Another Week, Another Grandchild!

Matthew had the good fortune to get invited to the GREAT Summer Program that Mark is in charge of. It's a two-week program...sort of a day camp that lasts two weeks. So really, he's spent two weeks with us. He arrived on Monday, July 5th and tomorrow is the last day. He will be sad to see it end. He LOVED all of the fun and activities. And it was fun having him here. The first week included classes (CSI, Karate and DARE), program games, a Diamondback baseball game and skating at Great Skate. His parents, sister, Emma, Brian, Abby and Dallin joined us for the baseball game.


And Matthew got more than his share of bruises at Great Skate! But he was a trooper and hung in there until he no longer had to hug the wall all the way around the rink. He asked if Eliza could join him that day and since she'd been "begging" Mark to take here there, we consented. She'd not ever skated before either, but she seemed to be a natural. She had fun with Matt. We met Dan after work and he went back home for the weekend.
They came for dinner on Sunday, so he and Emma were back for his second week. All I can say is that those kids are BUSY every day and I was exhausted each day that I took Emma to join in the fun.










Monday was a crafts class were they made a puppet from fun foam and tongue depressors. It was also the stargazing event and bowling in the afternoon. That evening there was another stargazing event at the Glendale Library and they had big telescopes set up for people to look through. We saw the sun and its sun spots (with lots of filtering to protect our eyes), Saturn with her rings, Venus, and the moon. It was fun. Matthew has surely earned his astronomy belt loop for all he did! Tuesday was more classes...Yo-yos, magic and desert animals. That afternoon, Emma and I did a little shopping and planning for her scrapbook. Wednesday morning we went to see Despicable Me and we went to Old Country Buffet for lunch. Wednesday afternoon, Emma and I worked on her scrapbook. That night I helped Matt with another cub scout requirement for his craftsman activity badge. Today Emma and I baked brownies and finished her scrapbook. We went back to the school for their final pizza party and we took a couple of pictures. Needless to say, both kids had a fun, fun week and I am ready to crash!! Matthew even earned the *spark plug* award. Each team gave an award to one participant who was energetic, kept the other kids going, cheered others on and was overall a good kid. We were all pleased and surprised!!! Even Matt!! Tomorrow is the last day---Wet & Wild. Should be fun....and HOT!!





Today was a bit melancholy. It was the last day at the school for the last session of the summer program....Mark's last....forever! He'll be retired next summer. The reality is beginning to sink it. He's worked with a great group of officers for the past many years.