Sunday 27 January 2013

It's a Bronze!!

Yes indeed! Our oldest granddaughter Hailee was in her very first Floor Hockey tourament today and her team won the bronze, out of 20 teams!  She even got her very first goal! We were so excited for her and the rest of the girls. She almost looked like she was in shock when the goal went in the net....hehehe!

And here she is, sporting her Bronze Medal
Job well done Hailee! Can hardly wait until
next year's tournament :)
  
After sitting in a gym all day long on a folding metal chair, grandma was very happy that she had brought a fluffy blanket with her to sit on....hehehe!  It also brought back many, many memories of the times grandpa and grandma spent in arenas, gyms, ball fields and soccer fields following daddy and his brothers to every sport imaginable. They sure got involved in everything they could, and that meant that grandpa and I ended up driving along to watch and cheer on....and cheer I did, ringing my big old cow bell to get them going....hehehe! Like I said, great memories.
 
The happy team after their exciting win!
It was a close one, with Hailee's team
scoring the winning goal with only 15 seconds left
in the game....yeah girls!!

 
It was so nice to see Hailee win her first medal. She has really come out of her shell this past year and is getting involved in a lot of things.  She even got to read to the Day Care kids at her school last week. She's blooming into quite the little social butterfly and it's wonderful to see. We love it :)

Grandma is tired after our long day, but I wouldn't have given it up for the world.  Until your next event Hailee.

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo

Sunday 20 January 2013

You didn't just come for the beef, did you??

LOL...let me explain the post title!  A few days ago when visiting the grandkids (actually we were bringing Hannah her cleaned betta tank so she could put a new fish in that we bought to replace the one that wasn't "feeling well") our little guy Cade came running down the stairs saying "mama, mama...." and went on so quickly that all I got was, sleepover, Hannah, Sam, Saturday....hehehe!

Turns out that big sister Hailee was going to a friend's last night for a sleepover, Hannah was having a friend over for a sleepover last night and Cade decided that he was going to come to grandma and grandpa's house for a sleepover last night :) This decision by the way made Hannah very happy. She did not want her little brother around while her friend was there for a sleepover LOL!

Grandma thought she'd make roast beef for supper because Cade absolutely LOVES my roast beef with mashed potatoes, gravy and carrots. When I say he loves it, I mean he loves it. I've never seen a 4 year old get so excited about eating roast beef. McD's? Spaghetti? perhaps, but not roast beef LOL!

They all had swimming lessons yesterday morning at 9:00, so we told mom that we would just take Cade with us for the day too. Our DIL had a sinus lift on Thursday and needed some rest. Her face is swollen and she can't eat much but liquids.

So home we came with Cade in tow. He kept us going ALL day long. Wow that kid is busy...hehehe! I don't think I sat down once until it was time to eat that famous roast beef LOL! He went outside to help grandpa shovel the fresh snow we got, but not before giving me instructions for hot chocolate when they were done :)  He had to make sure it wasn't candy cane flavor too...hehehe...so he was happy.

When he and grandpa were done outside they came in and he helped me make their hot chocolate. He asked for marshmallows but this was one of the few times that I didn't have any in the cupboard. So instead, I looked in the fridge and surprised him with canned whipped cream...so yummy and so "good" for you....hehehe!

Then it was time to play, so it was on to "bears"...had to be in a dark room, or the sauna, and pretend bears were coming to get us LOL....Alphabet Bingo, cars, puzzles....then it was time for supper. He was so hungry that we were eating at 4:00 LOL!  Two helpings later, plus extra carrots on the side, he decided it was bath time...then he would have his ice cream that he and grandpa went to the store to buy. Cade had it all figured out :)

All was going well then he piped up...he wanted to go home to sleep.  We didn't push him and said he didn't have to go right away, but could decide later.  So we continued to play Alphabet Bingo and then cuddled on the couch to watch The Smurfs :)  He flip flopped about 3-4 times while watching the movie...I go home, I stay here, I go home, I stay here...you get the picture LOL! 

Grandma called mom to let her know that our company had decided to go home for the night so she said they would come pick him up.  By the time they arrived Cade was in "I go home" mode, so that's what he did.

