the week, in a nutshell

Beginning the day after school got out, we had a heat wave. It lasted 8 days. The temperatures ranged from 28-32C (82-90F), and while on the surface that doesn’t sound too hot , remember that this is a very northern country and a large portion of the year is below freezing. So, it was a bit difficult to get used to it. Yesterday, however, was 9C/48F – that’s too cold!!

Sofia spent last week in a nature day-camp. She had lots of fun.

Because it was so hot, the boys and I decided to put up the pool on Monday . . . and that turned out to be a complete goat rodeo (our term for “gong show”). It’s one of those vinyl pools with the inflatable ring around the top . . . here’s how it went:

• after laying out the pool in the right place on a tarp, we realized the air compressor was not at home. Sam, Mattias and I took turns blowing up the top ring while Joel held a beach umbrella over us to shield us from the scorching sun.
• while the hose was filling up the pool, I went in to make lunch. After a while, I sent the boys out to pull the bottom of the pool a little flatter/get the wrinkles out.
• when I looked out the window a bit later, I noticed some water outside the pool. Did the boys do that, or was there a problem?
• after lunch we went to investigate and found a small hole in the bottom of the pool (which, by the way, I take full responsibility for – last August when I was taking down the pool I had to move it from under the birch tree because so many seeds were falling into it. I dragged it over to the asphalt driveway.)
• we turned off the hose. Mattias and Sam stood in the ankle deep pool water and lifted up the edge of the pool. We dried the area of the small hole and put a patch on it, let it dry and then let the pool back down and “slosh” into place.
• then we found another hole and did the same thing to repair it.
• the next morning, the pool was filled but the top ring was flat. Had to blow that up again (and several times since – haven’t found the leak yet).
• put the ladder together (which, even though it’s made of rust-resistant metal, is all rusty inside the pipes) and remember that one step is broken.
• connected the pump, but couldn’t find the extension cord and voltage adapter. (the pool came with us from Canada)
• found the above-mentioned items, but the adapter cord was damaged – Stefan fixed it when he got home.
• on Thursday I bought an electrical air pump (like the kind for inflating air mattresses).
• the kids enjoyed Wednesday – Saturday in the pool.
• on Saturday the voltage adapter died.
• late Sunday night the winds started up. At 1 am I had to go out and put the pool cover back on – the wind had blown it half off because the top ring is what is supposed to hold it in place.
• on Monday we found a new pump, so we no longer need the voltage adapter . . . luckily it fits the pool and all the hoses we already had – only the filter is a different size.
• now it’s too cold to swim.

Sam has been delaying working so far this summer – he has two tests to re-write, so he keeps saying he has to study (too often, that somehow involves the X-box). Tomorrow is the last test.

I have 2 flowers on one of my rhododendrons! I planted four last year and was worried that they might not have survived our harsh winter – all 4 have new growth.

The puppies had their first vet appointment. They are getting along really well now. It’s so much fun to watch them together – lots of rough-housing and cuddling. But, they are a lot of work – we’re going through about 2 rolls of paper towels every 3 days . . .

I think that’s about all for now. The sun has come out now this evening, so maybe that’s a promising sign for tomorrow.

Barb