Papa Norm & Sharon's Joy of Family and Life Adventures: August 2014

Sunday, August 24, 2014

1st Grade? Can't Be Possible!

When school started this past week, two precious little girls entered first grade. We, as grandparents, couldn't believe how fast the time has gone. Here are Chloe and Claire at about 19 months and looking through some old pictures today really brought back such sweet and sometimes hilarious moments we spent with them as toddlers.

They were both so excited about school and we are praying that this will be another wonderful year of growth and discovery for them. On Tuesday, their last unscheduled day for a while, Papa and I took all three C's out for lunch and ice cream. We had a great time and came away feeling blessed and refreshed from our time with them. Before we left for lunch all three did some activity to show us their latest interests and skills. I held my breath several times as they flew around on their scooters. Chris was there too but somehow escaped the camera. Claire, bottom photo, wanted us to see the tip-toe version of using her scooter. Chloe did some dare-devil tricks too. Yikes!

Inside the house we saw some recent pictures of the girls that were taken at the music camp they attended this past summer. Their beautiful frames were created by each of them and they are very proud of what they accomplished.

Below are some before pictures of the first day of 1st grade for the girls. Chris has attended preschool part time all summer but he was excited about the beginning of a new year as well. Paula sent us these pictures since we weren't there in person. I love how the girls so often hold hands when they are doing something special.

Here's to new beginnings and a wonderful school year ahead!!!

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Two Super Weekends in a Row !!

We were fortunate to have our favorite house guests visit two weekends in a row. The first weekend we asked to have them because it had been so long since we really had been able to spend any length of time with them. The second weekend was while Mike and Paula took a couple of days to celebrate their 12th anniversary. Happy Anniversary Mike and Paula, and many more!

The swimming pool is certainly the center of entertainment when we are at home. All three C's had swim lessons this summer and in each case they gained skills by leaps and bounds.

The following little movie shows Chris trying his jump into the water for the first time without his life jacket or water wings. What a character! He was quite tentative around the water the first time they came up in June to swim. Look at him now!

We decided to take a break from the pool and take an excursion to Turtle Bay Museum and Park. We sure picked a hot day...(what were we thinking?)...but the kids really seemed to enjoy it even though the temperature was at 107 degrees when we got back in the car. Yikes!!!

Chris, in particular, was very taken with the tree and the underground root system display. Actually I found it very interesting as well.

The fish were great fun too.

We stayed in the shade for the outdoor animal show but actually had very good seats and a great view of the stage area.

After the show we found another shady location to have some lunch followed by an ice cream treat.

Back at home, Chris does some of his dance moves with Papa's ear protectors and Papa's socks.

Between our two weekends we had a chance to meet Mike and the girls at the greenhouse that he is currently working with . Both girls got busy with their pruning jobs. We were quite impressed with what they know and how they did their work. Here is Claire trimming the coleus.

Paula sent me a couple of cute pictures from their week. Chris is so proud of his garden produce and the girls are doing something interesting on their ipads.

The second weekend was busy with lots of swimming again. Below the girls are modeling some new swimsuits.

Some good friends, Danica and Aubrey, were visiting their grandparents as well, so the swim time was much more exciting and fun. Claire hadn't ventured to the deep end to jump off the diving board yet (Chloe has done it quite a bit) and Claire decided she would try it as well. She probably spent a total of 20 minutes, two different times, while she stood at the end of the board and contemplated whether she really could do it or not. Of course she could, and after the first jump you couldn't stop her. We actually think the girls can probably handle the deep end without their water wings but Papa and I decided that it would be water wings unless their parents are here too.