So, now you may understand the post title....were grandpa and grandma just being used today for our roast beef dinner?? LOL!

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo

Sunday 13 January 2013

Start the Year Off Right.....

Seeing as we missed our usual New Year's Eve with the grandkids sleeping over because we were at Great Wolf Lodge, it felt good to have the girls and Cade here from yesterday afternoon until this morning!

They were all SOOOO good this visit....not that they're not usually good, but this time there were NO fights, NO bickering, NO hissy fits, hehehe...it was wonderful!  They even ate well, especially Hailee! Yipeeee!

To start with we picked them up yesterday afternoon around 2:00. As Hannah and Cade's betta fish had gone to Fishy Heaven the last couple of weeks, we promised them we would go fish shopping. Grandma had cleaned out both tanks and the water had been sitting for days, so everything was ready to make a new home for whatever bettas they picked for themselves :)

Luckily, the first pet store we stopped at had quite a few bettas, all beautifully colored. Of course before the bettas could be looked at the kids had to explore the whole pet store to see what other goodies/animals they could find :)

We went from creepy crawly snakes and lizards, to fluffy and cute rabbits and guinea pigs, not to mention all the little furry, and not-so-furry, critters such as hamsters, rats, mice and even "naked" rats! Yes, they have rats with no fur. Hannah said they looked like little pigs....hehehe!

At last our attention was focused on bettas....blue ones, burgundy ones, multicolored ones, white ones....all beautiful in my mind, but then I'm partial to bettas and their cute personalities :) Yes, bettas DO have personalities and are very good pets. They recognize people and will follow your finger and come swimming over to you if they think they have a chance for a treat :)  Plus, no allergies to worry about LOL! You can't ask for more than that!

After bringing a few different ones down to a level where Cade could have a good look at them...and only changing his mind twice LOL....he chose a beautiful teal colored betta and Hannah went for a burgundy one. She has to make sure whichever betta she gets that it has to match the pink gravel in her tank you know....LOL!

Grandpa had the honor of paying, as he usually does...hehehe...and off we went.  We had decided beforehand that we would drop off the fish at home so the water could come to room temperature in each of their bedrooms. But on the drive home we had a rousing discussion on fish names...hehehe. Cade first came up with Fishy, original don't you think for a 4 year old? LOL!  Hailee had some suggestions for both Cade and Hannah, but deep down I'm sure she was thinking of names for when her fish goes to fish heaven and she needs a new one :)

Finally the decision was made.  Cade loves the tv show Caillou, so his betta became Caillou!  Hannah asked if her fish was a boy or girl. After explaining that all fancy, long tailed bettas are boys, she decided on Perry...as in Perry the Platypus from Disney...hehehe!

Cade laughed and said that when daddy heard he called his fish Caillou, that he would say "booooooo" as daddy doesn't like that show, but it didn't matter. We told him it was his fish and he could call it whatever he wanted too.

Once the fish were dropped off at home our next stop was the Dollar Store for things to paint.  I'm sure the girls and Cade are no different from any other kids when they get into a Dollar Store. They want everything...and I mean everything LOL!  It doesn't help that when they were really little grandpa and I would let them do that, but now we tell them ahead of time "we're going in for such and such...and nothing else, okay."  LOL!  It worked.

They picked up a couple things to paint...but we didn't leave without a little toy they each wanted. All in all it was a great trip to the collar store!

Mom had made some yummy cupcakes for their football party they were having last night, so she sent a few home with us. That's all Hailee could focus on....when will we be at your place grandma....can we eat the cupcakes as soon as we get there....do we have to paint first...do we have to wash our hands etc etc LOL! 

So not to extend her pain any further, I said as soon as they washed their hands when we got to our place, that they could have their cupcakes.  How cruel that grandpa put them on the kitchen table to sit while grandma worked around the dish of cupcakes to make room for plates etc. It was all worth it in the end though. Talk about yummy :)

Cade was happy that I chose the cupcake with chocolate icing as he said that's the one he decorated just for me :) He kept asking if that's the one I was going to have :)

On to taking off good shirts to get ready for painting....tablecloth rolled up, placemats in place, brushes, water, paint...that was shaken up very well by three little pairs of hands...and we were ready to begin. Each had what they chose at the dollar store and began the task of making it look good...hehehe! And as always, they indeed did look good :)

Grandma had made a big roaster of spaghetti sauce before we went to town, as as usual, all the kids were impressed to see so much spaghetti sauce in one spot LOL!   So I guess you can tell what we had for supper last night LOL...yup, their favorite, spaghetti. Not before cucumbers for the girls though and a bowl of cauliflower for Cade. He sure loves cauliflower and brocooli!

