Sweet Grandma

Sean loves to give hugs . . . he already knows that Grandma Greta will always say yes! 

Monday Sean marked 3 weeks old

Our littlest buddy is already getting huge.  He's no longer swimming in the 0-3 mos clothing and his newborn sized onsies are starting to feel the strain of growing cuteness.  Monday, as Granddaddy was holding Sean, I realized he was three weeks old already.  He's pictured wearing one of my favorite little outfits for him: a one-piece item so that there's no chance I can lose any part of the baby ensemble.

Yesterday, Grandma Greta came for the day, and I should have gotten a photo with her too--Sean really likes her.

Sur la sofa

[from L to R: Kyle (3), Bryce (6), Sean (2 wks), Deacon (5), Gpa, Avery (2), Daniel (6), Maya (1), Roman (5)] Aunt Adie & Uncle Bart came for a whirlwind visit, and we had so much cousin fun. Here's an attempt at cousins photo with Granddaddy Dan. Between the 3 year old and the 1 year old we had to be fast snappers. The 2 year old was perfection. Oh, and Sean screamed a lot.

Mary, your days are numbered . . .

A quick peek out to the east pasture and our backyard revealed our three happy cattle chomping away at grasses. A not so quick second peek registered that one of the threesome was actually in our backyard, and much less so in the east pasture. Freaking out I grabbed the phone to call Phil, and simultaneously ran to pound on the door to my dad's home. I got Phil's voicemail, but thankfully my dad's face, "Mary's out! Mary's out! Mary's out!" Dad met me in the backyard where I was erratically (wasting time) looking for the grain, not so ready to ford the pokies in my flip flops. I sort of tried to suggest to Dad that we should just corral Mary until Phil got home . . . thankfully Dad was not phased. And then, lickity-split, Dad got Mary back in the pasture. I was kind and left Phil a follow up voicemail.

Grandma Time

Sooner, rather than later, we're hoping to become a family of six (for those of you counting, yesterday was 36 weeks!!!).  Grandma Greta is on call to just be her wonderful grandmothery self while Phil and I are at the hospital. We're super blessed to have Granddaddy Dan seconds away should we have to sprint Gritman-wards . . . giving Grandma Greta time to appear out of thin air with her bags of books, gifts, and special snacks (really, when she arrives Deacon asks, "where are the presents for me?").
Last week Grandma Greta came for three days and three nights for a run-through.  In reality she came and I had a mini-staycation.  Everynight she made a from-scratch delicious dinner.  Each morning she took Bryce to his swimming lessons, plus bikes rides, and activities . . . and she planted a bunch of ground cover on a steepish slope that I'd been procrastinating about. It was a dream.  I got to relax and my kids slept better than ever.  However, the downside to having a busy bee grandma visit is that when she leaves you sort of don't know where to start.  Sadly, I think that once her leftover lasagna was gone (I got two meals out of that), I think I might have served microwaved mac n'cheese for dinner, possibly followed by Pizza Hut, and then cheese quesadillas . . . anyway, all to say, we're looking forward to the baby's arrival for many reasons, more grandma-time included.

Birthday Baby Shower

Phil's extended family rallies for family birthdays, and since Chrissy and I are expecting this Summer, they tossed us in with Kyle's 3rd birthday and Colton's 10th . . . so much fun! When we got home, we realized how crazily like Christmas it was: that cardboard thing is our new crib, and the other cardboard thing is a pack n' play. Kyle got heaps of toys . . . and as I made something (probably brownies) I cycled him through some new gifts, and caught photos of three items: the "latches board" thing from Aunt Becky is amazing--a total crowd pleaser, that you have to get for your busy toddler. Aunt Cathi gave him the LeapFrog fridge animal sounds game--he loves it. But my personal favorite is the peg n' hammer game (because as a kid --you'll soon understand what gem I was-- I had one; an unlucky playmate decided to join me at the pegs one playtime and I was having none of it. Apparently, even at two I was pretty mine vs. yours conscious, and quickly pegged him on the ol' noggin with the hammer. And, the next time our paths crossed I was "I'm sorrying" with the gift of a hard hat, so he knew it was safer to come play on my turf). We had super fun whirlwind, swimming, three-legged-race (Phil & I won), water balloon fighting, eating, gift-opening, chatting, day--and even managed to work in a vomiting highlight. Sunday or Monday we got the crib set up, with the baby's Nana blanket in a place of honor hanging over the back railing (the bright-stripey crocheted blanket--which you can behind Kyle's left side-- was my favorite gift for the little mister).

4th of July Fireworks

Oh dear, it's nearly the end of the month and I never mentioned the 4th of July! We had a lovely, busy day beginning a whirlwind trip to Coeur d'Alene and Spokane for the parade and a visit with Opa, followed by quite the barbeque spread at Grandma Greta & Papa Glen's. By the time we made it home I was exhaustido. Beyond fatigued and thankfully Phil realized that trying to put anything more on my plate would result in a memorable day in all the wrong ways . . . so instead, he headed out to assemble the best home-grown fireworks this side of the reservation. He and Grandpa Dan got the boys so riled up with excitement that even the sparklers and pop-its were had them giddy. And for my part, I made one of those American flag cakes with the blueberries and strawberries, and then picked all the berries off my picky kids' plates . . .

Magic Hike

Pictured is the fort that Bryce and Deacon made with Granddaddy on their Magic Hike yesterday. Idler's Rest is sort of magical with all those cedars shadowing the forest floor, and the fallen trees to scamper over, and how it sort of seems pristine even though all the paths are well managed and there are benches . . . apparently as they tucked in to their lunch the wind began to make the trees cricket and Granddaddy explained the noise as dragons. And very soon all their five and six year old bravery was used up, and lunch was finished at home. They boys loved it. It was all they could talk about. Idler's Rest is one of those spots that always makes me lament again, that the only downside to Palouse living is the trade off we make for rolling hills over trees.

Happy 3rd Birthday Kyle!

 

Sunday Kyle turned 3! As always he woke up super smiley. Then he was introduced to special birthday sugar cereal: Fruit Loops--a three bowl hit. Oh how I didn't think that through: he was giddy, wound up, and pretty much Mr. Wiggles during church. Phil ended up taking him to the dads-with-wiggle-worms room at church, where Phil ended up holding him while he spun in a captain chair; which thankfully, finally put Kyle to sleep. And it was a good thing Kyle got a nap at church, because he had to be all rested up for his super fun day with oodles of busy-ness. Grandma Greta and Papa Glen came to celebrate along with Granddaddy, we had a great lunch followed by a massive gift opening session--in addition to Kyle's birthday gifts, Grandma had brought each of the boys a huge cellophane bag brimming with surprises, including clothes, books, candy, toys, more Fruit Loops, other "sugar" cereals, and more. Kyle loved it! Bryce and Deacon loved it! Then we had cake and two kinds of ice cream (Bryers: Reeses Peanut Butter Cup and Rocky Road--Bryce's excitement at the RPBC was contagious). Kyle blew out his own candles (very advanced for a three old) no spitting . . . as he blew them out with his nose! Now we have an abundance of sandbox toys, happy boys, and the cheerfullest, sunnyest 3 year old you ever saw!

Zoku Popsicles

 

Grandma Greta gave us this sweet popsicle maker. It's pretty fun. Fortuitously, Nana Judy gave us lots of juice, so we got to dive into rainbow popsicles . . . which taste even better.

Last September . . .

 

Tonight my dad emailed me a photo of the two of us from earlier tonight . . . just before I took him out for a Happy Father's Day dinner. While I was being critical of my pregnant self, I decided to peruse photos from last summer. You know, to compare how different I look now (not running) to then (running every day). I was ripped from my fruitless waste of time by this adorable photo. Bryce and Deacon, hugging each other just before we left for their baptism. You can see Bryce clutching a wipey in his hand, so I know we were just seconds from leaving. These boys are so amazing. So special. So fun. We just love them to pieces.

Rock Trio

 

4pm is the magic hour of getting Grandpa time. Rock n' roll music, hikes, pig feeding, bug catching, movies, games, cinnamon candies . . . you never know what fun will befall them. It's not everyday, but it makes the days that it happens the best. Kyle's jumped in when drums are involved. He's self-taught, eschewing drum-norms for his inborn talent of giving the cymbals a little more air time then they're usually due. Deacon came racing upstairs when he realized that the drums and guitar equaled a rock n' roll band. He had me find sunglasses for everyone (so glad Daddy had bought some), and when I failed to supply an appropriate hat he found a hard hat that sufficed. Oh, how they all slept that night! Priceless.

Bugs and All

 

Saturday evening we headed off to Nana's for a lovely pre Father's Day barbeque. It was delicious. En route I prayed that she'd be making potatoes--and she did--she's a potato master. As if steak and potatoes weren't enough Nana also made strawberry shortcake. From scratch. It was to die for. I was overjoyed when she sent a generous bit home with me . . . But, this post isn't supposed to be about amazing desserts that make me glad to be alive. Rather, do you see that little bug case? Secreted within were two moths, and a dead spider, and a beetle, plus who knows what else. Somehow during the drive either Bryce or I managed to knock the lid off and dump the contents. I'm so glad the spider was dead. Deacon and Bryce scooped everything up, with no tears. Once we were home, and the case was placed on the counter (after being denied safe house in bed with Deacon), Phil knocked it off the counter, scattering grass and more across the kitchen floor. And I ask myself, why do I buy bug cases in the first place.

