February Is Almost Gone!

Our best day this week was the day we got to spend some time with the three C's. My goal for the day was to get a decent updated photo of the three of them together. Let me say right now, that didn't happen! They were overjoyed, as usual, to see Papa and all of them cuddled up to him immediately.

We got to hear the latest details of their lives, a friend at school put a rock up his nose and it got stuck, they had on some special dresses that make them look like princesses, and all about the snow they had at their house earlier in the week. As usual, we laughed at some of their stories as each of the girls tried to talk at once...just like always. Chris for the most part just listened and smiled. He couldn't get a word in edgewise even if he did like to talk...which he doesn't!

I managed to get a few head shots....



The girls with their Papa..... Chris was just too busy for this picture.

More than a year ago, Chloe and Claire had a head bump incident, on Grandma's watch :( , and Chloe had to go to the dentist for some repairs. She lost one of her bottom front teeth and all this time we have been waiting for the permanent tooth to appear. It finally has, and we are all excited!

We spent some time coloring before having a Taco Bell lunch.

After lunch, Chloe had to show us how her princess dress poofs up when she sits on the heater vent. Chris thought he would try too, and of course Claire followed the fun as well. This reminded me so much of when I was a little girl, I would sit on our heater vents and read by the hour. I loved that direct heat on me.

We had a great time with the grandkids as usual, and look forward to seeing them again very soon.

Today, I went with Chris to his first full class of Sunday School as a two year old. He hasn't been super enthused (that's an understatement!) about going, and so we decided to see if I hung out too if that would help. It did, he stuck to me like glue for the first part, but eventually warmed up to the idea. I had a great time as well with the two year olds. When Claire and Chloe first started Sunday School they, too, needed some extra support and it only took maybe 4-5 times until they were comfortable. I look forward to spending this extra time with Chris and the teachers seemed very happy to have an extra adult body there. Here he enjoys his snack.





A couple of weeks back, I had a cute conversation with Chloe as I drove them to pre-school one morning, it went as follows:

Chloe: "Grandma, do you know how to call Jesus on the phone?"

Me: "No, Chloe, I don't, but you know you don't have to call Jesus on the phone, you can talk to him any time, any place!"

Chloe (with exasperation in her voice): I KNOW that Grandma, but I NEED to talk to him on the phone!"

Claire pipes in: "Chloe, you are so silly!"

I didn't ever discover what was so important that she needed to talk to him, but I do know she loves to talk on the phone. Her phone calls go on and on.....

Good-bye February and hello March this week! Hoping for some sunshine and warmer weather!

Most Days Are Happy, Some Days Not So Much!

Chris often plays like he is a cat. Especially with Papa. Here one morning a week or so ago, he was being my cat. :)

As I mentioned on the last blog, the girls had their first official, kid attending, birthday party a few days after their 5th birthday. Paula (and Mike) planned a great party with a Hawaiian luau theme. According to Claire, it was the "Best party ever"! Here is a preview of the cupcakes .....

The girls are blowing out the candles on their individual cupcakes.

Although we were not there, we loved hearing all about it. We were having our own 'party'! Chris came to our house for his first ever solo overnight stay. We were all just a bit unsure if he would be happy without his family but he had a great time! We played lots with Papa's remote control truck, the t-ball and bat, and Lego's. He slept right between Papa and I and did very well. The picture below shows him operating Papa's electric recliner...he thought that was a super toy and gave himself rides up and down at every opportunity.  

On Monday morning, following the fun weekend, we received sad news that my Aunt Dorothy had passed away. My plans to visit this spring or summer to visit her, among other things, were going to be too late. I was very touched and sad. At Norm's urging, I quickly obtained a ticket to Iowa and left the next morning. I was able to visit my sister and her husband, and travel with them to the services in Des Moines. I have never seen such beautiful flowers, plants, and natural arrangements at any memorial service previously. She was a Master Gardner and very active in the city botanical garden as well as other garden clubs,organizations, and her church.  Her service was lovely, (all planned by her and left in a folder for her daughters to find) with amazing music and readings appropriate and honoring to her life.

Although a very sad occasion, it was an opportunity to see many of my cousins whom I haven't seen in years. My Sis and I met several of the cousins, Aunt Pat, and my Aunt Dorothy's best friend, Eileen, for lunch and enjoyed some additional time together.  

We will miss you Aunt Becky (as most people caller her)! A reading from the memorial service bulletin is worth sharing. (Author unknown). I believe this pretty much sums up her life.

Live Each Day to the Fullest

Live each day to the fullest

Get the most from each hour, each day,

and each age of your life.

Then you can look forward with confidence,

and back without regrets.

Be yourself ~ but your best self.

Dare to be different

and follow your own star.

Don't be afraid to be happy ~

enjoy what is beautiful.

Love with all your heart and soul.

Believe that those you love, love you.

When you are faced with decision,

make that decision as wisely

as possible ~ then forget it.

The moment of absolute certainty never arrives.

Above all, remember that God helps

those who help themselves.

Act as if everything depended on you,

and pray as if everything depended on God.

Birthday Week for All Three "C's"

Sunday, January 27th, Chris turned two! Below is a little film of him blowing out his candles that Mike sent via his phone...it is just a bit grainy, but you can get the idea. Christopher knows what to do with candles!

Chris likes to pose for me when I get out the camera and this is what I often end up with.

Here he is playing with one of his new birthday toys. A pretty cool truck that also included a dinosaur.

Here is just a sweet picture of our now two year old grandson!

Two days later the twins, Claire and Chloe turned 5! I was lucky enough to get to spend a little time with them because Paula had a dentist appointment. Below you see Claire enjoying her usual and favorite (at this time, at least) breakfast of cheerios. Chloe on the other hand, requested grilled cheese for her birthday breakfast, and you can be sure that is exactly what she got.

For lunch that day Papa and I had decided for a special treat to take them to the Red Lobster. These girls love seafood and we thought they might enjoy getting all the seafood they wanted. Claire ordered crab legs and then Chloe ordered macaroni and cheese. We were so surprised, Paula, Papa, nor I, could convince Chloe that she would be sorry. Sure enough, when she saw Claire's crab legs and Papa's shrimp she was just a little disappointed. But, as she told Mike later, "it was OK because Papa and Claire shared with me."

The girls are looking forward to a kids birthday party this coming Saturday. They told me when they saw me at church today, "It is only 6 days until our party"! They are very excited. Mike and Paula had a cute idea to pose the girls on the beach when we were in Hawaii with a 'please come' written in the sand. From that picture, their birthday party invitations were developed. The theme is an Hawaiian beach theme. I'm sure they will have a ball!

I am once again so thankful for healthy grandchildren and for the blessing of living fairly close to them. Happy, Happy, Birthday, Chris, Claire, and Chloe! May you have a wonderful year ahead of growing and learning!