Maddie's Christmas Field Trip...

I want to take a moment here, and backtrack.  Somehow, in all of the Christmas shuffle, I neglected to post about the field trip that I recently attended with my granddaughter, Madison, and her mom.

Busy Little Beavers preschool took a field trip to Savannah--the week before Christmas!  No wonder I neglected writing about it, huh?  I didn't know which end was up the week before Christmas, did you?

Anyway, the students of the preschool and their chaperons traveled the fifty-five miles to Savannah, and met a local library there.  It was a very large, new library...completely solar powered, too!  Did I mention there was a tree in the middle of it?...It was a "fake" tree, but still it was an interesting sight to see!

We were quietly ushered into a room reserved for "story time".  After a few minutes, the library story teller began reading the children a few books, which they seemed to enjoy.

Following story time, the students and chaperons traveled next-door to the Savannah Mall for a fun ride on the Christmas train.

  Our last stop was to the Bass Pro Shop for a class photo with Santa Claus.  While we were at there, I asked Madison and my daughter to join me for a picture with Santa.  They did.  Here we are, 3 generations posing with Santa!

Following the photo session with Santa, we were on our own for the rest of the day.  After grabbing some lunch at the Food Court, we did a little browsing at the mall, and let Madison play on the indoor playground for a bit before eventually heading for home.  Fun times, fun memories...I'm glad my daughter let me tag along!  Below is a video clip of the trip...

These Boots Are Made For Walking...

A funny thing happened this week...On Wednesday, Madison and her mother had a big discussion about boots.  Although Madison has a pair of "Hello Kitty" rain boots,  she told her mother that she would like to have a pair of  black boots to wear to school--"like the ones other little girls at school wear" she said.

My daughter Brandy explained to her daughter, that while some little girls may be wearing black suede boots in pre-K, she preferred that Madison wait until she's a little older before she got some.  Brandy prefers to dress Madison in more age-appropriate attire.  I'm a bit old-fashioned, and tend to think that way, too.

On Friday, Madison went to visit her "Nana" after school.  Apparently, at some point, Madison had  expressed her desire for a pair of black boots to her paternal grandmother, as well-- hopefully before her discussion with her mother on Wednesday.

In any event, on Friday evening, Madison came home wearing a pair of black suede boots--a gift from "Nana".  Oops!!!   Madison sure does love her black suede boots.  Her mom?  Not so much.  

The "Prepare Song"...

I discovered something new about grandson, Caden, this Christmas season!  I discovered that this little fellow knows how to sing!

Cade is very quiet most of the time.  He's a serious little boy, always concentrating on the task at hand--usually playing with a tractor or a train.  He doesn't spend much time on idle conversation when he's at my house, and he sure doesn't sing!

The other night, out of the blue, Cade began singing "Joy To The World"!  I couldn't believe my ears, even though daughter, Brandy had told me Cade knew how to sing this song.  He sang every word beautifully, and was right on key!  I was impressed, and thrilled, that I finally got to hear it!

Hearing that tiny little voice sing that song took me back nearly thirty years, to a time when Cade's daddy could sing "Amazing Grace" as good as any adult--and he was only two!  (Such sweet memories.)

Now you may be wondering what all of this has to do with the title of this post.  Well, at first,  Cade didn't know what the title of the song was, so he referred to it as "The Prepare Song". (from the line of the song that says, Let every heart, prepare  Him room...) and just  I love it! 

Christmas 2011...

I have made such a mess of keeping up with two blogs!  These days I can hardly keep up with one blog, let alone two!  With the holidays, and all of the extra activities that go along with them, I've had other things on my mind lately.  I've been busy enjoying life!

However, I simply couldn't let any more time pass without posting about Christmas with two of my favorite little people, Madison and Cade.  (I have to say "two of" since I now have three favorite little people to write about!)

Cade got lucky when his parents decided to let him have his Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve.  Ed and I got lucky, too, because we weren't busy in the kitchen, so we had time to go and watch Cade open some of his  gifts!

Cade didn't need any help at all opening those packages this year, and--just like his dad used to do--he quickly threw aside any package containing clothing!  Cade's main present was a John Deere Turf Tractor, which he's learned to drive quite well since Christmas.  He's already made several trips from his house to ours on it!  He drives while his daddy walks...

Madison called our house on Christmas morning to ask us to come over and see what Santa had brought her. The only problem was--she hadn't seen all of what Santa had brought herself!  She hadn't yet discovered the trampoline sitting outside of the front door!  I"m glad, because we got to see her face right after she discovered her present...

That trampoline turned out to be the "hit" of the Christmas season!  Some young folks--and some who are only "young-at-heart"-- took turns jumping on the thing the entire day!  I had to remind my husband of his age, at one point, when he was threatening to turn a flip on it!

Of course, Madison also got some indoor toys from Santa, too,  which she proudly showed off for my camera.  One of her favorite indoor gifts turned out to be a video game.  Who knew?  I guess she takes after her daddy...he likes them, too.

All things considered, I think the trampoline is the "all-time" favorite gift of everyone...It's over a week later, and they're still jumping!  See what I mean?

 

Happy Birthday Chase!

He's here!  Chase Walker arrived this morning, December 27th, at 9:45 am.  He weighed in at 7 lbs. and 10 oz., and measured 21 1/2 inches long...Mother and  baby are doing fine, as are daddy and big brother, Caden.

Madison Sings Rudolph...

Here is our 5-year-old granddaughter, Madison, singing "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer"...Enjoy!

Nothing Says Christmas Like...A Gingerbread Train!

Don't these photos just warm the cockles of your heart?  They do mine...I borrowed them from Christina's (Cade's mom) Facebook page so I could share them here.

I wasn't around when this train decorating was going on, but I wish I'd been a fly on the wall--knowing how much Cade loves candy!  I'd be willing to bet that he ate about as many as he put on the train!

Great job, Christina and Cade!  I love your gingerbread train :)