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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Gather. Rinse. Repeat.

Gather together.
Rinse off the day (tub time).
Repeat - for the next five days.
And, that is exactly what we did this past week.  Gather.  Rinse.  Repeat.

Our days blurred together.  With the houseboat not in the water yet we found ourselves being creative.  If you saw Monday's post, we did the same the rest of the week.  But added more.  Building forts.  Created with Lego's.  Rode on a pontoon boat.  Watched the Royal Wedding (okay, they were not real troopers here, and I had to stop and restart it - but he did come running when I yelled they were going to kiss....).  Went to the park.  Poured over family photos (Maddie LOVES to look at her Mamma).  Threw rocks.  Got dirty.

Every day possessed new challenges.  We were never bored.  Tired, but not bored.  They slept hard and fast.  Awesome for me.  And, most importantly, I learned a lot from them.

I learned Maddie wakes up looking like a Fraggle Rock and has the most unbelievable smile.  It's like having a puppy.  Oh, so happy to see you.  If she had a tail, it would be wagging.

I learned your house is never 'baby proofed' enough no matter what you think.  Silly me thought they would not touch this or that.  BaaaaHaaaa!  Things she handed me I did not realize were missing or at her level:  lighter, screws (???), toothpick flosser, coins, clippers - two pairs we thought were gone for good, and a deck of cards, or, umm, partial deck (still haven't found the rest).

I learned right before you think you are going to lose it, you get a second wind.

I learned that as a grandparent you have much more patience.  I owe that to having more time.  You have all the time in the world for them.

I learned I would do it again in a heartbeat.  But, it would be nice to have them separately.  Having them one-on-one gives them special time with the grands.  Jack's only special time was when Maddie was sleeping or he got to go to work with Opa (which, I might add, was limited as Opa was down for the count most of the time - so Yes, I had three babies at home)!


My favorite phrases heard this week:

1.  Noooooo Maddie!  I want the Barbie with the pink dress!!
2.  Oma!  I got the booger out!  It was a BIG one!
3. Guess who is very, very good?  I am very, very good.
4.  That is an excellent idea!  (When asked if he should be able to stay up to wait for his parents to come).
5.  I need the constructions so I can make the Lego's.
6.  MammaMammaMammaMammaMammaMamma (while clutching the phone after Momma has hung up).

And for your viewing pleasure, here's some of our week....







Oma almost dropped her camera trying to get down fast enough to catch her!

No shrill at Oma's - or Time Out.

UPS let Jack test drive.

Jack's turn to pour.

Maddie would rather eat than pour.

Spoon lickers.

Walking in the woods.

Some cute kids in the woods.

Jack getting big air on the destroyed fort.

Maddie flying high.

Cookie helper.

Taste tester.

Time Out sucks.

Tah-Dah!

We actually had pieces left over...

Back side...

After backside leaned against the wall, hmmmm.
 
 
No comment...

Forgot about Barney for three days, then realized how great he is...

UPS finally showed up when Maddie was not napping.

Boat day!

Jack LOVES to ride in the boat!


He will soon have a job at the marina!

Look closely...he got a bulls eye!


Last, but not least.  Here is my new treasure.  We took the kids flea market shopping on Easter (our anniversary) and found this deal and yes we brought it home with the grandkids!  Under 20 bucks!

So, in closing, I also learned what a good mother my daughter is and what a great job she is doing.  I have well-behaved, polite, sweet grandkids.  All her hard work is paying off.  I am lucky.  Very lucky indeed!  Thanks for letting me watch the kiddos!


Monday, April 25, 2011

Oma's in charge! Eeeeek!

I have 15 minutes.  Barney is on.  Snacks are doled out.  Time's a-wastin'.

To say I am tired is an understatement.  I AM  EGGGS-AUSTED!!  It's not because they did not sleep and were up all night.  Nope.  They slept.  But I laid awake listening to the monitor, whispering to Opa, "I don't hear anything, do you think she's okay???"  Memories of bringing home a newborn surfaced....

If you have not had children in the house for awhile, you forget.  It comes back.  Quickly.  And then you remember why God gives you children when you are younger.  It's because you are YOUNGER!!

So far today our list of what we have done before 1 pm:
1.  Breakfast
2.  Changed clothes twice
3.  One load of laundry
4.  Puzzles, saved from my kids - the old fashioned ones
5.  Read stories - several
6.  Found box of cars, LOTS of them - now everywhere
7.  Snack
8.  Watched Barney
9.  Played with telescope
10.  Lost shoes, the remote, puzzle pieces, socks, cars, Barbie shoe
11.  Spilled chocolate milk (see #2 and 3 above) all natural soy
12.  Put ponytails in Maddie and Barbie
13.  Changed poopie pants - twice
14.  Found the Tupperware cupboard
15.  Hid all Stewart's toys
16.  Had Time-Out
17.  Made cookies
18.  Lunch
19.  Had help with dishes
20.  Put on shoes, took off shoes, put on shoes, etc
21.  Pulled out ponytails
22.  Played hide-n-seek in the pantry (I won)
23.  Went for walk
24.  NAP TIME for one
25.  Quiet time for another
26.  Talked to Momma on the phone four times (really she's not worried one bit.)

So, thinking there would be some respite for me I was looking forward to nap/quiet time.  Then Opa came home for lunch.  Then Charles from UPS brought more work for Oma.  Jack got to check out the truck and the squeals of delight and horn honking woke up someone else.....But that's okay we have all afternoon.  AND five more days.....

If I could figure out the camera, there would be pics.  Maybe tomorrow......

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter!

I was super excited for this Easter, because last year Madeline was too young to really get into her Basket and Egg Hunting, and with each year that passes, Jack gets more and more excited for Holidays.

Here they are last Easter:



In the Kirbyface household the Easter Bunny Hides your basket.
Jack's was behind the couch.
Madeline's was a bit easier on the side table.

They both took the same amount of time to find them.

Madeline was a big fan of her chocolate bunny
She also loved her new Barbie and her matching sunglasses

Jack loved his Cookies....
I cannot confirm nor deny that Madeline's new toy was tested by others......

After Baskets at home, it was time to Hunt for Eggs at MiMi's and Gumpy's

Maddie was a natural...


With some assistance....




The whole gang came out to watch





My Mother in Law always sets the nicest table

She made Ina's Glazed Ham
It was Delicious!
(This was our first Holiday in her newly remodeled Kitchen -which is a Chef's DREAM- I'm looking forward to assisting with many, many more meals there)

We had to head home early.....

This week is Spring Break for Jack and Madeline's daycare.

My Mom and Dad offered to take the kids for the week.
At the Lake....
They were packed and in the car by 4pm

Good Luck Mom and Dad!

We appreciate you!!!

This week...if she has time....maybe I can get her to be my guest blogger....

Since, I'll be home.....

alone....

with my Husband...

Hmmmmmm.....

;)

Happy Easter Everyone!!!