So that's what a weekend with the grandkids is like.

Met 'em at the Denver airport — so it is not going to be typical at the Grandparent's house weekend off the bat— Patt and I just in from the east, via the "old west" of Ogallala, Nebraska and Julesburg, Colorado - two cowboy, Oregon Trail settings of movies (Dances with Wolves, Lonesome Dove.)  And the seven also just in from the East - as in Asia East.  

Jet lagged they were, but full of pep and seemingly happy to see us, we were happy to see them.

The day and a half were full of playing ball in the parking lot, going on hikes in the neighborhood of airport hotels.  Fortunately our hotel backed up to the prairie and to wheat? fields and so offered the chance for wildlife sightings. Birds of course, but also a huge red ant nest, rabbits and most memorable a bull snake that was quite large if I say so myself and I will.

Of course playing cards, here 500 rummy, competitive, keep score rummy, 'card played stays' rummy.

and when the two littler boys get tired of helping at rummy, they find a wonderful less stressful game of W A R and a most forgiving and able person to conduct necessary arbitration.

The hotel - not the grandparents home- had a very nice pool, and I got tired of catching Luke who did  not tire of jumping, nor John Paul neither. Fortunately there was a hot tub to rest in.

The weekend ended and our car plus seven occupants headed back north and east to North Dakota and we fly west to Sacramento in the morning. A weekend visit like normal grandparent / grandkid visits. Well almost I guess. First one we have ever had, so we are not sure. Our visits are usually longer as they are only about once a year.  This one will resume in about two weeks and last most of the summer.

On the Road again and be in Ogalalla tomorrow!

Patt and I have been on the road for a few days, driving northwest out of Raleigh toward Indianapolis, then west toward Denver to meet Matt & Laura and the kids. But first a little tourism.  Tour starts here in Springfield, Illinois at the Abraham Lincoln National Monument and Home in the historic old section of Springfield.  

That is the house Abe and his family lived in for several years and from which he left to go the White House.  It has remained the same with many of the original furnishings from the Lincoln family occupancy.

Then on to Hannibal, Missouri and a visit to the house and the downtown neighborhood where Samuel Clemens grew up and which was the inspiration for Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn and several other of books written by Mark Twain.  The house of Becky Thatcher is still there across the street from the Clemens' home and the nearby home where Huck Finn grew up has been rebuilt.

The crossing Missouri trip on US 36 included a stop in Chillicothe, "Home of Sliced Bread".  There had to be such a place and there it was. The first ever bread slicing and wrapping machine was put in use in Chillicothe and well… talk about a better mousetrap.

We got to St. Joseph and a stop by the house where that dirty rat Robert Ford shot Jesse James.

and next door is the Patee House Hotel Museum, an excellent museum which in 1860 was the office and starting point for the Pony Express.

and had time for a nice walk along the Missouri River.

Tonight we are next to the Platte River — yes the Platte River in Nebraska!!  That makes 49 - forty-nine states that I have been in.  Alaska to go.  Patt has been in Nebraska before so she was less excited than I to cross from Iowa into the Cornhusker state.  (she still has Oregon to go to get to 49, and we'll be there in June to visit Mary and Bob).  We both need Alaska to get the 50.

On the way we also stopped at the Archway Museum and visited Fort Kearney in Kearney, NE.

And tomorrow is Ogallala as featured in 'Lonesome Dove' (best book and tv series movie ever) —then on to Denver to greet the grandkids at the airport on Saturday around noon! We are excited!!

Big doings at ESUMC — and Patt was a big part of it too

Last Sunday was consecration day for the Garden Gallery addition to the church building complex.  The courtyard garden was just a "part" of that project, but one that Patt took leadership on and responsibility for seeing that designs and wishes of previous famous and loved by the church community personages were honored and the needs /requirements of the new space were satisfied.   Here with other members of the building committee celebrating the day.

And a couple days earlier with Kate, and other workers in the background doing some last minute details, planting plants, laying grass carpet, and ….

The Garden Gallery is a new link building between the education building and the sanctuary that will serve as a meeting welcoming place for people entering the church as well as place for gathering and informal activities in the opened-up front hall of the education building.

Photo was taken from the door of the education building looking toward the sanctuary where the old covered walkway and ramp used to be.  The courtyard is to the right outside the windows.

The new "front door" of the church on Edenton Street.  This replaces the old covered walkway.

feeding of the Clinton

Feeding Clinton is no task for those who let their mind wander.  It takes full concentration.  Especially when the feeder is me.  Patt documented my effort.  Raleigh was with us as Patt and I were taking care of the kids as Stephen and Jen were out — We set them loose for a couple of evenings.  I think they appreciated it.  We had fun with the grandkids.  

This is Clinton's early evening meal.  Get this out of the way, then bath and  then early to bed and early…   well you know how it goes, — Clinton will be healthy, wealth and wise.  

Raleigh got closer and closer to me as the meal progressed. 

Finally picking up one of the "backup" spoons and loading it up for me.

Simple enough, just switch hands, and maxing out my eye hand coordination.

Raleigh is having fun

Clinton is patient — or was with me— and he actually  is a rather slow eater, unlike most of his relatives.

