Flying trapeze....

Wow!  Wow, wow, wow....that's about all I can say after seeing the Cirque du Soleil performance on Thursday night in Toronto. My DIL, Hailee, Hannah and myself had a girls weekend away and we went to see "Amaluna"! An experience none of us will soon forget :)  I have a feeling another Cirque show will be in our future at some point!
 

View from our Hotel window!

  

We drove to Toronto early Thursday morning and had tickets for the 4:00 p.m. performance.  We thought it would be better to have an early time than wait until 8:00. The girls wouldn't have been the only tired ones by then LOL!
 

   The Cirque tent!

 
And I think the part of the evening the girls liked best were the taxi rides LOL!  One taxi to the theatre for the performance, another afterwards to the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Toronto (another first for the girls), then another back to the Hotel.  Hailee especially seemed to enjoy this mode of travel for some reason...hehehe...and wanted to take another taxi on Friday morning!
  

  

Waiting for supper to come :)

Speaking of Friday morning, we had told the girls we would take them to the CN Tower, neither had been. Mom was a little down after speaking with a very tearful Cade the night before and decided we should head straight home in the morning, so told the girls they'd see the Tower their next visit to Toronto. 

   Mom and Hailee overlooking the City :)

 

Unfortunately that didn't sit very well with Hailee :(  She started to have a melt down and went on and on about how she keeps being told 'next time, next time' when it comes to the CN Tower :)  Sooooo grandma suggested that instead of going out for breakfast, we could use that time (and probably less) to go up to the Tower, look around, take a few pics and be on our way.
 

Okay....all grandparents know there is just about nothing we

grandparents won't do for our grandkids, right? LOL!

Laying on the glass floor in the CN Tower was bad enough,

but making this picture public, with gravity taking

it's not-so-nice toll on grandma's face, goes above and

beyond any grandparent's duties LOL! Yes, looking through the glass

floor some 1500 feet above the city of Toronto just does something

to a person's stomach...and face LOL!

Ahhhhh.....gotta love those grandkids :)



Well, that idea didn't sit very well with Hannah LOL, who for some reason did NOT want to go up in the Tower.  We had no idea why she felt this way and when we questioned her as to why her response was "because". Boy, did she cry. After finding a parking spot we walked across the street to the Tower, towing a crying/upset Hannah along with us.
 

 The closest that Hannah got to actually

being on the glass floor LOL! Hailee was

really into it though by the time we left :)

 

I'm not sure what she thought it would be like going up to the top of the CN Tower, but hopefully now she realizes that it wasn't that bad...but during our 45 minutes at the top of Toronto, she wouldn't smile or even look at the camera.  Definitely had a pouty thing going on....just like her Uncle Warren used to when he was little...hehehe!

After spending time at a shopping Mall on the way home both girls fell asleep for a couple hours and were suprised when we stopped for a bite to eat...at McD's!  Wow, another surprise. A once in the blue moon treat for the girls...hehehe!

This was more to Hannah's taste LOL!
 

All in all we girls had a fantastic time and grandma looks forward to the next time we can enjoy a couple days away together...without the boys. Remember...girls rule LOL!

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo

A Happy Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend...

Wow, we had a super Thanksgiving weekend surrounded by two of our three sons and their wonderful families.  A lot of turkey, potatoes, gravy, veggies was had by all, two days in a row at different houses, a delicious brunch served up at our oldest son and DIL's place on Sunday morning, and we can't forget all those calories in the pumpkin pies with real whipped cream....hehehe...or the annual pumpkin cake that grandma made for all to enjoy :)

We started out the weekend on Friday afternoon when Hailee, Hannah, Cade and Hailee's best friend Olyvia came over after school to help make those very pumpkin pies we got stuffed on LOL!  They happily took their individual pies home to enjoy after supper :)  Warren, Cindi and the kids drove up on Saturday along with the german exchange student, Sara, who has been living with them for the last 3 1/2 weeks.

