Time passes way too quickly. Two of my "babies" started kindergarten this week. They were both to call Grammy and let her know how their first day went. Alex called and started talking so fast, I had to get him to slow down a little so I could try and understand all that he was telling me. He colored, played, ate lunch, and generally loved his first day of school. I asked him if he had made some new friends. He told me yes and that he already had a girl friend. I replied, "Wow you already have a girl friend on the first day of school. What is her name?" He replied, "I don't know her name, but she is pretty. She had on a pink shirt and blue pants." I asked him last weekend if his teacher was young and pretty or older like his Grammy. He said old like me but a little pretty.
Hunter got to work on a computer the first day. I asked if he liked being on the computer. His response was, "I liked it. I liked it a lot!" He has a beautiful young blonde teacher. This is her first year of teaching. I surely hope it will not be her last. The second day of school was Hunter's first day to get to ride the bus. Becca had it worked out with my father in-law. Hunter would ride the bus to Crit and Bobbie's house. Crit would meet the bus, and Hunter would spend an hour with him until Becca could pick him up. The bus driver pulled to the top of the hill and proceeded to stop. Hunter said, "No, no I am suppose to go home."
Bus Driver: "I thought this is where I was suppose to drop you off."
Hunter: "No, I am suppose to go home."
The bus driver proceeded on past Crit's house. Crit, wondering what was going on, jumped in the truck and followed the bus driver. They got to Hunter's house, and the bus driver noticed there was no one at home. Fortunately, Crit drove up and told her Hunter was to be dropped at their house. Hunter proceeded to tell them, no he wanted to go home after school was out. Crit took him back to his house and fixed him a couple of grilled cheese as they called Mom and discussed it. Hunter said the bus could stop there, but he was NOT getting off.
He finally apologized to his Pawpaw, agreed to get off the bus, and Pawpaw will pick him up on the four wheeler and fix him a snack.
I am still laughing!
LATER
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Baby Cherry
I found out yesterday that my grand baby coming in January is going to be a boy. When I got in the car yesterday there was a missed call on my cell from Jonda. I returned the call, and Carissa was on the phone. She told me she had been to the doctor with Mommy and Daddy. She said she got to see a picture of the baby in Mommy's tummy. I asked her if she knew what the baby was. She said it was a boy. At that point, I got a little choked up. I know that every parent just asks that they have a healthy baby and that each child is special and unique whether a boy or a girl, but I am so happy that Jonda and Travis will have the experience of raising a boy and a girl.
Beth and Travis live thousands of miles apart, but still have a bond that only a brother and sister can have. Carissa is going to be a good (make that great) big sister, because she is independent, likes to help, and has that take charge personality.
I remember one night when she was spending the night at the house with Hunter and Colton. They were going upstairs to play. I told Carissa she was in charge and to let me know if the boys were getting into something they should not be getting into. I could picture Colton climbing the book shelves, or climbing the toy bin to look over the ledge, etc. Hunter wouldn't tell on his brother until after a deed was done or a limb was broken, but I knew I could rely on my Carissa. This was confirmed as I listened to them going up the stairs. Carissa took her responsibility seriously as I heard her say, "Now remember boys, I am in charge!"
There have been so many things over the past four years that Carissa has said or done that we have shared between us, that have made us laugh, and taught us the simplicity of seeing things through the innocence of a child's eye. We will be going into a new phase of life with Baby Cherry as we watch and listen to the interaction of a new brother through Carissa's eyes. These past four and a half years have been such a joy with my Carissa, and this Grammy is so excited to move into the next phase of Carissa with a baby brother!
LATER
Beth and Travis live thousands of miles apart, but still have a bond that only a brother and sister can have. Carissa is going to be a good (make that great) big sister, because she is independent, likes to help, and has that take charge personality.
I remember one night when she was spending the night at the house with Hunter and Colton. They were going upstairs to play. I told Carissa she was in charge and to let me know if the boys were getting into something they should not be getting into. I could picture Colton climbing the book shelves, or climbing the toy bin to look over the ledge, etc. Hunter wouldn't tell on his brother until after a deed was done or a limb was broken, but I knew I could rely on my Carissa. This was confirmed as I listened to them going up the stairs. Carissa took her responsibility seriously as I heard her say, "Now remember boys, I am in charge!"
