A visit from our grandsons


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North America » United States » Alabama » Crossville
June 2nd 2015
Published: June 29th 2015
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Big Puzzle of Endangered SpeciesBig Puzzle of Endangered SpeciesBig Puzzle of Endangered Species

We bought this puzzle in Fredericksburg for the boys. Xander "helped" his brother and they got it finished in about 30 minutes. Then, both boys identified most of the animals.
YEA!!! Our son was going to drive up from Florida and bring our grandsons Drew (5) and Xander (3) for a week. Biggest draw (bigger than seeing Ji-san (Grandpa) and Ba-san (Grandma)) was fireflies. The lightning bugs were coming out in force and there are none in Florida. Drew had gathered them 2 years ago and was excited for the chance to catch them again. Also, the kids wanted to a)go to a cave, b) go to a waterpark, c) ride the tractor, and d) swim in a lake. Lots to do and we'd try to fit it all in.

First full day was a trip to Cathedral Caverns State Park. Basan opted out because she had been there before and knew it would be a long walk. With her bad knee, she decided it wasn't worth it. We got to the park and had just missed the start of the guided tour, but if we hurried, we could catch up. This was kind of fun since the light was dim and it was almost like exploring. Both boys had hats with lights in the brim and that provided our light. Once we caught up with the group, we had
Deep in the caveDeep in the caveDeep in the cave

It was a long walk in (almost 3/4 of a mile) and even Xander managed to walk the whole way. Notice the lights on Drew's hat. Both boys had "cave hats) to help them in the dark.
a wonderful walk through the cavern, marveling at the huge stalac-tites and mites. It was a long way in and back and both boys had a ball. When we came out, it was hot so after an ice cream treat, Josh bought a big bag of dirt and we went to the sluicing run set up and the boys could "pan for gold, fossils or gems." With a great deal of supervision, they looked through the dirt and water and discovered both large and small stones, some fossils and a genuine Indian arrowhead. They were excited to have such finds.

Back home they "relaxed" and played outside. After dinner it was time for fireflies. They had nets, special battery operated hand held vacuum pistols, and a plastic box house to house the bugs. Drew was ready to start immediately, but Daddy pointed out that it had be be getting dark before they would come out and start blinking. Finally the bugs appeared and it was pandemonium. Both boys caught fireflies and put them in their "catch"boxes prior to transferring to the bug house. Xander's problem was he kept forgetting to close the lid to his box so as fast
Panning for gold....or fossilsPanning for gold....or fossilsPanning for gold....or fossils

Josh bought a big bag of dirt and we went to the sluice outside the cave. In the dirt were gems, fossils and even an arrowhead. Boys had fun looking, though Xander had more fun getting wet.
as they went in, they flew back out. Not a problem out side, but definitely an issue when he brought them in to show Basan. Eventually all were collected and consolidated and then it was bath time. Bath was done with the fireflies blinking in the tub area and then were in by the beds when they went to sleep. After the boys fell asleep, Daddy got the box and let the bugs go outside, to be caught again another night.

Next day was waterpark. Again, Basan opted to stay home; her bad knee would keep her from most rides and it was a big park with lots of walking. So we headed off to Decatur and a day of wet and wild. After changing in the bathroom (no changing area or showers at the side we were on) and stowing the gear in TWO lockers because they are built barely big enough for a man-purse, it was into the lazy river. Daddy and Drew went together and I had Xander. It was cloudy, a bit cool and Xander was not impressed. After one trip around, it was out and look for Daddy. The other boys had fun and
Tom Sawyer is alive!Tom Sawyer is alive!Tom Sawyer is alive!

I had left a large section of the front yard unmowed and Josh put the boys in the cart and after running them through the fields, proceeded to finish the mowing. Boys thought it was fun....all THREE of them.
went a couple of times around. Then we hiked across the park to the kiddie slide that had a thin stream of water coming down so kids had to push themselves to even get part way down. Drew gave it a big Thumbs Down. Next was the wave pool. This was HUGE and we played in the shallow water waiting for the waves to generate. Once they started, we had big waves and lots of yelling and laughing. Both boys enjoyed this venue. Then it was off to swim in a lake. The boys had never been in a fresh water lake so it was a new experience. Had to keep moving so after Daddy tried the low board ( and dang near belly flopped), Drew and Jisan did a big slide on an inflatable raft for 2. We climbed WAY up the tower steps and when our turn came, started down. All went well until we hit a big bump, flew in the air, did a 180 and finished the ride backwards. Drew decided once was enough. (Good choice!) Finally we headed for the exit, but first tries a slide where Drew went on an innertube and by himself.
Lazy RiverLazy RiverLazy River

First stop at the water park was the Lazy River. I had Xander who was not as enthralled as Drew. We got out after one trip around. But Drew loved it.
THAT was fun, so Daddy and Drew went 3 times and Jisan and Drew went once. At last we got changed and headed home. After dinner it was more fire flies.

Everyone was a bit tired from the 2 days of adventures, so Friday was to be a bit slower. When we were in FL in the spring, we took special hats, shirts, gloves and litter pick up sticks for the boys. Drew LOVES to keep "his park" across the street clean, so we thought he might want to help us pick up litter on the section of road we have adopted. Boy, he couldn't wait. So Basan had Drew and I had Xander as we started down the road cleaning up the litter. Yuck...lots of bottles, trash and paper. Once Xander realized we were not picking up leaves, stones and sticks, he did quite well. We managed to get 3 bags of litter in just a half mile. But the real payoff came the next day. As we drove down the road, we saw litter that had been tossed in some of the Hispanic neighbor's yards and Drew looked, got indigent and said, "Hey, why do people want
Point Mallard Wave PoolPoint Mallard Wave PoolPoint Mallard Wave Pool

Big waves came about every 15-20 minutes. Then the waves built in intensity and lasted for almost 10 minutes. Like being in the ocean but no salt.
to hurt the earth so much?" Anyone got an answer?

