His Father's Son...

Quiet little Caden's personality is constantly evolving.  He's turned out to be quite a serious young man--he's becoming very intense.  He also appears to become interested only in certain things, and totally concentrates most of his attention and energy toward those "certain things". 

At the moment Cade's still very interested in tractors, lawn equipment, and tools.  He seems to love nothing better than "fixing" things or pretending to mow down the flowers in the yard with the bubble mower!  A tractor is one of his favorite toys.  None of these things are like his dad, but are more like his "Epa" or Uncle Clint.  Cade's daddy hates yard work and fixing things.

However, Cade's daddy, Brett,  is a very intense, serious person, who usually focuses his attention only on the few certain things that interest him.  He's still that way today.  While Brett was growing up, he took his play very seriously--just like Cade does! 

One of Brett's "all-time" favorite toys was a ride-on tractor.  It ran on battery power, and that poor tractor made a million trips around our yard before it finally wore out.  Brett never liked playing with cars or trucks though. He only liked that riding tractor!

Another very striking similarity, between father and son, became evident  yesterday while Cade was playing around in the yard.  As he constantly moved about the yard getting into things, I found it necessary to speak to him several times.  In other words, I "got onto" him.  He eventually got mad with me, and walked away muttering "Dang it."  This action was exactly like something his father would've done!  Cade is definitely his father's son...

Another Great Maddie Moment...

Madison has always been a little performer, without really meaning to.  She's managed to keep us all entertained and laughing for the past few years. She's always been so dramatic and animated.

I found these movie clips buried in the depths of my computer yesterday.  I had another good laugh when I watched them.

Madison was a little slow in getting started talking to me, but once she got going, she really got going!  See what I mean...
  

My Birthday Candygram From Caden...

My birthday was last week, and I got very unique and thoughtful gift from grandson, Caden. His mom is very creative, and came up with the idea to make a "candy gram" to me from Caden.  (click on the image to enlarge it)

It read:

Don't get a "Big(lemon)head", but I think you're pretty great! You're an "Extra(gum)special" person who's "Mounds" of fun and have brought me tons of "(Almond)joy"! Not to "Butter(finger)" you up, but even if I went into "Orbit(gum), searched the "Milky Way", I couldn't find a Mimi quite like you!   I would love to give you "100Grand" and send you on a shopping "Spree" or even a trip to New "York(Peppermint Pattie)", but I thought it would be more fun to make this giant "Sweet(tart) card instead. That way I can tell you how I've enjoyed the "Big(peanut butter lover's cup)" times with you...from when I was a tiny "Baby(ruth)" until now, almost "3(Musketeers)" old. Playing with your toys, eating all your "candy corn" and throwing "(Pop)rocks" in your fountain are just a few favorite "moments(Mentos)". I hope this makes you "Snicker" and not "Cry(babies)". Have a "Red Hot" birthday!   Love you to "(Reese's) Pieces", Caden

I love my "candy gram".  I'm going to enjoy looking at it for just a few days, before I eventually take it apart and share it with the grand kids.  I'm sure they will both enjoy helping me dispose of the candy :)

Thanks a bunch Caden!  We'll be eating your gift soon!

Maddie's Second First Day of School...

 Maddie's school supplies

Getting ready to go...

Outside of the school

Inside of the school

I can't believe it's that time again already...Time to bid summertime goodbye, and say "hello" to a brand new school year, but alas it is time! All good things must come to an end...

This morning marked the beginning of Madison's first day of her second year of school. Her mama says that Madison woke up at 5:30 in the morning--ready to go! By the time I ambled over to their house a few minutes after seven, Madison was dressed and had already eaten breakfast!

We took a few pictures, then loaded up in the car, bound for Maddie's first day of "Busy Beavers". I really appreciate my daughter giving me the opportunity to "tag along". I enjoy watching Madison experience new things, and like to think that I can be of some support to my daughter.  Sometimes it's very difficult to watch our little ones spread their wings...especially for us "stay-at-home moms".

