RV Camping with Leo and Kirby and A lot of Other People 2026

Friday August 14

Our annual RV camping trip with the boys began yesterday. Cathy and JA met us again, but this time their 3 kids, their spouses and alll their kids came too. That’s 10 adults and 11 kids! Two 14 yo, 2 11 yo, 2 8 yo, 3 6 yo, 1 almost 5 yo, and 1 2 yo! The nice thing this year is that since their parents are here we are only responsible for 2 of them.

Lee picked the boys up yesterday like a usual Friday and brought them to our house. They helped us make many many carrot and celery sticks, and load things on to the RV. They can actually peel carrots now! Big kids.

We left around 1:30. We had to stop at their house and get bunny and giraffe which they need for bedtime. Not totally big kids yet!

With a little bit of traffic due to an accident we made it to Father Hennepin State Park on Lake Mille Lacs. There is a small Indian reservation near here, one of the few created in Minnesota back in 1855. Like every Minnesota State Park we have been to, it’s a nice park with well maintained campgrounds, nice hiking trails, a beach, a fishing dock, a boat launch.

It took awhile for everyone to show up last night. We didn’t eat until after 7. Lee had made pulled pork so we had bbq sandwiches, and everyone else brought various sides so there were veggies, slaw, chips, rotel with cookies for dessert.

By the time the adults finished talking and the kids finished playing it was pretty late. Lee took the boys for a quick shower, and it was after 10 by the time we were all in bed.

Then the boys kept fussing at each other until I finally gave up and put Leo in bed with Lee and I got in bed with Kirby. The boys settled down and went to sleep but the mattress on the table bed is horrible. I’m definitely short on sleep this morning, even though I slept until almost 6. Leo slept until  6:30. Then Lee picked up Kirby and put him in our bed so we could set up the table and have coffee and breakfast. Kirby slept until 8!

We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Leo ate 2 and a half large rolls and a lot of strawberries and blueberries. Same with me.

There was also bacon!

Saturday August 15

After breakfast everyone except Cathy, Sophie and me went out on the lake in pontoon boats. We didn’t mind staying back at all! I worked on my latest crochet project. I’m making a puzzle ball animal, a giraffe, for Emi. Its fun! The yarn I chose is very colorful and that’s why I chose it, but, oy what a nightmare to work with! It’s single ply which I didn’t realize until after I ordered it. It’s very difficult to work with without snagging or splitting. I finally researched it and now I’m doing ok. I just have to take it slow. And you better believe from now on I will check the number of plys on any yarn I buy!

Then Sophie and I went on a nice long walk around the park. I chose a trail that went along the lake and then through the woods. It was quiet and pretty and we got some much needed exercise and fresh air.

Everyone came back around mid-afternoon. Then the boys were off playing with the other kids and riding their bikes.

We heard about the pontoon boats in bits and pieces. They had two boats. The younger kids and Kate, Danielle, Sam, and JA were on that boat. The older kids, including Leo and Kirby were on the other boat, as was Lee, Callina, and Andrew. From Lee I heard that they fished, but didn’t catch anything. I heard that the boats were old and not in very good shape. He said their boat was loud, and Callina said she got motion sickness on it, but it turns out that the older kids boat was pretty rowdy. The kids were running around the boat, trying to make it tip, which is pretty hard to do on a pontoon boat, although you can swamp them if you really try. Andrew was driving and he was making lots of twists and turns as well. Thank goodness I didn’t go! I would NOT have been happy. I’m glad I didn’t see it either. But it must not have been TOO bad or Lee would have said something.

Later in the afternoon some of the group decided to go to the beach. Neither Lee nor I wanted to go, but there were plenty of other adults so Leo and Kirby could go too. I drove them there (about 5 minutes away) so we didn’t have to move their car seats. 

Eventually it was time for supper so I went to go get them. They had been having a great time and it was hard to tear them away. 

They had also been playing in the sand, a LOT. In fact they had been burying each other in the sand. They were encrusted in sand and all there was to rinse them off was some very very cold water. What a nightmare. Leo was brave, but Kirby cried and fought. I told him he HAD to get that sand off! He has such sensitive skin and I didn’t want his eczema to flare up. Finally we got enough sand off that it was safe for them to get in the truck.

When we got back to the RV, we could take a washcloth to them and get more of the sand out of their ears and hair. And then, even though I had rinsed their privates too, or so I thought, when they took off their bathing suits a whole other region of sand appeared. It was crazy. But we got through that too and then we could go over to Cathy’s RV and eat taco salad with lots of condiments, with s’mores and cookies for dessert.