Hannah and Cade :)

   

Olyvia and Hailee :)



We had our TG supper on Saturday afternoon...turkey, ribs, lasagna, coleslaw, potatoes, gravy...lots of gravy LOL, veggies, cake, pies and of course blue jello for Hannah who doesn't like cake :) To say we left the table anything but stuffed would be a lie.

Sunday morning we headed over to Ryan and Angele's house for a delicious brunch that she and her mom put out for us....yummy. Surprisingly, even though I was full and didn't think I could eat another bite, I did do justice to the great buffet spread...hehehe!

Completely exhausted we came home for a couple hours before heading out to great grandma and grandpa's house to visit with family from out of town. Once again, a big turkey supper was served....not sure who was more stuffed, the turkey or grandma LOL!

Meatbird Lake!

 

I must admit, this grandma didn't think it could get any better, but it did....oh yes it did! Grandpa and I went out to my old stomping grounds...a little mining town that no longer exists. We like to walk around the old roads at least once a year, talk about how we met, how could all the houses actually fit along those grown over streets etc. Then we went a few miles down the highway to Meatbird Lake...local swimming hole....and where he and I got engaged 41 years ago while he was still in University.

Unfortunately, while laying patio stones in the backyard one weekend a number of years after we were married, I wore down a claw on that beautiful ring, lost the diamond, and didn't realize it until we came in the house late Sunday night. I wanted to dig up the patio stones, I was so upset :( I quietly placed the ring in it's silver ring case and then into an old jewel box....which ended up in the garage for decades.
Grandpa was cleaning out the garage this Fall and came upon that old jewel box, with the silver ring case and found the poor diamondless ring.

How did this TG get any better today? He proposed to me once again at Meatbird Lake, and put my same diamond ring on my hand...claw fixed and a new diamond in the setting! Can we say tears flowed?? LOL! In an instant it brought back the previous 41 years and I once again felt like that 18 year old girl who placed that wonderful ring on her hand for the first time! Gotta love that grandpa of yours :))

My very special, beautiful engagement ring that

means the world to me!  If anyone were to offer me

a ring that cost 100 times as much, it couldn't mean

more than the ring bought with so much love all

those many years ago :)

 

 

Hailee, Hannah and Cade, as well as some friends, went to a Pumpkin Patch today about an hour away.  They called on their way home while Grandpa and I were out doing out reminiscing. They said they were coming over for supper and ordering pizza. So within minutes of getting home we heard little knocks at the door.  All excited for my surprise that I told mom about on the phone when they called....hehehe!  After all the hullabaloo settled down, this little voice piped up saying "can I see your ring mama?"  Cade sure is a thoughtful little guy and will definitely get his hearbroken at some point of his life. But hopefully his thoughtful ways won't leave him...for very long LOL!

 

Like I said, a Thanksgiving to remember!

 

Grandma loves you and only wishes all my grandchildren they can find as much love and happiness in their future lives as grandpa and I have :) xoxoxoxo

Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer....

....are long gone for another year :(  Yes, the intense sun, heat and at times unbearable humidity are gone until next summer.  However we can't really complain because we've had a wonderful Indian Summer for the last couple of weeks, and we're quietly hoping our Autumn weather holds out for a couple more months.

The girls, Cade and mom were here for a sleepover on Friday night.  Daddy was out of town on business and mom doesn't like to stay alone :)  We decided to go out for supper, and each adult even got to share a dessert with one of the kids...hehehe....yummy! Hannah is the adventurous one with food so she just had to try my French onion soup and she loved it!  I think next time she may get her own bowl :)  Mom left for Volley Ball when we left the restaurant and we all came home to play, have baths and get ready for bed.

While we were playing in the bedroom our little Miss Hannah looked at me and said "grandma...the world will never run out of people, right?"  She surprised me with this little tidbit, and I said she was right....but wanted to know how she came to this conclusion.  She said "because babies are being born all the time." Yup....for a six year old she knows exactly how the world works LOL!

