A Visit From Our Youngest Granddaughters

A couple of weeks ago our granddaughter, Isabella [Izzy] contacted us about coming for a visit before school starts back and bringing her younger sister, Ellie, with her.  The date was set for Aug. 14th and 15th and we eagerly looked forward to it.  It's such a blessing when older grandchildren want to come for a visit all on their own without being prompted - especially when they have to travel 181 miles to do it.

They arrived yesterday morning.  Izzy went to a U-pick flower farm the day before and brought me a bouquet of flowers.   So thoughtful!

Their Papa took them 'back to school' shopping - a tradition he started back when Izzy was in grade school [and she begins her sophomore year at Michigan State this year], and Ellie is going into the 7th grade.  The family had just moved to Zeeland [on the western side of the state] last summer before school started, so they had to skip their tradition last year. While they were gone I got a headstart on dinner - a yummy chicken casserole that Izzy likes, with corn-on-the-cobb and strawberry shortcake.

After dinner we played several rounds of Uno, and Papa was declared the winner!

When we got up this morning, Izzy received a text from Michigan State athletic department [football] asking her if she was available for a zoom call at 10:15 a.m.  Long story short she got a job with the football department, and was thrilled she won't have to work at Taco Bell this year for spending money.  ;-)

We had 12:00 noon reservations at The Whitney for lunch.  Neither of the girls had seen the interior of the mansion before and were looking forward to going.  We were seated in the library.

  ~ Ellie ~

~ Ellie, Izzy, and Me ~

~ Ellie, Izzy and Papa ~

~ Izzy  ready to enjoy her 'mocktail'.  I think it was Sprite, Lime & Cranberry Juice. ~

So what did we order?  Ellie and I got Prime Rib Slidders and Izzy and Jerry got Vegetarian Flatbread with Roasted Ratatouille.   It was all very good.

After we ate, I took them on a tour of the mansion, then we drove the short six mile distance to Belle Isle - a 982-acre island park in the Detroit River.  We stopped for pictures at the beautiful James Scott Memorial Fountain.

James Scott gave the money to have the fountain built on the southern tip of ths island. Construction began in 1923 and was completed in 1925.  It is said to be the jewel of Belle Isle, and is made of Vermont white marble.  It cost $500,000 to build - about $6.2 million today. It is 510 feet across and its central fountain can spray water 125 feet into the air.  It has 109 water outlets in the shape of dolphins, turtles, lions and human figures.  It underwent a major overrhaul in 2014 and functions during the summer months with a light show at dusk.

After our excursion to Belle Isle we stopped for dessert at a frozen yogurt shop [Izzy's choice], then we made our way back home.  The girls stayed for about an hour [long enough to avoid rush hour traffic on the expressway], then made their way back home where Izzy has to work tomorrow.  She got a summer job as a server at an upscale restaurant in nearby Holland, but will soon be quitting to return to Michigan State next week.  The house seemed empty and quiet without them and we miss them already.

On another subject, our oldest granddaughter, Tiffany, celebrated her 9th Wedding Anniversary yesterday.  It doesn't seem possible!  She and her husband, John, spent the day at Laguna Beach, California.