I had SO MUCH FUN! Our precious youngest daughter's wedding to a most wonderful man was the centerpiece to a most marvelous, memory filled long weekend. I don't want to forget a moment of the weekend, although I know I already have. This is attempt to capture at least the highlights and prevent too many memories from falling out of my wee little brain. Pictures will be at the end. I took very few myself, as I was too focused on PLAYING.
FRIDAY, July 1 GATHERING DAY
We started out by picking up my son and family at the airport very early in the morning and proceeded to the local cowboy dudes store outfitting all four grand kids in boots, hats, shirts and such. Thanks dad. Pink boots and hats, who knew? We were also directed to a very cool "camo" knife, a possible hint at a future gift for a fine young man? Maybe. Then for some cowboy grub at Dickie's BBQ. Thanks dad. My son had forgotten how GOOD it was. Yeah, Texas BBQ, you can't beat it. We had some time to settle in. The boys set up camp in the sun room on the sofa bed, the girls in my tidied up sewing room on the blow up beds and son and wife in the guest room. Amazing that a small house can accommodate six extra people with ease. With three FULL baths, no problem.
In the afternoon we headed into town to meet up with my brother and his wife and my folks and help unload the glider my brother made for a wedding gift for the happy couple. I have my grandma's glider out back and she knows she is not getting that one for a LONG time (sorry babe, plan on stickin' around a while) so that was her special request from her very special UNCLE. It is beautiful. After a quick visit at her place, we headed to THE BEST seafood restaurant in the country and met up with some of my daughters friends and the entire family that managed to come. Dinner for 18, lovely, thanks dad!
Home and sleep. The babies had been up VERY early, so I don't remember anyone fighting bedtime that night. Maybe it was because I went to bed first???
SUNDAY, July 3 SYMPHONY DAY
We gathered some of the family together, specifically a nephew and his two boys for a breakfast. My folks and brother and wife, oldest and her hubby joined us at Katz's and we all stuffed ourselves with blintzes and bacon and glorious delicious breakfast food and visited for the first time in a number of years. One of the little great nephews I had not met so was pleased to get a chance to get to know him better. We send them a little Valentine box each year, now he will know WHO sent it. Dad, thanks again! Yum.
Our community offers a free concert over the fourth with lots of great patriotic music performed by the symphony ending in the 1812 Overture with CANNONS!!! We got there early enough for a close up look. Yup, real cannons lined up at the top of the hill just waiting, waiting, waiting. And that is what my little three year old grand son (baby D) did. He sat on my hot lap for most of the three hours asking "a number of times" . . . "when's the boomboom?" Oh, the patience required. Thankfully there were plenty of lively songs to listen to as we were waiting, waiting, waiting. My youngest little grand is a total crack up. He IS the kid who can ask "are we there yet" endlessly. Literally, truly . . . endlessly. Grandfather, wise man that he is, managed to turn the conversation around and Grandfather was asking if we were there yet (we did spend a bit of time in the car during the visit after all). He taught Baby D to hold up his thumb and finger and say . . . . "this much more". Sometimes he would pop out with "five minutes" instead. Since a three year old isn't the best at time management, they were probably both the same in his book.
We had another little surprise on our way home from somewhere. We had put the 1812 Overture on to familiarize the kids with that fabulous piece of music. The timing has us pull into the driveway just as the last cannon was going off. THANKS dad! That was super cool. We probably listened to the 1812 Overture at least six times and would have more if Baby D has his way. We had to "calm things down" now and again. Another piece we listened to several times while they were here was Hall of the Mountain King. My son's favorite piece of music as a youngster.
We got home from the very late, very sweaty (but hydrated thanks to hubby, who bought every one a bottle of water at the venue. Lets see, water for 12 . . . $$$$ you don't want to know) and very "boom boomed" out. What a fun evening with some of the greatest music in the world.
SUNDAY, July 4, Happy Birthday America!
A gathering day in our home. But first, another fabulous breakfast by the son and hubby and then the four grands and their parents went out to PLAY. Our local pools were open to all for the day and had organized games and such. They had a blast at the pool closest to our home and came home around noon, played out and happy. Games, prizes, fun!
As the morning went into afternoon, my oldest and her hubby arrived, my brother and wife, my folks and my son-in-law's sister, boyfriend and precious little baby girl arrived to spend the fourth with us. I was thrilled to see as the afternoon went into the evening that all my photo albums were out and each little group of two or three were sharing stories from our family history. My family, oh, my how I love them.
