Birthday Treat

Someone here celebrated a serious over-the-hill birthday this weekend and was treated to a visit. Son Rob and his family were here for a couple of days. Since this was Eleanor's first-ever visit to the lake, we had to get in some important sandbox time. We sifted sand; used molds to make trains, planes, and towers; and piled sand into a "mountain." Of course, you have to involve some water, so the little watering can was a hit too, although Eleanor preferred to put the water on Grandma's nearby flowers.

She loved the rake most and wouldn't put it down.

Eleanor and her "Pop", as she calls him, looked at pictures he had taken throughout the day.

Eleanor brought along her USA puzzle, and it turns out she has a pretty amazing command of the names of all the states, their locations, and how to put the puzzle together. All my grandchildren are brilliant and beautiful, of course, and here is some proof.

We went for a boat ride too. Oscar seemed to like riding in the dip net.

Eleanor and her mother seemed to enjoy the ride too. Eleanor loves that hat.

We had barbecue at Famous Dave's. I guess Rob was trying to get Eleanor to try a specific type of smile.

Afterwards, Eleanor spotted the horse ride just outside the entrance. It was either the horse or the carousel. Here she is prior to the insertion of quarters. After the quarters were inserted and the horse started moving and the annoying music started playing, Eleanor was just not sure about the whole mechanical horse thing.

I hated to see them leave this morning and am going to miss seeing these little shoes parked near the door.

But, I got a great shot of them all on the deck before they loaded up and headed back home. Aren't they a great-looking family?

Thanks, Rob, Carrie and Eleanor for helping to make my birthday so special. Come again soon!