Family, ancestors and anything that goes along with that are something that has been important to big sister Hailee for a couple years now. As she and grandpa were laying in bed before she fell asleep she asked him about God :)  Grandpa told her that God was always 'there'.  She wanted to know who the first people on earth were, so grandpa explained that God made Adam and Eve. Hailee perked right up and said "well that means that everyone in the world is related then!  Another smart little girl....hehehe! As he tried to explain it further she said "really....grandpa, I'm only 8 years old...this is just too much for me to understand." LOL!  What a great way to fall asleep with such grown up questions on your mind :)

Yesterday afternoon the girls and Cade came over  for a couple hours. Grandpa and I were working outside to take advantage of these last few nice days for yardwork before the white stuff flies, and the kids helped us do what needed doing. They loved asking grandpa for stuff to throw into the back of the truck, knowing he was going to the dump today...hehehe!  The girls gave up quickly after checking out my recycle box for things they could get creative with, and an egg carton was just the thing to get them into mud pies.  Cade however just couldn't stop helping grandpa. He's such a great little helper :)

Ahhhhh.....best buds!

 

Mom even packed them each a lunch so they decided we'd have one more picnic to say goodbye to summer and welcome Fall.
 
Grandpa had put all the outdoor furniture away already, so he went to the garage and brought out the carpet that is usually in our gazebo and laid it on the deck.  As the kids dug into their spread, grandma went in the house and quickly made something for grandpa and I to eat. I mean if we're going to have a picnic we do need something to munch on LOL!

Luckily I didn't forget to bring juice boxes for the kids because as they saw me coming all I could hear was "grandma, we're thirsty"....hehehe! I think they were so keen to eat quickly because mom had brought some Girl Guide cookies for dessert LOL! They could hardly wait to get into the box and weren't too thrilled about eating their cucumbers and fruit first :) But they did.

As they got back to their mud pies Hailee uncovered an earth worm, so the hunt was on...."grandma, can you help us find more worms...we want to put them in this bowl?"  So off we went, hunting the back yard for more earth worms....needing my "strength" to turn over logs, big rocks, planters, anything that may be hiding the coveted earthworms LOL!

After finding a few I figured it was time the kids actually touched a worm without being squeamish....grandma thought they were going to faint, but after much talking, hand holding and one ear piercing scream from Hailee, the girls each held a worm and realized that all they did was tickle....no, they don't bite girls LOL! Cade....No, I don't want to hold a worm Mama...hehehe!

Hehehe....Hailee's face says it all!

 

Hannah made sure she found a 'baby'

worm to hold. No big juicy ones for her LOL!

 

 

Ahhhhh...what a great way to spend a beautiful Fall afternoon. Not only enjoying the weather but also the memories that will take us through the frigid, snowy months that are coming :)

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo

Made My Day....

The hours and hours of trying to keep busy the last few days by crocheting the outfits for Hailee, Hannah and Cade's favorite toys, was more than worth it this morning when Hannah and Cade came over for a visit :)  They absolutely loved what grandma made and it makes my heart sing.

Hannah said "wow grandma, these are really neat....can you make me another blanket, and a sling like Hailee has for her tiger?" LOL!  Cade piped in with absolutely needing a blanket for his little teddy so her could cover his face if he gets cold, and we couldn't forget mitts either!

When grandpa was driving them home he said Hannah kept saying "grandma is really good...she can make anything." So I think we'll just let her believe this for a little while.  Don't want to burst her bubble at such a young age LOL!

They got home just in time to meet Hailee after her dance class, grandpa said Hailee was sooooo happy with the little red outfit and sling for her Tiger.  He said her eyes got big and she was amazed, especially when he told her that if she wanted anything else, grandma would make it for her :) She was so interested in the outfit that she didn't even have time to talk about her dance class LOL!