I forgot to mention the rain. We had mostly beautiful weather for the entire trip. It was cloudy, fairly cool, and although it threatened rain on Saturday, it didn't appear at the campground, although Lee said it rained briefly, twice, on the boat.

But during dinner it DID rain hard. Cathy and JA have an awning, and it kept most of us dry, although I managed to sit at first right where there was a crack, oops!  Also, although we had most of the RV windows open, they didn't let any rain in. But we also had the skylight open. Uh-oh. I saw it, and ran over as soon as I noticed it to shut it, but the blanket had already gotten wet. Fortunately the sheets were still dry and the blanket was mostly dry by bedtime. We put a towel over the wet spot and it was fine.

Once it had stopped raining Lee took the boys to the showers. It managed to start raining just when they were walking back to the RV, so they got a little wet.

Then last night Lee slept with Kirby and I slept in our bed with Leo. I was so tired!

Sunday August 16

This morning we had pancakes for breakfast with strawberries, syrup and whipped cream. And more bacon. There was some time to visit  and for the kids to play before it was time to pack up the RV and head back home.

It was another very successful camping trip with the boys. They had a great time and so did we. In a couple years they are going to get too big to fit in the table bed anymore, or at least for two of them to fit there. Then I guess if they still want to do it we’ll have to get a tent. 

The Story of Our Finches

 While we were in California at the beginning of June some house finches decided to start a family in one of the begonia baskets that surround our screened porch. They thought this was a quiet place to raise a family, having no idea that a couple of old people and a dog live here!

We got back from California the evening of June 9th. On Sunday, June 14th I decided it was time to water the begonias. Fortunately I removed the planters from the hangers and set them down on the ground to make them easier to water. And look what I found!

June 14th

I was so amazed, and excited too. I snapped a photo and then carefully placed the planter back on its hook without watering it, of course!

At first I climbed on a stepladder and took a picture of the nest every day. 

June 15th 7:21 AM

June 16th 7:28 AM

June 17th 9:09 AM

I also took a few pictures of the parents, when they happened to be around:

June 18th 9:08 AM - mama

But I also was curious about what the finches nesting habits were so I started asking questions online. I found out that it would take them around 2 weeks to sit on the eggs before they hatch and around 2 weeks more before the babies would fledge. But I need to be more careful so that I didn’t scare mom and dad too much and cause them to abandon the nest! So I stopped taking pictures so often, and tried to be more discrete.

I tried taking the pictures from farther away but it didn’t work as well. I also stopped taking them early in the morning since that was when mom and dad fed the babies. They were usually out foraging during the day.

We had a couple of big storms during this period, with a lot of rain and wind. I worried about the babies; they were definitely getting wet! But AI said not to worry, mama would sit on the nest and her feathers were water repellent so she would keep the babies dry.

June 20th 1:20 PM - 1 week

When I took a picture at a week and a half I could clearly see the pin feathers starting to emerge. They were no longer fuzzy little blobs, they were starting to look like baby birds.

It was especially interesting to watch the parents. I would sit out on our screened porch very quietly and watch them. They would be in our yard but not too close to the nest, calling out with all sorts of bird songs. I wish I knew what they were saying! Slowly they would come closer to the nest, eventually perching on the hanger above the basket. Then suddenly they would dive into the basket and feed the babies. Both mom and dad took turns feeding them.

June 25th 2:05 PM

By two weeks they were sitting up and looking around with their beady little bird eyes. They were getting ready to fledge, But every morning I would look and there they still were.

June 27th 2:57 PM

On June 29th they were still there, but they had moved to the edge of the nest and were really looking around. The parents were talking to them out in the yard, still feeding them but apparently coaching them on leaving the nest.

June 29th 6:05 PM

The next morning they were gone. The nest was empty, the baby birds were nowhere to be found, and the parents were gone too. AI said they were somewhere nearby, hopping around in dense brush and bushes, and that the parents would still feed them for the next week. But I have no idea where they went, even if it was nearby. They were very well hidden!

AI said that finches will often reuse a nest, twice or even three time a season, but if they hadn’t come back to the nest in a couple of days they weren’t going to reuse it. They have not, so today I removed the nest, and finally gave the poor begonia some water!!

We have several bird houses out in the field. Chickadees made a nest in one but those birds have fledged and are gone. I think there were wrens in the other house. But there is still something in there; I saw their little eyes the other day when I peered inside. I need to clean them out but the birds are so busy; I haven’t had a definite break when no one is using a house!

This has been an amazing experience. I’ve learned a lot. But I hope they don’t build another nest so close to the house again. It was stressful for us, and stressful for the parents as well. I was very invested in those babies and I’m very relieved that they successfully launched out into the world. I wonder if I will see them at the feeder sometime.

