Wahoo!!! BEST VACATION EVER FOR JED! Uncles and Aunties and Grandmas and Grandpas catering to his every whim, delicious treats available at any time of the day or night, a little bunk bed with his very own little sleeping bag, and, of course, the dirt pile all day and all night. Heaven.
Zoe also loved her first year of Grounddoggie. Obviously. (Crockpot Chocolate Volcano Cake. Amazing.)
Four generations of Van Schaik women. Zoe loves her Grandma Janete, who dressed her up like a dolly and loved her up to no end.
But she really really loves her Papa Gary, too. She's a grandpa's girl, this one.
For the Family Talent Show, Jed and Granny shared their puppet story telling skills. Granny narrated the story of the little princess stuck in a castle tower and all the little animals who tried to save her but couldn't reach. As you can see, Jed as the little puppy is doing his VERY VERY BEST to reach the princess, to the point of virtually dislocating his arm trying to get the doggie up there. Granny had to keep making the tower higher and higher to keep it away from him, as the rest of us rolled on the floor at his persistence.
Zoe in her fairy costume, all ready for our Stanfill Family talent. I wrote a ridiculously romantic serenade for Michael. (Unfortunately, I didn't keep a copy. Ack! But I know at this very moment, every Ground-doggie attendee is mentally humming "Michael, Michael, he's so strong and tall!" Hee hee hee! Lisa, you can thank me later.)
And, of course, the River Trip. Katie and I showed our female prowess rowing the old guys down the river. :D We all survived the traditional thunderstorm near-death experience and thanked the Lord for polar fleece. Also, each of my mother's children (and son in law) took a turn dunking her, making the overall experience a roaring success.
Home again, home again. Jed on the plane. Yes, I flew the two kids home by myself and we did fabulously, thanks to a long nap and a new sticker book.
The day after we came home, Jed woke up and walked out of his room, looking around like a little lost puppy.
"Mom, are we home?"
Yes, Jed, we're home.
He started to bawl and fell into my arms.
"I just want to go back, Mom, I just want to go to my Grounddoggie!"
I guess we all feel a little bit that way. We'll be back next year!
