Goodnight Caden...

Cade is spending the afternoon with me today. I just finished putting him down for his afternoon nap.

He has a unique nap time ritual. After I sing about a dozen or so songs to him, we go down the list of names of everyone in the family and tell each one of them goodnight. He says "Bye Mimi", "Bye E", "Bye Maddie"--sort of his version of "Goodnight Moon". His mama told me that he always does this before going to sleep.

After telling everyone "bye" he settles down with his "key" (his little monkey blanket), and quietly goes to sleep.

I love hearing Cade tell everyone goodnight. He's usually quiet, and I don't get to hear him talk much. He's such a sweet little fellow...especially when he's sleeping.

The Bear Shop...

Yesterday I went shopping with my daughter, Brandy, and her daughter, Madison. We had some errands to do. One of our stops was at Kmart, and it happened to be about lunchtime.

As we were checking out of Kmart, Madison noticed a cardboard cutout of the Icee Polar Bear, located next to their snack bar. Madison immediately began to beg to eat lunch at "The Bear Shop" (Kmart's snack bar) Although we tried really hard, we couldn't talk her out of it...so we ended up eating at "The Bear Shop"...

We walked up to the cashier/cook. She gave us a look that said "Oh please don't order food that I have to cook." I thought to myself...too bad lady, we are here to eat lunch--and misery loves company..."

While I ordered, I explained to the lady that my granddaughter insisted on eating here...and that I was unable to talk her out of it. My daughter overheard the conversation, and later chastised me about it. She advised me that my remark was a "sure fire way to get a "goober" put in my food."

Surprisingly, when the food was ready, I had a nice looking hamburger--complete with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion (I didn't see any "goobers"). Madison thoroughly enjoyed her hot dog and french fries! Brandy, on the other hand, ended up with a "dried-up-looking" little pepperoni pizza that had four hard, dry, little pepperoni slices on it! We both laughed when we saw it--she couldn't even eat it!

The moral of this story is...if you are at Kmart, and you have a child with you who insists on eating at "The Bear Shop", order the cheeseburger combo--but not the pepperoni pizza--and watch what you say to the cook!

Clean House...

Yesterday afternoon my oldest son came over for a visit while his wife and son were at a party. He walked in and sat down. In a few minutes, he looked around the room and said " Your house isn't usually this clean when I come over." I shot him a dirty look, and asked "What do you mean by that?" He then clarified himself by explaining that the floor is usually littered with toys from the grandchildren! I explained that I hadn't had any company today.

Yes, these days, more often than not, the floor stays littered with toys. Some days it bothers me that I can't keep it picked up...then I remind myself of all of those years when I had a clean house and no grandchildren--and I wanted grandchildren so badly!

By the way...it wasn't even 20 minutes after my son made that statement about the house, when both grandchildren arrived and the floor looked normal once again! Yes, give me clutter any day...I love my grandchildren much more than a clean house!

Cade's Special Day...

Today is a special day for Cade. He is eighteen months old today! Happy 1 1/2 birthday, little boy!

Cade's a smart little boy, too. He can read upside down...(see his book). If he can read upside down now, what will he be doing by age two???

What Little Maddie Learned In VBS...

Remember that Madison has been going to her very first session of Vacation Bible School this week?

After three days of Madison's sustained silence about what they are doing and what she is learning there, the secret was revealed today!

Madison's mama always questions her about VBS while they are eating lunch. Usually Madison doesn't have much to say...Today, out of nowhere, during lunch, Madison begins to sing that ridiculous little song "Pants on the Ground". Yes, you know the one..."Pants on the ground, Pants on the ground, Lookin' like a fool with yo' pants on the ground".

My daughter was astonished, and asked Madison, "Where did you learn that song?" Madison replies "At VBS!" Lord, help us! An entire week of Christian teaching, and Madison comes home singing "Pants on the ground."

Apparently, one of the little boys in Maddie's class had an accident in his pants today, while another little boy immediately began singing "Pants on the ground", and telling the little boy how bad he smelled...

Isn't it amazing what makes the biggest impression on those young minds? It's going to be a long eighteen years...

MiMi's Little Helper...

Whenever Cade comes to visit me, one of his favorite activities is playing with my broom and dustpan. He's especially fond of the dustpan. He'll push it across the kitchen floor like he's trying to vacuum with it. I'll bet this activity will cease as soon as he figures out that sweeping is a "chore"!

Notice the floor in the background of the photograph...that is what our house looks like after Cade's visits. It looks like it could use a good "sweeping". I call it my "tornado decor"courtesy of the grand kids. Cade doesn't like for me to pick anything up while he's visiting...I think he digs the tornado look!

Cade's other favorite activity is throwing stuff. He now takes great delight in hurling objects through the air. Hmmm...future ball player in the making (?) or perhaps it's just his way of achieving his tornado look...

Little School Girl...

Yesterday the time came for little Maddie to try out being a little school girl...a Vacation Bible School girl!

Madison went to her first day of VBS at our local United Methodist Church. Madison's family does not attend church there, but her Great Aunt Marnie called and invited her to attend their VBS. Since our church doesn't have VBS, Madison's mama decided to let her attend.

It was Madison's first time going to anything without her mama being present. She wasn't alone though. Aunt Sarah stayed with her the entire time. Aunt Sarah is not Madison's great aunt, but a regular aunt, who kindly agreed to stay with her. Aunt Sarah is a school teacher.

Madison said that she had a good time, but she was "pooped" by the time she got home. It's hard work being a "school girl". This is good practice for what's to come in the fall...

I hope she gets up ready to go back to VBS today! Madison's mama reports that she totally enjoyed her "morning of freedom" yesterday, and is looking forward to more of the same today!