Take us out to the ball game!

Beautiful warm night, lots of action, new hats, and a Goldeyes win!  Thanks for this.

And in with the new...

Too cute...and quite true!

Comment by our grandson to a friend, " My grandma and grandpa were going to go to China, but then my grandma had no hair."
Wonder what he thinks about that whole episode!

Some of the Great Dads We Know

                                     Happy Father's Day!

Out with the old...

What We Have Been Doing So Far...

 We are on Day Three of four days with our middle two grandchildren, and we have been busy.  Here are some of the things we have been doing.  We did vegetable printing while wearing two of grandma's old shirts (thank goodness).

 In the process, one young man became part of the Blue Man Group.  At least it washed off!

 We made and ate chicken lollipops.  As Grandpa says, everything is better on a stick. We took Auntie Debbie's suggestion and went on a nature walk to collect interesting things, then put them in a pie plate covered with water and froze them.  The next day we hung them up outside to see how long it would take for them to melt.  Grandma's prediction was closest.

We went to Kildonan Park, and were able to play for about an hour before the rains came down. 

Later that afternoon, a cousin came over to have a sleep while his parents and sister had to go out.  When he woke up, he joined his favourite cousin to watch Cars 2 on Grandpa's new T.V.

We made our own pizza dough and added the toppings we wanted.

We also (in no particular order) went to KP mall to play there for a little bit because it was raining outside, had bubble gum ice cream, read lots of stories, played Candyland and Guess Who?, rode bikes around the block, played with the toys downstairs, watched morning cartoons, went swimming at the Y...whew!  Who knows what we will do tomorrow?

Reminders

Every so often I am reminded of how fortunate I am.  This past month has been filled with those reminders.

First, I am fortunate to be healthy.  I know so many people it seems who are struggling with some form of illness.  Many are fighting what seem to be insurmountable odds, and are bravely facing each new day and each new challenge.  I catch myself every once in a while feeling somewhat down in the dumps, (news of an impending root canal was the latest event that caught me unawares), but in the bigger picture things are pretty darn good.  My heart goes out to those I know, and to those I don't, who aren't as fortunate as I am at this point in my life. I know that they and everyone in their families are managing to cope, but the price of just getting up and getting through each day is tremendous.
 
Second, I am fortunate to have healthy children and grandchildren.  We welcomed a new sweet girl to our growing family two weeks ago, and she arrived perfect in every way.  At the same time, one friend welcomed a first grandchild home after 76 days in Neonatal Intensive Care.  Having arrived three months before she should have, this wee one has fought huge battles already, and her parents, grandparents and extended family have fought along with her.  The news is good now, but the roller coaster ride has been a long one.  Another best friend is back at the hospital with her oldest grandchild, a brave young woman who has fought medical battles her entire life, and continues to do so in the most admirable way one can imagine.  It is not only these children I admire - I admire their families, their parents and grandparents who work so valiantly to keep life as normal as possible for all their children, parents who hold down responsible jobs and manage to function in the midst of chaos, and who never lose hope even when things seem so hopeless.

Third, and this may not seem like a blessing but it is, the older folk in our family who needed a great deal of care over the past few years are at peace.  They don't need us any more, except to remember the good times we had with them.  Our remaining "elder", my mom, is fortunate in that she is healthy, independent, mobile, and of sound mind.  We are fortunate that she is so well, and is able to meet and enjoy each new great grandchild who arrives.  Wonder if I will be in the same place in 22 years?  If genes count, I just might be!

Fourth, and this should really be first, I have a partner who is always there.  He was there every minute of the last year, which was probably the most difficult we have had to face ever, but when things are good he is even more there.  He is there through ny moods, both up and down, through my frustrations, when I am happy and taking on new challenges and when the smallest thing is too much.  He is my rock.  I don't tell or show him that often enough.

What has brought on this reflection, this seeming melancholy?  Not sure, except that tonight I have the joy of tucking in two of our precious six grandchildren into beds in our house, and in spite of the fatigue brought on by activity my 62 year old body doesn't usually do, the conversations we have been having, the laughter I hear, the questions to which I don't have the answers, the hugs and kisses I am receiving, all make me profoundly grateful. Life is very good.