So needless to say I've been crocheting up a storm since they left...one blue blanket on the agenda, as well as matching mitts....and we can't forget a pink skirt for Hannah's doll LOL!  I haven't spoken to Hailee yet, but not doubt she'll have other plans for more crocheting too :)

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo

Chain 1...Slip stitch....

Anyone familiar to the world of yarn will know that this grandma is working on crochet projects. Actually I haven't done any crochet work for a very, very long time, and more than likely would not have picked it up again had it not for the need to be off my feet for a few weeks.

I decided to start with an outfit our our 6 year old granddaughter's doll. Hannah LOVES dolls/babies of any kind, size, shape or color LOL!  And by LOVE, I mean LOVE. She wants nothing else for Christmas, birthdays etc, and she takes such good care of them. Treating them like real babies :)

So we stopped in the other day and I measured her favorite doll and told her I would crochet something for her.  She had no idea what I was talking about, but told her she would see what I meant when she saw the finished project.  The only stipulation she had was that any pants I made for her dolly, had to have feet attached...hehehe!  She said the little socks/botties that come with dolls, always fall off and get lost, so grandma had her instructions....pants with feet LOL!
 

As promised below, I finally finished the "projects"

and am posting pictures.  Hannah's doll is all set

in her two piece, with hat outfit, and a matching

blanket.  Notice dolly's left hand...or at least her

left arm, minus hand...hehehe! Mylo chewed the

hand off when he was a puppy, so grandma

crocheted a "bandage" to cover the gapping hole!

Hope Hannah likes it!



I picked up a few balls of yarn earlier in the week, but didn't get too many in case the crocheting flared up my arthritis, but after shopping for more today to actually finish a couple projects that are just a bit short, I wish I had bought much more. They didn't have any of the colors I had bought the other day...nothing...nothing even close!

I quickly picked out yarn that would compliment what I've already started, plus a few large balls of other colors to keep me busy over the next few weeks.

A couple days ago the grandkids dropped in for a visit...Hannah all excited to see the outfit I was working on for her doll, and right behind her both Hailee and Cade trying to get my attention..."Grandma, can you make an outfit for my tiger...grandma, can you make an outfit for my little teddy?" LOL! They each tried to be the loudest so I would do theirs first...hehehe!
 

Can't forget Cade's tiny teddy bear.  I thought instead

of a blanket for him, I'd make a "sleeping" bag! The

bear and bag fit perfectly :)

  

Hailee chose bright red and white for her tiger....and we can't forget to make ears on the "hate" :)  Cade decided he should have red also for his little, and I mean little, teddy...and he wanted me to assure him that HIS would be done first LOL!

  It's kind of hard to see what this looks like, but

the tiger does have a slip on hat, complete with ears

as per Hailee's request...hehehe!  I added a little

fringed edge on the vest portion....and below you'll

see the "sling" I made for the tiger to rest inside.
This way Hailee can carry her tiger with her

everywhere she goes!

 

   

Today our DIL and Cade dropped in to pick up a queen bed that we're giving to big sister Hailee, as we're finally getting a new bedroom set....a grown up set as I refer to it LOL!  So Cade came in and spotted all the different yarns I picked up and he changed his mind as to the color red for his little teddy.  He decided on two different blues and a cream color :) 

So once all this crocheting is said and done, this grandma will take pics to show everyone...but don't expect to much. I'm working with no patterns here and just winging it LOL!

We'll see you on Friday night for a few hours.

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo

He Did It....

Yes he did!  Cade went off on the school bus this morning with big sisters Hailee and Hannah to start the next chapter in his young life, Junior Kindergarten :)
 

  

 

Was he happy you may ask....well, he appeared happy with the pictures taken at the bus stop, standing with his sisters, walking up the stairs on the bus...then...then...that picture in the school bus window may be blurred, but you can definitely see that big smile he started out with is no longer there, but a kind of scared, forced little smile is on his face instead. I'm sure he was thinking "but mom, you're not coming with me?"
 