We weren't sure if they'd eat much after having their cupcakes, but eat they did....very well. Hailee even asked for seconds. Something she never does!  Good job Hailee!!  Cade wasn't feeling very well....darn sniffles....but he managed to eat a bit of spaghetti after his cauliflower. Hannah, as normal, ate well LOL!

Grandpa and Grandma went grocery shopping on Friday and we picked up some Skinny Cow dixie cups...Cookies & Cream. So it wouldn't cause friction, we bought ALL of the dixie cups the same flavor LOL!  Didn't take long for those to disappear either!

Cade wanted his bath right after eating but the girls wanted to wait, so Cade enjoyed some time in the tub playing with his pail full of toys...and I mean a pail full LOL!  After the girls had their baths they spent some time looking at their journals that grandma started for each of them when they were born. They love looking at all the baby pictures etc :) Actually, those journals are the reason grandma started writing this Blog. It just got to be too much to write 3 separate journals every time we were together, so as I mentioned in my very first blog post, these blog musings will be what eventually will be printed out and placed in each blog :)  With lots of pictures too, so don't worry. Those journals will get done Cade LOL! Being the youngest he doesn't understand why he doesn't have as many binders as the girls do...hehehe!

Cade had decided who was sleeping with who, and where....and it ended up the same as it does every time they sleep here.....Hannah in the kingsize bed with Grandma....he and Hailee in their bedroom with Grandpa on a foam mat LOL and Hailee and he on either side of grandpa.

Must say it was an earlier morning than usual. Grandpa, Hailee and Cade were up at 6:00 this morning!  Yikes. Hannah and grandma wanted to sleep in, but with all the noise...yes, I said noise...the other three were making, it made it impossible to actually sleep, but we did stay in bed until 8:00 LOL!  It's kind of funny because Hannah is usually the early bird and expects everyone to get up when she wants to be up early! Today she got some of her own medicine :)

Hailee picked the color of pancakes this morning...PINK....and they were all full, dressed, hair brushed, teeth brushed and ready for mom and dad to pick them up.

And do you know what they were doing this afternoon?  They were all having snowboarding and ski lessons!  Yup. They'll be flying down the slopes next winter I'm sure.  I know they'll have fun, but grandma and grandpa will keep our feet planted firmly on the ground...er...snow...thank you very much LOL!

Until our next visit....
Grandma loves you!
xoxoxoxo

Saturday 5 January 2013

And the fun continued....

....for the last couple of days that is LOL!  We had surprise sleepovers the last two days.  Hailee was having a friend sleepover last night so Hannah called on Wednesday afternoon to ask if she could have a sleepover here last night...alone...by herself....no brother...no sister LOL....with grandpa and I.  Silly question, as if we'd say NO to her :)

So as she and I were making arrangements about time, pick up for Friday afternoon, I could hear Cade in the background having a fit saying he wanted to come here too....but remember, Hannah didn't want anyone else with her...she wanted to be here alone....by herself....hehehe! So she started crying and saying she didn't want Cade to come....it went on and on with the two of them LOL!

Mom came on the phone and I told her that we would take Cade on Saturday night...tonight....but he would have none of it. HE had to have his sleepover before Hannah....he had to be "first" in the sleepover department LOL!  So I suggested that he stay on Thursday night, and that's how we had our first surprise sleepover with Cade.

Grandpa had to drive grandma into town for a bit of shopping on Thursday....yes, grandma's foot is still too sore and she can't drive anywhere by herself yet...sigh...it really is getting old :(  I told mom that we would pick up Cade on our way home from shopping.

