One Turns One and Two Turn Four!!

Papa and I got to spend a little time with the grandkids during this birthday week. I'm happy to see that Chloe and Claire really enjoy their LeapPads that were given to them prior to our long plane ride to Hawaii. It was an excellent investment. Both girls spent quite a bit of time snuggled up to Papa showing him everything they can do on them.
In the photo below I believe Claire was giving me the lunch menu. Most often they request Mac and Cheese.
One of the last shots of three year old twins....soon they will be four!

Chris was working hard on his little workbench, a relief from a bit before this when he was wanting to get into everything! What a total sweetheart he is. He gives the absolute best hugs ever, when you first pick him up or hold him.

I left my camera with Mike and Paula in hopes they would get some pictures of Chris on his actual first birthday. It was cake time for him on Friday evening and he is just a bit hesitant about the whole thing.....

With a little encouragement from Chloe, he finally decides to see what this is all about.

On Saturday, Mike and Paula hosted a small family party to celebrate all three of the kids birthdays. Paula made a wonderful lunch as usual. I was late arriving because of another commitment but did arrive in time to see presents being opened by the girls. I must say that no matter what they opened (and they got lots of clothes) they were excited and thrilled and always said 'thank you'. It was fun to watch.

Cake time, the highlight of the day for these little 'sweet lovers'. Chloe had been very definite that they needed a lemon cake just like last years cake, and there isn't a much better cake than the lemon one from Mim's Bakery. Yum!

Chris took a little break from the party for a snooze and when he did wake up he spent some time cuddling with Papa. Aunt Suzie encourages him to open a present.....

And Daddy helped him with the next one....
Claire is still enjoying her cake.....

I really wanted a picture of all of the birthday kids together. I can assure you it isn't an easy task, that is why the threesome pictures are few and far between. Here, however, is one with Christopher still looking a little drowsy....but still pretty cute.

Happy Birthday Claire, Chloe and Christopher! We loved celebrating with you. You make the birthday celebrations so much fun!

Snapshots of the Week

Chris's latest fascination is with the little plastic food items that go with Claire and Chloe's play kitchen. He spent lots of time playing with them, pretending to eat, and taking them in and out of the storage box.

He also loves balls and has learned the concept of playing catch. When I played with him, several times when he threw the ball, his whole body went with it and he would crash down on the floor. He always came up smiling however, so clearly it didn't hurt, and besides, he didn't have far to fall. :)

Claire, Chloe, and Paula paid us a visit at the end of the week. Claire used her musical skills to 'play and sing'.

Papa read to them and then helped Chloe and Claire start learning how to print their letters. Papa will be a wonderful tutor for them as they approach their elementary school years. He is so patient and the girls were a great distraction for him as he currently is not feeling so great. They certainly lifted his spirits.

They stayed for dinner and as Chloe was helping set the table, the quote of the week came forth:

"Grandma, I could really use this knife to cut leaf nodes". As I shared with my Sis later, I don't think I knew what a leaf node was until I took high school biology. Guess I shouldn't be surprised given their Daddy's passion for all things plant related.

Love, love, love, being a Grandma!!! Looking forward to the upcoming birthday week, my Aunt Pat, Uncle Jon, Chris, and Claire and Chloe. Happy Birthday to all!

A Little Papa and G'Ma Time

We were so happy to get a little time with the three C's this week, once at their house, and once at our house. Chris is quite pleased with himself, as you can see, he managed to get the nail file out of the drawer behind him and climbed up to Papa. The girls were at pre-school so we had lots of time to focus on Chris alone.

Later, after Claire and Chloe came home from school, Papa did some reading with them. Whether Papa is reading a book or telling them one of his wild west stories, the girls barely move a muscle. He can capture their attention like no one else.

Later in the week at our house, Chris decides to tackle the stairs. I had brought him down 2-3 times and then decided to let him go for it with me close behind. Whew!!! He made it!

A little park time topped off their short visit.

We are so thankful for healthy and strong grandchildren. We are truly blessed.

January, The Party Month

January always starts out with a bang in our family. Out of ten immediate family members, six of us have birthdays in January. Mine was this past Thursday, Papa's is on Tuesday the 10th, Uncle Superman Jon is on the 24th, Chris on the 27th, and the twins on the 29th. Whew....
The family celebrated my birthday as well as Papa's birthday on this past Friday night with a yummy tri-tip dinner cooked by Paula at their home. Everything was so delicious, as usual, she is a fantastic cook. Chris had so much fun with the aunts and uncles and the activity that was going on. He had a little 'pre-dinner' but of course joined us when we were ready to eat.


Dessert was a yummy tiramisu cake with candles and singing.

Claire sampling just a little....

Papa, Grandma, and our three precious and beautiful grand children....

On Thursday, my actual birthday the girls called and sang Happy Birthday to me. We had a long conversation with lots of laughs. One of the memorable parts of the conversation went as follows:

Claire: Grandma, know what?

Grandma: No, Claire, what.

Claire: I heard Miss Linda and Miss JoAnn (names have been changed to protect the guilty) talking about someone today.

Grandma: Really, what did they say?

Claire: They said, Helloooooo, duh!!!

Grandma: Were they talking about you?

Claire: No, they were talking about a human, but I don't know if it was a boy or a girl.

Papa and I laughed all evening... I'm thinking those teachers don't realize how much the little ears take in. Some poor little soul must have been slow brained that day but Claire was, thankfully, confident that it wasn't her. :):)

Happy New Year to all!