Lake Geneva Summer Trip and Horses

 

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I had not been to Lake Geneva WI since 1995 and never really wanted to go back.  In my mind there just was not anything to do.  Walk around shop and eat at expensive places.  I rarely take a summer vacation anyway as I like the cooler weather of Fall and Winter.  My grand kids mother wanted to go to and so off we went.  I do often go to the Dells as it has many things to do and the price is not bad for what you get.  This year of course Lake Delton vanished and  homes were destroyed. It will be back though and the people will return.  As they say everything happens for a reason. 

A VISIT TO THE PARK

Sometimes you just need to get out and a park can be just the right thing if you know where to go.  In Geneva along the Fox river there is a Park built on the old Fabyan Estate known as Riverbank.  It is a wonderful place to stay the afternoon and walk along the bridges over the Fox River and to visit all of the old buildings.  Kids just wanna be kids and what a great shot they make for the family travel album.  Not every shot has to to be Cheese perfect.  My grandchildren were amazed at the park and the building they are shown sitting in.  They could not believe the old plank floor and they quickly spotted the burn marks of some careless person.  They just loved running around it and screaming to hear their own loud voice.  I had to explain to them what a boat house was and why it was there and they understood very well. 

Of course then they wanted to go out on a boat.  None to be found here, unless you brought your own.  It was a good place to rest in the shade though.  Times like this are priceless.  It promotes family like nothing else.  No rides or attractions, no food concessions, just a place to enjoy each other and take a walk around a place with many splendid views. 

A moment in time at the festival

 

Thinking about it all

What do you suppose it is like to be the oldest by four years and yet very young on your own?  Do you compare yourself with others to make sure all is OK?  Do you ride with your little sister in a small roller coaster so you can ride the big rides or is there a soft spot that wants to make sure she rides and has fun too?  It is also more annoying to have a grandfather around and capturing your every move.  Well maybe that is not all that bad. 

I think Corinne likes the roller coaster also.  She got started at a very young age riding back and forth being thrown from side to side on the big carnival machines.  She was never afraid of the rides.  She always wants to try bigger and better ones.  Much like her mother.  I am so privledged to see her grow up right before my eyes and I am glad she doesn’t mind.    She has been gone most of the summer, giving true meaning to summer vacation.  Her new found friend and her and always on the run.  I am gratified that she has someone her age to share the little things kids share.  Maybe it will be a lifetime friendship. 

The First Bike Ride

The first bike ride alone, without training wheels. What a feeling of freedom. I remember the first time for myself. My uncle and my father tried every trick in the book but it made no sense to me to do something that would make me fall and possibly get hurt. I walked away and did not ride again until I was 11 or 12. My father who worked for WT Grant took the bike back and was just a little disappointed. I finally taught myself how to ride. This young man has no issues and is fearless on his first ride. It was just a matter of figuring it out and making sure the mechanics worked all right. The afternoon was spent learning this skill and now he rides from time to time. Right now it is not an imperative issue for him. He has many things to do and is learning every day. The time will come when this bike riding will come in handy. It will give him a greater area to explore and his mother a heart attack as he ventures along with other friends to the far flung ends of the block.

A Spring Day for Madison

What do you do when you get caught by the camera and you have a reputation of no photos allowed? Well you smile of course! This little one was helping her mother tie dye tee-shirt for some event or another and took a break. When she looked up snap. Madison is the hardest one to photograph. She does not like having her picture taken and it takes a while and a lot of patience to capture her real look. She clings to her mother when the camera comes out. Thank goodness, I have a small camera to sneak these shots when the time arises.

She has a lot of her Grandmothers features on her mothers side. The same wisp of hair that is always falling to the side, the same posture, and moves that sometimes make me do a double take. She is quiet and unassuming until she thinks she is not being paid attention to and then the most explosive scream you have ever heard. Now look at this person here, can you believe a horrible noise could come out of her? At least she is happy, being the third in line can be hard.

Graduation

The first leg of the journey has been completed. The first graduation, the first suit and tie, a smile for a major accomplishment. This young man, my Grandson, had smiles as big as you can get. In the box were a few treasures to help him remember this day. He joyfully sang the song of his class and could not wait to be with his best friend in class.

I never met his best friend until this day and when I did I smiled. I was not surprised. They were both he same height, the same color hair, the same suit and the same mischievous smile of fun and childhood days. His night time stories to me told me of the planning that went into a days mischief. He also told me of every day he got a sticker for being a good classmate. His social skills greatly improved and he has begun to have a great interest in stories.

Next year kindergarten and this summer he will be working on writing better and he will get more reading done to him. It will be fun to do and to share in his mind as I watch him learn each new thing. Hopefully his mother will spend time with him every day trying to learn something new.

DJ and DAD enjoying a little time

Finally and evening where father and son enjoy themselves. No siblings around just the two. A time to laugh and have fun with each other, a tenseness relaxed. Their mother thinks they are alike and I think they are as far apart as they can be. One is logical and the other is mechanical. Both very smart but in different ways. He is laughing because he thinks it is cool to take a picture of a person taking a picture of him. Maybe a little artist coming out. Who knows?

Sweet Dreams and Sweet Treats

Here we are.  She feels exactly how I feel tired and ready for sleep.  This little one is the smallest of my grandchildren.  Here she has been caught with one of Grandpas’ favorite treats .  Now I will have to start buying more for myself or eating less.  I think eating less.  I am so happy that one of them like something I like.  Most of the others hate Grandpa food.  No pizza, no cookies, well I forgot they all like ice cream.  It is hard to believe that this one will be one year old this August.  Emma is her name and she is the happiest baby I have ever seen, except when she wants to go to bed.  I had the occasion of watching her last night and she would not stop crying.  Finally, I resorted to holding her until she went to sleep.  I think her parents have the hold before sleep down pat and she is spoiled.  I think the last one always is.  She is going to have curly hair like the rest of her family.    We will see more of her photos I am sure.  She always smiles and is going to be one that enjoys her whole life.  She reminds me a lot of my maternal Grandmother.  She has many of the same features and actions.  There are not many people left who would remember that, but I do and it makes me happy. 

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Determination

 A wanting to be like all of the rest.  Can you imagine what goes through her head?  She is the 3rd in a line, a favorite, among family and yet she will try the hardest she can to be just like her brother and sister.  She really has no interest in learning how to ride a scooter but will keep at it as long as possible until she is the last one standing.  She has her own mind and uses it to get herself in trouble.  She will not let the others outsmart her or do something that is not part of the Barbie crowd. 

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Evening of Play

It was a little cool but the Grand Kids enjoyed the outside play time. They all got their share of fresh air and did real well at playing together. Like most siblings they quibble over all of the little things and blame each other for everything. Tonite they just played together. I notice Corinne the oldest is getting too old. I am glad she is growing up but I want her to stay little. I looked at her riding her bike in the back yard and wonder when she will want to ride on the block. I know her mother will say “Stay where I can see you” and she will ride. My heart will be in terror. We live in a good neighborhood but people come in. They come by the garage sales, boldly knock on the door to do your “landscape” of course you can not hide and of course as they say no one is immune. All they more to watch better and make it fun to see her grow.