Groompa Camp - Wednesday/Cambria Meets Millie

This cute girl arrived last night, slept soundly up in my office, and woke up ready for fun this morning!

 She got the lay of the land (i.e. found the sleigh bells, the toys, and the rocker) and then...

 Millie made an appearance! (Imagine Trinity's harpsicle being strummed at that moment.)

 The excitement and joy were so overwhelming, Cambria did not know what to do!

 Millie laid down to have a belly rub, and Cambria crouched down, too.

 Bravely she crawled closer...

 ... and got a doggy kiss on the nose!

 Cambria took a standing approach after that.

 Time for that belly rub!

 Aunt Lisa helps Cambria pet Millie WITHOUT getting a doggy kiss.

"Easy, peasy, Mommy!! I got this dog thing down!"

Groompa Camp - Tuesday/The Rest of the Day

The rest of Tuesday does not have as many pictures as the first half of the day, but I did take some!

JC and Trinity asked if we could have lunch at Dog n Suds.

A selfie as we much our coney dogs (Boompa and Trinity), foot longs coney cheese dogs (JC and me),  and root beer.

After lunch, we had an early popcornpalooza and watched Star Trek, the Wrath of Khan. A bit of a surprising choice on the kids' part, but that's what they wanted!

The baby whisperer does her stuff!

Horseyreader and Ian take a selfie.

The Women's World Cup was on in the early evening, and we watched that while Boompa drove to Indy to pick up Aunt Jessica and Cambria at the airport. Then we played a round of Skip-Bo and chatted until very late after their arrival.

Sadly, I did not get any pictures, but I did get to feel Baby Boy Mictchell kick!! Such a treat!

Ian's Quiet Book - the First Sunday

The quiet book went to church Sunday with Ian. Would he like it?

 Playing with it in Sunday School.

 Looks like he is now enjoying the counting page.

And the buttoning one!

 Playing in the gym after church is over. What is all over his face?

Ninja Turtle stickers from the quiet book!!

I'd say these pictures show that he likes his book.

Groompa Camp - Tuesday/The Water Balloon that Would NOT Break

I took NINETEEN movies, each about a half minute long, of Ian with his water balloon. And wouldn't you know, it simply would NOT break!

(There are five movies posted; the last two are the ones in which the water balloons pop.)

Surprise!! But for some reason, Ian's will not break.

Ian goes to pick up the balloon (again) and realizes the sidewalk is wet. I love his reaction!

We even try having him throw the balloon to me - and STILL it remains intact!

Finally...

An accidental pop by Aunt Sarah! But the fun isn't over yet. Ian gets another water balloon from Trinity.

Annnnd.... POP!!

Groompa Camp - Tuesday/Bad Kids Camp & Water Balloons

These are the adults who attend (the self proclaimed) Bad Kids Camp - look tough, don't they?

They're really not...

 ...- in fact, Sarah and Lisa had to have help from Curt in getting their fingers to make their sign!

Their camp activities are things like going to the grocery, visiting grandmothers, and other grown up kinds of things.

So, the Groompa Campers decided to liven up the Bad Kids Campers' day.

Checking out what materials we had in the Groompa Camp tub, we decided a water balloon attack was the best way to help them have a break from their adult ways.

 JC and Trinity filled a bunch of water balloons with plans for an ambush when they returned.

 Ian (too young for overnights at Grammy and Boompa's, he is a day camper at Groompa Camp) stood ready to throw his balloon.

 So did JC.

 Because Ian was running around with us, it was a less frenetic water fight than our usual ones.

 He ended up with the balloon that simply would NOT break!

 Probably a good thing since he's so little.

Since this post is getting picture-intensive, I will continue today's events in the next one.

Groompa Camp - Monday

Our first full day of camp! And even though Mama is here, we sent her off to go do things with Aunt Lisa while we did camp things.

The Harpsicle
I had never even heard the term (and I have a minor in music) but Trinity brought hers so she could practice. (In my defense, the instrument was only invented in 2003.)

A harpsicle is like a mini harp with three and a half octaves and is used by beginning harpists. It has a strap to go around the harpist's body and rests on a wooden dowel.

A close up of the strap and dowel plus the interior of the harpsicle - that's how broken strings are replaced.

Trinity plays a bit for me - as Vanessa said, every time she heard Trin pluck those strings, she felt like she was having an epiphany! I agree; it sure is different to have harp music randomly playing!

Long Boarding

JC brought his long board to ride and I asked him to tell me about it. (To me, a skateboard is a skateboard is a skateboard.)

I wondered why the underside was painted so beautifully; I was told that it's so when a long boarder flips it during maneuvers, there is something to look at!

JC rides around our street.

And smoothly rolls to a stop.

He showed me how to stand on it.

And posed when I asked him to - JC is such a good sport.

I got to try it out, but the thing was WAY too wobbly when on the pavement so we moved it to the grass.

This was the best pose I could do without falling off!

Stepping Stones
Trinity compared her footsie at twelve with her baby footprints from years ago!

Then she tried her handprints.

This stepping stone was made when she was eight or so, so the difference wasn't quite so dramatic.

The Lindy Freeze
A favorite spot for Grooma Camp lunches! We headed down to Linden late this morning.

While waiting for our food, JC and Trin headed to the park to play. But as soon as their lunch was ready, they hustled back.

The food is average, and the location is right next to a busy highway, but the place has a charm that we all enjoy.

Prophet's Rock 
JC and Trinity always want to go to Prophet's Rock during camp. Due to all the rain we've been having, the place was very buggy. Luckily, I had bug repellant in the trunk.

JC beat the rest of us to the base of the rock.

Trin soon joined him.

Posin'!

Look closely and you will see that JC has made it to the top! Trin is still climbing (on the right) and Craig is on the left. I stay down below and act as photographer.

Tippecanoe Battlefield

Another "must see" on JC and Trinity's list!

Posing by this monument is an annual tradition.

JC balances on the curved lip on the side.

Trinity chose a different spot for her picture.

No pictures, but we went through the nature center on the ground and the Battlefield gift shop where we met Uncle Rick and had a chance to chat.

Homemade pizza, games, and s'mores wrapped up the evening.

Bring on tomorrow!

Groompa Camp Begins!

Sarah, JC, and Trinity arrived about 6:00, and after we brought all their bags in, we had a delicious BBQ meal prepared by Lisa.

 The temperature was in the low 70s, so JC, Trin, and I ate outside. 

 We brainstormed ideas for this year's Groompa Camp.

Late night/movie/popcornpalooza
Camping
Going to Prophet's Rock
Marshmallow Wars
Tropicanoe Cove
Mary Lou Donuts
Battlefield
Happy Hollow Park
Water Balloons
Lindy Freeze
Dog n Suds

Pretty easy/inexpensive list!

 Trin Bin asked if we could head out to the barn after dinner - you bet!!

Abby came up by herself (the other horses were in the barn and knew I would only give her treats so they didn't come visit.)

Back at the house, Sarah brought out the cookies that Isaac had baked for us and given her when they stopped to see him in Missouri.

 They were soooooo good!

 We sent this picture of us to him to thank him.

And... I discovered that BOTH JC and Trinity have passed me up, height-wise.

The fun has begun!