Catching up on the months

This is my new desktop photo.

It has been a busy spring but I've been trying to see the grandkids as much as I can. The littlest one (blond) has stayed with us a couple times, once because Mommy and Daddy went out and once because Daddy was in the hospital and Mommy needed to stay with him. He was such a good boy ... until we went to breakfast and his 2 year old cousin walked in.

The two year old didn't do anything. It seems to be a competition for attention. The two year old doesn't know he's in this competition. He just goes off and does his own thing. He's such a cute kid (the one on the left in the wagon). His big brother is coming down from Tennessee this weekend. I accidentally called the two year old "Bubba" one day, and he told me, no, his older brother was "Bubba."

The four year old is going through a "hair" stage -- it won't stay down. He is so smart! He just finished a year of pre-pre K -- a two hour program 4 days a week at the local rec center. He also finished his first season of t-ball. We all think he's a natural athlete. Believe it or not, he loved playing catcher, especially tagging people out at the plate. Of course, in t-ball it doesn't count, but it did to him! He's on the right in the wagon.

The five year old graduated from pre-K (and I missed it, being in class that evening). She loves attention. Apparently, she sang the loudest at the graduation ceremony. That girl doesn't know the meaning of stranger (and we have to watch her for that). She is all registered for kindergarten, which is just a few blocks from her school

The baby (4 months, almost) is smiling and cooing, and ready to roll over. She seems to have a very sweet disposition. She smiled really big for her Boppa yesterday when he got down on the floor with her.

The oldest (14 year old) will be going to high school this year! He'll be getting on a bus early to travel about 15-20 miles north to attend a school with a culinary arts program. Hope it works out and keeps him happy at school.

The next oldest (13 year old) will be in 8th grade and in the gifted program at middle school. He played ball this spring and improved quite a bit. He is turning out to be a nice young man.

I will be leaving for a month (overseas study) and will miss them. So I've downloaded Skype and told them to download it so I can see and talk to them while I'm gone. Then on Aug. 8, they will be joining me at my graduation for my Master's degree. Woo hoo. I hope I set a good example for them to follow.

A Progressive Christmas

Our little elves are above. We got one shot at this, that's all.

Our families play "progressive" Christmas each year. They keep adding stops.

First, each family wakes up and opens their gifts from each other. Then my oldest two traveled to their little sister's house and had gift opening with the aunts and uncles and cousins. Then one step grandson had to go to his dad's house. Then they all (minus the stepgrandsons), came over here. I made our traditional breakfast (eggs goldenrod, dubbed "moon eggs" by my brother when he was little), along with sweet breads, hashbrowns and juice. We opened gifts, then they all left to go to their dad's house (just up the road), where they met with their half sisters, their dad, and where the stepgrandson was deposited by his father. Then my two girls went home to finish cooking and to let the little ones take naps. My son (who lives about 10 miles away), went to my mom's and crashed there. I took a nap, then finished fixing the food I was taking. Then another stepgrandson was picked up by my youngest daughter and her husband, and brought over to my mom's. Then the other daughter showed up. My brother was there briefly, but left. My sister and her husband were already there. After we ate, we opened more gifts. Then my younger brother came with his wife and three girls, so we opened more presents!

We went home a little early, but the kids stayed and played cards.

I tell you, it's tough with stepfamilies, older parents, and little babies. Thank goodness everyone pretty much gets along.

Merry Christmas

A first

Our baby -- the 4 month old -- turned over for the first time today. We were watching him for Mommy and Daddy because their sitter was unable to watch him this week (her own children are home from school). I had lain him on his back on a sleeping bag on the floor so I could go fix his bottle. When I turned back around, there he was on his tummy with a surprised look on his face. I called to his Boppa to take a look! We both stood there and marvelled. Then I emailed his mommy to see if he'd done it for her before. She said, no, but she'd been "practicing" with him by helping him. Anyway, it is past 4:30 P.M. and he has not done it again. But we shall always remember Christmas Eve, 2007!

Back to Reality

I'm back at work and have less time to see the grandbabies now. We have some regular time with the older two since we enrolled them in gymnastics on Thursday evenings. Their daddy gets off work early and goes in with the 2 year old. Some days it works; some days it doesn't. Daddy had to pull him out yesterday because he wasn't listening. Of course, it broke his heart because he wanted to bounce and roll and hang and swing and fall but Daddy told him if he doesn't listen to the teacher, he can't play. So after seeing his tear-streaked face and hearing his sobs, I walked over (Daddy was watching Granddaughter) and asked him, "Do you want a drink?" He looked up at me and sobbed, "But I no listen!" Cracked me up! I got him a Nehi Grape soda to share with Daddy and his sister (when she finished up).

Both are now in day care, but they don't really like it too much. Granddaughter is more accepting, but that's because she's more social. But both of them cry during the day that they want to see their mommy and daddy, and sometimes their Nee Nee and Boppa. So on Thursdays we pick them up earlier than need be just to give them a little reprieve. There's really nothing wrong with the center, but it's small and a bit confining for the two-year old. But the teachers seemed to have warmed up to them, esp. the grandson, who gets carried around a lot!

When school first started back up (for me), I didn't get to see them for almost a week. So when Granddaughter came running up to me, I scooped her up and said, "I've missed you!" and she hugged me back and said, "I miss you too!" That's worth it all!

They are saying and doing such cute things, but I always forget to write them down. Forget finding time to blog about them on a daily basis.

The next-to-youngest grandchild turns one TODAY! Last week he suffered through a viral infection that gave him an asthmatic condition and he had to have breathing therapy for a few days. Luckily, he seems much better. No wheezing. We are going over tonight with a small gift and a large check (for his investment fund). Yesterday, he started fussing when his uncle picked up his cousin (and his cousin was holding a cookie). He complained loudly then pointed to the cookie! Aha! So he's learning to make his wishes known.

The 4 week old's mommy is having a hard time with mommyhood. Things have always come so easily to her, and she's frustrated she's not the perfect Mom. Luckily, her hubby has an older child and has already gone through this, and so he is very supportive. The biggest problem is a tummy ache (similar to colic). They are switching formulas to see if it helps. We've babysat a couple times and he's slept almost the whole time!

Tomorrow starts our fall travel schedule so my time will be even more limited! I can't imagine what grandparents who don't live near their grandkids do!