I realized upon looking at the photos that this was a true team activity and …

that I modeled expected behavior for Clinton when a spoon approached his mouth.  I was mostly successful.

Jen feeding Clinton was an entirely different operation.  I took this photo one morning and the Mom/son process certainly seemed more relaxed than with me and Raleigh.

AND a few last photos

Clinton Deuce and Derby

Getting along very well

Raleigh and a tower were built,

and helping Lou wash dishes.

and now we are back in North Carolina, enjoying spring but missing the excitement of Panama.

Star Student and Grandparent school participation — we got us a hoot

Birthdays mean Star Student at Escuela Grupe in Bella Vista, so guess who was star student in Miss Daniela's 4 year olds class?  Raleigh had previously completed a profile of his family including Deuce, Derby, and Clinton too.  He then had to present the profile in class and was also called upon to introduce his Grannandy and Granmama (current pronunciations).   

The class was pretty attentive, they had just completed "play period" so they were ready for "academics." And a part of Star Student day is the parental units are called upon to have a little program. Well Jen saw two potential volunteers and well you know what came next.

Patt and I spent the previous day cutting out little bear ears, noses and eyes, shopping paper plate heads and I practiced reading Going on a Bear Hunt.  I also practiced sounds and hand motions. You know the story, We're going on a bear hunt.  ….  We come upon a river.  We can't go over it….  we can go under it, we have to go through it …..splish splash and so on. About umpteen barriers to go through - great plot, story and action.

Miss Daniela translated a little as I "read / dramatically told / acted / the story while seated on the floor in front of the circle of kids. Not sure just how many knew English, (all who spoke to me spoke to me in Spanish, ie.  "Yo soy Raleigh amigo  Me llama Pablo"  "Sofia").  Those are the sentences I understood.

Then Patt provided the cutouts and gave instructions which were acted upon by teacher and helper as students colored and glued. Adults and kids went to work - with mom Jennifer in the midst beside Raleigh.  This next photo is out of order but does capture the work ethic of the class.

Note spindly legged guy in middle, he applied lots of glue and sorted ears from noses and provided encouragement.

Later spindly legged guy was glad to see an opportunity to let the ebb of the action flow past him.

Not flattering pose, but Patt sure captured the feeling. It was a good, but glad it was over, feeling. Note Raleigh's head.  He seems to really like the school, but likes his Mama better, so after activity time, there was no way he was staying in school with Mom leaving.

The entertainment value of the day was very high. Wish you all could have been there. One of those sights AND sounds you have to sort of experience. Glad we got to do it.

 That is Pablo under the table. He, Sofia, and Philipe especially seemed to follow the story.  Pablo and Sofia also worked hard on making their bears. Philipe also really liked Patt and sat next to her and held her hand as I read the story.

Group photo— we tried several - 

Jen never would pay attention.

Raleigh is 4 - four.

Going from three to four didn't seeim like a big deal to Raleigh, but a party and presents sure did. Party day for birthday boy began early with cake decorating and cookie icing spreading with Marianna,  (Lou's daughter) -note Raleigh's upper lip - he had been tasting the frosting and was not to concerned regarding his appearance.

The party was up on the roof, presant opening was a bit of a circus.  Surprised you on that one I bet, however as far as I could tell all presants got opened.  Hot wheels cars were the big deal.

Litte pools were available for cooling off though a pretty stiff breeze and rain off and on made that aspect of the pools unattractive to the older set.  The younger ones thought they were super.

The new colored balls were a hit in the pool, and Clinton continues to think throwing them out of his playpen is a full time job.

Candle blowing out is exciting, I think we did it five or six times.  I have photos of three.  That is Jen's Dad Jim,  in the background just behind Jen.  He had been in Costa Rica on business and scheduled himself through Panama City on his way home.

the gathering for cake cutting

and the traditional eating of the cake.

little trip to Jamaica—Kingston and Ocho Rios

Sometimes I get just plain lucky. Stephen had a work trip planned and yes I didn't mind at all going along.  Shared the room, meals and Jamaica was a tough work trip as is evident from the photos.  Below is Stephen and his "agent", island, or country contact, who does research for him on the debtors at our hotel in Ocho Rios. Previous night in Kingston — some days do resemble work- even for Stephen. 

His agent's driving habit in my opinion did need some improvement. Texting and talking on the phone while driving in Jamaican traffic while according to him was not illegal - in my opinion - not required, was not advisable.

Stopped at a scenic overlook on the way across the island - south to north to Ocho Rios.

Rural houses were a lot nicer looking than most of the houses in town that I saw.

That block of trees on the right is where I spent some time while Stephen was away meeting with debtors. I was meeting with the inside of my eyelids and reading a bit of a magazine.

View back from the water, not such a great place to swim as lots of pretty thick seaweed in spots with crabs and such directly in front of our hotel. Appeared not to be so further down the beach though.

Just to the left of our hotel, another big resort.

Scotches, home of rather famous jerk chicken and pork. This is the chef, showing off the pork. I had some cut from the piece to the far right and it was delicious. Very moist, soft, rich flavor, crusty on the outside. With white sweet potato and jerk chicken, a fine Jamaican meal.