Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The Quiet (Not) Meal


Superbly delicious smelling chicken stir fry awaited my hungry tummy. The grands were finishing eating as I made it home from school, and were covered in various sauces of macaroni salad, applesauce, and turkey slices. After clean up (them, not me), I grabbed a plate to sit down and quickly eat while it was hot. Chopsticks and everything!

Alas. The second I sat down (I believe my mistake was sitting in my comfortable chair, not at the table - bad Nana), two little birdies lit next to me, one on each side of the edge of my chair. With their eyes glued to my plate, they zeroed in on the pretty chopsticks and colorful food, noses practically touching the food.





Seriously. I barely had room to grab food without poking them in the eyes. But patient they were, as I broke apart and blew on pieces to cool them. The little birdies opened their mouths time and time again, eating most of my chicken, veggies, and rice. Yes, several minute chunks of food did not make it in the mouths, but drifted down on my lap. Or worse, in the cracks of the chair.



I am very glad they love to eat healthy food. Better yet, they immensely enjoyed the chopsticks. Can't wait for another chance to try that. Maybe we'll find those chopstick trainers. And some very big bibs. And we will all sit at the table. And get a dog to hoover up the crumbs.

But wait! Call now. I mean, "Nana, I have to go potty" and off ran one birdie. I waited for the "Nana, I'm done" call as birdie number two continued to graze off of my plate. I carefully sat my plate in the CENTER of the table and went to assist.

Upon completion of our chore, I walked out into the kitchen and birdie #2 (Chevy) had pulled out the chair, climbed to the middle of the table, pulled the plate over, and was sitting in the booster seat eating the remainder of my meal! Ha! The blessings of little children...

The quiet meal.

I did clean out the cracks of the chair. You are safe to come over and visit.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Not Every Classroom


Not every classroom has a chandelier. Or fancy lights. Or maybe not even matching couches. Especially not a gas fireplace (for looks and ambiance only, not a safety concern!).

Then again, not every church body meets in a funeral home. Yes. A funeral home.





We do. Our children are so blessed to have a fancy room. Of course they are more interested in puzzles, car tracks, people toys, books, and when can we have snack. They don't notice the above at all. That's kids for you. Focused on the important things.


Saturday, March 9, 2013

Shadows

I so wanted to have my camera with me today on our quick trip to get the mail!

It's still a little cool, so I decided against hauling it. But as we drove the back way to the post office, we turned a corner and came into the sun. Definitely a warmer setting than the previous jaunt in the shade of the hillside.

Warm, bright, spring-y feel, super shadows and effects from the setting sun. Glancing to the right, I noticed our shadow having just as much fun as we were having. Trailing along with us. Checking out the horses, the new white calf (already with an ear tag), the deer fording the river, hawks, sleeping dogs, suspicious beaver-looking dams all over the meanderings of the river and off shoots. Oodles to see and smell.

The four of us had a grand ride.

Me (and me) and my shadow(s), 'trolling down the avenue.

Or the old highway.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Campin'

Wow. Totally missed February. That's what happens when I have OTHER writing deadlines and physical therapy for my foot.

But on to the camping. I have some campin'lovin' babies. Ok, not so much babies anymore. Adorables. Yes. The nana can call them the Adorables. And they are not picky about the tent.

So, the nana makes a pretty lame tent. It's what I could grab fast...



A sheet, tucked over the couch back, a few pillows, a clothespin or two...



And still sister wanted to pull on the sheet to make it fall down. On top of the brother. Pretty normal sister stuff, if you ask me.



The OLD (as in MINE from MY childhood, back in the age of dinosaurs) Barbie tent was quite a hit with the boy. He LOVES camping. Duplos make great chairs and camping props. Who cares if it is flimsy plastic stuff with 70's stickers still attached?



Sister was more impressed with sitting on the coffee table.



One day. We will camp out in the back yard. But not yet. It's too cold.