Cousins' week: Day 2; the Y

On Day 2, we went to the YMCA to swim.  It is quite close to our house.

The children had so much fun!

Nanas have the perogative to treat children to the vending machine.

The kids weren't too sure how to use one.

The kids also spent more time making their movie.

That evening, I made spaghetti and the kids ate several helpings worth!  They had a huge appetite!  Seems like it is always a big hit!

After Jill left with her children, we had some wrestle time before showers.

We always have a story time before going to bed - Emeri and Elijah LOVE Calvin and Hobbs!  We have several books so they enjoyed that.  We ended the story time with a little children's devotion and prayers and singing hymns and worship songs with them.

Their parents also prayed with them on a video over DUO app.   I love how we can keep in touch even when in different countries!

Back when I was growing up in Japan, we kept in touch with our grandparents by air mail or by talking on a reel to reel tape recorder, then mailing it to them!  It would take weeks, even months, to receive one back!

Cousins' week: Day 1

Josh asked some time ago if we would watch their kids for them while they took a week to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary.  

We decided it would be a perfect time to have a Cousins' Week!

Before they left, we had a day together and we celebrated Claire's birthday early.  Josh's wouldn't be able to return in June.

What's a party without balloons, right?  

We had some in the pantry and Hannah looked on-line how to  make shapes.  

She made this beautiful flower and several dogs too!

The cousins made plans to make a movie -

off  they went.

This movie would  take all week to make and they named it:

Five Cousins ON THE LOOSE!

Dress up is always on the list of to do's.

A tradition we have in our family is to do "Silly Waves" when someone leaves.

So as Adam and Jill and family went back home after that first day, 

we came out to do our

Silly Waves!

 I'm sure if any of the neighbors are watching, they must think we are wierd!

The next day, Al was up by 4:15 am to drive Josh and Staci to the airport.  Josh and Staci flew to Zoetry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun.  (that is a mouthful!)

And while they were having fun, we had our own week of fun with all 5 grandchildren!

Day with Sophie

Sophie asked me if I would go with her when her class went on their school field trip to the zoo.  I was excited to do that and said we should just make it a whole day and have a "date" afterwards.

There were several other schools going that same day.  As I waited for their school bus to arrive, I watched as other children filed past.  It was fun to watch.  Some preschool children had tie-dyed their shirts or had animal shirts so that they would all be dressed in like manner.   

 Sophie spotted me the same time I saw her.  

As you can see, there are several people with umbrellas.  Well, the forecast for the day was not very good.  Elevated risk for downpours, hail and high wind.  Not too high for tornados, thank goodness.

               

It just began to sprinkle when the bus arrived and within minutes began to pour cats and dogs!

Even the chimps are under the roofs to stay dry!

Luckily, I brought umbrellas for us.

Taking a selfie with the orangutan.

The anteater didn't seem to mind the rain.

The birdies are staying dry under their own little roof!

We heard thunder and ran for the next building.

We happened to be the only ones finding refuge in the giraffe/rhino building.

Cleaning out the hippo cage.

Then we ran to the rain forrest.  

As you can see, even with umbrellas, we were getting wet.  

The rain was coming down in buckets!!

When you enter the rain forrest, there is a "fake" rain  area with "fake" thunder.

It was competing with the REAL thing!  Listen to how LOUD the rain is!

We ran to the reptile building ...

After we spent some time there, we decided to go to the gift shop and see if any from the school were there.

I had to laugh when I saw this ladie's shirt!

Sophie and I decided we were DONE.  We were wet and ready to just leave.  

I have a zoo pass and I knew we would be going again in a couple of weeks.

We decided to do some shopping!

 Sophie picked Cheddars as the restaurant she wanted to go to.

We finished our day together here.

What a FUN day we had, even if we did get all wet!  We were making memories!  Not too much longer and they will be moving FAR away.  Never fear!  We will come visit!