Kids...

Recently, my husband and I had the pleasure of being invited to share some vacation time with Maddie and her family at a nearby beach.  They rented a condo, and planned to be gone for three days and nights. 

Ed and I have invited Maddie's family to join us on vacation, from time to time, so they returned the favor!  We all get along great, and usually have a lot of fun together.  Sometimes we've invited our other children and their families, too.

Ed and I decided to give the family a head start on their vacation, then join them the following day.  I felt like they needed some "family time", and two nights away from home is pretty much my limit.  I tend to miss my bed--among other things!

I guess it's a good thing we decided to join them when we did, because my daughter said that Madison got up the next morning, all sad and ready to go home!  She said that she missed cousin Cade, and she missed her toys!  It was the first time she and her family had been off alone together to spend the night!

Brandy explained to her that MiMi and E were coming to join them later that same day, to which Maddie quickly replied, "Good, then I'll have someone to play with!"  Of course, we all knew that she was referring to her old faithful "friend", "E".

While sitting on the beach later that same day, Madison saw an older fellow walking by, and said "Look at that old man!"  I told her not to say that, because the man couldn't help it because he was old.  Later I asked her if she thought "E" was old.  To which she quickly replied, "Don't talk about my friend!"  Whatever!

My daughter and I have often wondered just how Madison views her grandfather.  We think that she views him as another child, since they are always playing together!  I think she views me as an "old fart" because I'm not "into" playing much, and am usually the one who tries to keep the two them out of trouble!  It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it!

On the way home from vacation, all of us stopped at Wal-mart.  While we were checking out, I looked-- and there were Maddie and E, trying to step on each other's shoes--right in the middle of Wal-mart!  I stiffled my inner self, and didn't tell the two of them to stop.  I should have! 

Our next stop was Burger King.  Guess what happened there?!  The two of them started up their game of stepping on each other's feet--on the sidewalk in front of Burger King!  Guess who ended up with a skinned knee because of it?  Maddie did!  I knew I should've gotten on to those two "kids"!

It Looks Like A...

You may or may not remember that little grandson, Caden, is going to become a big brother in late December...and you may or may not remember that little Caden has said "the new baby can't come and live with them."

Well, last week, Christina was given an early "sneak peek" into the womb, via a sonogram, to see if the sex of the baby could be determined.  It was still a bit early, just over 16 weeks, and of course the baby wasn't really in the mood to "let it all hang out", but they said "it looks like a boy." instead of a positive, "it's a boy"!

I guess the idea of having a baby brother appeals to little Caden, because now he says "a baby brother can come and live with them."  I wonder if he will still feel the same way when he finds out the baby will be staying in his old room...

Baby brothers are nice, as are little grandsons...Can't wait until the next sonogram so we can hear someone say for sure..."It's a boy"!

She Worries About Her Looks...Oh My!

Our girl, Madison, is growing up.  A couple of recent incidents have given us a sneak peek into what we may be facing in the future.

The first incident happened during Madison's first session of Vacation Bible School.  At the end of the week, Madison brought home the crafts that she'd made during the week.  When she pulled out a framed photograph of herself, she began to cry.  She cried because she didn't like the way her photograph looked! 

I didn't witness this incident, but I was shocked when Madison's mom told me about it.  Since when does a four-year-old worry about taking a "bad picture"? 

The second incident happened at our house-- over a Wii game.  Madison refused to bowl because she didn't like the way her little person looked on our Wii!  She said "the eyes don't look right!"  Despite the fact that we changed "the eyes", she still didn't like the way she looked!  You've got to be kidding me!!  All of this drama over "looks" at age four? 

MiMi says..."Oh my!  These next twelve years may prove to be interesting."  Did you notice the photo of Madison at the top of this post?  Madison took it of herself...

A Casualty Of "The Grands"...

I have a barrel fountain, located in a corner, next to our front porch.  The barrel fountain sits there, pumping water daily, making soothing water sounds.  The dogs and cats also use the barrel as a place to steal a cool drink of water during the hot summer days.

