GrandCamp with Rob

This week Bob and I had the pleasure of hosting our eldest grandson, Rob, for GrandCamp. We packed a lot into our time together.

We visited Valley Forge, PA, and spent some time in 1777 with the Father of our Country...

...here seen astride his favorite horse, Blueskin. According to the text describing the lifesized model,
"(George Washington) knows that he must continue to lead by example...if he is to retain (his troops') respect and motivate them to stay the course." Washington was a true leader.

Remind you of anyone???

Scattered around the grounds of this park are small cabins that were used to house Washington's men during that fateful winter.

The next day we rode the Patco train into Philadelphia and got off at 8th and Market St. A short walk brought us to the Philadelphia Mint.

We learned how coins were made--a fascinating process. The Mint offers a free, self-guided tour.

After the tour, the three of us walked to Reading Terminal Market where we enjoyed the atmosphere and a great lunch. I tried the chana masala from Nanee's Kitchen, and loved it.

GrandCamp isn't complete without going miniature golfing and going swimming at Atsion Lake.

Rob's putting has greatly improved since last year, and we were impressed by his concentration and attention to details. We found the course at Winslow Golf Center a bit more challenging than some of the other mini-golf courses in this area.

Bob and I have a week off between Rob and the next two campers. Our time here in NJ is just flying by!

GrandCamp Opens

Friday morning at 6:45 am, I got an alert on my phone: Tornado warning. I never paid a lot of attention to alerts like these when we lived in a house. We were steps from a windowless room in the basement where we would be safe. But we are a lot more vulnerable in the tin box in which we live now. So Bob and I scooped up our two grandchildren, Quinn and Ben, waking them from a sound sleep, and ran through the driving rain to my daughter's house next door. In a mere fifteen minutes, the threat had passed, Quinn's tears had been dried, and we were able to return to our home on wheels.

Quinn and Ben have been enjoying what we like to call "GrandCamp" this week. They get to sleep over, go fun places, and try new foods (tamarinds) and old favorites (s'mores) that are saved for visits with Grandma and Pop.

Quinn enjoyed learning how to weave on an inkle loom.

Franklin Institute was a big hit!

They made new friends at Atsion Lake.

At Insectropolis in Toms River, NJ they were able to pet a millipede, a hissing cockroach, a scorpion, and a tarantula.

They enjoyed a rousing game of miniature golf.

And they capped off their GrandCamp by going to Eve's fourth birthday party at a pool. Whew! We have the evening off, then we will have our eldest grandchild, Rob, for a few days. It's early to bed for us tonight!

Busy in NJ

It has been a long time since my last post and I apologize for the break. What have we been doing?

Bob tweaked my table-top loom stand, giving it a sturdy base for clamping it to the surface.

Much better than the previous base.

Our eldest grandson, Rob, graduated from middle school, and we went to his graduation.

We went out to eat at Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian steakhouse where the meats just keep coming to your table.

Bob and I spent a day working on son Tim's house. Bob insulated and put up sheetrock while my daughter in law, Bernie, and I painted the living room. And Rob learned to use a palm sander, smoothing trim-work.

I donated blood one morning.

We had a French-Toast brunch with Emily at Kristen's house.

Bob and I went to several doctors appointments, getting our annual exams out of the way. Good news--we are healthy!

So, as you can see, we have been very busy. Later this week we start GrandCamp with the little ones. We have not done any socializing with local friends at all, but hope to catch up with folks in July when GrandCamp ends.

Our First Week in NJ

It has been a lovely week here in NJ. We arrived here on Tuesday afternoon, and soon the children and grandchildren gathered to welcome us back. We enjoyed pizzas and wineritas, and caught up on everyone's doings. The neighbors welcomed us, too, stopping us on the street to say hello.

On Wednesday, Bob and I went househunting with Catherine and Michael. They came close to buying a house a month or so ago, but something didn't feel right about it and so they wisely backed out of the deal. But this house felt just right to them, and their offer was accepted by the sellers. We are hoping that we can help move them in, but it might be after we leave in August.

We have had some problems with our Splendide washing machine; it stopped working, offering us an "H2O" code and an "F1" code as well. We put in a call to the repairman but the news was not good. Our washer needed a new motherboard, which would be quite expensive to replace. Fortunately, Camping World was running a sale on new Splendide washers, so off we drove to Swedesboro to pick up a new one. Bob and Jason wrestled the old one out and the new one in, and before too long we were able to wash clothes again. It's the little things that make us happy.

On Saturday, daughters Kristen and Emily, and daughter in law Bernie came over and we had a mother-daughter day. What fun! Catherine wasn't able to come but next time we'll make it happen. We started out in Haddonfield, where we ate brunch in The British Chip Shop, along with a troup of reenactors dressed as redcoats in the British army.

They burst into song at one point with a spirited rendition of "God Save the King." I enjoyed my Welsh Rarebit and had a spot of tea. Delightful!

We went into most of the shops in town before heading over to Collinswood to shop some more. We MIGHT have stopped to eat again once or twice, keeping up our strength to shop.

On Sunday, Bob made a prototype of a tabletop loom stand for my Ashford Knitters Looms. We will continue to perfect it, since setting it up and trying it out.

I'd like to be able to stand while weaving, in the hopes that it will be easier on my back. We shall see.

This week we will be busy with doctors' appointments and running errands.