Weekend Fun

Camden was sitting on the couch when she started yelling, "Sophia's outside my window!"  Sophia, Emma, and their uncle had ridden their bikes to our house.  Camden, of course, immediately wanted to get hers out and go for a ride with them.

It was a super hot day, but they did a 20 minute ride.  When they got back to our house, I got some water and popsicles for them while they sat on the patio to cool down.

Patio Work: Prints

The cement guys were back to finalize the cement.  They planned to smooth it, brush it, and seal it.  We wanted to put Camden's hand print and name in the corner so we waited until it was just at the right time.  We all headed out.  Ginger wanted to come.  We'd been putting her on a leash for the past 2 days and she wanted to run.  I said no, but Kevin said it would be alright. Well...she ran...right across the cement.

It was quite the sight to see her bounce across it.  Thankfully, the guys just smoothed it out as they finished up. 

Camden put her hand in the corner and Kevin added her name and year.

Patio Work: Cement Pour

The big cement truck arrived and decided to go down the same tracks as the gravel truck.  Unfortunately it got stuck!

The trusty skid loader had to shuttle cement from the truck to the patio.

It was an impressive operation, but also left the yard completely destroyed!

It sure is pretty though!  Still have finishing and polishing to do.

It took a tow truck to get the cement truck out.

Once it sets up, we will get the air conditioning unit back on...and some fill dirt for the yard!

The main pad is 30x17 and the small pad is about 4x4.  It is exciting!

Patio Work: Form It Up

The layer of stone was brought in.  The ground was quite wet, but we decided to move forward since our air unit was already out.  Plus it was going to rain on and off for the next week or more.  This was the window.

The little machine that tamps the stone/ground down is pretty cool.

The form was put in as they poured the gravel.  Because there is a large drop in elevation in our backyard we had to do a main patio and a small pad in front of our garage door with a small step down.

The soggy backyard begins to take a hit from the truck coming in and out (although he tried to stay in the same groove) and the skid loader driving all around the front.

Patio Work: Pulling Posts

After we cleared the main park of the deck, we had all the posts left.  We didn't see concrete, so we tried to dig a few of them up.  We got down about 2 feet with no sight of concrete or the end of the post.

Since there were 21 (!) posts, we decided to have the cement contractors take care of them when they brought their equipment.

Turns out it was a good plan.  Some of the posts were 4 feet in the ground with cement at the very bottom foot! The guys said they have never seen such a thing.

One of them said that if there was a tornado, he would have headed under the deck...it was not going anywhere!

End of School Ice Cream

We didn't make it out on Friday night, but decided we still had to do our tradition.  We let Camden choose which of the ice cream shops she wanted to go to and she selected Up the Creek.  I think this is the usual spot.  They used to have the best hand dipped ice cream around, but it's just fair now.  Their options weren't that great tonight either.  But somehow we managed!

School's out for the summer!!

Sophia's 12th Birthday

Sophia and her grandmother moved to an apartment closer to us (only about 3 minutes away).  We are excited to be able to get to each other once this is over.  Sunday was Sophia's birthday and they wanted Camden to come over for a bit.  While we are social distancing, I gave in a bit and had us both go.  I intended to stay outside and wear our masks, but we ended up going inside for a few minutes.  Camden kept her mask on for part of the time, but just couldn't handle it.  They tried to stay distant and even just gave "virtual hugs."

Camden actually tried really hard, but the girls just didn't seem to understand staying back.  After Camden had a small piece of cake, that turned her teeth blue, we headed back outside for a few sparklers.

We stayed for about 20 minutes total, but it allowed the girls to reconnect and get excited for future time together.

Last Day of 6th Grade

Camden finished her 6th grade year strong.  Doing e-learning during the Covid pandemic has been a good alternative for Camden.  The load was easier, but she could also have me check her work, help her proofread, and make sure assignments were completed fully.  She did all the work, but I taught her better review skills.  She had all A's for the final six weeks and all A&Bs for the semester.

Today we turned in her chromebook and one school book we had at home.  She also got to see her 2 teachers one last time.

Camden is officially a 7th grader!

Little Visitor

We've had several little mice in the house over the year.  Bandit is also often bringing a dead one to the garage door as a gift.  This week Cheddar had been over by the game shelf and obsessed with something.  It didn't surprise me when this little guy came scurrying out of the closet and across to Ginger's bowl trying to get out the mouse hole we had recently patched.

Bandit was the first to see it and chased it out from the shoe storage.

Ginger woke up from the commotion and joined in the attempts to catch it.  Camden came to rescue it with the broom and brought Cheddar to the scene. 

I really didn't want blood on the carpet, so I took the broom and tried to sweep him out the door.  He grabbed on and willingly let me take him out to the garage.  I'm sure he will be a snack soon, but it won't be in the house!

Planting the Garden

Finally!  The frost and low temperatures kept delaying the work.  By the time we made it to the greenhouses, things were definitely picked over and limited.  But I believe we got most everything we want.

GaGa and Grandpa came over and lent a hand.

Grandpa took care of making the holes, while Camden watered and GaGa placed the tomato plants.  Both of them replaced the dirt and patted them in to grow.  Kevin finished tilling the garden and I was general support wherever needed.

Camden took a break and rode her bike while the peppers, beans, peas, zucchini, cucumbers, cantaloupe, and watermelon were planted.  We forgot onion sets, so we got them the next day and got them planted.

We put some burgers on the grill and visited while social distancing in the family room.  While we waited, Camden showed GaGa some of her art and GaGa gave her a few pointers on how she draws eyes.

The Day Bakery

ReeRee and her husband Destin have started a home bakery.  She had some Mother's Day cookie kits that we ordered.  Kevin stopped in Brownsburg on his way home from work and picked them up.

The boxes we got were adorably filled.  Camden squealed with delight at the different and beautiful sprinkles.  The four colors of icing were equally exciting.

We bought 2 kits and each kit came with 5 cookies plus the decorating goodies.  The cookies were Grandma Mary's recipe.

Camden could hardly wait to decorate. 

My "I don't like frosting" girl RAVED about this icing and piled it on (along with excessive sprinkles. 

We will be ordering from The Day Bakery again!