I have several "statues" sitting in the corner, surrounding the barrel fountain.  The little deer are one of those statues.  Notice those rocks in the photo?  Yes, the ones hiding under the newly fallen pine straw, that needs to be removed...

Well those rocks are like magnets to grandson, Cade!  He loves nothing better than picking them up, and tossing them into the barrel fountain!  He gets great joy from watching the water splash up as the rocks go "kersplash" and disappear to the bottom of the barrel!

Did you happen to notice the missing ear on one of those cute little deer?  Guess who missed the barrel with a rock or two?!  This is the second time Mr. Deer has had his ear knocked off! "E-pa" has already glued Mr. Deer's ear back on once...It lasted about two weeks!  I guess Cade needs to work on his aim.

 

Look Who Was In The Mood For A Photograph!

Yay! These two were actually in the mood to pose for a photograph--together! Madison actually asked me to take their picture!

Wow, after chasing the two of them around for the past six months, I'd stopped trying!

I'll savor this photograph...It may be a while before I'm able to capture another one!

Life Goes On...

Yes, I'm still here. It's been an extremely hot week, and I've spent most of it indoors enjoying the air conditioning! The heat index has been high all week, and I've only left the house once!

As for the grandkids...they have been attending Vacation Bible School! Caden's church is hosting it this week, and Madison has been going to classes with him and his mama in the evenings. About all I know about VBS is what Maddie ate for supper! She can always remember what she ate, but not a whole lot more details.

It seems so strange that the two grandbabies should be old enough to be attending classes (of any kind) already! Where did the time go?

I haven't seen Caden all week. He seems to grow an inch from week to week. He's such a busy boy these days...and he says that the new baby can't stay at his house! Let's hope he has a change of heart within the next five months :)

Speaking of babies...Maddie has a new baby cousin! Yesterday, Madison's Uncle Matt (her dad's brother) became the father of a new baby girl, named Gabriella. Now Maddie has two cousins--one on each side of the family, with another to arrive in five months.

It won't be long before we know what it's going to be...and life goes on!

Future Farmers of America...Not!

Father and son...playing on "E's" tractor...

Way back in the olden days, when my husband and I were in high school, there used to be a club called "The Future Farmers of America". Most boys in our area belonged to this club, because most boys around here were sons of farmers. My hubby was no exception.

My husband spent many afternoons and summers on his daddy's tractor, helping tend whatever crops were growing in the family fields. He probably grumbled at the time, but if the truth be told, he probably enjoyed it. He must have, because years later, he decided to purchase a tractor! These days, one of his favorite things is riding his tractor!

By the time our oldest son, Brett, became a teenager, farming was quickly being phase out. The high costs of farming were driving the little farmers out of the business. However, our closest neighbor, and family friend, still farmed. At our insistence, our son spent a summer, or maybe two, working for the neighbor harvesting tobacco. Those are not among our son's favorite summertime memories, I can assure you! Brett had no desire to do anything outside in the heat and insects back then--and he hasn't changed much over the years!

Then along comes little Caden, and what is among his favorite of all things??? Riding "E-pa's" tractor! You can bet if Caden hears the sound of that tractor anywhere near his house, his back door will open and he'll be ready for a ride! Caden usually hitches a ride while my husband is mowing or watering the pecan trees with the water trailer.

If the tractor is just parked, Caden seems to get almost as big of a thrill by just sitting on it! Our son, Brett, frequently gets the chore of watching Caden play on the tractor while it's parked. The other day, we convinced Brett to take Caden for a ride! He wasn't too sure about that idea at first, perhaps it conjured up those tobacco memories that he'd just as soon keep forgotten! It was a Kodak moment, but I missed it! However, I did get a couple of photos another day, of the two of them just sitting.

Hmmm...our neighbor and friend, still farms a little these days...I wonder if he could use a helper or two?!