Seeing as everyone else in the family has updated blogs, I had better do the same.
Christmas arrived early this year, with a gathering of the maternal clan a couple of days before the big man arrived. It was a lovely, relaxing dinner (at least for the guests. I am sure the hosts were a bit more frazzled!)
Then we were off down east to visit some people we had not seen in too long (6 months). Most of the time they were our granddaughters, but some of the time they were either lions or zebras. (This followed the "zoo" theme, a result of younger of the two wanting a "hippypotamus" from Santa. He happened to leave it under our tree, so we had to transport it to her house.)
Older granddaughter wanted to go outside, and following her cousin's lead, she tried to fit into Grandpa's shoes. Sorry, not yet. Keep growing!
As it was much milder where these two live than where we normally live, we were able to play outside, and to make sure the slide and swing still work. See later on for a short video of outside play.
This "little" dollhouse was one of the gifts the girls found on Christmas Day. It was bigger than they were! Aunties had sent little dolls for the house, not imagining how big it really was. Grandpa
loved putting on all those teeny tiny shoes!
Everyne read to everyone else. Grandma read (she looks a little the worse for wear here)...
Grandpa read...
and Big Sister read to Little Sister.
The girls had a great game called "Don't Wake Up Daddy!". "Daddy" bolts upright in bed at unexpected moments. Older granddaughter loved it, but younger granddaughter wasn't quite so sure!
And now, two short videos. One is, as promised, the girls playing outside on their deck. After that, we present for your viewing pleasure, the singers and dancers of St. T.
Inspired by a visit from one from the west (who actually thought it was cold here- how soon they forget!) we had a gathering of the clan to celebrate the birthdate of the patriarch. It was a come and go dinner. Lots of food, presents and a span of over 80 years between the youngest and the oldest.
Some gifts included apparel and odds 'n ends for the drives on the Florida golf cart. Note the fingerless gloves! The walkie talkies were the biggest hit. Now if only the range stretched from here to Florida.
The man of the hour had lots of help opening presents. The young man's true colours came through. He must have his grandfather's genes, as he cleaned up and discarded wrapping almost instantaneously.
Happy birthday Poppa! I wonder if the fellow turning 18 at the end of this week wants the same kind of celebration? I think he'll pass on the fingerless gloves, but he might like the restaurant gift certificates!
