The Giraffe Pool

The first pool of Summer quit holding air. No air means very little water. Not that the little three ring pool was ever a diving well, nor was a diving well needed.

Additionally, it became a victim of Cottony Maple Scale. Since it was made of vinyl it wasn't the object of a direct attack. However, the sticky honeydew that has permeated the air around our house like a mist causes a fungus to coat everything with a sticky black blanket. We didn't want to put our little treasures in that awful mess.

So, Grandma bought a new pool! It is even better. There is but one large diameter ring. Then there is a Giraffe neck on one side and a tail opposite. Inside the tail is a hose to route water to the end. At that terminus is a sprinkler head! And we all know how toddlers love to play in flowing water.


Logan was drawn to the sprinkle immediately.


She quickly discovered a way to direct the water to where she wanted it.



She is so cute in her swim suit. Her blond curls and pretty smile engages Grandma and Grandpa.

A hug for the giraffe and a "cheese" smile for the camera.

Logan love using the sprinkler to fill her sprinkler to water the flowers.



The sticky leaves of grass and the tree stick to feet and shoes. Lucky for Logan there is running water to rinse her feet.



More cleaning and joy in water.



One should always shower before entering the pool.



She fills the cup again and again. There is a deflation plug on top that repeatedly distracts Logan.



Pay not attentions to the crazy lady behind the camera. The real show is Logan.



Swim, fishy!



Wash the fish slime off those hands.



I have no idea what she was thinking when she smacked the tail; but, it passed quickly. There is no doubt about her intent to wet just the ends of her hair.

Let's make it more festive. Turn on the bubble machine. That's right, it's a machine. Either of us would pass out trying to blow enough bubbles to satisfy the girls.

The Inside Park

It's LOGAN day!

It has been unusually hot this year. July has had 10 days of 90 or higher in the first 18 days of the month. That is more than an entire year normally. Too hot to take a toddler to the beloved park.

She looked so cute with her ponytails on top of her head.
Logan had lunch and waived good-bye to Daddy. We played a bit and then -- Grandma convinced her to take a nap before we go to the indoor "park".

When she got up she told Grandma, "I have sweaty hair."



It takes a little bit of time to really wake up. Then we are off to the "park".


This only the second time Logan has been to Chuck E. Cheese. She knew how it works though.

She climbed in the red car and held her hand up rubbing her fingers and thumb together, signaling, "Give me money?" So Grandma was off to buy tokens.


The bus was cute and she enjoyed it.


The clock was even more interesting. Perhaps because it took her up so high.


The carousel was her favorite! She rode it more times than any other. Sometimes on a different horse, sometimes she put the coin in.



The wheels on the bus go round and round ...






Gee it was fun. And then this lady came up to Logan and spoke. It was scary and Logan turned to Grandma right away. Then she realized that lady wasn't a stranger! It was MOMMY!

How Does Our Garden Grow?

We have had exceptional moisture to this point in the season. Not too much rain but enough that the lawn has not gone dormant. I have a rudbeckia again this year. Last year it didn't make it through the Winter. It was spindly and only had three blossoms all Summer.
This version had a rough start with a leaf-eater attack. But it soon took hold and started out growing the bugs appetite. It is robust now.


It is not your usual 'Black-eyed Susan'; it is called 'Prairie Sun'.



As you see here, it has a green 'eye'.


The tomato that survived! It is setting fruit and we are anticipating great things for this plant.

These sweet peppers are terrific. They have great flavor and are coming on well. I like to cut thin rings (1/8 inch) and sweat with diced onion 'til the onion starts to clear, then add to three eggs and whip with a fork. Pour in an egg pan and make an omelet. Top with cheddar. Sally loves 'em.

The leaf lettuce is good to. It has been very tasty.


Small peppers, some reports that they are 'decorative only' and others say edible. I can't talk Sally into trying them, so, we will never know if they are poison.


It is also a banner year for this old maple tree. The cottony maple scale is profuse as never before. There is s steady mist of honeydew fogging the entire lot. Everything in the yard is covered in sticky, tacky yuck!

But now the enemies of the scale are coming on strongly. Tiny wasps and twice stabbed ladybugs love to feed on the scale; but, will they be able to end this scourge soon? I need to wash the house and roof, cars, windows, lawn furniture, plants. Even the windows and doors are sticking shut. Walking, our shoes make that awful sound like pulling tape off the roll with every step.


Firecracker

Vinca vine. This is one of two plant specimens that is not doing well this year. My thyme is having to struggle also.

My big black topped gold fish is difficult to see. It is the largest in my pond. From the bottom side he is mostly orange.

Salad from our little garden. It is even better than it looks.

Take Me For A Walk, Grandma

Oh Logan. You are too funny.

Wednesday, July 11, Logan wanted to go for a walk. She got out the stroller and climbed in. Insisting that she be buckled up. Grandma tried to talk her into waiting until they got down the front stairs; but, Logan would have none of that. She wanted to ride inside!

Logan thought this was great fun.

Independence Day 2010

Regardless what Chicago did or what Daley had that caused him to have another idiot moment, our fireworks went on traditionally on the 3rd. Of course it was cancelled, then reinstated due to the generosity of organizations, businesses and individuals.