California June 2026 - All Things Emi!

 

The Cactus Garden at Stanford

Thursday June 4.

I keep thinking about how things were with my leg the last time we went to CA. It was about 3 days after my leg started hurting. I was in such pain, took a wheelchair through the airport and could barely walk. Today it has been a little over a month since the cortisone shot in my L3 and L4 vertebra. I seem to still be improving which is a very good sign! I was going to get a 2nd shot in my L5 vertebra on the 16th but if things stay like this I will cancel it. This morning I had NO pain in my leg at all!

I’ve got to believe that the key at this point is to continue to faithfully do my PT Exercises and get my core as strong as possible. The more I can use my abs instead of my back the better off I’ll be. Biking, walking, water aerobics and even yoga, they all help, but those exercises are key.

We’re on our way, in the air, about an hour left before we land. Can’t wait to see Emi, and Dan and Kelsey too, of course. Just think, the next time we come there will be another little girl in our family!

Dropping Sophie off at the boarding place made me a little sad. I know they will take good care of her, but it will be more institutional and she won’t get nearly the attention she gets at home. I just wish there was some way to tell dogs “don’t worry, we’ll be back!”

Friday June 5

In the afternoon yesterday we went to pick up Emi at preschool. I haven’t seen the school before (because last time I couldn’t walk!). The playground is very cool, like the playground at the CDL, where my kids went when they were little. Lots of opportunities for creative play, a tricycle path, water play, etc.

Emi was delighted to see us, but especially me. She is kind of fixated on me right now. It’s a little unnerving; I’m not at all used to being the favored grandparent! Lee has always been the boy’s favorite. It’s fun, but it also feels like a big responsibility to not screw it up!!!!

From there we went to the farmer’s market in downtown Los Altos. Fabulous strawberries, and other fruit too. I bought some very fresh cheese curds and besides strawberries we bought corn. Emi wanted to try most of the samples, but especially those strawberries! And they weren’t even the most popular ones, because that line was a block long!

Then we found a table and everyone chose what they wanted for dinner. I got a burrito bowl that was pretty good, but huge; I could only eat about half. We split a strawberry-banana-Nutella crepe at the end. Emi picked off the strawberries and dipped them in the cream. “I like cream!” She said brightly. Me too Emi!

We stopped at a grocery store on the way home. Emi and I stayed in the car. She demanded that I sing. This is becoming a thing. “Sing ducks!” “Again!” Until grandma goes, “I don’t want to!!” I told her I’m easily bored but she looked at me skeptically.

When we got home it was time for Emi’s bath and bed. She was melting down and wailing, “I want grandma!!” So weird!!!

Saturday June 6

Yesterday evening we babysat for Emi while Dan and Kelsey went out. We were given many warnings about how she might misbehave but she was great. We had pizza for dinner and she ate 2 pieces plus extra pieces of Italian sausage. She ate raw mushrooms out of the salad. She had ice cream for dessert and then she went on a bike ride and we walked along with her. She has gotten really really good on her strider. If she was big enough for the next size up I’d say she’s almost ready for pedals. By next year for sure!

In the afternoon I made a plum crumble using some of the plums from the tree in their backyard. They needed more sugar, a lot more. They were very tart. I actually put some honey on the piece I had this morning and it was better!

This morning Dan took Emi to go potty and she put her own underpants back on. Later while sitting next to me in a chair she pulled up her dress and said, “I’m not wearing underpants!” She was not. We looked everywhere for them, assuming that she had taken them off somewhere, but finally gave up and got another pair.

Emi had swimming this morning so we went early and looked at the ducks and turtles in the nearby pond. Then Kelsey started to change her into her swimsuit and discovered something. The missing underpants were hiding around Emi’s waist! Apparently when she put them on she put both legs in one hole, pulled them up, and forgot about them. Mystery solved!

She’s doing great in the water, floating on her back almost without assistance, pushing off from the side, going under, flipping from back to front and front to back. But she had a meltdown at the end because she didn’t want to share the purple octopus pool toy. 

She sobbed uncontrollably until we got back to the car and she could have some snacks. Poor thing was hungry! I definitely could sympathize.

Sunday June 7

We went to Borrone for lunch yesterday. Afterwards Emi fell asleep in the car and took a good long nap, an hour and a half easy. We had a relaxing afternoon and made dinner at home, a joint effort. Lee made a plum and goat cheese salad, Kelsey made a pasta, corn and cheese dish and Daniel grilled chicken. I cleaned up, at least partially. I think I’ve eaten too many of those plums! I had an upset stomach last night. I need to swear off them!

