I'm sure the time dragged for the girls while their mom was gone, but they did great. Graysen managed to get herself up in time to get to school on time every morning. I guess. I didn't hear any different. Kate got to school just fine and showed up in the afternoons just missing mom a little bit. They were here most afternoons, doing homework, reading, talking - short afternoons. But we had a sleepover last night with Carly that they seemed to really enjoy. I might have over-prepped for it. Gone are the days when I would make plans for certain things to do - and we would actually do it. I had a list of possibilities for Sunday afternoon and night, and here's what they did:
Carly rode her bike over with her sleeping bag in a backpack and got here a little bit before the girls - who packed quickly and made several changes in plans over riding or walking over. Ryan had to repair a tire of Kate's bike, so that happened too. Then they rode around town, just cruising up and down streets - one of those things that has left me behind. They're on their own and now we have to depend on what they've learned and the attention of other riders and drivers. Luckily, to be the day before a holiday, the streets were almost deserted even though it was a beautiful day. Wes, Carly's dad and my former neighbor, remembers his childhood in Maryland, I think, where he would go out on his bike and stay out all day, only coming in at night. I think he's a little more accepting of that than I am. I do want periodic check-ins from them.
They entertained themselves by making videos and taking pictures to compile into crazy things that cracked them up.
Then just riding in circles in the back alley for a while and sometimes doing tricks that made me cringe but that they laughed at.
When that got old, they packed up some snacks and drinks and headed to Queen Kitty Hill, about a block away up on a hill that overlooks the parkway. Then they got on the bikes and just rode around a little bit more.
Pizza was discussed, ordered, brought over by Ryan, and eaten.
I'm just seeing pictures on my phone and posting a few of the ones I can make sense of. That's very few.
You can't have a sleepover without playing around with makeup, and this was no exception. Kate had been to a friend's house the night before and done nails, so that was taken care of.
I love the beauty of 11-year-old skin. No makeup needed but so much fun to try!
Seems like just yesterday these three were making "potions" from whatever they could find in the kitchen and playing Old Maid.
I'm surprised the cats were able to sleep, but I joined them pretty quickly. Elise was the designated late-night host, and I went to sleep hearing a whole bunch of laughing coming from the next room.
Most of the pictures were pretty weird, and this one was too but more interesting than some. I'm not sure what they were looking for here.
Looks like my phone is going to need a big clean up today. If I have to depend on their photography, we'll never know and remember how life was in their lives.
I'm still waiting for Emily to let me know she's home. I wasn't clear when I talked to her earlier how much of a wait she had at the airport and how the time changes would affect things. They were on Cumberland Island for the weekend and then in a cabin in Middle GA for the rest of the time. I think she's looking forward to doing laundry and getting clean again. Hope she's not working tomorrow!
There are still a few things happening before the end of school. The 7th grade band and choir are going to Leavenworth on the bus Wednesday, and that's pretty exciting for them.
Kate's last musical will be the same night, I think. Her fifth grade class will have their visitation to the middle school and meet the teachers and explore night this week. That's pretty exciting for her. She's again be in the same school as Gray and Carly - for one year.
There might be a couple of end-of-the-year activities for both school. Like Beach Bash or something like that.
No one knows what we or they will be doing this summer. Library time, lots of reading. I'm a little disappointed that there don't seem to be a lot of events going on for their age, even with 6 libraries to choose from. There will be soccer practice and DMW practice, Mah Jongg for me, and maybe some work on cleaning out the garage. Always planned but never carried out. I don't really care if I get anything done. It will be enough to do a little planting and sitting on the porch in the evenings and just being warm. The last 3 months of my 70th decade will be doing exactly what I want to do - when I want to do it.
Timely message from Emily. She's home from GA and in her car headed home.
Just a picture dump of our week at St. George's Island. Everyone needs some time off to just do nothing they don't want to do every once in a while. I need several of those times a year.
The house was about right for us. There were 3 bedrooms and 2 baths plus a bottom-story kids' apartment - which the girls hardly ever ventured into. There was a ramp too for going up and down those steep endless steps. All 4 sides had chairs, so we were prepared for a crowd. I think there were over 20 seats.
The WinBins making their presence known in Florida at what else? A boiled peanut stand.
In reverse order. Everyone was sad to leave.
Visit to the lighthouse park and Mike's El Tigre brick. Em and the girls trying to make themselves heard to those of us who remained on the ground.
