Snow Day With Grandma

Yesterday was a tough day driving into work.  The roads were icy and it didn't help when the radio kept saying..."Stay off the roads, if you can. They are awful."  All the schools around us were closed.  Still I plugged on and finally made it. 

Getting home that night wasn't much better.  In fact, it might have been worse with all the snow coming down and not being able to see the road for the snow.  I was thrilled to hear that we were going to have a delay today.  At least I didn't have to drive in the dark.

This morning I got up and took Dave outside, but it was too icy and dark to take our usual two mile walk.  So, I came back inside and got on the eliptical.  While I was pushing away, I got a text from my friend, Mary.  NO SCHOOL!  I was so glad I didn't have to drive in all that junk.  Even though we now have to go until June 10th, at least it will be sunny when I drive in at 7:00!!!

So, what does a grandma do on her day off?  I'm going to let Dave the Dog tell that story!


My idea of a perfect day at home with my mommy is to just cuddle all day long!



Mommy decided that we needed to shovel the driveway.  So, I watched her!





After that we came inside and had
hot chocolate!!!  I really just had
water!





 





 














Now it's time for another nap!  I like SNOW DAYS!!!

POETRY FRIDAY...Author: WHITNEY

The poetry today was written by Whitney, a first grader.  Her mother posted Whitney's poetry on her blog and I just had to copy this one for mine. 

You are a very good poet, Whitney.  Thanks for letting me borrow your poem about grandparents for my blog!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma likes the cuputer,
Grandpa likes the tv,
Grandma likes tea,
Grandpa likes pop,
Grandma likes cooking,
Grandpa likes the trakter,
Grandma and Grandpa both
let us spend the nite.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and we had a very entertaining night.  We first went out to eat at our local Italian Grile and had a great meal as usual.  Then we headed to Hicksville, Ohio to pick up our good friend, Ramona.  Next, we were off to the Huber Opera House!

There we were entertained by The Redhead Express.  What a fun evening. This family of musicians shared hits from the 50s and 60s, country, traditional, bluegrass and original songs.  The instrumentals had a unique acoustic sound.  The four daughters were joined by their parents and then the little boys (ages 12, 10 and 8) entertained. As they advertised, it was more than just a show, it was a marvelous night of entertainment! 

To find out more about them go to http://www.redheadexpress.com/  You will love them!

HOW TO CHOOSE A BOOK By Graham

As you know, my grandma loves books.  She is always bringing me new ones to try.  After six months of getting these books, I had to learn how to pick a Just Right Book....that's what Grammy calls them!  Here is how I do it:

First I look over all my choices. I'm really into bright colors, so that is what I look for first!

It's always good to get others' opinions. Ask them what they like.  Ask them if they've read any of these. Ask them to give you suggestions! Grammy always has good suggestions!

Sometimes, it just comes down to what feels good to you!  I also like the Five Finger Rule.  Since I can't read ANY words, I just see if ALL my fingers fit around it! (The mouth is a good way to test it, too!)

You might want to try it from all angles.  I love getting my mouth around a good book.

When you have finally picked the right book, you just know it.  You can spend hours devouring a good book.  "Hey, Grammy, are we ready to read now?"

Happy Birthday, Brandt



Having fun with Dad!





Being a great father





Enjoying the family




Even fighting off monsters



Doing whatever it takes to be brave!



A great part of our family

 No matter what you are doing, where you are, or what is happening, you always make it fun!!!
Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!  We love you!!!

Grandma's Book Club

 On Wednesday night my Book Club met at Si Senors in Kendallville to discuss our latest book.  We had read the newest Newberry Award winner: Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool. 

We all agreed that this was one of the best books we had read, and it was a young adult book!  It had us on the edge of our seats from the first sentence.  This is a book I would have to read to my 5th, 6th or 7th graders and recommend for all others!  It is a book that would MAKE them talk and question and discuss!

Abilene Tucker feels abandoned. Her father has put her on a train, sending her off to live with an old friend for the summer while he works a railroad job.  Ablilene begins to weave her own story into the fabric of the town.

Filled with multiple genres, amazing voice and a mystery anyone would love, this is a MUST for any reader!  Did I mention this is the first book for this author? Amazing!

Our next book for the Book Club is Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm.  It was a Newberry runner-up.  This book is set in the same era as Moon Over Manifest.  It is about an eleven-year-old girl named Turtle. The setting is the Key West.  In this book Turtle's mama gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids. Turtle heads off to Key West, Florida, to stay with relatives she's never met.

