The Week Before.....Memorial Day

We were very fortunate to have quite a bit of time with the three C's this week before Memorial Day. On Monday, my usual babysitting day, the girls went to pre-school and Chris and I spent the morning together. Below you see him as he discovered a shadow on the wall. He played there for a long time totally entertained by the shadows he could make with his hands and arms. It sure amazes me at times the small things that give little children joy and entertainment.

 On Thursday evening, Mike and Paula attended their first parents meeting for kindergarten children that begin in the Fall semester, 2013. They were very pleased with Claire and Chloe's teacher, classroom, and the school overall. While Mike and Paula were gone, we had dinner with the children, gave them baths, and of course read lots of books.

On the weekend Papa and I went to their home, Papa to help Mike build a chicken coup, and I to watch the three C's and keep them busy. We had lots of park time both Saturday and Sunday. Below you see Chris trying yet another option for climbing up to the slide. He mastered that and a very high and curvy slide very well.

Chloe enjoyed climbing the swinging ladder. Once when I asked her to look at me so I could get a picture, she responded, "Please, Grandma, I need to focus"! Shame on me, I interrupted her focus!!! Also I can't resist mentioning her combination of colors. Mike had asked her if she was sure that her choice of socks were right for her shirt and shorts. She insisted that it was fine and she wanted to make sure she looked "serious". This was the second time in a week that she had been concerned whether she looked "serious" or not. On Monday morning that was the first thing she asked me after getting dressed, "Grandma, do I look serious?" I learned some time back to NEVER say Chloe looks cute. She doesn't want to look cute at all...it is just not an acceptable description for herself. In fact, when Paula had arrived home from work Monday morning she had automatically said how cute Chloe looked. Chloe headed for the bedroom to change clothes...Paula, quick thinking Mommy that she is, responded that Chloe looked "seriously cute". We finally convinced her that indeed she did look serious. All I can say is I hope this stage passes quickly.

Claire was on this park outing as well but apparently she was just too busy meeting and greeting people to get her picture taken. She makes friends instantly with whomever comes to play.

On Sunday, Uncle Superman came to assist with the chicken coup. Papa, Mike, and Jon, worked all day to get it finished up. The chickens better like and appreciate their new dwelling.

A late afternoon activity on the deck kept the kids busy while the guys finished up. They really love to paint and doing it outside made it even better. All three painted fans and then Chloe opted for a scene with flowers.



A visitor to the deck for a couple of days was this beautiful, young, Cooper's Hawk. At least that is what Mike believes it was. He took over Paula's flowers for part of the time and also hung out on the deck chair backs.

He couldn't fly very well and last report he had moved on, so I hope he is safe somewhere. It gave the kids lots of enjoyment while there.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how important Memorial Day is to us. We are so thankful to live in such a great country where we often take our freedom for granted. Thank you to those who have served in the military and thank you to their families, as well, who often sacrifice so much while their family member is gone. I can only identify a little since my Dad served in WWII and came home while I was still an infant. Interestingly, he rarely talked of his military time until his last few years with us. He saw and experienced some pretty hard things that he carried with him the rest of his life.  God Bless America!

Chris Goes to the Park, Claire & Chloe Go to A Musical

Monday after taking the girls to school, Chris and I went to the park. I can't say enough about Bille Park, it is always clean, welcoming, very beautiful overall, and the kids love it! Immediately Chris headed for the slide.

There were just 3 or 4 other children there and the play yard wasn't as busy as sometimes. We weren't there long and Chris wanted a snack and a drink. We made our way to the bench and sat there for a few minutes while he snacked and watched what was going on around him.



He tried several other activities and explored around the area. He looks so grown up in the picture where he is standing on the discs. I can't believe that is our two year old grandson!

Before long, a school bus full of children arrived to have a picnic lunch and play. Chris enjoyed all of the activity and especially looking at the school bus. We took a walk over and looked quite closely at the bus, counted the windows, and touched the big tires. He was pretty impressed.

On Tuesday evening our family celebrated Mother's Day. Chris had spent the afternoon with his Daddy at work and he was excited to see Paula and his sisters again. We had a great dinner out, and then Claire and Chloe came home with us for the night. The following day Claire, Chloe, and I went to a stage production of The Little Mermaid, compliments of Paula. It was the first time the girls had been to a live production that I know of, and we were fortunate enough to get in the first row. They loved the musical and after the show,  for lunch, we decided to go to the Red Lobster in order to follow the "sea" theme. The girls did not eat any of Ariel's (the little mermaid) friends, but did have shrimp and also got to touch a live lobster. Quite a day for them.....the picture was taken as they so patiently waited for the show to begin.

