2026 Mimi Camp Day Four of Four

When I orginially told you my plan for Mimi Camp, Thursday was going to be a day at Lake Erie. We were going to pack a picnic, drive to a beach - play at a playground and then go to a vintage diner for a very expensive and HUGE milkshake. 

Some wondered why I said no swimming. The beaches along the lake do not have life guards and do have drop offs. The last time we went swimming at the lake, which was Mimi Camp 2016 maybe?, there was a drowning at the very beach we were the week after our camp. No more swimming at the lake. 

Plans change. Overnight one of the campers was involved in an accident with an Ebike. I would like to say that my personal belief is that an Ebike is a motorcyle and I don't think they should be ridden by children. But I am not their parent. 

After a trip to urgent care and a transfer to a trauma center - the CT scan was clear and the wounds were dressed. I can't describe the elbow without crying, but I had to rebandage the road rash during the day and it was awful So awful. 

ANYWAY, this changed Day Four into a day of rest.  Temperatures were over 100 anyway, Mr Merry keeps the ac at 32 degrees (I think) and we have very good wifi. I decided it was a day without device rules.  

We painted some bird houses I just happened to have leftover from a previous camp. 

And Mr Merry was teaching them card games. 

I did not pick up anything in my living room until Friday. I did not see the point.  

And that was this year's Mimi Camp.  

2026 Mimi Camp Day Three of Four

 About an hour away from us in a much bigger city is a play center for children and teens. The past few years we had bought a grandparents pass for both of us and any grandchildren under 18. We thought we had outgrown trips there since the kids were so busy with sports in the summer and they were all in regular school now. 

Not so fast. Day three was spent at the Buckeye Imagination Museum in Mansfield. After purchasing the annual pass again, all activities were free! 

I will start with lunch in the area provided, then the side trip to the candy store across the street (I gave them all $5 to spend on whatever they wanted) and then finish with activity photos.  It was a great trip. They all loved it. And they were all very tired by the end of the day. 

They have a place for coolers and tables and chairs. I packed a picnic for us which is much cheaper than fast food. 

Who ever decided to put a candy store across the street was a very smart person. 

I gave them all a $5 bill and stood at the register to cover the sales tax. One did get an ice cream cone and another got something not on the fill a box for $5 wall. 

Now to the fun and games. 

This is an escape room with lasers. 

2026 Mimi Camp Day Two of Four

 Day Two of Mimi Camp was supposed to be the coolest day of the week according to the weather people.  They lied. There was no coolest day.  We loaded up and headed to the amusement park. Uncle Adam met us there with the other two after sports practice. 

They are always thrilled when I line them up for pictures.

More posing.

A pose when everybody had arrived. For Easter I purchased everyone the add-on drink pass (the pass to the park are their Christmas present) and they could get a drink every 15 minutes. Which was pretty necessary.

Posing in front of the Halloween decorations which started showing up in late August. 

Everyone got to pick one ride for every to stand in line.  This was one where I could take photos.  Mimi does not ride the rides. 

Grampa and Uncle had to be roped into riding with the two who were too short to ride alone. 

We did take a break for lunch inside a very warm building whose air conditioning did not keep up with the temperature. A number of us have meal plans and were able to share enough chicken tenders and fries for the group. 

I guess I was too tired to take anymore photos. They rode roller coasters, a merry-go-round and a ride where you sit in a mouse car and go through traps. We did ride the steam locomotive train a few times because we were too tired to walk in the heat.  And when we got back to the cars, I had packed a picnic to eat on the way home. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow! 

2026 Mimi Camp Day One of Four

After my trip to the hospital in January I had pretty much decided we would not have Mimi Camp this summer. I love my grandchildren dearly but they range in age from seven through thirteen now and they have a lot of energy. They are no longer satisfied with stickers and gluing popsicle sticks.

Monday started with breakfast, waiting on cousins at
 early sports  conditioning practices. 

But then the school calendars and the moms work calendars clashed and it looked like most of them would be at my house anyway. I decided having seven elementary tweens and teens might be a lot and thought about places to take them to wear them out. 

We loaded in Mimi's car (that is a toy cell phone).

I am very fortunate to live in a town with lots of parks for children. We started very early because August temperatures rose very quickly. 

Luckily my middle son was on medical leave and could assist with transportation and supervision. 

The first park is a very large all accessible playground built in the last few years with community fundraising and some grants. 

Early this morning - we were the ONLY people at the park! 

The littles were running the pump track since there were no cyclists to chase them away.

They play so well together with the mix of ages.

We left park one and had a water break on our way to park two which features a goo goo ball pit. 

There is a large playground structure and also soccer fields. We brought soccer balls and did some kicks, but the temperature rose really fast and we decided to go home for lunch. 

For lunch I created a hot dog buffet with different toppings and menu suggestions. It was a big hit.

Large amounts of hot dogs were consumed with a variety of chips and pretzels. 

They decided to give up on the parks theme and watch a Minions movie in the air conditioning. The littles operated a concession stand. 

With more shifting of my furniture they created a store and an office.  

And lucky for me, moms started arriving at 3:00 pm to take them home.  Stay tuned for Day 2.