My Playdate

I went to the dog park late morning because I wanted to get some of Jake's energy out before our guests arrived.  Jake met Dipper who is smaller than him but they had a good time wrestling and playing.  

Tara let me know she was close so we headed home quickly.  Which is right around the corner.  

It was a nice day, not too hot and miserable but I had made frozen treats for the dogs to play with.  

Even Rosie got some ice.  This was our first time meeting Rosie and she did really well meeting Jake and getting along with him.  

Baylor and Lucas went in the pool right away while I worked on lunch.  It was nice enough to eat outside, which was also good so we could keep an eye on the boys and I could keep an eye on Jake.  

Rosie held her own and seemed to enjoy playing with Jake.  He can be a rough wrestler and I did not want him to become a butt head with her.  But they had a good time and I did not see any issues with them at all!  

It has been a long time since we have seen each other and while we did not get to really sit and talk much, kids, food, dog distractions, we had a nice visit!  And a nice swim with the boys.  

After they left to go home I worked out in the garage on a project I started about two weeks after we adopted Jake.  I have been gathering really nice pallets from a landscaping company and I wanted to make a raised feeding bench for Jake.  All I managed to do in April was cut the holes for the bowls and it has been sitting the garage ever since.  Well, it is now done and he is getting used to it.  We still have a small water dish on floor for Grimm but he got up on the bench for a swim in the water dish already. 

I feel good about using the wood (see Gloria, I do use things I hoard) and I feel good about making it myself. Even though I can buy an Amish made one for less than $30.00!  I only had to buy the screws for this project.  

Kartikay and a Movie

We picked up Kartikey around 10:30 to go see Kubo and the Two Strings.  I really wanted to see it and the boys really wanted to get to get together so it was a win win.  I loved the movie, all about the importance of family and memories.  The boys loved sitting by themselves across the aisle from me. 

We saw the train on the way home, of course.   

The boys played inside for a bit and then when they went outside I blew bubbles for them to see what they would do.  They loved them and it was nice and breezy so the bubbles went everywhere.  

When I went inside for a bit they stayed out and apparently wanted to wash the van, or play in water and the car wash was an excuse.  So I got out sponges and soap because it really did need washing!  

We were keeping Kartikey for as long as possible so I brought out the poppers.  

And then sparklers.  They loved both of them! 

Baylor taught him the joys of burning everything they could get their hands on. 

We kept him until almost 8 and of course they had to play at his house for a while.  I love seeing them together!! 

Sunday Playdate

We had Landon and Zayden over for a play date this afternoon.  Zayden took some time to come around to play and his mom and him stayed over for dinner.  But before that we were all in the pool and when the boys were done, Ginnie and I floated around the pool talking while the boys played inside.  We are not sure what all they were up to because we let them play by themselves.  Landon's dad picked him up around 4:30 and I am not sure the was too keen on us just letting them play unattended.  They are good boys and whatever they may have gotten into, I am sure they were fine.  Ginnie and I had soup for supper but the boys wanted PB&Js for dinner with sliced apples.  Baylor ran past me with the towel saying they were eating al fresco.  He looks sad because he was so hungry his stomach hurt he said.  They ate their dinner out by the rope swing and Ginnie and I ate on the patio.  It was good to see them both! 

Return of the Smoker and A Few Others

My niece is growing so fast and I still have not met her.  The family was in FL for the weekend for a memorial for Laura's grandma who died a few years ago.  Presley had her first dip in a pool and in the ocean. They said she loved it.  

Saturday I smoked a brisket and a pork shoulder for our lunch on Sunday.  They were on the smoker for about five hours and then in the oven for about four more.  

And I think I nailed it this time!  Even Bob was impressed when I showed him the pictures and gave him some to eat.  I think finishing off in the oven is the key for me, I can let it braise a bit and the meat does not dry out.  

My mom is a champion dish stacker and I learned well from her.  If there was an Olympic event in dish stacking, I would totally medal.  And no, I did not let the dishes pile up for a week:  I bought new picnic plates and bowls and had to wash them all. 

For later that day we had guests arriving.  The McGraws and most of the Dwyer-Allen family come over for a visit.  Baylor requested churros, his favorite snack.  He really just likes anything covered in cinnamon sugar but these are certainly a favorite.  

I did not take a lot of photos, but I did get one of Tara watercolor painting an apple blossom picture and Lucas working on his flowers in acrylics. The boys had fun working on a dinosaur dig that Tara had brought up for them.  Cullen was the most determined to release the dinosaur and in the end we sunk the clay block in a bowl of water and freed the bones.  I had wanted to make treasure stones for their visit but never made it to anywhere to pick up items to hide inside.  Now I know I need to work on that as I think they would enjoy those as well.