We got to all the stores we needed to and as grandpa ran into the grocery store for one last stop for a loaf of bread, I called mom to say we were 10 minutes from picking up Cade. She laughed and said it was a good thing because he'd been asking her all day when grandpa and grandma were coming to get him....hehehe!

Grandpa had to shovel the driveways so he told me to make sure mom packed Cade's snow suit, mitts and everything he needed to keep warm while outside.  He was so excited to help grandpa shovel. He just loves being outside whether it's cold or not, and once they were done he had grandpa give him rides in the snow float!
 

Of course before they went outside he asked if I was going out too but I had to tell him I was getting supper ready....roast beef....Cade's absolute favorite food to eat when he's here. In fact it's all he ate when we were at the inlaw's Christmas dinner last week!  All he wanted was grandma's roast beef LOL!

When grandpa and he came inside to eat Cade made sure I had his 'order' ready....roast beef cut up in a bowl with mashed potatoes, gravy and carrots....and it had to be all smashed up. That's just how he loved eating it when he was a baby :) In fact whenever we had roast beef when he was little I always made extra bowls just for Cade and froze them for his next visit. They always went down well :)

Mom didn't want him to have too much sugar after all the "stuff" they ate over the holidays, so we had Cool Whip with fresh berries.  A bowl of that went down quite fast too....Cade was teasing grandpa that he would be finished before grandpa...and he was. No surprise to grandma because grandpa isn't much of a fruit man LOL!

It was quite a while since Cade has stayed overnight by himself, even though he does talk a big talk...hehehe! We tried a couple other times to have him alone, but he always ended up wanting to go home. So as much as we were looking forward to him sleeping over, we were quite prepared to have him say he wanted to go home after his bath. So far so good...there was no mention of going home.

Then daddy called to say goodnight. Cade wanted to talk to each and every one to say he loved them and good night....and once again we were sure he would start crying that he wanted to go home. But he didn't....yipeeeee! When it was time for bed he wanted grandpa and I to lay down with him and he was out in a matter of minutes.

I called to let mom and dad know that he was indeed sleeping over...and with no fuss. When mom answered the phone she said when they heard it ring their first thought was "I guess Cade wants to come home", but I fooled them LOL...they were shocked, and happy that he had gone to sleep with no problems and neither of his sisters here :)  Hopefully it will be the first of many, many more "alone" sleepovers for Cade :)

Friday, yesterday, it was Hannah's turn to come over.  I wasn't sure what she would want to do but it turned out she didn't want to do anything! She loves movies and playing on the laptop, so that's what we did. Oh, and she brought her doll and her doll clothes, which she had to change a few times...and also her ipod touch. She tried her hardest to get grandma to learn how to play a game, but to no avail LOL! She also loves to play the little air hockey game that grandpa bought a couple years ago for Cade...it's just a small table model, but we sure have fun when we play. And, the little stinker likes to "cheat"...I caught her a couple times with her fingers over the hole for her net....hehehe!

Her biggest excitement, and grandpa's too, was having hotdogs for supper....yeah!! They are both hotdogs lovers and don't get them very often, so Hannah really looked forward to supper. The best part...they were going to use the hotdog toaster that grandpa received as his secret santa gift (from mom) at Christmas. He didn't want to use it before this so he and Hannah could enjoy the treat...and enjoy it they did...especially when the weiners bounced right out the toaster as one point...hehehe!

So it was a quiet, relaxing evening with Hannah and us cuddling on the sofa...with the odd tickle here and there. When it was time for bed she took her ipod and I let her play games for a half hour. Then it was lights out and she followed suit a few minutes later, after a back scratch from grandma :)

Both mornings we had pancakes for breakfast....orange for Cade and green for Hannah. Grandpa is always happy to have pancakes when the kids come because grandma makes extra and he gets to snack on them throughout the day LOL!

Ahhhhh what fun and what special memories we can take with us until the next visit!  Thanks for coming kids.

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo

Wednesday 2 January 2013

Oh Where To Begin.....

I have to tell you that grandma is sitting here wondering where the heck that last two weeks have gone.....and to also tell you that it seems much longer than only two weeks since all the holiday craziness began :)

Santa was very good to everyone this year, and with loving family all around, what more could I ask for!

