April Outing

I picked up Venice and told her that Xander was sick and she was concerned and wanted to swing by the house to see him, or call him. I told her she could call him. By the time we got to the car, she had forgotten about calling him, but she said she missed him. Then on our way to Skinner Butte, she asked me why they call it Easter Sunday. I said I didn't know, because Easter is always on a Sunday. She gave me a very funny look and said no that wasn't so. I said yes, it moves around as it is a lunar holiday, unlike Christmas which is a solar holiday. Anyway, she didn't seem to understand and was sure that Easter fell on other days. She quickly shifted to the fact that with her bday, she gets two holidays in a row...her bday and Easter.

After arriving at the park, the kids played a few minutes and then decided they were bored and wanted to go home, we suggested a walk along the river, the loved the idea and off we went in the direction toward Alton Baker Park. Venice was sure she knew where some berries were. They wanted to go off the paved path and walk on the dirt path, so we said okay. We stayed on the paved path, but they kept leaving the dirt path to get closer to the river (Teiya often leading the way). We kept calling them back to the paved path. So we went to the dirt path, They weren't able to see that the river was swift, deep, and no sandy type beaches...just slippery mud fall offs. At one point I told Casey that it was dangerous, they all insisted they could swim. I explained that the river was very cold and moving quickly. Casey, insisted that nothing bad was going to happen. I explained that Jiichan and I were old and wouldn't be able to save them. I explained that cold water puts you into shock and that even a teenager would have a difficult time. Casey was mad, but obedient. I felt bad that here we were in the midst of a glorious playground and had to keep pulling them back. We did finally find a slight inlet that was sort of shallow that they could throw rocks in and get some enjoyment. We have to find some better walks as they can be free. On the way back in the car all were with Jiichan and Jiichan suddenly hears Casey saying, "that's the Christian God,." Have no idea what they were talking about.....

At the house we had a lime soda, which Casey learned to open with a church key. He got to practice on a second one and got proficient. Then Teiya requested tea. So we got the tea things out, I put the tea kettle on and we set the table - which includes various teas, potato chips, and of course sugar.....Teiya chose oolong, Venice chose raspberry zinger, Casey stayed with his lime soda. Then I helped Teiya put her tea bag in the cup, added hot water, squeeze the tea bag and take it out, put in an ice cube, then she added one heaping tsp of sugar. Stirred it, sipped it, said that's good and went and got water which is what she drank!! I drank some of her tea, but it was way too sweet for me. Venice did her teabag, sugar and I don't know about ice. She drank all her tea. They all ate chips...

Granny