By the time we arrived at school, several other children were already there. Madison quickly hung up her book bag, then went to explore her new school. She barely gave us a second glance. I am so thankful! It made the morning much easier. The tears being shed this morning didn't belong to Madison...

I can hardly wait to hear about Madison's exciting first day of her new school. I hope she enjoys herself, and learns lots of new and exciting things. As for Maddie's mom, I think she will enjoy her mornings of freedom--once she gets used to her quiet house!

Sugar and Spice...

I've been meaning to post this precious picture for a few days, but somehow I never got around to it.  This is one of the first photos of Madison with her new baby cousin, Gabriella!  Gabby was born about six weeks ago, and she is the second grandchild of Madison's other set of grandparents.

Madison is absolutely thrilled to have another cousin!  I think it's nice that she now has a girl cousin, in addition to her boy cousin, Cade.  Madison also has another boy cousin on the way, (Cade's baby brother) due to arrive in December.  I say, "the more, the merrier!"

Since the arrival of baby Gabriella, Madison has been asking for a baby brother or sister.  Little does she know that her parents have been trying to have her one for nearly two years.  It just doesn't seem to be God's will at this time.  In fact, Madison is somewhat of a miracle baby herself.

I think Madison would make a great big sister, if the Lord ever decided to bless her family with another baby.  If not, she'll still make a great big cousin to her younger cousins.  She sure is growing up fast!

Memories of Sprinklers, Tootsie Rolls...and Me

I wish I had a picture of what I saw on Wednesday.  I was riding by Cade's house when I spotted two little boys outside in the yard, in their underwear, playing under the water sprinkler!  The sight was precious!

Christina, Caden's mother, sometimes keeps another little boy named Jayden, who is just a few months younger than Caden.  The two boys are nearly the same size, and could pass for twins.  The two boys have played together off and on for ages, so they've grown up together.

The boys were oblivious to everything as they were running around in the yard, and ducking in and out of the sprinkler.  I noticed a toy tractor parked up next to the sprinkler, so I'm assuming they were riding in and out of the water at some point.

By the time I stopped my car, and walked up to them, the little boys had moved on to climbing the sliding board.  I had a brief conversation with them, gave each one a "tootsie roll", then  headed back to my car to continue my journey home.

As I was leaving the two boys, I couldn't help but remember similar good times during my own childhood.  I still remember how exciting it was to get my parents' permission to play under the garden hose!  It's nice to know that a few things haven't changed. 

As I watched the boys happily chewing their "tootsie rolls", I smiled.  I recalled another happy memory from my own childhood. .  I loved nothing better than eating candy, but these days something's changed!  It's the size of those "tootsie rolls"...They keep getting smaller and smaller!

The Timer...

Just when I think I'd seen it all, I saw something new last night!  Granddaughter, Madison, surprised me again, with another "first".

It was around eight o'clock in the evening, and my husband and I were about to settle in to watch a little television before calling it a day.  We heard the familiar footsteps of Madison on our front porch. 

Madison opened the front door to come inside, but this time she had something in her hands--a ticking kitchen timer!  Madison explained to us that she had come over to play, but that her mama said she had to go home when the timer rang.  I looked at the timer, Madison had 29 minutes to play!

Madison and "E" settled into their usual routine of playing in the living room floor.  They played with an assortment of small toys that I keep in a plastic box.  After 29 minutes, the timer rang.  Madison stood up and announced, "It's time for me to clean up and go home!"  That's just what she did, too!

Tonight Madison returned, timer in hand.  She and "E" played with Barbies this time.  In the middle of the visit, I finished getting supper ready.  Madison asked if she could eat supper with us, so Ed called her parents and got permission for Madison to eat with us.

In the middle of supper the timer rang again.  Madison said "Uh Oh!", and started to get upset because she thought she had to get up in the middle of her meal and go home.  We assured her that she could finish eating first, and she did.  After supper, Madison took her kitchen timer and went home, without even being told to!  Wow, the power of a kitchen timer!