It started on December 23rd with Uncle Warren and Aunt Cindi coming up from southern Ontario, and lots and lots of prepping and cooking to get ready for Christmas Eve with family/friends that we have had year every year for decades.

The girls and Cade were quite excited for Santa to arrive and Cade was super wild while playing with Uncle Warren LOL! The kids don't get to see Uncle Warren very often, so it was nice that it didn't take a day or so for Cade to warm up to him this time.
Merry Christmas :)
  
Our little Hannah ended up spilling something on her outfit so mom put her in the tub, but Hannah couldn't wear her clothes home. So grandma went out to the storage shed to search through all the gifts to find the proverbial "new pjs" that every child gets at Christmas LOL!  Of course I should have known that it would trigger a "that's not fair" retort from Hailee...hehehe....so mom and I went back to the shed to look for Hailee's wrapped pjs. We couldn't forget Cade either, so they all went home in new pjs LOL! Too cute!

Grandpa and I had bought them each school desks and chairs like the ones we have here for them. We were wondering who would be the first to ask why their desks/chairs were in the living room on Christmas morning.  We finally had to tell them to go clean up their bedroom so they would notice that they still had desks/chairs at our place....so why were there extras in the LRoom? LOL!  I think they were in shock to realize that they could take these extra ones home with them :)

Once all the gifts were unwrapped and oohed and ahhhhed over we grabbed some leftovers from the night before to fill our tummies and the gang went home with us following shortly after to see all their new gifts and have Christmas dinner.

I have to tell everyone that my favorite meal is turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. So to go over to the kids and have a delicious turkey dinner is the best gift I can get LOL!  Thanks to our DIL's mom and dad for preparing such a great meal. We were almost too full to have any of the desserts that I made, but we managed and left stuffed just like the turkey had been LOL!

Home sweet home to decompress for the evening watching movies with Warren & Cindi, then up early the next day to start cooking a couple big roasts to bring to the Kirwan Christmas dinner that afternoon. I've been bringing sliced beef in gravy for years now and I think I will continue to bring it for years to come :)

It was great visiting with the family that could make it and the kids got to spend time with their little cousins who they don't see often. One little guy was quite taken with the girls and kept saying they were his girlfriends and trying to kiss them....hehehe!

Warren and Cindi left earlier that day for home as Brittney & Austin were coming back from their dad's. So when grandpa and I arrived home it was very quiet, but nice to finally let go and relax.

The next day it was time to clean up and start putting decorations away, not to mention catch up with laundry as I had to pack for the 29th as grandpa and I were heading down to Niagara Falls. Ryan, Angele, the girls and Cade were going to meet us there on the 30th and were were spending New Year's Eve at Great Wolf Lodge.  They were coming from Kingston after visiting her brother and his family and dropping off her parents there for a few days.

Grandpa and I had a really nice hotel room at the Falls that night right across from the Casino...with a jacuzzi tub!  Ahhhhh the calm before the storm LOL!
  And guess what's behind those shutter doors?
The jacuzzi tub of course!
 
The kids had no idea they were going to GWL so it was a big surprise when they pulled up into the parking lot. They also had no idea that grandma and grandpa were going to be there. So when our DIL came into the lobby to find us and we walked out to the van to see everyone, there were looks of shock on their faces. I think it took them a couple hours before realizing where they were LOL!

Seeing as Hailee can read and loves to read street signs now, our DIL said she had to keep dropping things on the van floor whenever she saw a sign/bridge etc that would trigger Hailee's reading abilities and her knowledge of landmarks, so Hailee had to look down to find what mom dropped LOL!
   Waiting for mom and dad to check in :)
 
When we first arrived at the Lodge and were waiting for our room to be ready, grandpa and daddy took the kids to explore. Mom and I hung around with the luggage cart enjoying the rest before all the craziness started. A while later the kids came running up to us with magic wands! Yes, grandpa's first foray into the gift shop with them and $169 later, they each had magic wands with lighted creatures to put on the end. All of this so they could go up and down the halls of the Lodge playing a game to open treasure chests and making books talk. it was too cute :)
  
After a break to have apples and Goldfish our room was finally ready. It didn't take long to sort out beds, luggage and change into our suits.
     
