I had Carissa and Hunter in the car heading to the mall a few days ago. There were some maintenance trucks of some kind in the median. I hadn't really paid much attention to them, but Carissa said, "I just hate to see that."
Hunter said, "Don't say that word. It is a bad word."
Grammy, "Huh? What, what is a bad word?"
Hunter replied, "Hate is a bad word."
I asked Carissa what it was that she hated to see. She answered, "I hate to see trucks broke down on the side of the road."
I explained to both kids that hate, the way Carissa used it was not a bad word. If you use the word hate as in, I hate you, I hate my Brother, Mother, or Grammy; then it is a bad word. They were both listening and I felt very proud of myself of distinguishing the difference in the way the word is used on a level that a three and four year old can comprehend.
About thirty seconds of silence ensued, and I heard from the backseat, "Hate is a bad word." I gave up and changed the subject.
Tonight we have all three of them. Pawpaw picked up Carissa on his way in from the airport, and I already had Alex and Hunter. They played "Monster" with flashlights, did the Boogie Man with Pawpaw, ate Popsicles, and watched a movie. Pawpaw checked a lot of oil among giggles tonight.
We all piled into bed, yes all, Carissa, Hunter, Alex, Pawpaw, Shasta, and me. Boogie Man and giggles continued as we tried to get the kids to wind down. Everyone had been quiet for about 10 minutes when someone tooted. I just ignored it hoping that they were all already asleep, but of course that would have been too easy.
The first one to say anything was Hunter. He wanted to know what was that, but he knew. Pawpaw let out a laugh, so I knew who the culprit was. That wound Carissa up with, what is that smell. Everyone erupted in giggles. Carissa had evidently covered her head, because she asked if the smell was gone. We said yes. This set off a whole other range of questions. Carissa wanted to know where the smell went. I tried to explain that it dissipated/disappeared. It was not enough of an explanation for Carissa,
Carissa, "But where Grammy? Where does it disappear to?"
Grammy, "In the air Carissa. It disappears into the air."
Carissa, "But where in the air, Grammy?"
Grammy, "Let's go to sleep now, we will talk about it in the morning."
LATER
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Toddlers?
At what point did my babies become such wonderful little people? They are growing so fast. Yesterday morning when Hunter woke up he rocked with Grammy while he was slowly waking up. Running through my mind...is this the last time he'll want to climb up in my lap and rock for a while. When did I stop rocking and singing him and Carissa to sleep? When did they slip from being my babies to being these amazing little people that having me laughing till I cry? The only thing that keeps me from being sad is that I realized as I sat on the back porch last night watching them play is that we are moving on to another phase of new adventures together.
This mind process of mine continued yesterday when Hunter said, "I think we need to call Carissa to come stay tonight." I asked him if he wanted to call. (I had already text and cleared with Travis for her to stay.) He said yes, he wanted to call. WHAT? Hunter never wants to talk on the phone! I made the call and handed him the phone. He asked to speak to Carissa and told her we would pick her up at 2:30. We were running late and he even talked to Jonda and let her know we were on FM518.
We picked Carissa up and checked out her cool new room. Carissa had already been to her favorite Target, but was ready to stop again for a blue icee. Shasta got some more treats, Carissa and Hunter each got a new movie, another surprise for me instead of "blue icee" they both chose cherry cola icee, and they picked out a couple of snacks.
I asked if they wanted to run into Angleton to the store to get some carrots, because I was out. No they wanted to go to Grammy's and play. They did not even want to go in the house. Out came the airplanes, dozier, helicopters, dump trucks, fire engineer, and their little people. I fixed them drinks and sat out on the patio for over two hours watching their interaction, sharing (yes Moms, sharing), and imaginations at work. They made dirt cakes with chalk for candles, they had plane and helicopter crashes with emergency rescues, built small sandcastles from cups all along the patio, and drew chalk pictures.
In the midst of all this playing Becca called for her daily check in on Hunter. Hunter was not talking, he was working. Carissa went over to him and said, "Hunter when you stay at Grammy's, you have to talk to your Mom everyday and tell her what you are doing." Hunter finally came and told Becca he loved her. The picture of Carissa telling Hunter how it should be will keep me smiling through the winter.
I finally managed to get their baths, get them some supper, and move on to painting their banks we had bought. The banks were to be painted with marker puff colors. Carissa had a cow and Hunter a chicken. We sat at the table and painted and talked for about an hour. Hunter finished, but my painter Carissa wanted to move on and paint everything. It took a little persuasion to get her to hold off on the plaster characters to paint with acrylics until tomorrow.
Carissa and her Pawpaw started a couple of new silliness when we were in Illinois and just because her Pawpaw was not here last night did not mean it would not be continued. We had to play "Boogie Man" where Carissa and Hunter took turns knocking and shrieking as we were trying to settle down for the night, saying it was the "Boogie Man" a knocking. I had to check Carissa's oil at least three times before she settled down. Pawpaw raises their arms and tickles them telling them he has to check their oil. I stood in for you last night Pawpaw, but you will have step up to the plate this weekend. Be prepared to check a lot of oil and ready to knock for the "Boogie Man" to the tune of shrieks and laughter out of your grand kids.
