Catching Up...

Lately, I'm failing miserably at keeping up with this blog!  I was able to keep it up regularly for so long, but these days I just seem to be spinning my wheels...Meanwhile, life goes on!

All three of the grandchildren are growing like weeds, especially baby Chase, who will soon turn 3 months old!  I can't believe he's almost been in this world for nearly 3 months already!  He already weighs over 12 pounds, too!

Madison is busy finishing up the final few weeks of her "Busy Beavers Preschool" classes.  She's also busy finishing up her final weeks of dance class.  Before we know it, summer break will be here!

Madison has had more than her share of illnesses since Christmas.  It's been first one thing, then another.  She was forced to skip dancing at the Rattlesnake/Wildlife Festival a couple of weekends ago, due to  an earache.  Thankfully, she's well at the moment--and I hope she stays that way!

I snapped the following photo of Madison in one of her dance costumes, on picture day.

Cade has been busy (and sick), too.  He's just getting over a nasty cough and an earache.  He's been learning how to share his mom's attention with baby Chase, and also how to be a big brother.  In between, he's been busy having lots of fun!  Not long ago, he went to the park, and  played with some of his little friends, and watched his daddy playing in a basketball tournament.  Cade said, "I didn't like the buzzer!" (at the basketball game)

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I haven't seen it yet, but I'm told that Cade has planted a small "garden" at his house.  Cade's been quite interested in our garden since we first started planting it.  (On more than one occasion, Ed and I have been working in the garden, only to look up and see that little green tractor heading our way!)   Perhaps Cade will turn out to have a "green thumb"--and we can convince him to help us in our garden!

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words...

Don't you love how, every now and then, the camera manages to capture a "magic moment"?  

I was thrilled when I discovered this priceless photograph stored on my camera.  

I think it's safe to say, grandfather and grandson have officially "bonded"!

A Day In The Life...

Yesterday, I began my week by keeping our two grandsons for a couple of hours.  I try to do this regularly so our daughter-in-law can have a couple of hours of uninterrupted silence!  I may be old, but I still remember what it's like to have several little ones around 24/7!  Silence is rare, and it's treasured!

Granddaughter, Madison, doesn't have school on Mondays, so I invited her to come over to play with Cade during his visit.  She arrived before I had a chance to go pick up the boys, so she rode down to their house with me.  Madison lives right next-door, while the boys live just down the road from us.

As I drove down the road, gathered up the baby, the children, the diaper bag, and began loading up my "precious cargo" of three grandchildren into my car, I couldn't help but make this comment, "Life sure gets complicated when you throw a few children into the mix."  Of course, this statement is very true, but I wouldn't want life any other way!

My how mine and Ed's lives have changed over the past six years--but all three of our little "changes" are beautiful, healthy, and unique!  They make us happy, they make us proud, and they also make us tired...after all, we're not "spring chickens" any more.

Yesterday, the grandchildren came, they played, (except for baby Chase, who slept through most of the visit) and then they went home. Afterward, MiMi ate lunch and took a nap... However, Ed had to jump on the trampoline with Madison whenever he came home from work...(smile)  Life is good.

Look Who's Learning To Smile And Coo...

It's our sweet new grandson, baby Chase! Two months old and counting...and growing like a weed!

Future Farm Girl...

Our family recently made the decision to plant a garden.  It's time to get back to basics again, and become more self-reliant--besides, home-grown just tastes better!

We began by planting some new potatoes.  This was granddaughter, Madison's, first gardening experience--and she was all excited about it!

Once the potatoes were cut and dropped, Madison grabbed her little shovel and began to join right in helping to cover them up!  I can only hope she'll be equally as enthusiastic when the potatoes get ready, and it's time to pick them up!

More Valentine's Day Gifts...

I didn't get to see Chase or Caden on Valentine's Day.  Both were busy with their mom, doing other things on that day.  When I did see them on Friday evening, however, they came bearing belated Valentine's Day gifts.

Our candy and two cards from the boys!

This is the inside of the hand-made card--decorated by Caden.  We laughed and commented that the drawing of "E" resembled the old SNL playdough character, "Mr. Bill" :)  He seems to be saying, "Oh no!!!"  Love the flower sticker for me, and the tractor for "E"...Oh, I forgot--Caden corrected me and said, "That's a backhoe, not a tractor!"  I stand corrected.

And here's the other valentine.  One of the cutest that I've ever seen!  It may have something to do with that picture on the front of it!  Thanks, guys.

"Out Cold"

Baby Chase is known for being restless.  He's had a lot of tummy aches since his birth--in other words, he's been a bit colicky.  He also grunts and moves around a lot.

On this particular day, however, he was totally relaxed...I mean, he was "out cold"!  Those are my loving arms that he's resting so comfortably in...

I asked my daughter to quickly take a photo, and she did.  Not long after this photo was taken,  baby Chase woke up and began squirming again.  I guess it was a good rest, while it lasted...I certainly enjoyed it :)