Papa and Mimi Camp, Days #5 and #6

Day #5 was designated Patriotic Day....it was the Fourth of July, after all! We started the day off with a red, white and blue breakfast.

Blueberry pancakes with strawberry sauce/syrup!

 

The boys helped make the yard look a little more patriotic...

Waiting (patiently?) for Jen and Matt, her fiance and his two boys (Eli and Connor) to arrive.....what's two more boys when you already have four?!

After spending some time getting acquainted with each other and a big All-American supper (hotdogs, brats, hamburgers, corn on the cob - you get the picture) the boys converged on the front yard to start the evening's festivities....poppers...

(I love all the different reactions!)

...smoke bombs...

...and sparklers!

 

Then it was time to bed everyone down....and of course, they all wanted to sleep together, so the Boy's Dorm was transferred downstairs to the family room floor!  Amazingly, it didn't take too long before they were all asleep.....whew!  This Mimi is worn out!!!

Day #6 saw the three McKissick packing up and getting ready to leave...well, after waiting for Mom and Dad to arrive from their first ever no-kids vacation (which they thoroughly enjoyed).

After saying good bye to Zach, Nate and Lucas, the remaining crew consisting of  Brandon, Eli and Connor headed out back for a try at the Slip n Slide

....we had our challenges but made it work with the assist of Matt and the hose

 

And he's off the end of the slide....!

 Time for some refreshment....Jolly Rancher popsicles with gummy sharks!

And then for the big surprise of the day.....we headed up to Bull's Gap and the Demolition Derby. The boys were so surprised and thrilled...the photos speak for themselves.  

 

 

 

And to the delight of the boys, the night's activities were capped off by a fireworks show...

And now Papa and Mimi Camp officially comes to a close!  We are grateful that everyone had a good time and that many wonderful memories were made.

Soon (like in the next few days) it'll be time to catch up on some other goings on around here....like skydiving and a visit from a granddaughter!  More fun times ahead....

Papa and Mimi Camp, Day #4

Day #4 was designated as a water-themed day.  We headed out fairly early...well, as early as you can when you are rounding up four boys and two grandparents!  Since we have tried to not travel any great distances (transporting everyone requires two vehicles....and the discussions regarding seating arrangements have been interesting, to say the least), we made the pier at Winged Deer Park our destinations for fishing.  Papa made sure everyone had poles and we had plenty of worms for bait.  Zach is the pro at this fishing gig....

.....and Lucas was all gung-ho for, well about 15 minutes!  He sure was cute with his hat and rod and reel, though!

Papa was always available for assistance....

Nathan hoping he gets a nibble....

Brandon casting out and Lucas deciding he was done with this fishing gig!

So Nathan, Lucas and I headed for the playground, but even tho' the slide was fun, it was a little too warm for comfort!

Lucas and Nathan did spend a little time cooperating to get this particular apparatus to spin

.....but even there the heat became just a little too much, so we headed home, leaving Papa and the two older boys to continue with their fishing.  Unfortunately, we did not have an uneventful trip home!

First flat tire I've had in a loooooong time, and I certainly didn't think it came at a good time!  Of course, is there EVER a good time for a flat tire?  I was very grateful, tho', that it happened close to home and wonderful neighbors came and rescued us!  To make matters even more unpalatable for some boys, this changed our plans for the rest of the day so instead of heading to the local water park, we headed up to a neighbor's (the same ones who rescued us) pool.  I think they all had a good time, and by supper time were worn out.  And what do you have for supper on fishing day?  Fish, shrimp and "chips", of course!

Day #5 will have a patriotic theme since it was July 4th, and we will welcome Jenn, her fiancée Matt, and his two boys, Eli and Connor, to our crazy week of camp! 

Papa and Mimi Camp, Day #3

On the schedule for today was Bright's Zoo, a local zoo specializing in endangered species and education.  Nathan had gone last year and got to meet S.J., a Siberian lynx kit, up close and personal, as they say, so he was very anxious to see her again.

 

But first, we started our exploration at the flamingo pond, and, no, you have not been flocked...it just looks like it in this picture!

It's so nice to see all of them involved and interested in something...and all at the same time!

 

The beautiful parrots are always a draw...especially for the McKissick boys, since they have two birds at home.

Next on the agenda was a chance to feed the lorikeets...

They even got to see one of the baby camels being fed...

...and to even sneak in a quick pat!

Pretty soon it was time to go feed the giraffes...who were ready for as many carrots as they could wrap their tongues around!

 

Hmmmm, I guess even giraffes lick their chops!

There was lots to see....

It was a little hot that day so a quick run through the cooling spray was welcomed by all!

 

The various types of monkeys were a big hit, but the boys really enjoyed watching this mama squirrel monkey with her baby on her back...

Bright's is a good place to take a family or a group.  Even though their admission prices may seem a little steep for a local zoo, it is so well done and maintained.  AND they let you bring your own food and drink in.  Even if you opt to purchase food/drink there we were surprised at how reasonable the cost was.  We took our lunch in...

 and then partook in ice-cream treats since everyone worked together so well...

I guess a day at the zoo wouldn't be complete without an interaction with a snake or two...

Okay...that's enough reptile interaction for this mimi!

 

Later, while supper was being prepared, the boys tried their hand at marshmallow and toothpick construction....with some interesting results.  And, no, moms, they did NOT get to eat all the marshmallows!

 

It's been another interesting day....wonder what Day #4 has in store for these boys?