The next to the last week of February 2021 was a doozy! It was sooooooooo cold - the coldest on record since 1989. We had snow and more snow - and it just stayed since the night time lows were -15 degrees and daytime highs 5 degrees for several days. Luckily, we are retired and just stayed home and out of the weather - mostly. Mark had to come to Clinton in a blizzard to get his second Covid 19 shot but was glad he did - took 3 1/2 hours to come to Clinton from the lake which usually takes 1 1/2 hours! Never drove over 35 mph - but God took care of him and he was safe both ways. The kiddos had 3 snow days, and Amanda and Chad continue to work from home, so they were safe in their house too - although I think it got smaller and smaller as each day passed!
We drove to Overland Park to pick up Peyton and Garrison for a short Clinton visit while they were out of school for 2 days, picking them up after school on Wednesday, taking them to music lessons and then to Clinton. I enjoyed listening to their music lessons - Peyton played the song she wrote so well, and Garrison is progressing quite nicely with the guitar. We stopped at Burger King for a bite to eat for them, ordering online - but - the pick up line took 40 minutes!!!! We had lots of laughs about that.
On Thursday, Grandpa had to work at the pro shop from 10-3:30. The kids and I had a painting day which they really enjoyed. Peyton's canvas pictures included a panda and Garrison's a light saber. Both took several coats of paint and drying in between. We painted 3 hours. We had fans going everywhere to dry their masterpieces. Garrison was quite inventive making a platform for his to get closer to the fan with Dixie cups. They had fun displaying all their paintings for Grandpa to guess who painted what when he got home. We made name tags for him to put in front of each painting. He got all but 2 correct.
The kids and I got carry out food from McDonald's on Thursday which was fun - Peyton loves the shamrock shakes, and Garrison wanted a McFlurry of which he ate 2 bites - arghhh. They no longer eat happy meals - get McDoubles!!! They ordered big Whoppers at Burger King too - they are growing up.
We had a great time playing Pictionary.
We made chocolate bowls for their nighttime sundaes using blown up balloons. They had fun doing that and also dipped marshmallows.
For dinner we had requested BBQ meatballs and rice. Peyton fixed the rice and Garrison chopped vegetables.
After dinner and baths, we watched an episode of The Hustler. They like to watch it when they come to Clinton so we can all guess who the Hustler is. Then they had their sundae bowls with chocolate fudge brownie ice cream and every topping under the sun.
Friday we played Pictionary, Bingo and Kings in the Corner - the games of choice for this visit. They counted their money from the banks I put change in from time to time and took their deposits to their savings account at Hawthorn Bank with Grandpa. We fixed our traditional taco bar for lunch with Peyton browning the hamburger and Garrison chopping things. Then, sadly, it was time to go home.
We took them home and felt blessed - can't wait for the next visit.
Also pictured - Garrison winning the Kobe Ball at his basketball game and getting to sign it and the kids at the zoo with their parents on a very warm Saturday, 2/27/2021. Ron played golf that day and I visited with Esther on her patio. God is good.