Had to say good by to my mom and dad who I am SO grateful were able and WILLING to come to Texas in July, during one of the hottest, driest spells we have had in forever. They couldn't have done it without my big brother who is selfless and patient and his wife who has always treated my folks like they were her's as well. We're keeping her in the family, she really sweetens us up. Thank you for extending our family for this special weekend.
TUESDAY, July 5, GRANDPARENT DAY
This day was FUN! I had hoped for this to be an all day affair, but alas, post chemo, a bit older, four delightful LIVELY children and so much going on, well. . . I needed a bit of an adjustment. We had a wonderful breakfast and then sent the kids and the men over to the park for some energy expending. The kids had an agenda for the rest of the day and were ready for grandparent's day when they returned.
First . . . pizza, yum.
Second . . . ice cream, yum.
Third . . . Merry-go-round at the mall.
Fourth . . . candy store.
Interlude, grandmother and baby D needed a nap!
Fifth . . . swimming
Sixth . . . hot dogs at a friends house, thank you!
Seventh . . . movies, popcorn and candy in the living room until . . . .
Teethbrushing interlude . . .
then movies all night and some people did . . . . until the next day. Whew!!
The children were beautifully behaved, being well informed as to what was expected. Baby D knew to "behave" or he would be sitting on the bench with Grandmother a lot. They were all perfect the whole afternoon/evening. Of coarse they were also having a blast, so why not "behave"?
Wednesday, July 6, HOMECOMING
We started out at a local breakfast place since we had eaten ourselves out of house and home with all the company. Some play park time, packing, tidying up so as not to leave anything behind, laundry started (I'd be doing that for three more days) and once more . . . the 1812 Overture. We even got out the Wii and were doing Brain Games, which is how I discovered my wee little four year old granddaughter is a genius! Good grief that kid is smart.
I did not head to the airport with the crew, I knew I would be a blubbering fool and also knew that I was very close to my limit. I am amazed that God supplied me with the energy needed to make it though an active, bustling weekend with a house full on most days. I could not have been a happier camper. I have a very happy house right now. And it sighed a big sigh of pleasure after saying goodby to so many special people.
Each grandchild is so unique, interesting and fun. Baby D was definitely the most demanding on this trip. But then, he IS three and he IS the fourth child. I think it's called survival. He loves to talk with grownups and more times than I can count called out to me. To ask me a question, but most frequently, he seemed to just need an adult to look at him, acknowledge him and smile at him. Often our conversation went like this. Nanut? Yes, D. ummmmmmm. 30 seconds later, Nanut? yes, D. ummmmmm. Nanut? Yes, D. Can we play the BOOM BOOM song? SURE! I will never forget watching his face during the Overture on the night of the symphony. To keep his patience somewhat corralled as the 15 minute song went through the first 11 minutes without a boom boom, I told him stories about soldiers, guns, horses and such. It was magical to watch how excited he was. He enjoyed himself IMMENSELY and so did I. What a lucky Nanut. When that first canon went off, I will NEVER forget the look of sheer terror with a simultaneous look of anticipation for the next blast on his face. Words cannot describe how I feel about my little baby D. After two days of me telling him "I love you D" he finally started saying "I love you, too" and my heart soared. Can't wait for my next Baby D fix.
Baby K is as sweet and dreamy as ever, although this time I saw more of her stubborn streak. She can sit quietly for the longest time, it's amazing, but then she can also be a very active little girl. I wish I had had more time with her while they were visiting, but there are only so many hours in the day and so many arms to reach out with. It was a super treat this time as her speech has progressed to the point where I can understand her little stories and questions pretty well. What a beautiful little girl. She fell asleep in her Auntie's arms one evening and Auntie stayed WAY too late because she was happily holding her precious little niece.
Lulu and I did big girl bonding stuff. She was always asking to go off someplace alone together. I get it, as I was not a kid who enjoyed chaos and relished my quiet time. I was fortunate to have my own room and loved spending time reading, playing and dreaming in there. She is definitely a little girl who wants to be a young lady. The one picture of her below is after I straightened her hair. Her beautiful curls all flattened out, but we had such a nice visit while I was doing it. Children sure seem to enjoy time with grown ups and being a grandmother, that is what I have.
My cowboy, what a cool guy he is getting to be. He pretty much needs to be going 24/7. What a fine specimen. Again, not enough time to just sit and visit with him, but he will always be my number one grandson, and there is something about that number one. He loves Texas, which makes me love him even more, and is always eager to come visit his grandparents. Love my cowboy.
Love my family more than words can say.
Arriving in Texas.
Trike riding.
Sharing family photos and stories.
Our beautiful youngest and her grandpa, always been buds.
Nap time ? Sure looks like it. Nice windows!
Straight hair.