Long-legged Readers

 

So I'm sort of ready for my kids to stop growing up. Sometimes they seem so small . . . like today when Grandpa, Deacon, Kyle, and I were watching Bryce at bat during Baseball Camp. Bryce's batting helmet squished his cheeks together and he wasn't sure of himself, and he seemed so small and especially cuddly. But then much later today, as I was prepping dinner or doing the dishes--something kitcheny--I glanced over and caught Bryce reading a new book to Deacon. (I still can't believe that magic Mrs. Sawyer works over on her kindergarteners.) Bryce was there on the carpet, sounding out words, and reading captivating-ly enough to secure Deacon's undivided attention. I mean it. I probably could have switched on the old KitchenAid and no one would have come running. Today, their legs seems so long, and they seemed so big, and Kyle was aching to be big along side them (see his little bum in the air . . . eventually he settled for sitting near them). Every time Grandma Greta visits she does two things that she happened to do with me when I was little. She stands back to back with each boy in front of the floor length mirror, and tells them how much they've grown, and says that they'll soon be taller than her. They love it. Then, when they're all reading books together or sitting at the table doing crafts, she lines up, in turn, each boy's hand with her own and points out how long his fingers are getting, how big and strong his hands are becoming. And each boy eats it up. And now, Bryce reads at least one book to her, and she tells him how big his is getting, and how good a reader he is. And I have to say, I'm not ready.

Thanks Grandma!

 

Grandma Greta bestowed upon us an accordion . . . we hope to send this with her someday when she takes her grandchildren on a long, tedious car trip. It is the first thing to pop out when ever the rock and roll music (as Bryce calls it) comes on. In this instance it was Jars of Clay, it was early in the morning, and I was trying really hard not to go back to bed--and need you ever to know: an accordion surely does wake one up.

Magic Play-Dough

Grandma Greta is way more fun than Mom.  Here she has all three boys assembled with molds and some kind of magic moon sand play-dough.  Now this is the very activity I get the most requested for at home, and turn down the most often . . . and Grandma arrives at Opa's house with a tote full of the stuff--unrequested.  And . . . she even cleaned up everything!  No wonder they all love her to pieces!

Opa Prevailing

My Grandpa John has had an onslaught of tough to navigate this year--and it's only the first half of the 4th month!  After having a toe amputated, he had to rally through twice-a-day hospital visits for weeks.  Adie & Bart were amazing at getting him through the time preceeding when he had terrible infections and complications and helped keep him as healthy as possible.  Now they're back it, staying with him as he transitions from hospital rehab following a below-the-knee amputation. 

Today Bart got Grandpa John all situated on this shiny red scooter, and he's ready to zoom down the ramp that my own amazing husband made (having guys-with-tools in the family is a huge perk). So here's to Opa (Grandpa John) and our husbands who have stepped up to be there for a grandpa-in-law, and treated him so well.

Opa's mom had sixteen children, saw eight of them go to Heaven when they were still young, and then rallied only to die in her early fifties.  My grandpa's been through a poor childhood with sicknesses, Korea, and then a rich life of robust living my Grandma Bev, with that monkey (diabetes) on his back never slowing him down.  I know I shouldn't be surprised that he's such a trooper, with such a fierce will to live, but here I am surprised.  He's a good example to my sons--that's right, even with his sailor's mouth and razzing ways (they're too young to notice).

Best Day Ever (over and over)

Somedays I'm pretty darn sure that whatever the boys are doing is the abosolute most fun they've ever had.  Last week Phil called me out to take a picture of Bryce working the trench roller over the gravel.  Can you see how concentrated Bryce is?  He loved it.  All the practice with his birthday car and truck from Nana Judy being put to real use.

Then, as if a full size trench roller isn't enough to make your cup run over, Grandpa Dan and Daddy set up a bow and arrow shoot (this was following a wildly popular Sunday afternoon bb-gun target session).  The target had all the pictures of woodland creatures, and each was thoroughly maimed.

And finally, yesterday afternoon, whilst Daddy was in Coeur d'Alene working on Opa's front entry ramp, Grandpa Dan constructed a waterballoon shootout for the bows and arrows. 

That's the little fun of being five and six. You get to have your best day ever all the time.

Sunny March Lord's Day

 

Granddaddy Dan took the boys on a long after lunch walk--here's a photo from their trek. Today the the weather is wonderful: sunny, very light breeze, and just plain cheeful. (I love winter and snow . . . but today is the kind of day that woos you into loving Spring.)
I just finished planting the rest of my fall bulbs (fingers crossed about that one), and finally trimmed my oregano. Today we had lunch with Nana Judy & Papa Ron, and as we were waiting for them to arrive, I told Phil that I very suddenly feel very grown-up . . . Is it the nearly 15 week old baby growing inside me? Is it having a kindergarten-er who reads? Is it planning out landscaping and contemplating how much sod to buy? Is leaving some of the banana bread muffins void of chocolate chips? Who knows. But this grown-up stuff is pretty wonderful.

Mom started chemo

 

So some lunching and shopping were in order.