What a busy week! I tell ya, I'm running so hard these days I'm totally wearing the adults out! This week I had my first tennis lesson. It went surprisingly well and I had fun. The highlight? Taking a water break and getting to use one of those cone cups then getting the water from the cooler myself.
I also tried a lime for the first time this week. Mom was hosting Bunco and had a few around. I was curious. She was curious. Dad was curious. How would I like them? Well, I liked them more than anyone thought I would!
We had a picnic at school to celebrate the Fourth of July on Tuesday and it was the first time I'd ever seen one of these water mats. Two tarps. Duct tape. A hose. Simple and fun! (It was a great excuse to play and have fun and not eat any of my lunch ... except the cookie!)
Only after the picnic did Mom and I notice how closely matched our outfits were. Huh.
That night the family decided to go out to eat. It was too hot to cook at home and nobody was in the mood. (There isn't anything that's a first here ... I was the first to order, but that doesn't really count.)
Wednesday dawned bright and warm. It was the Fourth of July so the first thing we did was make a family favorite, chocolate chip and banana pancakes! I helped with the cooking while Dad set the table. (A hint to my loyal readers ... put a big dollop of peanut butter between your pancakes while they are still hot and it's a great addition to an already awesome meal.)
We had grand plans to go to Ames and see their parade for the first time but it was too hot. Instead Mom, Dad and I went on a drive. (That's code for "let's try and get Pierce to sleep".) Mission unsuccessful.
After dinner it was decided that we would go to Wakonda and hang out for a bit. There were fun bouncy houses and the biggest slide EVER. It was the first time I'd gone down a slide this big and I had a blast.
Lots of kids were out and about and I got to play in the bouncy house, the inflatable tunnel and the obstacle course. Very nice!
After playing it was time to stake out our spot for fireworks. This was the first year we've seen them at Wakonda and it was a good show! We parked ourselves on one of the tee boxes for #9 and had great seats. (I brought my "jack-o-lantern" so we could find our way to the car afterwards.)
Friday after school we loaded up and headed to see Grandma Kathy and Papa. I decided to mess with Mom and Dad on the way down and ask every couple of miles, "Are we in Denver yet?!" It really messed them up but rest assured loyal readers, this isn't my first rodeo and I know my grandparents live in Denmark. (It's just fun to mess with the folks now and again.)
The first order of business was to pull out the new toys Grandma Kathy got me while making the rounds at local garage sales. Luckly Uncle Eric was also home for the weekend so we were able to figure them out together.
Surprisingly I was the first person awake Saturday morning (somewhere around 5:30 a.m. if you believe Mom). After breakfast I got dressed in my best farmer outfit and was ready to hit the tractors with Grandpa but got sidetracked and ended up talking to the Houstons for a bit. I enjoyed it but it seemed like it took a long time before Papa and I were able to go mow pasture.
(If you've ever wondered what Uncle Eric and Mom look like from my height when they give me "that look" wonder no more.)
Saturday afternoon Uncle Eric, Mom, Grandma and Dad were successful with the "let's go for a drive" trick and I had a quick nap. While I was asleep we came across the town of Oakland Mills. Dad, from what I hear, was very excited to get this picture. I don't quite get it. It looks like a rock with writing to me. I'm not sure what the big deal is. (This isn't the first time I've wondered about Dad.)
Upon our arrival home Dad and Uncle Eric set up Grandma's Slip and Slide. Wee! I hadn't been on one of these since Grandma Margaret's house last summer. It was fun.
Grandma Kathy even played on it and everyone agreed that it was her first time ever on a Slip and Slide. Thanks for joining me, Grandma!
Once we wrapped up I got back into my farming clothes and rode around for awhile with Papa.
I love his 4020 and it's always a treat to ride on it. However, there were bigger fish to fry this trip ... I wanted my first ride on Papa's new Farmall so we headed over to the old farm and fired it up!
Saturday night we got to celebrate Grandma Kathy's birthday which was the real reason for the trip. She was kind enough to let me help unwrap presents - even after I told her what was in them.
Sunday morning I found a bug collection kit. It was the first time I had seen anything like it but I quickly set about filling up the specimen container and studying what bugs I could find. I like bugs, even if they do freak me out sometimes.
Next up? A visit to Clayton! It was good to see him and play with the ducks again. I missed you guys!
Back to the farm and since it wasn't so hot Grandpa and I headed for the barn. First up? A ride on one of the A/C tractors.
We went all over the farm yard and around the bins. It was a blast!
Once we wrapped up it was time for lunch and prepping for ping pong. This was my first time playing but I thought I had skills from my tennis lessons to apply. I was wrong. The ball is smaller. The paddle is smaller. The court is at eye level. This just isn't right! (It is a heck of a lot of fun, though!)
(Even when I miss the ball all most of the time.)
As we were wrapping up our visit Grandma Kathy grabbed a nice picture of "the kids". At first Mom was worried that this would end up in the Christmas card and wasn't up for it, but Grandma promised that this photo ... this one here ... the one below ... the one with Dad, Uncle Eric, Mom and me ... would NOT end up in the Christmas card. (We'll see.)
And, as we conclude this week's update on the Life 'O Pierce I leave you with a photo of the ride home. (I thought I heard Mom say that the ride went faster when one of us was asleep but I couldn't catch who she was talking about. I suspect she meant Dad.)
Peace.
Pierce
