Groompa Camp Day Three

Camp activities were at our home for the third day of camp. We pulled out the big tub of past Groompa Camp supplies and let Ian and Mila begin picking out things to do.

The marshmallow shooters were their first choice.

While they were fun, the marshmallows (despite being "aged" several years in the tub) were softening in the sun and not shooting well.

 Then Ian pulled out the Stomp Rocket.

 I think it was his favorite activity of the day because he stomped and stomped and STOMPED!

 Boompa rescuing a stray rocket from our rocket-eating maple tree.

 And from Bob and Nancy's bushes.

 Another went onto our roof and into the rain gutter - we'll figure out how to retrieve that one later!

 Popular as the Stomp Rocket was, even more popular were the water balloons!

 Between Craig and me, it took about thirty minutes to fill enough balloons for a decent fight.

 We didn't reckon on the Ian or Mila factor.

 The tossing began (I love Mila's pitch and how the photo captured her balloon mid air!)

 And we were out of balloons in just a few minutes. 

 Boompa filled some more with a little "help" from Mila and Ian.

While I prepared a tray of snacks for us all.

Nothing says summer to me better than water balloons and kids, so it was a perfect idyllic morning.

Groompa Camp - Day Two

Prophetstown was today's Groompa Camp destination!

 And we found something interesting before we even entered the grounds of the farm.

A dead Monarch butterfly. (Ian quote: "The butterfly got old and died. Just like a grandma." Craig found that especially hilarious.)

 Ian loves maps, so we had to take time to examine the one at the farm's entrance.

Aunt Leslie met us and gave us a personal tour.

 We were lucky to be there when a new herd of pigs arrived.

 Waiting for the pigs to hop off the trailer. 

 They loved the fresh mud!

After seeing the hogs, we headed into the big barn.

Ian asked Aunt Leslie how the hay got up into the hay mow - here she is explaining to him. (I love how he has his hands in his pockets as he listens!)

 The three of us, sitting on a bale of straw.

 I persuaded Aunt Les to get Ryder out so we could visit with him.

Mila was a little hesitant.

 Two horsey sisters. And they thought that we would outgrow our horse craziness. Nope!

Ian had a request - he wanted to help cut corn.

 Aunt Leslie went one better - she let him help shuck the corn!

The chickens will pick up the scattered kernels, and Ian and Mila got to keep the cobs.

 We made a stop at the henhouse.

 And got to hold a freshly laid egg.

 "That's warm!" cried Ian. (Like I said, a fresh egg!)

After the farm, we drove back to the playground and had a snack. My phone died, so there are no more pictures.

It was a great second day of camp; can't wait until tomorrow!

Groompa Camp - Day One

 Groompa Camp 2018 is underway!

 Yesterday morning we drove over to Curt and Vanessa's to pick up the kids for the morning.

Our plan for the day? The Celery Bog!

 But first we clowned around a bit as we were excited to be having camp.

 Pretty silly!

 There is lots to do at the Celery Bog. We began at the Lilly Center, an indoor educational building.

 We colored and read, observed, and listened.

 Then, before going down to the bog, we ate a quick snack.

 Grapes, cheese, water, and some M&Ms did the trick!

Craig and I let Ian choose the paths that we took - he had a distinct preference for "the mud ones."

 There is a lovely viewing platform along the trail.

 We took a break there and looked out over the water.

Ian was disappointed that we didn't see any animals in the lake - mid morning does not seem the best time to view them.

 But we found other things to look at!

  Including these wild raspberries. 

The morning flew by and all too soon it was time to take the kids home. Day one of Groompa Camp is in the books, and I am looking forward to the next day!

Antiquing with Lisa

Lisa and I love to go antique shopping together. She looks for red transferware plates, and I look for horses for my collection. (And old books, too.) Friday, she and I did quite the marathon, stopping at thirteen different shops in search of our prizes!

Our first stop was Leonard's Antiques in Rossville. It's a nice, clean, well lit shop with lots of things to look at. Neither of us found a thing.

Then we headed down 39 to Frankfort where we visited four shops.

Peddlers Alley was our first stop and I found a Breyer Old Timer for $5. (My other visit here years ago produced a Hartland Mustang in walnut woodcut.)

Copper Penny was a place downtown filled with primitives and candles.

Simple Thyme Antiques & Primitives also had a lot of primitives and candles -  not what I am looking for. Not shown is Over the Back Fence. Again, it had primitives and candles, and that isn't my kind of shop.

We grabbed a bite to each at the Main Street Grille (which had pretty good food!) and then headed south again on 421. Our goal was the town of Kirklin. Craig and I had driven through it on our way to the temple once or twice and I had noticed several antique shops on the tiny town square. I was surprised to discover that it had MANY antique shops.

Fireside Antiques had lovely furniture and the neatest pie safe Lisa and I had ever seen !(It held 51 pies!)

Old Bank Antiques and Uniques was FUN. It was like walking through catacombs (there was even a wicker casket!) The owner was quite willing to deal and Lisa got two antique ornaments for a really good price.

3 Stray Cats was not open so we could not go in.

White Lion was closed. (We learned that many of the Kirklin shops are only open weekends

Victorious Antiques had a lot of the frippery that I am uninterested in.

K & G Time Traveler's - same story.

Ten Thousand Treasures had some interesting things.

Clementines was fun, and a place where Lisa found two more ornaments, but I did not get any photos of the store itself.

Finally, we decided to head to one of our favorite shops - Countryside Antiques off 52 near Lebanon in our search for goodies. It had a few Breyers and Hartlands, but nothing that was new merchandise or worth the price being asked. Lisa found no red transferware (although we found lots of blue, and even some purple and black!)

So, while we didn't come home empty handed, we didn't find as much as we thought we might, especially when you consider how many shops we visited. I have added them all the my spreadsheet of area shops and no doubt Lisa and I will go again.