 
Will he remember these feelings in 20 years...likely not....but will grandma remember the look on that little fact peering out the bus window, you bet LOL!

Ahhhhh ....just called home (after supper) to check on our little monkey, and mom said he did VERY well. The teacher said he was smiling all day and didn't cry once....yipeeeee! This makes grandma and grandpa very happy, and relieved...hehehe!

Now I can sleep tonight :)

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo

First Day Of School - 2012

Another summer gone and another school year beginning!  How is it that no matter how much time you think you have once school is out for one year, and before the next year starts, that it's never enough time? It always amazes me at how quickly those summer weeks disappear into a soon to be distant memory, as the nerves of a new school year begin.

Who will be my teacher, will I like them, will they like me, will my friends be in my class, do I have the right clothes on, is my lunch okay...in the minds of wee ones these are all very important questions :) And they're very important questions in the minds of grandparents as well. 

It's funny how we gave these questions a fleeting thought as we were rushing our own children out the door that first day of school each year....but....when it comes to our grandchildren, well, it's different!  We grandparents have been there, done that decades ago, and we only now after all these years can truly appreciate what these simple questions mean to a child. 

School is their life while they are in the classroom. It's important to them to have answers to all these questions, sometimes before school even starts.  A disappointing answer to even one of them can mean the difference between a good year, or a bad year. Not a good way to start 10 months of school.
  

The "happy" crowd. Even cousin Isabella was there

to enjoy it all. It's her first day of Grade one tomorrow

too, just like Hannah :)

  

And so it was last night as we went over to our oldest son and DIL's for the last 'summer' supper.

Grandpa and I are in Toronto today until the weekend, so we weren't able to be there as the girls walked to the bus this morning, questions in mind, friends at their sides, wondering...wondering...wondering.

The obligatory pizza pan oatmeal cookie was also in tow as we went for supper, as well as a jello "pie" for Hannah who was exactly 6 1/2 yesterday. Hannah doesn't like cake...imagine a 6 year old who doesn't like cake LOL...but she does love jello. Red is her favorite...with whipped cream rimming the pie plate and a big whipped cream 6 1/2 in the middle.

She just had to sit on grandpa for her

picture...hehehe! Happy half birthday Hannah!

  

Now if grandpa had his way the cookie would not have been eaten last night...hehehe....but would have been sitting on the kitchen counter until the girls came home after school today.  But, it's a good thing grandma was around....there is no way we were leaving for Toronto today and not have a piece of that cookie....LOL!

As usual supper was delicious, then it was time to dig in. The jello pie disappeared in no time flat after Hannah said she wanted the "6" and Cade said he wanted the "1" (1/2).  The extra cream I brought along went well too...hehehe!

Next came the cookie....mom I want that piece, mom can I have that part...LOL!  It disappeared just as fast as the jello, but mom was able to save them each a piece for their lunches today, with Cade continually piping in "moooommmmm can I have a piece tomorrow....mooooooommmm" :) :)

It was fun, it brought back memories, even with the tears here and there that were coming from the kids at various times after supper....the nerves were tense, the unknown for them, exactly that...the unknown. It's a scary day when you're going into Grade 3 and Grade 1...and even scarier when you're just starting JK!

Cade doesn't start until Thursday, but he's already saying he doesn't like school LOL!  If he only knew what a long road he has ahead of him...hehehe!

  And we can't forget our middle son Warren who is

a teacher and heading to Grade 4 this morning, as well

as our Step-Grandkids Brittney, grade 11...and

Austin heading into a very scary year as well, grade 9!

Good luck guys, I know you'll do well!

 

So here's to another fantastic year for all 3 of them, that they learn as much as they can, enjoy the time with their friends and even more so, enjoy the time they get to spend with mom and dad after school.  They aren't going to realize just how important those after school hours are until they are older...much older...perhaps even grandparents :)

Grandma loves you
xoxoxoxo