An afternoon with the boys

Rissy had a few errands to run this afternoon as well as an appointment.  This meant I got to see the boys on Spring Break.  She brought them over at 3:30 and we set straight to task making cupcakes.  I wanted them for dessert.  While the cupcakes were baking the boys played with all the cool toys at Grandma's while I got to observe.  

Diz, rummaging through the toy box discovered a toy that had never been tested...a water toy.  he announced that he needed his bath.  I figured he may as well have it before dinner than after.  Bean decided he would take his in the other tub so that he might relax and "practice his breathing technique for Great Wolf".  SO with both boys happily in the tub I set out to finish dinner.  Jeff walked in just as Diz was getting tired of playing in the tub but I was engaged with dinner.  Lucky for me Jeff went and tended to Diz.  Dinner was good but the creme de la cream was dessert.  I gave each person a plate with frosting on it, and a shaker bottle of sprinkles.  They had such fun decorating their cupcakes, and eating them that Diz took a second bath!  

After brushing and flossing their teeth, we all sat around and played Play-dough.  I had so much fun watching them create, squish and recreate..the circle of life simplified, producers (what they made), consumers (play-dough food), and decomposers all in one package...little boys, not forgetting the oldest boy, Jeff:-)  Bean created an island from his Play-dough and appreciated the various colors, still separate, as opposed to the brown that is left at home.  Diz doesn't know how to keep the colors pure yet.  This is is rather elaborate island.

When Rissy showed up we had a a few minutes chat with her which was nice, but it was late and time for her to get the boys, who were already tubbed and scrubbed home and in bed.  All in all it was a really nice afternoon and evening.

A warm front from Minnesota

I love unexpected treasures:-)  Today I had lunch with Jean and her niece Lynn at he Olive Garden.  What an treat!  The food was fine, the waitress was attentive without being intrusive, the ambience quiet as we were seated in a portion of the restaurant alone for the most part.  

Lynn shared with me that she got a fortune cookie that read she "would receive something good in 3 months"  Unbeknownst to her, three months to the day, her aunt would show up all the way in Portland from Minnesota.

We shared memories, some laughter, a tear here and there, stories, and that warm and fuzzy glow I get in her presence.  I feel blessed that with all her relatives in the surrounding area, she would take the time to see me.  The timing was perfect as we were on Spring Break so I had the afternoon to lunch with the ladies and reminisce.

When Amy had to leave Jeff and I so many years ago, I asked that Amy be placed in loving arms and a loving home if she couldn't be with us.  Our prayers were answered as Amy spent her teenage years with Jean and Don.  Little did I know that her grandmother would be so important in my life as well.

Oh, and check out my new sassy do!  SO much easier to take care of!

Dogs and Kids

Wednesday was an absolutely perfect day weather wise, so I took the kids to the bike path for a ride during our lunch break.

Diz has always been instructed that he must first ask the owner permission before he approaches a dog to pet it.  So there were several opportunities to practice this during their time at the path as all the owners were taking their dogs for walks.

We rode for awhile then the boys had to stop to let me catch up to them.  While they were waiting for me, an Asian toddler, about two years old I would guess, was mesmerized by Dizzy's bike which has a shark painted on the frame as well as other shark details.  Diz watched this child with curiosity, presumably wondering what was so fascinating about his bike.  This child stroked the bike walking around all sides etc.  Diz then got off his bike, walked toward the grandfather of the child and politely asked..."May I pet him?"  Bean and I howled!

We can't figure out if he thought of this child as an animal or was asking permission to stroke his head as he so often will do with littler children than himself.

Hannah's Cookies:-)

Some days it only take a small change to make one feel accomplished.  So I went to the store for my Dad to get him more No Time for Colds, and in route decided I would get Jeff something as well...ingredients for his dearly beloved Hannah's Cookies, loosely translated...Sandy's Chocolate Chip Cookies.  

I have tried to make them before but was missing an ingredient.  Never the less, I had tried to make them before which was met with "Welllll, they're good but their not Sandy's Cookies." Grrrr, I had even used her recipe!  Anyway Jeff needed a little extra TLC so I decided it would come in the form of Tasty Little Cookies. It was such a feeling of accomplishment to have Jeff say "Mmm" and know that I did a little something to make him feel a little better.  

So, dinner was made, cookies were baked from scratch and we settled in to start on a jigsaw puzzle that evening.  Jigsaw puzzles usually result in stimulating conversation which is an added bonus:-)

I scream...you scream

Okay I don't scream, but some days I'd like to:-)  I just had  one of those memorable moments with my youngest grandson Diz.  I took him for a spur of the moment, no reason ice cream.  He selected the spot we would sit while I got the ice cream.  It turned out that we sat in the very same place and Bean and I did when he was just about the same age.  It really makes you reflect on just how quickly time does indeed pass, even though it seems to drag at times.  I really enjoyed sitting there and watching him really enjoy his ice cream.