Father's Day, 2014, and A Weekday Visit

It was a great Father's Day to celebrate not only Norm's super recovery after surgery, but to spend time together as well. It was low-key, tacos on the menu, as is always the case when the kids choose. I'm talking the adult kids, by the way! :) 

The girls hit the "fancy box" when they first arrived and decided to get Papa all fixed up. He didn't stay that way long but we did get a couple of pictures.

Swimming was on the agenda, of course, and even though the water wasn't as warm as I would want it, the kids didn't mind at all.

Claire taking just a little break...

 

 

 

 

Chris giving the evil eye before he squirts someone....

 



 

Chloe taking a plunge towards the deep end....

 

 

Papa and Chloe negotiating the five dollar offer Papa made her to jump off of the diving board...

 



 

She didn't get the five dollars, but she got closer to the diving board...

 



 

We had a fun time and everyone was well fed and well exercised by the time the day was over.

 

Since Papa and I are leaving on a trip in a couple of days, Mike brought the three C's up to spend some extra time with us today (Friday) and to help Papa with a couple of things. We so enjoyed our time and so appreciated his help. The first order of business was to paint some rocks to add to our little painted rock section in the pool area. We had a couple of rocks from last year and so we decided to expand the rock garden this summer.

 

 

 

 

 

While the rocks dried they decided to do some swimming and in Chris' case, some hose playing. 

 

 

Chloe working her way closer to the diving board.....

 

 

On the diving board and working on her courage....



 

 

Wow....she did it!!! Papa paid up and she was a happy little soul~!

 

 

Our expanded painted rock garden.... lovely, don't you think?

 

 

 

We are looking forward to our trip to the Midwest but as I have said before we certainly miss the grand kids when we are traveling. Claire and Chloe will be attending a Kinder-Camp in their Noni's town for one week while we are gone so they will be very busy and entertained. 

 

Blessed beyond measure...and off on a new adventure!



Some Lows and Highs From the Past Few Weeks!

Sometimes the unexpected events of life bring stress and anxiety but as so often happens when we look back at those events, you can see that it was mostly just a bump in the road that needed a little navigation. We recently had one of those unexpected times when Papa Norm was faced with heart surgery. The good news is that he didn't have a heart attack and symptoms alerted him to the need to be checked. Or, if truth be told, it alerted me that I needed to insist that he be checked. :) At any rate, he had a very serious surgery with a few minor complications but is doing well now. The night before his surgery he was visited by several friends and family including his precious grandchildren which served to lift his spirits tremendously.

 

 

The three C's and Uncle Superman!

 

 

Following surgery, Uncle Superman urging Papa to eat. That has proved to be one of his hardest things, his appetite has not been great but improvement is on the horizon. 

 

 

A good sign after a day or so, reading the sports page.

 

 

Catching up on some sleep.....

 

 

Don't look if you are squeamish....changing the dressing....

 

 

Out of ICU and doing some walking....

 

 

After excellent care in the ICU and then the Cardiac Unit in our local hospital, he voluntarily went to the rehabilitation hospital for some additional therapy. It was a good move and really helped to get his strength, mobility, and confidence back. Again several visits from the three C's were the highlights of his days.

 

 

 

Occupational therapy and physical therapy filled his days, and after one week he insisted he was going home. Although they would have liked him to stay another week I think he made the right decision. He has done just fine at home.

 

 

 

Now, looking at the highs of the past weeks, you can see that Claire and Chloe completed their Kindergarten year and graduated. What a fun day it was for all. It was Papa's first outing and he did quite well considering that he was only 2 1/2 weeks out of surgery. Chris also got to attend and enjoyed seeing his sisters and their friends in a really sweet program of singing, dancing, and photo viewing of their past year.

 

 

Chloe marching in...

 



 

 

And Claire marching in.....

 

The whole class...



 

 

Our sweet K-Class grads.....

 

 

 

The teacher had each child sit on a chair while she talked a little about them.

 



 

 

It was a great day, a great way to finish out the school year, and a real highlight for us after spending a couple of weeks focused on hearts, hospitals, therapy, and keeping things running at home. Claire happily posed with Papa and with her Nonie after the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

I am so thankful that Norm came through the surgery well and that God provided so much support for both of us through our dear family and friends. Both Norm and I felt the prayers and love extended on our behalf. Life is truly good!



 





 







Memory Making in May!

Last weekend we took part in a fishing derby for kids in a great family park in the small city where Chloe, Claire, and Chris live. What a fun outing it was! None of the three C's caught fish but they seemed to enjoy the day anyway. Claire was the most diligent, but Chloe and Chris did a fair amount of waiting out the fish too. Mike and Paula were busy the whole time untangling one fishing pole and line after another but it was a great experience nevertheless. Chloe won a fishing pole in a drawing and it was so sweet how she told the adult that "her sister was fishing too and would really like a pole". The adult kindly told her that it was the luck of the draw. Chloe followed up a while later and went back to the announcer to make sure that we hadn't missed hearing the name 'Claire'. The adult once again patiently told her that no Claire had been drawn. Love how the twins stick together!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A child down the shore line hooked a turtle and they were able to unhook it and let it go again. Chloe was very interested in that whole process. 

 

 

 

Our family tree climber left the fishing for a hike up a tree. Really, Chloe will climb any tree at any time, given the opportunity. 

 



 

Claire preferred some time on the swing. Her pumping skills are excellent!

 

 

Chris loved the swing too but took a break and gave the slide a workout.

 

 

After fishing and some play time in the park we suggested Mike and Paula take a break, go home, and have a little quiet time. We took the three C's to McDonald's after a unanimous vote for Mickey D's. Papa really wanted Taco Bell. Oh well, he was happy either way. The kids ate like troopers, we were shocked at the food they put away, but there is always room for soft-serve ice cream!

 

 

 

 

We took a couple of  'selfies' at McDonald's, but clearly, Grandma needs some practice with them!

 

 

 

Later that week on my Thursday at K-Class I was able to capture a couple of photos of our girls. Chloe was working on a coloring project wearing one of the aprons that another classroom Grandmother made. Beautiful seamstress work and she made one for each child and the teacher. 

 

 

Claire was working on her worksheet about the Five Senses and getting ready for Science Night coming up soon!

 

 

Today we had a great Mother's Day celebration at Mike and Paula's home. The food was delicious and the BBQ and salads were topped off by strawberry shortcake brought by Aunt Suzie. Yum!

Here Paula and Chris smile for Grandma's camera.

 

 

The girls brought up one of the tamer chickens, in a basket, no less. The kids have a thriving egg business starting up and the word is they are saving for a trip to Disneyland! Now that sounds like a wonderful thing to do!

 

 

 

 

Claire doing some serving....

 

 

Love this picture of Noni, Paula, Chloe, and Claire. Chris would have no part of picture taking at this particular time. 

 

 

The final picture of the day. We need to have some official family portraits taken. I'll add that to my "to do" list for sure!

 

 

Chloe was given the student of the week award recently for the virtue 'forgiveness'. I want to share what her response was when asked about the virtue and why she might have received it.

 

"Me and Kristopher forgave the class for making a mess of the

 backpacks. We just decided instead of playing free choice time,

we would clean up the backpacks." 

 

Don't you just love the thinking process of children? Chloe had a minor issue shortly after having received this award and I love how Paula talked to her about it and then told her that all was forgiven and it would never be mentioned again. Learning to forgive is such an important part of a happy life. Hopefully Chloe will remember the lessons learned during that specific week in her young life.

 

I am a blessed Mom and Grandmother!