Looking back it was a busy but very great week. I'm so thankful for the time I get to spend with our Grandchildren. There is nothing better!

Chicks and Cousins

The excitement for the week involved the arrival of the new baby chicks that will be living in the three C's back yard. Claire, Chloe, and Chris are very interested and enthused for this new family project. The girls talked non-stop about gathering eggs, what the different chickens were going to look like when they are grown, and all the details of life raising chickens. Of course discussion of egg gathering is a bit premature, but nevertheless it brought them great joy in thinking about it. I believe as these children grow they will never be without something interesting and exciting going on at their home. If they aren't planting plants or trees, or collecting bugs, fish, tadpoles, or rocks, they are planning their next adventure with nature.



On Saturday, Claire and Chloe went with Papa and me to a family baby shower near Sacramento, at Aunt Jenny and Uncle Mark's, to honor cousin Nate and his wife Jaime. We are all excited for this new life that will soon be part of our extended family. Claire and Chloe thoroughly enjoyed time with their cousins and Aunts and Uncles. Below Claire and Uncle Larry are having a deep conversation like only Uncle Larry can do.

Cousin Jess and Alexa are especially attentive to their younger cousins and spent lots of time with them not only around the house, playing hide-and-seek but eventually in the pool. Alexa also did a great job of braiding Claire's hair.

Chloe said she had a "broken arm" so she really needed to borrow Papa's cane. :)



We hadn't brought swim suits but fortunately Daddy Mike had the foresight to pack some pants and t-shirts that worked fine for swimming and time in the hot tub.

Cousin Emma, our darling and quite shy little cousin, found a friend in Claire. Below they play in the very shallow kiddie pool.

Since we were probably going get home fairly late, Claire and Chloe spent the night at our house. They stayed awake until about 15 minutes from home and then both fell soundly to sleep. It was just enough to give them a 'second wind' and those chatterboxes were awake until very, very, late. Here they are bright and bushy-tailed in the morning ready for their breakfast wearing two old softball t-shirts of Aunt Suzie's. We enjoyed having them so much.

Wishing all of my Mom friends and relatives a very Happy Mother's Day. I have had a lovely day so far, and am looking forward to celebrating on Tuesday evening, a time that will fits much better into the schedules of our family!  Our project for the week, according to Papa Norm, is to get a chicken house going...boards cut and ready to put together. This should be an interesting week! :)

Rolling With the Punches!

This past week had potential for some good narrative for this blog. Life, however, doesn't always go as planned, and sometimes we must 'go with the flow'.  The plan was for some extra time with the three C's as Paula had a couple of seminar/classes she was attending. I spent a few hours on Tuesday at their home, and then we were excited that on Wednesday I would pick them up after pre-school and all three would spend the night and the following day at our house. This was the first time that all three were coming to spend any length of time and overnight. We had, previously, had them for a quick over-night when Chris was much smaller, but he was really only here during night sleeping hours. All went as planned until about 3 AM Thursday when I woke up with a 'bug' ....boy, did I,..... I was so sick. I managed to get their breakfast but then spent the remainder of the day, for the most part, in the downstairs guest room, on the bed, and in the bathroom. Ugh!!! I listened as Papa herded them around and tried to keep some order. It would have been funny at times if I hadn't felt so lousy. The children survived even after having a unique lunch of canned Pacific Wild salmon and fresh blackberries. I do believe, however, they had more than their share of snacks . Mike left work early and came to our rescue in the mid to late afternoon. If we didn't have this old two story house it would have been so much easier, but of course the kids always want to go up and down the stairs a million times..Papa, of course, doesn't have that luxury, so let's just say they did plenty of exploring!!

Below are a couple of pictures from Tuesday. Chris is 'playing' the keyboard while Claire practices her hula dancing.

Here they are eating breakfast that I hope wasn't filled with germs from me on Thursday morning.



In addition, I thought I would throw in a few pictures that someday may give Claire, Chloe, and Chris a laugh. I used the best picture of this group of shots on last weeks posting. You can imagine what we go through to get decent pictures at times...just like with all kids. We annually print this blog into a book and in the far future they may enjoy seeing the picture taking efforts. It's all worth it, I might add....

Looking forward to my day with these precious beings tomorrow. Here's to a better week ahead...and a prayer that Papa nor any of the three C's catch that bug!!!