I Love Daughter-in-laws!

I am so blessed to have really terrific daughter-in-laws. I love to watch them as they care for their children and love those around them.
Briona and Andrew went on a honeymoon to the Dominican Republic and Briona sent a photo early in the week to let us know that they were safe and well, enjoying their stay. I doubt any of my sons would have thought of that!

This was labeled: "Having a great time"

Watching Kelsi and Debbie play and love their children really warms my heart. The boys today came running in to thank me for their towels. I knew in an instant who had those boys thinking that way. Life is good.

Grand Fun

Quick trip up to Redding to see the Grands! Since the car had to have a maintenance check on Monday, I couldn't come up until Tuesday.  There were lovely fresh strawberries just calling to me from a produce stand. The boys informed me this morning that they needed to be eaten quick because they might go rotten fast. Six baskets of strawberries gone in one evening and morning. Summer is the time for good fruit!
Today was the fun day. In the morning the boys made M&M cookies, during naps and the rest period, I sewed up some fun hooded towels so they can lay on the beach when we go to Pajaro Dunes in a few weeks and stay warm if it is foggy.

Lilly watched while her brothers made cookies

The boys picked out their towels and then played with them after they got hoods attached

All the towels spread out practicing for the beach.

This afternoon the boys made bread dough for some rolls and bread. The dough was sticky!

Getting the dough off fingers

I will be heading back to Concord late morning tomorrow as I need to alter a dress for Friday. I am really having fun being a Nona to these wonderful children. I was asked if I was going to see Makynlee in Kentucky since I've been with all the rest of the grands. Mike called tonight and said Julia and Makynlee will be in California in late August early September for a week! If I want to go see them I can visit her parents in Monterey. Hey I love beaches and they have a good one there!

The House is Quiet

It is Saturday evening and the house is quiet. Too quiet. No college girls giggling over a movie, no babies to hold. Jeffrey offered to go get dinner as I told him I'm up for anything I don't have to make. Actually, we have plenty of food in the cupboard because the grands didn't eat all the meals I had on the menus. But those menus all have to be made.

Everything this week didn't go perfectly. I try to stay positive all the time, but the truth is Corina slammed her head into a door and Oliver popped his chin on the cement so badly we thought he might need stitches. I tried the butterfly bandage trick, but it didn't work until I found a better tape. We also discovered that fabric bandages have a stronger glue than the regular plastic bandaids. Oliver's skin is so soft that the fabric bandaids really hurt coming off. The others slip off. Probably because he still drools a little especially with a pacifier and because he is so young.

Long bruise on the right side of her forehead

Oliver will have a small scar just like his Daddy's chin

Ultimately they both went off with bruises and a cut on their heads and my love. I hope the next week is fun, peaceful, and healthy for everyone at their Nana's house!

Pixie Playland Was a big Hit with the Grands!

We rode the carousel all by ourselves - Not that the children noticed 

Nothing like taking your sister for a ride on the batmobile!

On the train, we went from one fantasy world to another

The big hit of the day was being able to move the plane up and down

Olive may be two but he was savvy enough to realize holding the lever up would bring the plane to the highest point on the ride!

This was a really great activity for a cool day. We had fun and they did too!

Poppa Perspective

The children's Poppa was not around most of the time, but when he came out of his office or back home the children loved to play soccer, be held and interact with him. Life is good with a poppa!

Kicking the ball around

Defending the goal

Describing something found in the pictures

Watching over the little ones

I have to tell you, I think these children's poppa is pretty special myself.

The Perseverance and Creativity of a Mother

Watching my daughter-in-law struggle through nausea, pain, and weakness while tending her children was insightful and awesome. She knew when she started her trip that she was ill with what her children and husband had had the previous week. But the crunch came one morning when I woke up to find a text from her asking me to come to pick up the baby.

Walking into the bedroom I found her curled next to her baby on the changing pad. Dehydration and weakness had necessitated her appeal to me. For a strong independent woman that must have been tough. My alarm resulted in buying Gatorade and Jello. 

Each roll was completely different

The children and I made bread (rolls) then put the pulled pork ingredients in the slow cooker and after the baby went down for a nap, we went on errands to drop off some baby quilts to another grandpa having twins this month.  

So how does a mother carry on with her children when she doesn't have the strength left to pick them up? She just carries on from a different angle.

The children were happy all day and week with all their needs taken care of

As a mother-in-law, it is hard to know where to help and jump in and when to let others do the work. I loved how Debbie was able to ask for help and yet took care of each of her children's needs.

Later in the week, I knew life was getting better for Debbie when her angle changed.

Mom doing mom things

These children have hundreds of books read to them, go out to parks often, and are receiving an education before they even begin school. Debbie is a conscientious and devoted mom and since my son is very happy, I can conclude that she is a wonderful wife too! 

Week With The Grands!

Before the school year ended for me, I planned a grand's camp with Debbie's children. The weather had been in the 90's with one dip into hundred so my trip ideas focused around water parks, and parks with water. I only had a couple of parks in mind without water.

On the hottest day, we enjoyed the Newhall Park but went home early

In actuality when we went to The Grove in Clayton with its splash pad, the weather was windy and just a little chilly. Many children splashed in the water but soon were out getting dry because they got cold. Corina and Oliver are so skinny that they didn't last long at all. I think they had a lot of fun on the play structure and on the train. Oliver especially loved the splash pad and jumping through the water spouts. I know I loved being with them!

Corina goes to the top of every structure and finds a quick way down

Of course, she has to climb up without using the stairs

Oliver ran to the water and figured out how to push the button so the water would come on

They both had a good time - though not as long as playing on the play structures

Corina and Oliver with the new hooded towels I made for them

There is something so great about being a Nona to these wonderful children!