This morning I slept later than Lee for a change. I only had Cheerios for breakfast because we planned to go to Din Tai Fung for brunch. We got out the door by 8:30 and we were in line by 9. They opened at 9:30 but if you don’t get there early the wait can be hours. As it was we got right in.

It was delicious as always but as a waiter was bringing us our dumplings he accidentally knocked an entire carafe of water onto the floor, where it shattered with a resounding crash, sending water and shards of glass cascading under our table and the one next to us as well. Fortunately no one was injured, or even got wet, and our food was untouched, but we spent several uncomfortable minutes while they cleaned up the mess. Emi was very unnerved by it all. We think the loud noise scared her and she spent a good 15 minutes asking questions and refusing to eat until things calmed down. 

At the end they comped part of our meal, as well they might. It reminded Lee and I of the hot tea sushi incident in New York many years ago. This one was less painful, and not nearly as profitable, and that’s just fine with me!

We spent the next hour or so walking around the San Jose fake downtown, including a stop for some excellent gelato.

By the time we got back to the car Emi was very tired and so were we. She napped in the car on the way home. 

Later we went to look at the cactus garden on the Stanford campus and let Emi ride her bike through the surrounding eucalyptus trees. It had warmed up quite a lot and Emi was pretty tired too. I ended up with over 10k in steps which is by far the most steps I’ve had since the pinched nerve in my back.

Tuesday June 9.

We fly home this afternoon but let’s talk about yesterday first. We watched Emi. We took her to her art class in the morning. It was actually a makeup class for one she had missed. There were no other toddlers there; instead an art camp for older kids (I’d guess 4-6 yo) was in progress. There was plenty for Emi to enjoy age appropriately however. There were 3 activity tables set up.  One had various buttons, beads and small pieces of pasta in various shapes and colors that could be scooped and sorted. There was a kinetic sand table that was very cool. The sand was soft and cool without being damp, and stuck together easily. We spent a lot of time scooping and shaping the sand. It was fun. The third table had some slime. At first Emi wanted nothing to do with it; it was grey and creepy looking, even though it had sequins sprinkled in it.

So after that the teacher set up an easel and Emi made a painting. Then the campers were having snack time so Emi had to go sit with them and have snack time too!

Emi Art

The campers were making rocket ships using boxes and tape. The teacher set Emi up to do another painting at an table. There were watercolors, crayons and acrylic paint. But Emi wanted to cut tape with a scissors just like the big kids so she added some tape to her picture.

Emi Mixed Media Art!

Finally we went back to the slime. I started poking it and Emi liked that. Then I stretched it and Emi liked that too. Lee made it into a ball and it bounced a little. Then it was time to go.

The plan was to stop for lunch on our way to our next adventure, but Emi promptly fell asleep in the car. When we got to the noodle place she was still asleep, so we let her sleep for 45 minutes b4 waking her up. We got noodle mapa tofu, gyozo, and fried rice. The mapa sauce was too spicy for Emi but some of the noodles hadn’t been mixed in yet so she ate those. She ate a little of the fried rice and rejected the gyozo which she usually likes. She would have eaten more noodles, but alas. Really she ate mostly snacks yesterday until dinner.

Next we drove to Happy Hollow, an old fashioned amusement park and small zoo in San Jose. It especially catered to little kids, which was why we chose it. Emi had been there before but it had been a while. The first thing we did was ride the carousel. She chose the ostrich and she was fine until it started going up and down. Then she had a death grip on my arm (I was standing right next to her). Her lower lip was quivering but she didn’t cry. Brave girl!

We walked through the play area and tried a few different slides. She does love slides! We had to drag her away. Then we found the little cars. Oh boy. They were a total hit. She rode them 3 times and would have ridden them more if we hadn’t enticed her away with seeing animals.

She really liked the small zoo, especially the furry pig like animals that were walking around being active. She informed us that pigs say “oink oink”. Yep. We didn’t make it to the petting zoo, it was getting late. As we were leaving she asked if we could go on the cars again! Maybe next time Emi!

She promptly fell asleep in the car again and slept for a good hour. Grandparents are exhausting!

We went to Yayoi for dinner, Lee’s favorite and Emi’s too. You could tell Emi hadn’t eaten much that day; she just ate and ate and ate. Agadashi tofu, rice, and the leftovers from everyone’s miso soup, including the seaweed!

We stopped for gelato on the way home but it was suddenly rainy and chilly which made it hard to enjoy.

We had such a good time visiting this time. Emi is so much fun right now, and although she is challenging her parent’s authority like a typical two year old, she was very good for us. I knew it would be different being grandparents from afar, as opposed to everyday grandparents, but I didn’t take into account how scarcity made us special and exciting. It’s very fun!