That afternoon, it was still hot. So daddy got out a big bag of balloons, we pulled two buckets out after filling up the balloons, it was Daddy and Xander against Drew. (Jisan knew better and watched from the porch and took pictures.) Everyone got wet, had fun, and then picked up after. Wheew. Another fun filled day with.....fireflies at night again.

Saturday Josh wanted to take the boys to the Collinsville Trade Days. This is a huge flea market held every Saturday and features everything from plants and farmer's market to used junk to worthwhile antiques to animals. We were going to see the animals because the boys could get up close and pet the chickens, pigs, ducks, goats, sheep, etc. They had fun looking, holding and checking out all the animals. One woman even had a pet monkey with her (not for sale) and the boys were fascinated. After about 2 hours of walking and looking, we headed back home for some rest. That evening we took everyone to the Catfish House for good farm raised catfish, hush puppies and slaw. That evening, for the first
Both boys enjoyed the wavesBoth boys enjoyed the wavesBoth boys enjoyed the waves

Xander kept close to Daddy, but Drew enjoyed jumping the waves. Later Xander forged ahead on his own, getting toppled a couple of times. But he got up laughing and tried again.
time, boys and Daddy were too tired to catch fireflies. So after baths, it was off to bed.

Sunday morning was another hot one and we got up early, had breakfast and packed the cars to head to Guntersville State Park and the beach. It was the second time the boys had been in fresh water and we all (Basan included) had fun splashing in the water, picking up seaweed (lakeweed?) and squirting guns at each other. We got there very early and avoided the rush and the hot of the day. We packed up before lunch time and came home and in the afternoon, boys and Daddy rode the tractor some more and explored outside. All too soon it was nighttime and one last chase of the fireflies.

Monday morning it was packup time and Josh and the boys got on the road as early as possible for the long drive home. It had been a great week of fun, excitement, fireflies and food. We were sad to see them go, but know they had a good time. We home next visit Jen will be able to come as well and join in the fun. (Hmm, if
First trip to lake swimmingFirst trip to lake swimmingFirst trip to lake swimming

The boys are used to large pools or the ocean. This was their first experience in a lake (an arm of the Tennessee River.) There was a huge sand beach and they loved running full tilt through the sand and into the water. No waves to knock them backward!
it's warm enough, I see Jen and Drew having a water-balloon fight against Daddy and Xander. I'll take pictures again.)


Additional photos below
Photos: 19, Displayed: 19


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Jisan and Drew on a BIG water slideJisan and Drew on a BIG water slide
Jisan and Drew on a BIG water slide

We laughed and were excited climbing the steps to the top. Excited about coming down. Screamed like a girl when we hit a bump and got turned backwards. Drew decided this was NOT a fun ride after all.
Solo waterslide with DrewSolo waterslide with Drew
Solo waterslide with Drew

This slide was more to Drew's liking. He went four times, laughing and having a ball each time.
Community Service timeCommunity Service time
Community Service time

We have adopted a mile of road to pick up litter. Drew has his own "Litter Elf #1" orange hat, an orange safety shirt, and his own litter picker upper. He ASKED to go pick up the road, and was proud that he and Ba-san did a better job than Ji-san and Xander.
Xander on litter pickupXander on litter pickup
Xander on litter pickup

Xander had trouble distinguishing sticks and stones from real litter and wanted to really clean the road. Finally he got the hang of it. But I spent as much time keeping him out of the weeds (and fire ants and snakes) as I did in cleaning the road.
Waterballoon fightWaterballoon fight
Waterballoon fight

Josh bought a big bag of balloons and we got out buckets. After filling 20-30 balloons, it was Daddy and Xander against Drew in a big water balloon battle.
On the attackOn the attack
On the attack

Xander was more interested in throwing balloons and watching them burst.
Drew nails Daddy!Drew nails Daddy!
Drew nails Daddy!

Josh said, "I hope you got this picture. I didn't want to take one in the face for nothing." Got it.
Collinsville Trade DaysCollinsville Trade Days
Collinsville Trade Days

Every week Collinsville (about 12 miles away) has a HUGE Trade Day open flea market/yard sale. Josh had been before wanted to go back to see all the baby animals for sale. It was like a giant free petting zoo for the kids.
Lake Guntersville State ParkLake Guntersville State Park
Lake Guntersville State Park

Early on Sunday morning, with the temp approaching 90, we went to the state park beach for about 2 hours. Water was delightful and not many folks at that time.
Enjoying the calm waters of a clean lakeEnjoying the calm waters of a clean lake
Enjoying the calm waters of a clean lake

Just like earlier in the week, the boys enjoyed the warm, clean water of a lake. They decided lake swimming is fun. Now, next time we are in FL, we want to take them to one of the springs to swim.
Happy Birthday and Happy Father's DayHappy Birthday and Happy Father's Day
Happy Birthday and Happy Father's Day

Here's mommy with her "little" boy almost 38 years later. We celebrated both his birthday and Father's Day the night before they left.


14th August 2015

They grow up so quickly. The grandkids are just adorable!

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