There have been so many things over the past four years that Carissa has said or done that we have shared between us, that have made us laugh, and taught us the simplicity of seeing things through the innocence of a child's eye. We will be going into a new phase of life with Baby Cherry as we watch and listen to the interaction of a new brother through Carissa's eyes. These past four and a half years have been such a joy with my Carissa, and this Grammy is so excited to move into the next phase of Carissa with a baby brother!
LATER
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
School
It seemed only yesterday that my own children were in school. Travis did not miss a day of school until he was in third grade. One morning I woke him up, and when he came into the kitchen I notice his face looked really flushed. He had 102 fever. I told him to get back in bed. He was not going to school. It was at that point that the war was on. As sick as he was, he was refusing to stay home. He had perfect attendance and had no intention of missing school. I felt so bad for him, because he was so proud of having perfect attendance, but at the same time my little guy was so sick.
Now I have two of my little people starting school. Alex and Hunter both get to meet with their teachers this week. They have all their school supplies, new clothes, and shoes ready to go. I do not know when kindergarten became an all day class, but both boys go to school all day. When my kids went to school, you either went in the morning or the afternoon for kindergarten.
Crystal is not working at this time, since Aubrey is due in November. She has all of Alex's clothes ironed. (I could never be bored enough to iron!) Alex will not be riding the bus. He is excited, but really nervous about starting school.
Hunter will be riding the bus. He will ride to Papaw Campbell's house to wait for Mom to pick him up. He is not really looking forward to school but is excited about riding the bus. He received a post card from his new teacher telling him how excited she is to have him in her class. I think it is wonderful that the teacher took the time to send each of her new students a card.
Hunter, Alex, Carissa, and Colton are all so eager to learn, to do it by themselves, to create with their hands and their imagination, to be competitive, and each one so compassionate. I count my blessings that they have such wonderful parents who give them the love and opportunity to be themselves. I am a truly blessed grandparent!
LATER
Now I have two of my little people starting school. Alex and Hunter both get to meet with their teachers this week. They have all their school supplies, new clothes, and shoes ready to go. I do not know when kindergarten became an all day class, but both boys go to school all day. When my kids went to school, you either went in the morning or the afternoon for kindergarten.
Crystal is not working at this time, since Aubrey is due in November. She has all of Alex's clothes ironed. (I could never be bored enough to iron!) Alex will not be riding the bus. He is excited, but really nervous about starting school.
Hunter will be riding the bus. He will ride to Papaw Campbell's house to wait for Mom to pick him up. He is not really looking forward to school but is excited about riding the bus. He received a post card from his new teacher telling him how excited she is to have him in her class. I think it is wonderful that the teacher took the time to send each of her new students a card.
Hunter, Alex, Carissa, and Colton are all so eager to learn, to do it by themselves, to create with their hands and their imagination, to be competitive, and each one so compassionate. I count my blessings that they have such wonderful parents who give them the love and opportunity to be themselves. I am a truly blessed grandparent!
LATER
Friday, August 13, 2010
Hair
As an adult, we all have good hair and bad hair days. I was thinking today, at what age does this obsession with hair begin. We cut, curl, straighten, color, and style our hair. This think process began, when I took Hunter for a hair cut today. He wanted to look through the books. HUH? He wanted a rock star hair cut. He is a five year old little boy. A rock star hair cut? We finally agreed on something we thought the hair dresser could work with. I had to blow dry his hair and put stuff on it to make it stand straight up after his shower tonight. He had to go show his Pawpaw how handsome he looked.
My beautiful Carissa refuses to wear anything in her hair. I heard that a pair of barrettes that one of her dog's wear was in her hair all of a few seconds. Last summer I managed to get her to put a band with bow on it, that matched a new gown, long enough to take a picture to send Mommy and Daddy. When we wash her hair, it must be blown dry as soon as she is out of the shower. Absolutely dry. She pats her head all over with her hand to be sure no spots are still damp. We were at my mother-in laws house once, and I had four kids I was bathing. I tried to slide by and told her I didn't think Mamaw had a blow drier. We would just let it dry naturally. Her response was, "Go ask." Needless to say, we got Mamaw's dryer and dried Carissa's hair. She keeps her hair in a beautiful bob around her face.
