Today it took 3 of us to get everyone where they needed to be. Carson had a soccer seeding tournament, four 20-minute games spaced between 9 and 3 pm.

In between games 3 and 4, we went to Sophia’s volleyball game at St Francis. Because Christian Brothers and St Francis are both Catholic schools, these games are known as Holy Court (in football, a person goes to the Holy Bowl).

They were tied after game 2, but I needed to leave with Carson to get to his 3:00 game.

Sadly CB lost the third game. Meanwhile, Avery was in El Dorado Hills playing football for the Jesuit Raiders and needed to be picked up. It’s hot this afternoon. The final game is over. Team photo:

Young families are quite busy.

Sophia made the freshman team. She wears a different colored jersey because she is a libero – a defensive specialist who doesn’t rotate to the front line.

They won in two sets – a good thing, the gym was hot.

I LOVE Connect 4! Carson likes to beat me at every game in his arsenal. And we don’t often get to play Connect 4. Today he decided to try again. He knows it’s best to start first and where the best move is. I too have read online about the best strategy and … I beat him three times in a row. He took it well – lol.

Carson – 2nd grade, Avery – 6th, and Sophia – 9th.

A stare-down for the final bites of a burrito. When I asked Carson to hang on while I grabbed my phone to take a picture, he wanted to know why I wanted this particular picture. I told him about the blog, that I like to post funny things that happen when I come over. This stare-down was today’s funny moment.

Later, “Hey Grandma, take a picture of this. Put it on your blog.”

Oh yes, very funny. My loss in the game Memory.

When I came into the house, I found two boys in their respective caves. Sophia had a babysitting job. Avery was in his room, Carson was … where?

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for your patience later this afternoon when you come home to this creation.

Question of the day from Carson: “Grandma, how old were you when you kissed a boy the first time?”

This was our play group when we visited Saskatchewan in 1957. Back row: Kathy and Wade. Front row: Jeannette, me, Doug, Ruth, Gordon, and Sandra

1959. Back row: Grandpa Manz, Ardyth, Joy held by Eleanor, Norman, Olga, Fernie, Ronnie, and my dad Ed. Front row: Doug, Sandra, Ruth, me, Jeannette, Grandma Manz, and my mom Alma.

My family visited family in Saskatchewan only twice when I was growing up. I think I was about 7- and 9-years old. We visited Uncle Norman and Aunt Eleanor’s (my mom’s younger sister) farm with its long curving tree-lined driveway and there were four (!) kids in the family. I always enjoyed playing with Ruth the most. Joy and Julie were younger, brother Wade was older. I especially remember a 2-wheeled cart ride. Wade hooked up the horse, the four of us (Wade, Ruth, me and Doug) climbed in over the high wood-board sides and off we went on dirt roads. Quite the adventure for two little kids from California.

When I visited Saskatchewan a few weeks ago, Ruth and I started talking about e-bikes. She began checking out bikes and doing research, I answered questions she had via text, and .. drum roll ..

Congratulations on your new bike Ruth. You are about to start your own 2-wheeled adventure.

And … I hear Prince Edward Island calling my name.

At last, four players. The player to the left sensed he was behind and began to lose interest. Sophia, the eventual winner. Carson, busy dancing to a song playing in his head, waiting for his next turn. Grandkids are so much fun.

“Grandma, can you fold your ear three times?” I tried but never passed Carson’s inspection. Then he showed me how it’s done: fold the lobe up, top down, side in. This was followed by a comparison of 74-year-old ear cartilage (larger, thicker, somewhat bendable) v 7-year old ear cartilage (small, thin, supple). The result: “Ready for a board game?” Sure. LOL.

Ravine:

Pick up sticks: