Grace Spending the Night

I am going to finally be caught up with my blog with this post.  I have been determined to do this today! Wayne even tempted me with going to Michaels Craft Store but I held firm!

Love my new drink!

Last night, Grace spent the night.  We took her to Red Robin for dinner.  She was chatty all the way!  Alison said she was excited all day!  I love that my grandkids look forward to coming here.

At Red Robin, Grace tried the "Very Berry Raspberry Limeade" and loved it!  She was so excited about her new drink and she gobbled up her mac and cheese and fruit cup.

If she wasn't chatty before, the limeade kicked in a few minutes and the chatty became the chattiest!

The waiter got a kick out of Grace and how she was going on about everything.

After we were done, we went to Critter Cabana Pet Store next to Red Robin.  Grace immediately found the puppies.  She held one terrier-poodle mix, a short hair chihuahua and a long hair chihuahua.  She fell in love with the long hair one.  I told her that we need to put him back into the pen.  She asked me how I knew if he was a boy.  There were two teenage boys standing there watching her.  I rolled over the pup to his belly.  Loudly and seriously, Grace exclaimed, "Penis!" pointing to that part.  The teens just about died--both red in the face and hold back laughter.  "Well," I said totally red in the face, "Let's go see the birds, Grace."

The things that kids say!

He's A-DOR-A-BLE!

We got home and changed into jammies and watched "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3". Eating popcorn and laughing all the way through.  The next morning, Grace got up and made my cup of tea (with Gramps) which both kids have done since they were toddlers.

She also helped Gramps with making breakfast.  She decorated my pancake with raspberries, blueberries and chocolate syrup.  It is a kitty pancake she said.  We ate and I loved my special pancake but most of all this precious time with Grace!

Nana's Special Pancake

Easter!

Easter was a blast with Larry, Alison, and Hunter and Grace here for lunch.  My "Grilled Mac & Cheese" wasn't quite up to par but Grace still said it was her favorite.  I got a 2# ham and it was just enough for all of us

.

The kids found their baskets (actually metal beach pails filled with all sorts of goodies) and proceeded to tear into them.

 ....and of course the grandpuppy, Misha, had to have a basket!  She loved her Beggin Strips and chewys!

Happy Happy Puppy!

Then it was out to the yard to find eggs.

Hunter was more into using his magnifying glass he got in his basket to check out tadpoles than hunting for eggs.

Papa, you're squishing me...giggle giggle.

It was such a delight to have all of them here for Easter--Larry, Alison, Hunter, Grace and of course, Misha!  Maybe one of these Easters Bob and Leslea can come too!

Grace's 5th Birthday ...ok, I am REAL late on this post :(

I am finally getting caught up on my blog backlog.  Sigh, I didn't realize I didn't post Grace's Birthday which was January 8--sorry, Miss G.

So, this will be mostly pictures.  I was still hobbling along with the knee brace.  I do remember that Miss G was thrilled about her birthday party that was held at her house!

Listen, Brother--this is my party!

Loving the presents!

Blowing the candles

It is a"Puppy Party" afterall!

Cousin Nate comes to save the day!

Serious opening gifts going on!

Uncle Bob & Aunt Leslea's gift

"What's that, Uncle Dan?  I have some serious chocolate cake to ear!"

Our little girl is 5!  Growing too fast!

Woot!  Woot! Shopping Money!!

Celebrating at Preschool

Thanks for the gift Hunter--gotta get back to the gifts!

St. Patrick's Day!

Grace's box for Nana's house

Every year, the grandkids and I make a "leprechaun trap" and this year is no exception!  Grace made two. One for my house and one for hers.  She wanted to make sure that she had both covered.  She took pride in decorating it and putting in it sparkly things, yarn (for the leprechaun to play with), some gold (a gold medal from Special Olympics) and other little trinkets to lure the leprechaun into the box.

Grace said that she thought her leprechaun was a girl named "Sparkles" and maybe her twin sister, "Glitter" was mine.  So, I of course used my imagination to make it fun.  After we made the traps, the next day I went over to her house and left a "message from Sparkles".

I decorated Sparkles' note with glitter and twirls and green shamrocks.  The day after that, the kids came to my house.  Grace was excited to tell me she got a letter from Sparkles!  It had glitter all over and she really liked Sparkles' handwriting because "it looks like yours, Nana!"

I told Grace I got a letter from Glitter and that Glitter said that she would come the Saturday before St. Pat's Day to see if we could catch her.  We always have the kids spend the night that Saturday.

Saturday night, both Hunter and Grace secured the trap.  Though I think that Hunter is onto it now that he is older.  The next morning, bright and early, Grace got up to check the trap, Hunter slept.

She was thrilled to see a note from Glitter....and some treats!!

After Sparkles visited her on St. Pat's Day, she wanted to write a note for them.  I helped her on the spelling and she decorated with hearts--this little gal loved the gifts left behind.  You see, it is our tradition that if the leprechaun gets caught, in order to get free, she has to leave gifts behind.  Love these traditions!

Hunter's 7th Birthday!

Hunter and his best buds

Excited about the Leaning Tower of Pisa Lego building set!

Whoa--7, I can't believe it!  It seems just yesterday that my little man turned 1!  He has grown so much physically and mentally--he is more like a mini-teen.  Love him bunches!

He celebrated with family and friends at the bowling alley where we coach Special Olympics. Hunter loved his party but also wanted a family dinner with all of us.  Usually "family dinners" include just the Robinsons, not us.  I would love to have a family dinner once a month here but seems that that is like catching the wind.

Family dinner was fun and Hunter enjoyed the time.  We all got a real treat too!  When I picked up Hunter at school, his teacher told me that Hunter gave a singing debut to the class.  He sung "Red River Valley" and everyone in class applauded.  I was standing down the hall from the class when Grace heard Hunter sing (I didn't hear) and she kept telling me about it.  Dang, my hearing is old, what can I say.  But, that evening, Hunter sang for all the family.  It was a special gift and he has a beautiful voice just like his mom.

At the Family Dinner-the centerpiece was the Lego building sets he built.

Lunch with the Girls

Patty and Kathy

Today, I had lunch and Goodwill shopping with Patty and Kathy.  We have done this for years and I do enjoy their company.  Though this time, Kathy's memory is going and has been driving me crazy.  She has called twice each day for the past week asking when and where we are going and if she needs money.  I need to be more patient.  She is older and I know that the LORD will take her in the coming years.  So, I need a new attitude to take over.

We went to Sweet Tomatoes--and it is always my treat!  I had extra coupons and gave them to a family just down from Alaska who appreciated it with their family of five.

Patty gave me quite a scare midway through our lunch. She choked on some food, spit up a little and I thought she was okay but later she said her neck hurt and was in tears.  I took her to the bathroom since it sounded like she wanted to throw up and not at the table.  She could talk so, I didn't think it was life threatening but still I was concerned.  Kathy had gotten up earlier to get more food, so, I grabbed our purses and helped Patty to the bathroom.

I went into the stall with her.  I was seconds away from doing the Heimlich on her.  She struggled but finally ended up coughing up one of those fried Chinese noodles she had on her salad. It was a good sized one and probably got stuck in her throat. Poor girl.  She turned to me and said, "Yep, I feel better now, Dena."

We went back to our table to see it was cleared and Kathy was just sitting down.  That's when I noticed that my phone was missing!  I scrambled into my purse to find it with no luck.  I had been so concerned about Patty, I totally spaced on my cell phone.  One of the girls who works there was helping me find it when I discovered it in the bottom of my purse.  Yes, I felt like a fool but I was grateful to find it.

Okay, two stress events within ten minutes, I had to do the only thing I could do.  I went and got the fudge brownie and frozen yogurt AND the lemon mudslide for comfort!  Not good but I was good earlier and I did feel better after and...I walked a lot at Goodwill to help the extra calorie load.

Okay, LORD, the new attitude is coming along well...whoa, what a day!

"Our Demon Radio"

The alarm didn't go off this morning; usually Wayne will wake up at 7 am and I get up after he brings me my tea--yes, I'm spoilt.  However, I woke and rolled over to ask Wayne what time it was.  He looked at our "Demon Radio" and said, "8:30"  I call it our "Demon Radio" because sometimes it has does strange things with the time, namely doing it's own Daylight Savings time several times a year.

There wasn't much time to make it to church and we didn't go unfortunately. I did my morning ritual of shower, wake up and check the computer for messages, etc.  Olivia waited patiently for me to finish my bowl of oatmeal.  Yes, her and I have our routine and it must not be messed with.  Olivia laid in her basket on my art table in my art room.  She knew I would spread out my Bible and study books and begin my morning time with the LORD.

Before I can start, she demands some attention but when I open my Bible, she retreats to her box where she watches and purrs for the rest of my quiet time.  I have been mostly faithful to this routine even when the kids are here.  Sometimes, Hunter is on my computer behind me.  He is respectful of my time and doesn't bother me until I am done--love that boy!  One time, Grace came in and asked me something--Hunter was quick to say, "Gracie, it's Nana's prayer time!"

Grace asked me one time why I need to do my Bible Study.  My reply was that it is important that I spend time with Jesus..  After that she has been good to leave me alone while I have this time. She even came in one time while I was praying.  My eyes were closed and I peaked out of them to see her looking patiently into my eyes, waiting for me to be done. I barely held back my feelings having this little one part of my prayers.  I am glad that I am showing them the importance of quiet time with the LORD and pray that they too will develop the routine.

Back to my "Demon Radio".  So, after my study and cleaning up a little, I happened to look at the clock on the microwave.  It read "8:45", so, I asked Wayne again what time was it when we woke up?  "8:30 am" his answer again.  I went into our bedroom and looked at the Demon Seed and sure enough, it read, "9:45 am".  Mystery solved, we got suckered again by this Devil Child. Sigh.  I think I am going to have to have a backup clock next to it for the next event and yes, there will be another event.  I could have sworn I heard a snicker from that radio.

Rock Daphne

In memory of my Aunt Lucy, I planted a rock daphne surrounded by metal tulips.  I do this in honor of those I loved dearly who have passed away.  I placed it in front of the honeysuckle that I planted when her son, Mark, my cousin was murdered in Angola several years ago.

It was overcast as I planted the Daphne but as soon as it was planted, the sun shone.  I do believe Auntie Lucy approves of the plant.  I can hear her say, "Lovely!"

I don't know why I selected this plant.  It just appealed to me on my search.  There were other daphnes there in bloom.  This one has a lot of buds and will soon have a lot of fragrant flowers.

The last daphne I planted was at my previous house.  I got it in honor of my Dad when he entered Heaven.  Unfortunately, when I moved out of the house, I forgot to dig it up.  I was so upset but when I moved into my new house but I received a wonderful blessing.  There by the front door blooming and fragrant was a daphne fully grown!  I hadn't noticed it since it hadn't bloomed before I moved in.  I may have forgotten but the LORD didn't.  Now when this one blooms, I think of my Dad in heaven and how the LORD provided.

Aunt Lucy

My Mom (in white coat) and Aunt Lucy (blue coat) in UK.

My heart is heavy, I feel like I am in a fog.  This morning, my mom called to tell me that my favorite aunt, Aunt Lucy passed away in England at 6:30 am British time.  I couldn't react much because I couldn't believe it. I was driving and somehow fumbled and put her on speaker.  First, to see my mom's phone number on caller ID sets me in a panic. She never calls unless it is bad news. Since my mom, sister and brother are all in poor health, I feared the worst.

Mom was reflecting on my dad's death--he came home from the hospital on April 1 and died on the 5th twenty eight years ago.  I was very concerned about her since she was so close to Lucy, her oldest sister.  But I had to concentrate on getting Hunter and Wayne to school safely so I dealt with it.

When I got home, tears flowed.  I walked for an hour and tried to find peace in the Christian music that was coming through my earphones.  Memories of being with my dear aunt raced through my head.

My sister called while I was walking--I was glad she did.  I asked her to stay close to Mom and she shared her concern about her too.  I told her that Mom needs her.  Truth is yes, Mom needs her but also, my sister needs something to do where she doesn't focus on her pain....just like me.

When I got home, I called Mom and talked longer.  I told her that what I really wanted for my birthday is for her to visit us.  She said she would and that made me feel better.  I offered to pay her way.  Mom is going to be 86 years old this year. She may live into her nineties but the odds of that happening with her health is not good.  I am scared of losing her.

I loved my Aunt Lucy and will miss her greatly. She was an amazing woman and full of life. She visited me in Oregon and I went to visit her in England a couple of times. Loved her so much!  The last couple of years dementia had it's toll on her.  She wasn't the same.  Now, she has entered Heaven's Gate and is before my LORD and Savior .... grief is temporary compared to the joy of knowing she is there.