Alex has been picky about how his hair is styled since he was about three. He wants his hair standing straight up with gel in it like Hunter has now decided he wants his. He has his hair razor cut on the sides, but cut with scissors on top like his Dad.
I do not believe Colton cares much about his hair, but if we were talking shoes; I could fill a page on his obsession and love for shoes!
It is amazing how set it their ways these little people already are on how they want their hair.
LATER
My beautiful Carissa refuses to wear anything in her hair. I heard that a pair of barrettes that one of her dog's wear was in her hair all of a few seconds. Last summer I managed to get her to put a band with bow on it, that matched a new gown, long enough to take a picture to send Mommy and Daddy. When we wash her hair, it must be blown dry as soon as she is out of the shower. Absolutely dry. She pats her head all over with her hand to be sure no spots are still damp. We were at my mother-in laws house once, and I had four kids I was bathing. I tried to slide by and told her I didn't think Mamaw had a blow drier. We would just let it dry naturally. Her response was, "Go ask." Needless to say, we got Mamaw's dryer and dried Carissa's hair. She keeps her hair in a beautiful bob around her face.
Alex has been picky about how his hair is styled since he was about three. He wants his hair standing straight up with gel in it like Hunter has now decided he wants his. He has his hair razor cut on the sides, but cut with scissors on top like his Dad.
I do not believe Colton cares much about his hair, but if we were talking shoes; I could fill a page on his obsession and love for shoes!
It is amazing how set it their ways these little people already are on how they want their hair.
LATER
Benihana
Sometime this pass year, Odie and I were talking about Benihana Restaurant, and Hunter wanted to know what Benihana was. I explained that it was a restaurant where they cooked at your table. He couldn't quite understand the concept but became obsessed with how they could cook at your table. He did not forget. Every time he came to stay, he wanted to know if we could go to where they cooked at your table. Finally two or three months ago, we took him and Carissa to a Benihana in Stafford. He was fascinated with the fire and the tricks the chef did. Carissa liked her fried rice, had a good time, but she was not as impressed as Hunter.
Every time we have had Hunter since then, he wants to know if we can eat at Benihana. This is a kid that can't remember his brother's guinea pig's name, but can remember Benihana. They opened a new restaurant in Lake Jackson within the past couple of years called Tokyo. We have heard good things about it, but had not had a chance to try it out. We took my parents and Hunter last night. This is one of the most awesome restaurants I have been in in a long time.
Besides the fact that the food was great, the look on Hunter's face was priceless. I enjoyed the chef, and enjoyed watching Hunter interact with the chef so much that I neglected to capture any pictures. Our chef was actually a Japanese/Mexican, but he was talented and funny. He went around the table and tried to let you catch rice in your mouth. Odie was the only that could catch it. Leave it to Odie to not waste any food. The chef let Hunter try three different times to catch it and two of the girls at the other end of the table caught it with their hands.
The chef showed us the definition of Japanese egg rolls. He took his large spatula and rolled the eggs down it. There was one fake egg that he acted like he accidentally threw at the birthday girl at the other end. He balanced and tossed an egg and then a shaker into his hat. He made a volcano with onions and then turned it into a locomotive with smoke coming out of it. The entire time, Hunter would go from laughing, wowing, and participating. My parents enjoyed watching him as he was mesmerized by the fire and imagination of our chef.
We all ate until we could hardly waddle out of the place. I would give this place five stars. The prices are not too bad, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the food is delicious! Hunter is already asking when can we go again.
LATER
Every time we have had Hunter since then, he wants to know if we can eat at Benihana. This is a kid that can't remember his brother's guinea pig's name, but can remember Benihana. They opened a new restaurant in Lake Jackson within the past couple of years called Tokyo. We have heard good things about it, but had not had a chance to try it out. We took my parents and Hunter last night. This is one of the most awesome restaurants I have been in in a long time.