They are both sound asleep here next to me, along with Shasta sprawled out, but they will be up shortly to enjoy another wonderful day with their Grammy. As I sit here waiting for them to wake up, I take a minute to thank my God in the wonderful blessings that he has given me in the family that he has made me a part of.
LATER
This mind process of mine continued yesterday when Hunter said, "I think we need to call Carissa to come stay tonight." I asked him if he wanted to call. (I had already text and cleared with Travis for her to stay.) He said yes, he wanted to call. WHAT? Hunter never wants to talk on the phone! I made the call and handed him the phone. He asked to speak to Carissa and told her we would pick her up at 2:30. We were running late and he even talked to Jonda and let her know we were on FM518.
We picked Carissa up and checked out her cool new room. Carissa had already been to her favorite Target, but was ready to stop again for a blue icee. Shasta got some more treats, Carissa and Hunter each got a new movie, another surprise for me instead of "blue icee" they both chose cherry cola icee, and they picked out a couple of snacks.
I asked if they wanted to run into Angleton to the store to get some carrots, because I was out. No they wanted to go to Grammy's and play. They did not even want to go in the house. Out came the airplanes, dozier, helicopters, dump trucks, fire engineer, and their little people. I fixed them drinks and sat out on the patio for over two hours watching their interaction, sharing (yes Moms, sharing), and imaginations at work. They made dirt cakes with chalk for candles, they had plane and helicopter crashes with emergency rescues, built small sandcastles from cups all along the patio, and drew chalk pictures.
In the midst of all this playing Becca called for her daily check in on Hunter. Hunter was not talking, he was working. Carissa went over to him and said, "Hunter when you stay at Grammy's, you have to talk to your Mom everyday and tell her what you are doing." Hunter finally came and told Becca he loved her. The picture of Carissa telling Hunter how it should be will keep me smiling through the winter.
I finally managed to get their baths, get them some supper, and move on to painting their banks we had bought. The banks were to be painted with marker puff colors. Carissa had a cow and Hunter a chicken. We sat at the table and painted and talked for about an hour. Hunter finished, but my painter Carissa wanted to move on and paint everything. It took a little persuasion to get her to hold off on the plaster characters to paint with acrylics until tomorrow.
Carissa and her Pawpaw started a couple of new silliness when we were in Illinois and just because her Pawpaw was not here last night did not mean it would not be continued. We had to play "Boogie Man" where Carissa and Hunter took turns knocking and shrieking as we were trying to settle down for the night, saying it was the "Boogie Man" a knocking. I had to check Carissa's oil at least three times before she settled down. Pawpaw raises their arms and tickles them telling them he has to check their oil. I stood in for you last night Pawpaw, but you will have step up to the plate this weekend. Be prepared to check a lot of oil and ready to knock for the "Boogie Man" to the tune of shrieks and laughter out of your grand kids.
They are both sound asleep here next to me, along with Shasta sprawled out, but they will be up shortly to enjoy another wonderful day with their Grammy. As I sit here waiting for them to wake up, I take a minute to thank my God in the wonderful blessings that he has given me in the family that he has made me a part of.
LATER
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Month Two of Unemployment
I know that I will have to go back to work before much longer, but I am enjoying the time with my Grandbabies that I would otherwise not have. Wednesday afternoon Shasta and I headed out to Waskom to have a sleepover with Hunter and Colton. Becca has done an absolutely beautiful job of decorating her new home. It is at the end of a dead in street, so there is plenty of "safe" room for the boys to play outside. We headed into town and picked up a couple of movies to watch. Becca had made a roast that would melt in your mouth it was so tender, along with cornbread casserole and broccoli and cheese casserole with rolls and gravy.
Shasta woke Hunter and I up early, because she needed to go out. Hunter and I took his photo albums of his Georgia trip, Disney trip, and of his old day care in Bay City outside on the back porch; so we would not wake up anyone else. We went through each book going over the fun memories we had from those trips. Becca stuck her head out the door and told us good morning. She already had cinnamon rolls in the oven. Colton didn't want to wake up, so Hunter and I took Shasta in there to help us wake him up.
There is an alligator farm not far from where they live. We talked Becca into taking a couple of hours off from work and going with us. This is an awesome farm. There are all kinds of animals to feed. The boys fed a camel, baby zebra, longhorn cows, donkeys, baby goats, ducks, and kangaroos. The camel was funny. You had to hold your palm wide open, and she wrapped her mouth around your entire hand, very softly, to suck off the food. When it was feeding time for the alligators, a guy comes out with a five gallon bucket of food. He stands at the side and beats a few times on the bucket. It is amazing to watch the alligators all head to the "feeding area". He repeats this a few times until all the alligators are under the feeding area. He pours out some food, and the alligators literally were crawling over each other after the food. They both got to hold a baby alligator. Colton was not going to hold it, until he saw Hunter hold it. He walked right up and held it and then petted it. It was hot, but the place is covered in huge shade trees. Hunter headed back to Angleton to spend a few days with Grammy.
