More from Austin...

More from Austin...

I had these three photos left from our Austin trip... a little late, but that his fine... always love to see the kids and remember the good times!

Kaylee and I did a puzzle she got from the 'Mommie Bag' - each afternoon while Mommy was in Europe!

Alex and Grandma putting together a game that he got from a 'Mommy Bag.'

Larry got out the bubble machine for Kaylee one afternoon. Thanks, Uncle Larry! She had fun!  ;-)
We actually caught some bubbles!  ;-)

*******

Back home, today was four weeks on the flower seeds in the flower box, in case anyone besides me cared...  ;-)

It was a very good day. I also planted some grass seed out front. We'll save the photo for another day! ;-)

Alex 'pretend' Birthday Party

Alex 

'pretend'

Birthday Party

While Ben and Arrion are in Europe, for his meetings, and her 'genealogy tourism,' Annette and Larry were in Austin to look after the kids. Annette had to be gone on Wednesday and Thursday, as well, so we went down to be available as backup, when ever needed.

Before Annette left, we had a 'pretend' Birthday Party for Alex - a couple of weeks early - fun!  ;-)

He will be 7, of course, and picked out his own ice cream cake at the local market with Annette.

Annette taking a photo of both kids.

Grandma had Pokeman for DS and Star Wars Clones for Wii among other goodies for him.

Time to light the candles...

and, of course, blow them out!

A good time was had, by all.

Temperatures in the 70s and 80s - hard to beat!  ;-)

Next Flower update

OK, it is only a couple more days. The Window Box had been inside for 3 days, as it was COLD outside. The sun was out today, high about 60....

Couple of photos:

Closer view:

Really growing... need to think about thinning... Will be in Austin this coming week, so will handle that when we return.

It was a great day, with sunshine the whole day... after 7 days not!  ;-)

Holly Hock Flower Update - two weeks later

Holly Hock Flower Update

Two Weeks Later

Just a quick update. Really cold week. Have had the flower box in the house all of the last 48 hours and a couple of nights before that... it was freezing outside. They are still growing, tho'....

Looking good!  ;-)

Holly Hock Flower Update - one week later

Holly Hock Flower Update - one week later

Note: This is a personal update, primarily for the benefit of myself and my grandson, Alex.

One week ago, we planted a bunch of dried Holly Hock flower seeds that I'd gotten from Brother T.K. last summer. Alex and I planted them in a window box full of miracle grow potting soil. I wasn't even sure they would grow at all. Well, here we are, a week later...

The near 'green things' were up yesterday; today there is a whole row and the beginning of a second. Neat! Whereas I had been watering on the surface, today I put water in the bottom of the Window Box. You can see the water level. It says it will last for two weeks.

 Other flower updates in the backyard... by nature, daffodils still blooming, but about done. There appears to be a little tulip nearby... don't know if it will survive to bloom...

Over in the transplanted iris bed, growth is appearing.

To the right, there are some pretty little purple flowers...

I am easily interested... ;-)  ...  even violets with a few dandelions...  ;-)

More next week...

It was a very good day!  ;-)

Spring Break Day Four and a Half

Spring Break Day Four and a Half

These are some photos from Arrion's camera, including minigolf and flowers in the backyard...  ;-)

The Rathsack family went to play mini-golf one day at the Dinosaur course.

Kaylee putting the ball...

Alex putting the ball...

Alex in front of one of the dinos...

The family together...

Alex and Bill in the backyard with the daffodils in bloom...

Arrion made a 'raft' for Alex...

Here Alex is floating the raft. We also used leaves and sticks of various sizes. Good straight sticks actually worked the best!  ;-)

We'll get back to Day Five at Silver Dollar City, and Day Six, a little later on. They went home on Saturday. Had a great week. Enjoyed watching March Madness... Arizona to Sweet Sixteen, so that was nice, as well.

I was a very nice day. About 75. Went for long walk.  ;-)

Spring Break Day Four - Wednesday

Spring Break Day Four - Wednesday

A relatively quiet day, in preparation for a BIG day on Thursday, at Silver Dollar City, previewed below!

Here, Alex is playing a game with Grandma, before bedtime, the night before...

Alex and I planted some Holly Hock flower seeds that I had gotten from my brother, T.K., last summer. It will be interesting to see if any of the grow. They're kind of old, really should have planted them last fall, but never got to it. We'll see, and keep you advised.

When we were last in Austin, we got Kaylee a Microphone, that she like to use to sing songs. We don't have one up here, so Grandma and Kaylee were improvising, with other toys substituting for a Mic...

Kaylee was using a hammer!  ...   ;-)

Here is a preview of Silver Dollar City on Thursday... Alex in jail!

We have him here, every year since he was six months old... will be 7 the end of April!

Kaylee wanted in on the action, but a little afraid of the dark inside...

She got some help from Daddie....

Just down the path from the jail, is the bakery... cinnamon bread has become a family tradition!

Her, Alex is talking to Grandma while Arrion purchases the bread...

The cinnamon bread arrived!!!  ;-) Yum!

After filling our tummies, it was off to the kiddie rides... see us there, tomorrow!  ;-)

It was an absolutely gorgeous day to be at Silver Dollar City - just as we had planned! ;-)