Besides the fact that the food was great, the look on Hunter's face was priceless. I enjoyed the chef, and enjoyed watching Hunter interact with the chef so much that I neglected to capture any pictures. Our chef was actually a Japanese/Mexican, but he was talented and funny. He went around the table and tried to let you catch rice in your mouth. Odie was the only that could catch it. Leave it to Odie to not waste any food. The chef let Hunter try three different times to catch it and two of the girls at the other end of the table caught it with their hands.
The chef showed us the definition of Japanese egg rolls. He took his large spatula and rolled the eggs down it. There was one fake egg that he acted like he accidentally threw at the birthday girl at the other end. He balanced and tossed an egg and then a shaker into his hat. He made a volcano with onions and then turned it into a locomotive with smoke coming out of it. The entire time, Hunter would go from laughing, wowing, and participating. My parents enjoyed watching him as he was mesmerized by the fire and imagination of our chef.
We all ate until we could hardly waddle out of the place. I would give this place five stars. The prices are not too bad, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the food is delicious! Hunter is already asking when can we go again.
LATER
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Doll
I had the pleasure of Carissa's company a couple of days last week. My girl is all girl in some ways, but has a few tom boyish quirks. She doesn't care for Snow White, Cinderella, Minnie Mouse, or Sleeping Beauty; preferring Scooby, Pluto, Lightening McQueen, and Mickey Mouse. She refuses to wear dresses (although I recently saw her looking absolutely beautiful in a blue dress), and instead prefers shorts, jeans, and t shirts. Carissa has not been much on dolls preferring dogs instead. She dresses her dogs and has them all named.
We went to Walmart looking for some Crazy Eight and Go Fish cards to keep at Grammy's house. While we were there, we checked out the toys for some Christmas ideas. We went down an aisle and Carissa said, "Look at that doll Grammy." What? Grant it, the doll had a little dog. I asked Carissa if she wanted it. Her answer was, "Sure, Grammy." We got the doll that says mama and cries. We got a couple of outfits and a diaper bag filled with wet wipes, baby powder, juices, a bottle, spoon, and baby dish.
As we were walking to the car, I started throwing out girl names. She picked the name Jenny for her new baby. It may have changed by now, because she was having difficulty in remembering it. This was a girl's afternoon, and we were on our way to get pedicures. We pulled up to the nail salon. I was listening to something on the radio so was sitting there finishing listening to the news. I glanced back, and Carissa had gotten out of the car seat and was trying to secure her doll in it. She said her baby needed her seat belt on, so she wouldn't fall out when the door was opened. She left toys in her lap to play with while we had our nails painted. Carissa picked a pretty blue shade and had a little white flower painted on each of her big toes.
She played with her doll all afternoon, changing her clothes, feeding her, rocking her, and changing diapers. I had to hand her back to her Dad, so they could take Mommy to Sea World for her Birthday Weekend, but it was a wonderful day that I hated to see come to an end.
LATER
We went to Walmart looking for some Crazy Eight and Go Fish cards to keep at Grammy's house. While we were there, we checked out the toys for some Christmas ideas. We went down an aisle and Carissa said, "Look at that doll Grammy." What? Grant it, the doll had a little dog. I asked Carissa if she wanted it. Her answer was, "Sure, Grammy." We got the doll that says mama and cries. We got a couple of outfits and a diaper bag filled with wet wipes, baby powder, juices, a bottle, spoon, and baby dish.
As we were walking to the car, I started throwing out girl names. She picked the name Jenny for her new baby. It may have changed by now, because she was having difficulty in remembering it. This was a girl's afternoon, and we were on our way to get pedicures. We pulled up to the nail salon. I was listening to something on the radio so was sitting there finishing listening to the news. I glanced back, and Carissa had gotten out of the car seat and was trying to secure her doll in it. She said her baby needed her seat belt on, so she wouldn't fall out when the door was opened. She left toys in her lap to play with while we had our nails painted. Carissa picked a pretty blue shade and had a little white flower painted on each of her big toes.
