Granny Snuggles

Kiddos are still not 100% well but are enjoying Granny snuggles and one more cartoon before we head home.

A Day For Cousins

GGirl has been making the connections of family relationships.  She was very excited to spend some time with her cousins this trip.  From creative writing sessions to pet salon construction to conference room air hockey,  there were lots of giggles from this afternoon adventure!

Jr. Broomball

What does a Granddad do when there is an empty hallway of floor space in the new condo?  No windows. Nothing breakable.  Order kiddie broooms and wiffle balls.  They had warm-ups today.  The Cousin Bowl is on for Sunday night.

Lazy Day

Every good vacation week starts with a lazy day!  Trains, coloring, bubble baths and naps all factor in to a great day of rest and relaxation!

Christmas Gifts

It's always interesting to see what reactions my children will have to the gifts at Christmas. This year MMan was all about opening presents.  He ripped paper enthusiastically and showed varied interest in the contents. When there was nothing left to open, tears ensued.  GGirl loved her gifts that were themed with the princesses of the day (Anna and Elsa).  Less thrilled with clothes, but a gracious recipient, none the less.
This was the first year she was an independent giver.  She bought gifts at Santa's Village at school and enjoyed giving gifts that she had chosen.  She also added colored pictures and drawings to our stockings.  It was a pleasure  to see her find the joy in giving.
Two of my greatest gifts are wearing the bows below.

Sugar Art

Decorating sugar cookies when you're 2 and 5 is like an intricate, multimedia art project.  Different types of frosting, sanding sugar, and sprinkles are just the beginning because it all goes on COOKIES!

These particular pieces of art were gifted by the singers to the homes they visited on the annual youth caroling trip.

Snuggles & Stories

Story time with Daddy before bed is a favorite for the kids, and some nights I enjoy watching and sneaking pictures of the snuggle-fest!

Good Morning

This morning was one that had all of us getting ready to leave at the same time-earlier than normal for some.  Usually this type of morning involves frenzy and chaos.  Today, we all got out the door calmly-and even some smiles.  GGirl's mood was appreciably elevated by her new shirt that I surprised her with when I woke her up.

Fun With Boxes

Mornings wirh MMan

Play dough, blocks and sometimes even fishing are par for the course if you're spending the morning with MMan.  And snacks.  Lots of snacks!

He is full of energy and gets his point across, even if the passersby wouldn't understand his "words".

 But he's getting there.

Boats & Busses

GGirl usually doesn't take the bus to school, we drop her off.  On Thursday, school was delayed, so she rode the bus in.  MMan wanted nothing more than to play in the 'no.  So for a half hour before the bus came, they played boats in the snow, I held my tea mug for warmth.

Not the Normal Grocery Run

How much food could a Mazda haul, if a Mazda could haul food?  Well, we were riding pretty low with this load after we went to pick up the last grocery order for Christmas food boxes at church!

Remembering Grandma "Sconsin"

So many memories of my Grandma "Sconsin".  Growing up we lived in Oklahoma, and then New Hampshire, and my grandparents lived in Wisconsin - they became Grandma and Grandpa 'Sconisn when we were little.  It stuck.

I can't think of Grandma Jean without thinking of molasses cookies at coffee time and games of cards at the table in the farm house. Care packages at Christmas with homemade jam and lefsa were always a highlight of the holidays when I was little.  Grandma's Peanut Butter Balls and Frying Pan Cookies have made it into my Christmas cookie repertoire, but this year the family recipes will hold even more sweet memories of the amazing lady who shared them with us.

I remember visiting Grandma and Grandpa in May 2009, and they were among the first to know we were expecting our first, and visiting again to introduce Gwendolyn to her Great-Grandparents.

One of my favorite "Grandma" stories is of my mom and her five siblings as children running around the farm looking for my Grandma.  When they finally found her she was hiding in a tree with a book.  As a mom of only two little kids, I can fully sympathize, and know that a bit of my Grandma has been passed down through the DNA chains to this introverted mommy.

Words are inadequate.  We were often separated by many miles but she was my Grandma.  She was loved and will be missed.

Geneva B. Wait ~ September 28, 1925-December 1, 2014