Get the connection?  That is our assignment: to compare and contrast the two books!

Yes, this grandma loves books, but even more she loves to talk about books.  That is one thing I hope to share with my grandchildren....my love for books!

Audrey and Mallory

 

For several weeks we have been trying to get down to visit our newest grandchild, Mallory Jeanne.  First, Grandpa had a bad cold.  Then Grandma had a bad cold. Then the girls were all out visiting when we stopped by and last Saturday the weather was horrible! 

Finally, last night we rushed home, walked Dave, and grabbed supper on the way down south.  We got to spend time with the girls.  Audrey just talked and talked and talked.  She is such a little entertainer.  She loved pulling her hood up, tossing Mickey and Minnie to everyone and even taking pictures with her own camera.  Mallory on the other hand was quiet.  She did get a little fussy when it was time for a bottle, which Grandpa got to feed her.

I spent my share of the time holding her and watching her sleep, then wake up and want burped, and go back to sleep.  We just couldn't believe she is almost two months old already.  She still looks so much like her big sister.  In fact, Angie has pictures of both of them at the same age and you can't tell them apart!

What a fun night!

The "Model" Grandma

Aunt Zip was Mom's older sister---a lot older!  In fact, she was more like a little mother to her.  I guess that's just one of the reasons Aunt Zip seemed so close to my sister and me.

Another reason was I was always told I looked like her!  Aunt Zip was from the big city of Detroit and even though she grew up a country girl, she was also a "big-city-girl".  I always loved my summer trips to spend a week with Aunt Zip and her family.

After Mom died, I became even closer to Aunt Zip.  We had our Sunday morning calls.  We would talk at 7:30 a.m. every week.  I'd tell her about my week and get her to tell me about her memories.  Sometimes she'd tease and say, "Me not know!" and then giggle.

Things I learned from Aunt Zip:

• what a drive-in  movie was
• how to ride a city bus
• how to go job hunting
• how to fold a fitted sheet
• how to cook on a gas stove
• how to enjoy sports at any age
• and best of all: how to be a wonderful grandmother!

Aunt Zip died four years ago yesterday. 
I love and miss you, Aunt Zip!!!

Christmas in February

Since Andy lives in Arizona now, we don't get to see Emma and Adrian as much as we would like.  I do try to stop in to see them when I am visiting their school for "coach" business, but still it isn't enough.

We were thrilled when Andy came home for a visit and brought the kids up to see us.  They had not opened their presents yet, so that is what we did.  When Adrian got in the door, he immediately asked me where the Christmas tree was.  I told him we had taken it down but showed him a picture of it.  Then he said, "But where are the presents then?"  Grandpa took the kids to the basement where we had stored them and they brought them up!

We first had pizza with cookies for dessert.  Adrian was sure he would only eat one piece of pizza so he could then hurry and open presents.  Well, the pizza must have been good because two pieces and three cookies later, we were opening presents.  Dave loved getting all the used wrapping paper!

It is alway great to see Andy.  He is so much fun.  I know the kids miss him loads, so it is wonderful when he can spend at least a little time with them.  They are such sweeties!

We always have so much fun with Emma and Adrian.  We would love to take them to Arizona again this year for Spring Break.  We are working out details now.  Until then, hopefully, we will get to see them again SOON!!! Love you guys!!!

Snow Hits Grandma's House

 Dave loved playing in the snow.  He found a great stick to throw around and chew on as Grandma and Grandpa shoveled the snow.  Dave did not like the snow blower, but loved to have snow thrown on him as he watched me shovel. He romped and made "Dave-angels" in the snow.  He keeps asking to go out to play at night.  We always take him out, so it means bundling up just to see if he really has to go out, or it is just an excuse to play in the snow some more!

Grandpa had to get the really big drifts.

It just kept piling up as we threw more and more snow on top of the pile.

Ty's Last Meet This Year

 Last week we were able to go to Ty's last wrestling meet at New Haven.  It was a three-way meet.  That means they competed with three teams in one night.  Unfortunately, Ty did not have anyone in his weight catagory in two of the meets.  We waited until about 8:30 to finally see him compete.  It was well worth it.  Even though he did not pin his opponent, he did a fine job.  We were very proud of him.  He did finish his season with a winning record and looks forward to next year!

 

While we waited for Ty to compete, we were able to spend time with Meron.  She loved to crawl onto Grandma's lap and play the video match game on my iPhone.  She is such a friendly, happy little girl and we have so much fun with her!