It was grandpa's first time at GWL so the kids were excited to show him all the things there were to see. Unfortunately, once we were changed into swim suits and down in the waterpark, no one thought to tell Grandpa about the water that people try to drop on you from above...hehehe...and he and Cade came walking up behind us completely drenched. We sure had a good laugh LOL!

Then it was every man/child for themselves.  One wanted to go to this water feature, another to another feature, some to the slides...and Hannah and I to her favorite, the wave pool :)  And yes, they even talked grandma and grandpa into walking flights of stairs to get to certain slides. My goodness, I never thought I'd go on some of those slides, but I did, and had a great time laughing all the way down.
Hailee, Mom and Grandpa coming down a ride!
 
I was even more surprised when I found out that grandpa went on a couple of slides what I never in a million years thought he would ride.  But all it took was Hailee's pleading to make him break LOL!
  
The kids brought along games for us to enjoy and grandpa and I were initiated into the game of Fibber and one with a wiener dog that you stuff with yellow "poop" and try to pump out the other end after throwing the dice. You wouldn't believe the sound effects from that one LOL!
Hehehe...Hannah trying to see what the pup's problem
was. Poor thing was "constipated" and the yellow poop
wouldn't come out LOL!
  
Our DIL had booked a loft room for all of us....it sleeps 8 people!  The word "loft" should tell you all you need to know LOL!  It was ripe for throwing things to the beds down below. And who was on one of those beds? Hannah and grandma.  Daddy started it with throwing a soap wrapper down to us....then the clothes continued as well as hand towels and even a pillow at one point LOL!
Grandma rolling up a hand towel for Hannah
to try throwing back up to the loft LOL!
  
Hannah and I were not going to be outdone.  We got on the bed and started throwing everything back up to daddy.  Mind you, it was harder to toss everything back up to the loft than it was for daddy to throw things down to us, but we sure had fun LOL!
     Hailee and grandpa getting ready to play
Fibber!
 
On the 31st GWL had lots of great activities for the kids to enjoy....balloon hats, bean bag games. painting pillow cases...and everyone won candy regardless of how they did in the games LOL! They handed out white top hats for all the guys to wear and feather tiaras for the ladies to look stylish. Our DIL had chosen a medieval themed banquet for us to attend and once again we left stuffed.
  Happy New Year Everyone!
 
A little after 8:00 we got our winter coats/mitts on and went outside with the rest of the lodge to watch the fireworks the Lodge had prepared. It was wonderful watching the kids faces, even in the freezing temps, while they watched the exploding colors in the sky. 
Daddy and Cade watching the fireworks.
 
When we got back to the room the kids got their pjs on and we headed back down to the lobby for the NYE celebrations....balloon drop, music, singing, dancing, punch, noise makers, it was all there for the 10:00 ballon drop.
Get ready...here come the balloons.
Hannah was on my shoulders and you can see her left hand
trying to catch a balloon.
 
We managed to get a great spot under the balloons on the ceiling and when the count down was ready to start, the kids got on our shoulders to make sure they were able to grab a balloon or two :) Once all was said and done the kids were tired, cranky and we were all happy to get back to our room for the night.
  Having our own balloon drop
back in the room LOL!
 
In the morning, New Years Day, we had a light breakfast then grandpa and I loaded up the car with everyone's luggage and started home. The weather was great and so were the roads. The kids decided to get a later check out so they could enjoy the waterpark one last time. Unfortunately they weren't as lucky with the weather/roads and didn't get home until 9:00 last night. What a long day for them.

Our widower neighbor watched Sparkles for us and she was sooooo happy to see me when I went to pick her up. It was the first time we left her with someone and she's been sticking to me like glue since last night LOL!  She loves our neighbor, but there's no place like home.

What a great way to end one year and start the next.  Oh I wonder what joys this coming year will bring to our little family. There's only one way to find out....get up each morning and enjoy what each day brings :)
The saddest and funniest thing of the evening was after
mom set the camera to take this pic of us all.
Cade wanted to take a picture with his ipod and tried to
set it up the same way mom did. We tried to explain
that his ipod touch doesn't work like mom's camera
does. We didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He
was so determined to do it :)
  

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo