Wanna' Play Pool...

A couple of weeks ago, when we actually had our pool table uncovered for a change, my husband introduced Cade to the game of pool--without the use of a stick! "E" showed Cade how to roll a ball, and hit the other balls with it--and if you're lucky, make the balls land in the pockets!

Cade liked this new game, and took to it like a "duck takes to water"! Unfortunately, pretty soon some of the pool balls began finding their way onto the floor...Which made me think of something that I'd packed away a long time ago!

Our children's old Fisher-Price game table! We got it out of storage, and put it up beside our big pool table. Now the grandkids have a table of their own to play with that's just their size--and that makes Cade smile...(and MiMi, too)

Recent Happenings Around Here...

Cade at the party, posing with his family

The last time I saw Cade was on Saturday night, at his mama's surprise birthday party. His mama celebrated her thirtieth birthday last Tuesday, and was surprised with a party the following Saturday evening.



At first, Cade wasn't at the birthday party. He got left with a sitter, because his mama thought she was going to church to practice singing for an upcoming church function. She arrived at church to find the annex filled with family and friends, ready to celebrate her birthday!



Cade arrived at the party, with his babysitter, a little while later. My husband didn't see Cade and the sitter come in, but I did. A few minutes later my husband turned to me and said, "that little boy over there looks a lot like Cade." I looked at him and said, "Honey, that is Cade!" (I really need to get my hubby to the eye doctor...)



It wasn't long before Cade spotted us sitting at the table. He eventually walked over to where we were, looked up at my husband, and said "Whatcha' doin' E"? It was so cute! I can't get over how well he communicates these days...like a little adult!



On Tuesday, my husband was out in the field watering our newly planted pecan trees. He was using his tractor to pull the water trailer. My husband looked up and spotted Cade and his daddy outside watching him, so he rode over to them on the tractor.



Apparently, Cade decided he'd like to go for his first tractor ride with "E"--and I missed it! I'm sad because I usually try to record such moments with my camera! My husband said that Cade sat very still, and seemed to enjoy the ride. I hope that will be the first of many tractor rides. Next time I'll be watching--with my camera in my hand!

The Big Bad Wolf....

I've been meaning to write about this crazy game that Madison and my husband play together. She pretends to be "Little Red Ridinghood", while he pretends to be "The Big Bad Wolf". See her in the photo wearing her coat like a cloak?

Madison wears her coat on her head, and prances around the house, while "E" makes an ugly face and pretends like he's going to eat her up! I must say..."E" makes a rather convincing wolf--with those bushy eyebrows and that ugly face that only he can make!

Now that cold weather will soon be over, and the pink coat will be put away, I guess the two of them will have to find another game to play! I can hardly wait to see what the two of them come up with next!

Hey, I'm linking up with a fun, new blog hop today! It's called Tuesday Train. It's hosted by several great blogs that I recently began following. The hostesses are House On The Corner , Survival Mama , With Faith Family and Friends , and My Mad Mind. I failed to get the button to work today, but just click on any of the hostess links for details on how to enter the hop. Thanks ladies for hosting this fun hop!

Just Like Siblings...

With so much going on in our family, I hadn't kept both of the grandchildren together in a while, until one day last week. The last time I had the two of them together for any length of time, Cade was just beginning to talk, and he was still pretty content letting Madison be "the boss".

Well...everything's changed now. Cade can "talk up a storm" and he's no longer content to be bossed around. The two of them act "just like siblings"--which means, there's about as much squabbling going on as there is playing! What one has...the other one wants. You know the scenario!

I think visits at MiMi's house just got a whole lot more interesting!

There is one thing the two of them have no problem agreeing on--they both enjoy eating at MiMi's house! Well...you gotta' start somewhere!

Snack Cakes and Telephones...

My daughter shared a funny story with me yesterday, as we were sitting outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine. It had to do with Madison, of course!

Madison's paternal grandparents come to visit her every Sunday afternoon, and they always come bearing gifts. Most of the time they bring her some candy or snack cakes. The problem is--Madison's daddy is notorious for getting into Madison's snacks and eating them...

One day this week, at snack time, Madison, once again, discovered that her daddy had been in her snack drawer--and had eaten all of her "Debbie cakes" except for one in each box. She was not a happy little girl!

With just a little help from her mama, Madison dialed her "Nana" on the phone! It was the first phone call that Madison had ever made, and she did a great job. When "Nana" answered the phone, Madison promptly told her that "daddy has eaten all of my snacks!" The two of them quickly decided that daddy had been a "bad boy"...and should be punished. Shame on daddy--but good job with the phone Maddie!

Caden Celebrates Valentine's Day...

This was the first Valentine's Day that grandson, Caden, was old enough to appreciate and participate in. This year he came to MiMi's bearing a gift of chocolates. Oh, Caden, you sure know the way to a girl's heart--especially this "old gal"!

Of course, MiMi had a little something for Caden, too. He got a little valentine card with some spending cash for starters...It had a monkey on the front of it.

In addition to his spending cash, I gave Caden a little Valentine's candy dispenser. It was a cow that moos and poops candies out in a little dish. LOL Caden seemed to be amused--I know I sure was.

This young man is going to break a lot of young girl's hearts one of these days...but for now, he's busy trying to figure out how to get that cow to "poop" another piece of candy!

Madison's Valentine's Day At MiMi's...

Valentine's Day 2011 was an unusual one--to put it mildly! Madison and I spent most of the day together, while her parents attended the funeral of her daddy's great aunt. Not your typical Valentine's Day at all.

I cooked chicken fingers and french fries for Maddie, because that's what she wanted. She ate hers, as well as part of mine! After lunch, I busied myself in the kitchen baking "E" a German Chocolate cake for Valentine's Day, while Madison played with the Barbies and "read" some books. Did I mention that she spent the majority of the day wearing "MiMi's socks"?

Madison shared with me that she had given her daddy some "Scooby Doo panties", and a "Mickey Mouse" shirt for Valentine's Day. Now that's an outfit I'd like to see...She told me that she received a giant Hershey's kiss, and a Princess book. I'm sure she will know just what to do with that kiss!

My husband had surprised me on Valentine's Day morning with a little stuffed white dog, holding a large Mylar balloon. He left it sitting on the kitchen table, along with a card containing some cash. Madison was impressed with my gift. She spent most of the day trying to convince me that she should have my dog...

Madison had already given me and "E" a couple of gifts on Sunday at our family get-together, but sometime after eight o'clock on Valentine's night, the front door opened and in came Madison--bearing another gift. Actually, Madison tripped on the way in the door, so she did a bit of a "swan dive" entrance...


After she regained her composure, she presented "E" and me a little plaque with her hand print on it. The paint was barely dry! Thanks to my thoughtful daughter for taking the time to make this special gift with Madison--especially after a day spent at the funeral of a relative! We will treasure it always...and thank you, Madison, for each and every one of our gifts!