We spent yesterday at the beach in Galveston and swimming at Aunt Johnye's house. We rode over to Galveston and ate pizza at Mario's. The beach was not crowded and there was a nice breeze as we sat under an umbrella while Hunter dug in the sand. We drove back along Blue Water Highway through Surfside. I had not taken this route since Hurricane Ike. It was a beautiful drive along the beach, because all of the sand dunes in some areas were washed away and you had a clear view of the Gulf of Mexico. Where Ike had wiped out the road was all repaired, and the beach was about the cleanest that I have ever seen it. Aunt Johnye and Hunter went into Buccee's to get Hunter a float. I worry about Hunter and Aunt Johnye going alone to pick stuff out. I still have a small wooden souvenir bat from an Astros game put up in my closet to give Hunter when he is, lets say, about sixteen. I let her and Hunter go off by themselves at an Astros game and that is what they came back with. Hello, he has a little brother at home. You can imagine the images of what a three year old could do with a little brother and a wooden bat!! Hunter came out carrying a float in a box. He was so happy when he got in the car singing, "My funky banana!" Johnye bought a five foot yellow banana. I asked her if she realized it was five foot. Well, no not exactly. It all worked out though. Fortunately the hand held compressor was there in the garage, and between the three of us with a little help from Maggie we managed to get it inflated. It was a little bit of a chore to get it through the doors and the house. It looked huge in the pool. Hunter would ride on the top of the huge banana, and we would push him back and forth across the pool! Johnye figured Steve would get a laugh when he saw a giant banana in his swimming pool. They keep all their floats inflated in a shed at the side of the house, but I don't think the giant banana will fit in there.
It was a great day of laughter and memories with my sister and my Hunter.
LATER
Shasta woke Hunter and I up early, because she needed to go out. Hunter and I took his photo albums of his Georgia trip, Disney trip, and of his old day care in Bay City outside on the back porch; so we would not wake up anyone else. We went through each book going over the fun memories we had from those trips. Becca stuck her head out the door and told us good morning. She already had cinnamon rolls in the oven. Colton didn't want to wake up, so Hunter and I took Shasta in there to help us wake him up.
There is an alligator farm not far from where they live. We talked Becca into taking a couple of hours off from work and going with us. This is an awesome farm. There are all kinds of animals to feed. The boys fed a camel, baby zebra, longhorn cows, donkeys, baby goats, ducks, and kangaroos. The camel was funny. You had to hold your palm wide open, and she wrapped her mouth around your entire hand, very softly, to suck off the food. When it was feeding time for the alligators, a guy comes out with a five gallon bucket of food. He stands at the side and beats a few times on the bucket. It is amazing to watch the alligators all head to the "feeding area". He repeats this a few times until all the alligators are under the feeding area. He pours out some food, and the alligators literally were crawling over each other after the food. They both got to hold a baby alligator. Colton was not going to hold it, until he saw Hunter hold it. He walked right up and held it and then petted it. It was hot, but the place is covered in huge shade trees. Hunter headed back to Angleton to spend a few days with Grammy.
We spent yesterday at the beach in Galveston and swimming at Aunt Johnye's house. We rode over to Galveston and ate pizza at Mario's. The beach was not crowded and there was a nice breeze as we sat under an umbrella while Hunter dug in the sand. We drove back along Blue Water Highway through Surfside. I had not taken this route since Hurricane Ike. It was a beautiful drive along the beach, because all of the sand dunes in some areas were washed away and you had a clear view of the Gulf of Mexico. Where Ike had wiped out the road was all repaired, and the beach was about the cleanest that I have ever seen it. Aunt Johnye and Hunter went into Buccee's to get Hunter a float. I worry about Hunter and Aunt Johnye going alone to pick stuff out. I still have a small wooden souvenir bat from an Astros game put up in my closet to give Hunter when he is, lets say, about sixteen. I let her and Hunter go off by themselves at an Astros game and that is what they came back with. Hello, he has a little brother at home. You can imagine the images of what a three year old could do with a little brother and a wooden bat!! Hunter came out carrying a float in a box. He was so happy when he got in the car singing, "My funky banana!" Johnye bought a five foot yellow banana. I asked her if she realized it was five foot. Well, no not exactly. It all worked out though. Fortunately the hand held compressor was there in the garage, and between the three of us with a little help from Maggie we managed to get it inflated. It was a little bit of a chore to get it through the doors and the house. It looked huge in the pool. Hunter would ride on the top of the huge banana, and we would push him back and forth across the pool! Johnye figured Steve would get a laugh when he saw a giant banana in his swimming pool. They keep all their floats inflated in a shed at the side of the house, but I don't think the giant banana will fit in there.
It was a great day of laughter and memories with my sister and my Hunter.
LATER
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