grumpy and cranky. 

She got pushed in some tough drills and is getting her goalie moves back. 

Happy 39!

Happy 39th Birthday to me! 

What does is sound like when you break a big beam?

Today my companies lab live streamed the load test of a ultra high performing concrete beam that was expected to break around 1 million pounds. 

And I’ve been in a building and in the lab when these things go and it’s amazing. Shakes the whole building. 

So when you are working from home and have a curious six year old you watch the live stream of “work” with the promise of a loud bang and some excitement. We didn’t watch the live stream but the video link after and fast forwarded to the good stuff. 

We watched and listened as hairline cracks ripped open. He learned about load-displacement curves. And then Calvin jumped 5 inches in his chair when it failed. 

It was fantastic.

Do you have masks made by the Universal Studios drapery department?

Because we do.

Also, the kids have discovered the blender. Which is 17 years old and still can cut up ice like the best of them. 

How is your tween handling summer?

Mine sleeps in. Like a lot. She also has discovered the fun of smoothies and doing chores in exchange for screentime. 

How was your Sunday?

Calvin spent the morning leisurely eating grits and playing video games. 

Summer is...Part 4

Pork rinds on the couch wearing the same clothes as the day before. 

Summer is...Part 3

Evening reading in the swing.

Summer is...Part 2

Lots of bathes to wash out all the dirt that accumulated on your body from spending the entire day outside. And figuring out that wearing goggles makes bathes that much more fun.

Summer is...Part 1

Walkie talkies and graham crackers, all day long