9 Aug 2009

This is the end of Camp Peter 2009. Liv and Ruby head back to CT tomorrow morning with their Mom (Wendy). We have had a great time together and I'm sure they will have many memories of the summer in Portsmouth.


When asked today what they enjoyed the list quickly got too long to put on paper. Likewise, they have many friends in Portsmouth who will be remembered through the fall, winter and spring. My number one accomplishment has been to get the girls to the point where they feel safe in the water.

Liv and Ruby both can self rescue from the pool,



swim short distances by their own,

and put their heads under water without fear.



We are talking about summer camp in 2010 (not the same as Camp Peter) where they can not only go to swimming lessons but do other fun stuff.








Granddad will be sad to see the ladies go!

4 Aug

After talking to Wendy and Chris Monday morning we had a quick breakfast and then met John Joyce at the children's park to work on installing a new wrought iron fence. The girls got to play for almost two hours, running and climbing until they were worn out. They also got to watch John mix concrete for the post holes and they saw granddad doing some welding. Next we walked over to see Betsy and get a cold treat. Man, it was hot! By the time we walked home we were dripping sweat. Somehow 95F and 99% humidity do that to you.

Lunch led to an early quiet time and the girls were fast asleep in no time. I had to wake them at 4:30.

That was a good time to do some sidewalk art,






Note the tatoo, courtesy of our neighbor Sue.




fix dinner, and dine in the dining room like adults.

While I cooked the girls went into the parlor to read.


Note the glasses....no wonder I can't find my reading glasses!


We IChatted with Wendy and Chris who were getting ready for an adult dinner in a restaurant. It must have been their date night.


The girls were so tired they were ready for sleep with only a short bit of story reading.

30 July

Man, I can't believe that it has been 7 days since I added to the blog. We have had steady improvement in Liv's health and for the past three days she has been almost back to her normal cheerful self. The days have been filled with what we think of as just normal stuff. The girls wake us up at about 7, we read the paper, fix breakfast, check on the garden, and then tackle the event of the day. That has been anything from sailing on the Spirit of Independence, shopping or going to the playground, to reading and going to swim lessons. Since is has been so hot here our walks in the neighborhood are much shorter. We still have time to visit with many of the local dogs and their owners. Here are some pictures from the last few days:




The girls like to make their beds each morning....with no help.





See, they don't fight ALL the time!

23 July

Chris decided to spend an extra night in Portsmouth but this morning he had to finally get on the train and head back to work in CT. Within about 5 minutes the girls had dry eyes and were back to the normal sibling interaction...arguing about who got more bacon or the larger slice of french toast. We took a long walk and saw lots of ducks, minnows, and some crabs. J.C. Waters was on the Spirit of Independence so we stopped in to visit. On the way home Liv got really tired and cranky so we had a quick lunch and then quiet time. Ruby helped Sara weed the garden. Liv asked for pasta for dinner so we made our secret red sauce and cooked up some 'bow tie' pasta with meat balls. Oddly enough that led right to bath time and then to bed time. Time just flies by when you are having fun! Ruby is pushing to go fishing. I think Sara will get her hair cut tomorrow and if there is time we will try to scare some fish.

July 21-22

After a nice pancake breakfast we head down to the playground.



We had a nice outdoor lunch at Baron's.

After dinner of ribs and green beans, we played cards on the carpet.

Then a night-time bath.


Wednesday: We revisit the doctor and Liv shows how much she enjoys getting her finger pricked.


Liv cuts some rosemary out of the garden for tonight's roast chicken.


Then we head to the pool while it cooks.


After dinner we enjoy a sunset cruise.

July 16-20

Chris writes: Arrived Sunday afternoon and Ruby ran upstairs to wake Liv from her nap. Quick hugs and then off to the waterfront to join Peter on the sailboat for a nice cruise around the harbor...



...then off to dinner at Roger Browns ...


...and home to bed.

Monday starts with grits, eggs and bacon. Then off to the garden to pick some ripe tomatoes a big carrot and some eggplant.


Then we graffitied up the walkway with a sky theme (including kites, clouds, jets and flying saucers)...



We walked to the nearby garden-center to get a cart-full of peppers, tomatoes and eggplants for planting.


I think the girls had more fun returning the wagon.



After a quick quiche we had a short rest time then took Liv for a follow up at the doctor's. She's doing great. Now back to the house to wake up Ruby for swim lessons. The pool was a bit chilly since the clouds came across the sun and the wind picked up.

The girls were separated into different levels of ability and did a great job. Back home to shower and change then off to pizza dinner. Back home to do a little drawing and reading and off to sleep.