She played with her doll all afternoon, changing her clothes, feeding her, rocking her, and changing diapers. I had to hand her back to her Dad, so they could take Mommy to Sea World for her Birthday Weekend, but it was a wonderful day that I hated to see come to an end.
LATER
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Carissa
This past weekend I was fortunate to get my only girl (till November) for the weekend. I picked her up Saturday on my way back from Louisiana. Pawpaw and I took her to see "Cats and Dogs" at the theatre. It was a great movie and there was a lot of giggling as the cats and dogs worked together to stop the most evil of cats.
We went down to TJ's near the mouth of the Brazos for dinner. There is a huge wonderful porch on the back of the restaurant where you can eat or just sit and enjoy the scenery. Carissa piled up in one of the Captain's chairs, and we watched the boats come through. There was a barge with a tug boat that passed through, boats with people tubing, and jet skies. She waved back at people and watched sand crabs crawling around on the bank. We kept asking her if she was ready to go, and we kept getting a "not yet" until almost dark.
Sunday we put together puzzles. She puts together 100 piece puzzles now. We played crazy eights. You can definitely tell she is my son's daughter. As I was getting dressed, I could hear her talking smack to her Pawpaw as they played crazy eights. We headed out to get her home to have dinner with her Grandma and Pa, but we had to make a couple of stops first. We had to stop at her favorite store, Target, to get a couple of puzzles. We took her to eat at Pei Wei. She loves their fried rice and edamame soy beans.
It has been a wonderful month to be a Grammy.
LATER
We went down to TJ's near the mouth of the Brazos for dinner. There is a huge wonderful porch on the back of the restaurant where you can eat or just sit and enjoy the scenery. Carissa piled up in one of the Captain's chairs, and we watched the boats come through. There was a barge with a tug boat that passed through, boats with people tubing, and jet skies. She waved back at people and watched sand crabs crawling around on the bank. We kept asking her if she was ready to go, and we kept getting a "not yet" until almost dark.
Sunday we put together puzzles. She puts together 100 piece puzzles now. We played crazy eights. You can definitely tell she is my son's daughter. As I was getting dressed, I could hear her talking smack to her Pawpaw as they played crazy eights. We headed out to get her home to have dinner with her Grandma and Pa, but we had to make a couple of stops first. We had to stop at her favorite store, Target, to get a couple of puzzles. We took her to eat at Pei Wei. She loves their fried rice and edamame soy beans.
It has been a wonderful month to be a Grammy.
LATER
Hunter and Colton
A couple of weekends ago we got to keep Hunter and Colton for the weekend. A friend of Odie's has a race car and invited us to watch him race. On the way we stopped to eat at the Boiling Pot in El Campo. The boys fed the ducks, turtles, and fish while we waited for our dinner. The atmosphere was wonderful, but the food left a lot to be desired this trip.
We carried the boys to the race track over in Edna. They got to sit in the race car and have their picture made. Just before the race was to start, there was a down pour of rain. We raced to the car and waited it out. The cars had to go around the track to dry it out. The boys stood by the fence, and Odie's friend would give a thumbs up to the boys every time he rounded the track.
An elderly gentlemen sat in a lawn chair at the end of the bench next to me. He sponsors students to A&M and was having the best time getting Colton to make the A&M sign. He kept saying he was going to have to sent up the funds for Colton's college, but hmmmm he never did get his information. The young woman with him said he puts students through A&M yearly. Oh well, we can dream can't we. I enjoyed watching Colton make an old man laugh.
When the races started, Colton would stand there waving the cars around the track saying, "Go car go. Go car go!" Since the races were over two hours late starting, the night seemed to stretch on. I finally took the boys to car with the AC while Odie tried to hang with the races to see his friend race.
In the car, I told the boys they were going to take a bath with the wet wipes. They were hilarious as they bathed with the wet wipes and put their pj's on. Hunter took a better bath with his wet wipes than he does in the shower. He washed behind his ears and between his toes.
