Granddaughters are here!

Last Monday, July 23, Arne and I drove to Orlando where we picked up Kadin and Gracie. Because I booked them on a nonstop from Albuquerque which didn't arrive until 11:40 PM, we didn't get home until 1:30 AM. Needless to say, I was dragging a little on Tuesday. The girls spent several hours at the pool while I read a book.

Wednesday, we took them to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This was our second visit to the park which is 40 miles from here. There are lots of big shade trees, large variety of animals and it's very clean. The park's main attraction is the manatees which are brought to the springs because they are orphaned or injured. Hard to believe these large creatures eat romaine lettuce!

Thursday was swimming mid-day. Around 5, the girls and I picked up my friend, Ginny, and we headed to Spanish Springs Market Square for "Girls Night Out." This was a fund raiser for breast cancer. While it was very hot the first 30-40 minutes, we had a fun time, visiting all the stores and businesses on the list. These were turned in for a chance at 12 gift baskets, but we never received a call saying we were a winner. :-( It was a beautiful evening, nice for traveling in a 4-seater golf cart, which I had borrowed from a neighbor for the girls' visit.

Friday afternoon, Arne and I took the girls to see the Spiderman movie. Kadin said it was her favorite movie. (She must not see many movies.) Late afternoon, the girls swam for a couple hours.

Saturday was more swimming and then dinner at Sweet Tomatoes. The girls loved it and wanted to go back on Sunday.

Sunday, the girls went with me to basketball practice. I couldn't get over how much they've improved in a year, especially Kadin. Late Sunday afternoon...yes, you guessed it...swimming. Gracie probably shouldn't have gone as she'd been complaining off and on of sinus headache. That night she had a 101 fever so Monday morning I took her to Urgent Care. She's now on antibiotic for ten days.

This week, I had signed the girls up for several activities in Camp Villages. Monday afternoon, they had a craft project at She Scrapbooks. I didn't think this "mystery/school box" was worth the $17 I'd paid for each girl.

Tuesday morning was Kickball. The girls liked "batting" but Kadin mostly kicked dirt while "fielding." She did find a small, shiney rock, of which she was very proud. The afternoon activity was art with Grandpa.

Today, the four of us learned two hula dances. It was fun. Arne said it was the most fun of any of the activities we've done with the girls in the three years they've participated in Camp Villages. During the segment where the adults had to dance for the kids, Arne slipped on a red nose. The kids loved it. At 4, I took the girls back to She Scrapbooks and this activity was much better than the one on Monday. They were given a journal and materials with which to decorate it. They decorated some of the inside pages as well as the cover.

The girls' visit is now at mid-point...