This is our last day with Hubby’s sister and our nieces. On Wednesday, we went up north and spent the day at Colonial Michilamack-that’s the historic fort in Mackinaw City with archaeological digs and plenty of room to run around and buildings to go into. Little K (who is 7 – but will be 8 very soon!) was the official sign reader for Hubby. They also collected lots of feathers for the cats to play with. That night there was swimming at the hotel pool, always a hit for kids.
On Thursday, we took the ferry over to Mackinac Island. First off we explored on a carriage ride. Both girls got to pet the horses and get their pictures taken. We gave them Mad Money so they could have fun (and buy fudge. Score on the double bribery front.). Big K customized a hoodie and Little K bought toys. My mom came with us and while they were eating at the Pink Pony we indulged at the lunch buffet at the Grand Hotel for a little Mother/Daughter time. It was extraordinarily civilized.
Big K has a lot of get up and go and on the evening of our return from Mackinac Island said, “Is the Henry Ford Museum anywhere around here? My classmate went and said it was a lot of fun.” So, the next day (yesterday) we went to Greenfield Village. Her biggest draw was the glassworks in the artists village. I remember being fascinated by blown glass when I was her age, too. They also rode the carousel, took a trip in a Model T, played at the really cool playground in the center of the Village, and finally took a ride on the coal-burning train. I tried to make that a teachable moment by pointing out how dirty it was but both girls loved the smell of the train. Oh well.
Today, Hubby and his sister are going to go produce stand shopping and I’ve got the girls. There will be lots more Kitty Academy (Candy has been made a staff member so when Scout attacks her, there are now demerits), and we’re going to go over to an Italian bakery to buy the ingredients for fettuccine alfredo (which Big K loves. Little K may just want the plain noodles). I’m going to show Big K how to make it. She’s not very interested in cooking but there are only three ingredients, she likes the end result, it’s fast, and it’s a great early dish to learn. Everyone will also get a treat out of the bakery case.
It’s been wonderful having them here. Little K is homesick (and who can blame her at 7?) but we’ve tried to cram the week with fun things, from sleeping in a water bed to steadily making our way through that chocolate sheet cake. And that was really my only goal: to give them a vacation with age-appropriate joys. The biggest joy? Undoubtedly Scout.
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