Sue and I thought we'd give Marissa and Gary a break by having Mia over Sunday 06/14/20 for a few days.

Their work has been so flat out, that on the way home in the car after visiting with them on Marissa's birthday 06/09/20, we both said to each other what a great opportunity to have some special time with Mia!

Sunday 06/14/20
For Sue's first project with Mia Sunday, they went outside onto the back steps and did a tee shirt tie-dye. Nothing that a gallon or so of water rinse couldn't clear up....

Then we were off to walk along one of the local streams set back in the woods. Though the sun was hot, it was nice walking under the cover of the tree branches which have now sprouted bright green leaves.

Beau was all over the place, dashing off the trail, and wading in the water. There was one section that usually has a small falls, but the rocks were bare and smooth as there hasn't been much rain in the last couple of weeks.

When we got back to the house, Sue fixed sandwiches for her and Mia, and they were off to climb up into the tree house to eat. They then grabbed a 5 gallon bucket, and Mia helped Sue with some small weed and brush clean up in the flower garden up by the rock wall.

And, of course, Beau couldn't stand it and wanted attention. Sue got his ball, and she and Mia kicked it back and forth for him to chase. But that was it for 'Gramma Sue', and the two of them came in to clean up.

Mia watched — somewhat patiently — as Sue and I relaxed with some backgammon in the living room. Sue had given her some colored pencils, and so Mia worked on creating some pictures until she went into the kitchen to help me with the dinner prep.

We cooked some ground sausage in a big pot, and then added a couple of jars of Barilla Tomato & Basil Sauce. While that simmered, we put the pasta on and got the pan warmed up to pan fry some garlic bread. Mia actually liked the sauce, and had a small plate with her garlic bread.

Long day, so after cleaning up the kitchen we all retired into the living room to watch half of the really cute 2019 kids movie Wonder Park. Then it was off to bed for Miss Mia, and a nice hush fell over the world....

Beau greeting Mia Sunday morning when Marissa dropped her off.

tee shirt tie-dye

off to walk along one of the local streams set back in the woods

Sue fixed sandwiches for her and Mia, and they were off to climb up into the tree house to eat

Mia helping Sue clear some dead grasses and plants from the flower garden up by the rock wall.

Mia through clouds of bubbles she had blown.

Mia in the kitchen helping me with the dinner prep.

After her bath, Sue painted Mia's finger and toe nails with a sliver glitter polish to match her Queen Elsa from the movie Frozen night gown.

Monday 06/15/20
Mia came in to wake me up at 7:30 Monday morning. Sue was fixing pancakes, and so I was right all over that: up and dressed and on the spot. And what a beautiful day. We have a birds nest in the bushes next to the screen porch, and the little babies were chirping away like crazy.

Mia wanted to watch the animated kids movie The Grinch while we ate, so off into the living room we all went with Beau in hot pursuit of possible food. We did a short Duo video call to Marissa for Mia, and then after cleaning up the kitchen, I headed off to do a dump run with Beau while Sue got ready for her day.

When I got back, Sue took Mia and Beau for a hike up Pine Mountain, but I was just not hearing another hike, as I had done about a mile and a half yesterday. I'm fine. Everything's fine. It's good....

We sat on the porch after they got back from their hike just enjoying the day, though it was partially overcast which made it just a little chilly if all you were doing was sitting. Sue had the oven going cooking up some chicken tenders, so that made the kitchen warm.

Mia had found a pretty wicker basket and wanted to have a picnic. So, when the tenders were done, Sue packed them, some drinks, and sliced apples into the basket, and off the two of them went to climb up into the tree house for a picnic lunch. I got some nice pictures of that!

When they came down, Sue got the hose out, and she and Mia went around watering the vegetable and flower gardens as the ground was parched from the past few really bright sunny days.

And then she wanted to do some picture painting, so got her set up out in the screen porch, and that kept her busy for awhile.

Sue and I wanted to play some backgammon, and as I was setting the board up in the living room, Mia said that she wanted to play again. I had let her throw the dice and move some checkers around on the board yesterday, and that had gotten her attention. I wasn't too sure how well an almost 5 year old would be able to focus, so I just put one checker onto the board, let her throw one die, and move that checker around. She did pretty good, though the concept of landing the checker on the weird shaped board pips was just a little beyond her.

After Sue and I got done with playing a few sets, Mia came out with me to supervise cooking up some hot dogs on the grill. I lit the fire pit, and we all sat around that having a picnic, finishing off with ice cream topped brownies Sue had made earlier. She ate quite a bit, but we could see she was getting sleepy. Sue took her in for a bath and washed her hair before escorting her up to bed.

When they were out walking Beau through the woods, she came to a DEAD stop at the edge of the field when she saw The Silent People.

Sue showing pictures in a reference book to match mushrooms they had seen on their walk.

Mia and Gramma Sue head up to the tree house with picnic lunch of chicken tenders

A bear under a rainbow — look closely, and you'll see the bear that Sue had outlined on the paper for her to paint!

Showing Mia a little backgammon.

Outside at the fire pit for a dinner of grilled hot dogs and some great pasta salad Sue had made.

Marissa sent this circa 1992 photo, and when Mia saw it I don't think she grasped just who it was pushing that wheelbarrow when I told her that was her mom when she was just a little older than Mia.

Wow! Mia actually took this picture of Sue and me!

The 'wet head' after bathies! Time for bed!

Tuesday 06/16/20
After breakfast Tuesday morning, Sue helped Mia gather all her stuff to pack up. She couldn't find her sunglasses though, and that was a major deal causing a 'Sun Glass Hunt' all over the place as she was possessed with finding her 'Ray Bands' as they were a gift from her Auntie Sarah. Fortunately, Sue thought of one final place to check just as I was getting Mia strapped into her car seat. She came flying out the door, and up to the car with them in her hand. Disaster thwarted!

And we were off to take her down to Marissa and Gary at work in Dover. Somewhere not far along in our journey, Mia thought she'd entertain me — or maybe just herself — by looping some crazy stupid song. All-the-way-there.... All the way....

Gary came over to the car to get her car seat, and Mia gave him a handful of pictures she had painted. So, off we went to see her 'Mia's Picture Wall' at the back of the shop. Man, the wall was just covered with her work!

It had been so much fun having her, but both Sue and I were exhausted keeping up with her. I suppose that's normal when we only have her for a couple of days as she just wants to do everything. Great time, and sad to see her leave. But there's always next time!

Mia loading her gear into the car Tuesday morning.

Missing Ray Band sunglasses fond! Too cute for words....

Mia's 'Picture Wall' at the shop.