Before we knew it, the weekend ended; and we had to return them to Becca and Clint following a breakfast of pancakes and bacon at the IHOP. Hunter and I did manage to get a couple of games of memory in before he headed home, though.
Since they live so far away, it will be even more difficult to see them; BECAUSE my Hunter starts kindergarten this year. I have only been a Grammy for less than six years, but it is hard to imagine just how dull my life was before grandkids!
LATER
We carried the boys to the race track over in Edna. They got to sit in the race car and have their picture made. Just before the race was to start, there was a down pour of rain. We raced to the car and waited it out. The cars had to go around the track to dry it out. The boys stood by the fence, and Odie's friend would give a thumbs up to the boys every time he rounded the track.
An elderly gentlemen sat in a lawn chair at the end of the bench next to me. He sponsors students to A&M and was having the best time getting Colton to make the A&M sign. He kept saying he was going to have to sent up the funds for Colton's college, but hmmmm he never did get his information. The young woman with him said he puts students through A&M yearly. Oh well, we can dream can't we. I enjoyed watching Colton make an old man laugh.
When the races started, Colton would stand there waving the cars around the track saying, "Go car go. Go car go!" Since the races were over two hours late starting, the night seemed to stretch on. I finally took the boys to car with the AC while Odie tried to hang with the races to see his friend race.
In the car, I told the boys they were going to take a bath with the wet wipes. They were hilarious as they bathed with the wet wipes and put their pj's on. Hunter took a better bath with his wet wipes than he does in the shower. He washed behind his ears and between his toes.
Before we knew it, the weekend ended; and we had to return them to Becca and Clint following a breakfast of pancakes and bacon at the IHOP. Hunter and I did manage to get a couple of games of memory in before he headed home, though.
Since they live so far away, it will be even more difficult to see them; BECAUSE my Hunter starts kindergarten this year. I have only been a Grammy for less than six years, but it is hard to imagine just how dull my life was before grandkids!
LATER
Alex
One thing about not working is that I was able to spend more time with my grandkids this past year. A couple of times this summer I have picked up Alex and Crystal for a day or two. We have been to see Despicable Me and Toy Story. He jumped on the harnessed trampoline at the mall. We have shopped for school clothes and picked out onesy's for his new sister that will be arriving in November.
Crystal and I took him to Incredible Pizza for a birthday lunch and to Toys R Us to pick out his birthday present. He had decided that he was going to get a sister even before Crystal and Gus knew what the sex of the baby was. He helped to pick out baby girl onesy's. I told Crystal we would go ahead and get them. They could always be exchanged.
Crystal found out about a month ago that it was going to be a girl. She came home from the doctor and told Alex, "We are going to have a girl! You are going to get a little sister." Alex looked at her and said, "I know."
Alex's name starts with an "A" and they have been bouncing around girly names that start with "A". Crystal has already started calling our new girl Aubrey. She is still putting middle names with it, so we are not sure yet what the middle name will be. One of the names that came through their name bouncing was Allie. Crystal told Alex that they were going to name his sister Aubrey. Alex said, "No. We are going to name her Allie." Crystal said, "No, we are going to name her Aubry." Alex said, "Okay, but I'm going to call her Allie."
LATER
Crystal and I took him to Incredible Pizza for a birthday lunch and to Toys R Us to pick out his birthday present. He had decided that he was going to get a sister even before Crystal and Gus knew what the sex of the baby was. He helped to pick out baby girl onesy's. I told Crystal we would go ahead and get them. They could always be exchanged.
Crystal found out about a month ago that it was going to be a girl. She came home from the doctor and told Alex, "We are going to have a girl! You are going to get a little sister." Alex looked at her and said, "I know."
Alex's name starts with an "A" and they have been bouncing around girly names that start with "A". Crystal has already started calling our new girl Aubrey. She is still putting middle names with it, so we are not sure yet what the middle name will be. One of the names that came through their name bouncing was Allie. Crystal told Alex that they were going to name his sister Aubrey. Alex said, "No. We are going to name her Allie." Crystal said, "No, we are going to name her Aubry." Alex said, "Okay, but I'm going to call her Allie."
LATER
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)