Sophia at swim practice – she’s about to race (and win) against her cousin Lauren in a freestyle race:
Meanwhile, in our own corner of the pool, Avery dove for rockets,
invented a new swim stroke called the Relaxed Paddle Float,
and our favorite, a launched dive. First, climb up Grandma’s legs and get into position.
1, 2, 3, Go!
Fun!
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Dylan learns to ride a bike
Adrienne’s grandson Dylan, who is 8 1/2 years old and going into 3rd grade, wanted to learn to ride a bike. Ade said, “The challenge was finding a bike that worked for Dylan’s height and experience (none).” They visited five bike shops on Saturday and came up empty. On Monday they found a good bike at Target.
I went over on Tuesday for our first lesson. Dylan learned about the ABCQuick Check and the psi needed in bike tires. He was worried about falling and wore elbow and knee guards. We went up and down the street for about 30 minutes. He had great balance, it was only a matter of patience and time. The bike, although new, needed a basic tune-up: brakes adjusted, chain lubed, seat tilted down just a bit. I was so grateful Natomas Bike Shop was able to do this in ONE afternoon – hurray Scott and his mechanics! By the end of day 2, Dylan had made great progress.
I went over to Ade’s this morning for one more lesson on the bike. Total success!Grandma’s Cooking School: Dutch Babies
Measuring flour.
Before the next step, Sophia had to change into more appropriate clothing. Slowly add the milk to the eggs in the blender.
Slowly add the flour.
I poured the batter into hot buttered ramekins and got them into the oven.
They should be eaten warm. They were delicious! Both Lenin and Thais had evening activities, so I stayed a bit longer and Lauren came over to help, especially with Carson.
RLEHS Sunday Social
It was a HOT day, not many people showed up. Including the speaker, unfortunately. Joyce Buckland gave an update on the society’s business.
The zucchini Throwdown was fun. L-R: Norma Horrell (Zucchini Bread), Ali Brown (Delicata Squash Balls in Tomato Bisque), winner Catherine Green (Lemon Zucchini Bars), me (Zucchini Jack Casserole).
Grandma’s Cooking School: Funfetti cupcakes
Except that I pretty much did the whole recipe, from a cake mix. Sophia taste-tested the first frosted cupcakes.
Later, Carson was limited to two cupcakes. He dove in face first for the frosting, the cake part was better for mooshing.
In the end, Sophia decided Funfetti cupcakes didn’t really count for this week’s cooking school since she didn’t do very much. I agreed.
Going home
Lococo House B&B.
Around the yard.
Goodbye Billie and Donna-they have a 10-hour drive ahead of them.
My Uber driver’s other job is picking up dead bodies for the St Charles medical examiner and assisting in autopsies. 😬
*All blog posts and pics were on my cell phone.
Katy Trail: day 7
It was going to be hotter today, so we got up earlier. Billie made breakfast-on-the-road for all of us.
5:30: leaving before sunrise.
Moonset:
Was it fear of the heat? Or was this horse headed for the barn? We arrived in St Charles, our end point, at 10 am. Average speed = 10.8 mph. Billie and Donna can do this all day long, but not me. Today, I was on fire.
Miles = 42. Total = 260 miles.
Katy Trail: day 6
6 am: fog! Hurray. Maybe the sun will stay away longer?
Soybeans, I think.
We arrived in Marthasville shortly after noon in blasting heat – ugh – 93 degrees but feels like 97, 49% humidity. Tonight we’re staying at Little House B&B and have the whole place to ourselves. Those bright colors on the porch: our laundry drying in the natural heat.
Katy Trail: day 5
6:30 am: about to cross the bridge to head back to the Katy Trail.
The Mysterious Standing Rock:
We stopped for lunch in Portland. In came 4 kids who climbed up on the bar stools and ordered cheese sticks. They’d sold cucumbers from their garden and had $17 to spend. They went to the drinks cooler and were trying to decide how many they could get and who would share. Billie gave them some extra money to everyone could have their own. Their eyes lit up. Then they looked inside the ice cream cooler – I bought that round. We told them how much we appreciated their hard work. One of them said, “We work hard and we play hard.”
Shortly after the kids left, a bus pulled up with about 20 women enjoying a bachelorette party. They were on their way to Hermann for some wine tasting but needed a potty stop … and some shots of tequila.
End of today’s ride: The Doll House B&B in Rhineland.
It was so HOT today. Miles=42.
Katy Trail: day 4
6 am in the lobby of The Broadway:
Roche Percee Natural Arch in the bluffs above the Missouri:
We lifted our bikes over the hazard.
I took a long rest in Hartsburg and met a fellow blogger, Doug, who lives near Jefferson City. We had a wonderful visit. His recommendation of Red Wheel Bicycles in Jeff City came in quite handy because Donna was having a terrible day.
Even though Billie and Donna hadn’t caught up yet, I pressed on to Jeff City – it was getting hot! A 3-story circular ramp took you up to the bridge to cross the Missouri River.
I found Red Wheel Bicycle easily and was quite happy to see Three Story Coffee next door. The man ahead of me ordered a drink and a scone. Before I could stop myself, I said, “I hope that’s not the last one.” It was. I literally whined that I hadn’t eaten all day (Donna was carrying my breakfast sandwich). He let me have it and immediately became a Trail Angel.
Donna got a flat tire. Neither Billie nor Donna could get the tire off the rim. A male cyclist stopped to help and got the tire off the rim. Getting the repaired tire back onto the bike proved to be difficult, but finally it was on … however now the brake was rubbing and her cyclometer cable was broken. She slogged 27 miles into Jeff City and went straight to Red Wheel Bicycles for a good repair job. Miles = 39.
arletelouise 