Digital capture is not as good as film was. But some are interesting.


Colors are good and some images are unique to digital.



Some color washed out.

Feathery, colorful. Not what I saw.

Interesting mix of colors.

Perhaps a flower? Maybe a sea creature?

A pair of Palms in blue and white.

Finale Part I. It was a good display this year.

Part II of the Finale.

Without Cora to play with, Logan has to revert to self amusement. Or play with Aunt Tricia or the older cousins.

Sarah keeps an eye on Logan. They dare not let her get too far ahead of them.

When did two year olds start texting? When they got as bright as our grand kids.


You may regret creating a monster. I'm just saying, "Look at the video."

Logan has always been well coordinated; but, she has learned so much in only two years. Even in one year!

A part of being 2 is having thoughts of your own, Logan has learned possessiveness. I love the end when she acquiesces that it is NOT hers, but states that she wants it.

Last Hugs

(Newer post below this one)

Well, it's Saturday and the grandparents are enjoying our last times and kisses and hugs. We will leave from the motel on Sunday morning for Wauconda. It is a sad time, but I want to enjoy the good parts.


Cora was stressed out Friday, but she has been great today. Grandma and I stopped at Wal Mart after breakfast and picked up somethings for them. One was "The Bee Movie". Cora fell asleep on the couch with Grandpa watching it.


Hazel likes to "talk" when everyone else is talking.



Grandma soaks up some special time with the girls.



I can hear the start of this conversation...
"Grandma."
"Yes, Cora."
" Grandma, ..."


Julieanna and Geoff discuss their options for autos, appliances, utilities and tasks. We were all lucky that there was Wi-Fi available. It was good for food, weather (STORM) info, car shopping, washer and dryer shopping and everything one has to do on the Internet.


The toys are replacing books on these shelves in the living room. They are secured to the wall.

Grandma gets to kiss that defenseless Hazel.

Cora is wonderful even after 10 pm. What a difference a day makes. Especially when that day starts to bring order to a little girls world.

It stays light late this far north and in the west edge of the time zone. Sunset is a little after 9. Dark about 10.

Time to unwind. The Turners are shopping online and Grandma 'hogs' Hazel.

The end of our last day in Edina. I'm going to miss these times.

We have Skype. That will help with the heartbreak. It isn't like a hug, but it is hopefully going to keep Cora bonded to Grandma and Grandpa. I don't want her to become shy because she has forgotten us or we have aged so much. I'm not sure how it will work with Hazel. I hope we can bond with her as well as with the other kids.

I don't know how folks stood the separation before this age of electronics. It must have been as a death before telephones and pictures and movies. Think of only reading a letter every month or so. We are really lucky.

The Turners Have Landed!

They made it through the night. Cora Likes her new house. Hazel is happy anywhere her mom is. Geoff is coming down from crazy study for the boards. Julieanna is getting everything worked out.

Grandma and Grandpa drove up the next morning. It took us old folk about 8 hours with stops for food and gasoline. That's about six and one-half hours drive time.

Cora had some issues with the stress of moving and irregular hours but by Friday was getting a grip on it all. She was sleeping in her 'big girl bed'. She is still enormously in love with Hazel and was a good helper to Grandpa as we hung things and fastened shelf units to the walls.


Cora was telling me that her shirt is brown. When we talk she will usually turn the conversation to her clothes. Cora apparently thinks Grandpa is a fashion consultant. Or maybe she realizes that Grandpa is interested in what ever she has to say.


The view out the back of the ground floor is of their private, fenced area. It is shaded, and has a patio and NO gate. That will be good for the girls.



A broader view of the living room. Stairway to the lower level on the left, shelves against the far wall and lots to unpack.

On the left the stairs spiral up, on the right they spiral down.

From the back toward the front is the dining area and a pass-through to the kitchen.on the right is the front door, entryway and a closet.

Hazel is happily wrapped around her inch worm.
What a happy baby.

Cora is gaining a new skill. She goes up to her room. (or to bother a sleeping Hazel)

Cora is unpacking her toys. She has to show them each to Grandpa and find the right place on the shelf.


She is doing a good job, don't you think?

These stairs don't seem too daunting to Cora.


From the top landing. Of course we had empty boxes everywhere.
Well almost everywhere, the other places had stuff from the empty boxes of more full boxes. That's what moving is.


This is what the living room and dining area look like as I come down the stairs. It will shortly be cleaned up.


From the same vantage point, this is to the right, to the kitchen. Lots of boxes to be returned.


Grandma is a bigger help than I am. She can work and work. And she can hold Hazel. It I hold Hazel, she is only good for about five minutes.

I told Grandma that's because Hazel would rather look at Grandpa.


These stairs look very similar to the ones from the second floor. Trust me, they lead to the lower level.


Here is their finished basement. There is a lot of unpacking to be done here. It isn't at the top of the priority list. We did have to spend some time down here when the warning sirens went off. No TV! Don't know the radio stations for the area! I looked up the weather on my laptop. There was a tornado warning for the area for about thirty minutes.

Julie's kids are sure good about it. The thunder and lightening didn't scare either of them. Cora wasn't very happy when she and I looked out the open window and rain blew in on us.