We have had some amazing weather in our parts that make our grass grow faster and the need to mow more frequent. I’ll be mowing again today. We had some visits from some local deer recently and I’ll be uploading those photos soon to share.
Hope May is starting well for you!
This is a long post as I included all the rest of the fun we had at JJ’s fishing birthday party and the 2nd party on that day for his Uncle Andrew. The venues changed but the fun continued.
When it was time for present opening our little fisherman was getting very tired from all the excitement and he quickly had a melt down but then daddy stepped in and held him and helped him through.
He was pretty disappointed with that underwear but don’t worry Baba and Gramps bought you a bicycle, too.
The fish cake that JJ’s mommy made for him was really cool. The sand is graham cracker crumbs.
Happy 2nd birthday to our precious grandson. He is full of life. He has a few clear words but regardless has many a tale to tell and we are excited for the day the words become clear and we understand the whole story. He loves to do whatever big sister is doing. He enjoys food and is verbal while eating letting everyone know his enjoyment. He loves sticks and rocks and yard equipment.
After cake and before his nap there was time to play with some of the new toys he got for his birthday.
After naps the party venue moved to our country bungalow for a belated Steak birthday dinner for Uncle Andrew who was another year older the week before.
We had birthday pie!
The other birthday boy got to try some Root Beer!
What a fun full day we all had.
These are the people who made up the fishing crew for JJ’s birthday party back on April 17th.
I’ve got a couple more posts to complete our Jaymison’s birthday party fun for the history books.
This week we mowed the lawn for the first time since the beginning of Fall and we have been clearing out some stuff out of the garage and visiting Habitat for Humanity with donations. Hard to believe today is the last day of April. What will May bring? Time will tell.
Time for Wednesday Hodgepodge where Jo comes up with the questions and we come up with the answers. Thank you Jo From This Side of the Pond.
1. What are some memories you associate with spring?
Strawberry Stands in Southern California. Fresh strawberries right from the fields were so juicy, sweet and delicious! Both of our grandchildren were born in the Spring and that is a very special memory being at the hospital waiting to hear about their entry into this world. Addy was born on the first day of Spring. Easter celebrations are also high on the list of things I associate with Spring. Easter is a favorite of mine to celebrate with joy. After we moved to Washington State a trip to the tulip fields in April make for a wonderful visual picture of Spring!
2. April showers bring May flowers…was that saying proven true where you live? Snapdragons, anemones, carnations, lilacs, sweet peas, tulips, lily of the valley, orchids, roses, gardenias…which one on that list is your favorite May bloom?
If I have to choose one I’ll say lilacs!
Here’s a lilac memory from April 2010 of my niece and grandniece at Descanso Gardens in Southern California.
3. What are your top three distractions and how do you deal with them?
Noise, Empty chatter, devices as in smart phones.
If I can’t get away from the noise I have my headphones.
If I can’t get away from the chatter I try to tune it out. I do tend to sigh when the chatter stops.
Devices, I turn them to silent, or turn them off.
4. Do you eat beef?
Yes!
In the course of a week, how often is beef on the menu?
I would say at least 3x’s a week.
A hamburger, steak, prime rib, or a roast beef dinner…which beef entree would you choose and yes you have to choose. Unless you’re a vegan, and then you may pass.
In a restaurant I would most likely choose Prime Rib if it’s on the menu. If not then I’d go with a hamburger.
5. In what way were you creative during the month of April?
I was creative in planning, organizing, recruiting, cooking and serving 58 pastors last Thursday and Friday. We served dinner, a dessert social, lunch and dinner.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
These grabbers are a favorite with our grands. Toys just don’t hold as much interest. They were trying to grab uncle Andrew’s feet.
Continuing with JJ’s Fishing party and the fun we had watching JJ and Addy casting their fishing line to catch some treats.
Enjoying his ‘catch’.
This girl has form!
There was some fishing out of doors, too.
Fishing was fun and we still have more to share from this special day.
This week we have a forecast of temps that rise each day reaching a forecast of 77 degrees this Thursday! What’s happening in your corner of the world?
One of our two days in the kitchen is done and we are beat.
Very tired but satisfied that all went well today.
Tomorrow we’ll feel more like this when the day is over and our responsibilities in the kitchen are done till the next event.
Happy Friday everyone!
On Sunday night of our birthday weekend together our family walked down our kids driveway to catch the sunset after dinner.
Psalm 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
A wonderful finale for us as we began our farewells to our ‘Coast’ kids.
We are all together again and enjoyed Dear’s famous Tomato Rice Soup with some fresh bread for dinner and then we watched the Seattle Sounders Soccer opener. JJ was a little shocked when we all cheered mightily at the first goal. By the third goal Addy and JJ joined in with the celebration clapping and cheering and were ready for the excitement of the fourth goal. We won’t apologize for soccer indoctrination at our house.
Today (Saturday) we are off to have a Fishing themed party for JJ and then later this evening we’ll enjoy a meal to celebrate Andrew.
And speaking of weather we are heading into the 70’s today! Happy day to you all.
We’ve had some sunny days with temps getting up to the low 60’s. The ‘Grands’ enjoyed some new bubble guns in the sunshine.
This little guy loves sticks.
This stick turned on him and smacked him in the face leaving a couple scratches. When I was over last week and we went on a little walk down the drive he pointed at that stick and touched his wounds filling me in on that accident. He is still in the process of forming words and learning to communicate more with words but we have to fill in the blanks and he’ll nod yes or no if we have it right.
All these photos were taken by their mommy.
No Wednesday Hodgepodge this week as Jo is taking the week off from coming up with questions.
It was a wonderful Easter Day because we were able to gather and worship our Risen Lord with our church family. We came home after a service filled with joy and a clear message of the Truth of the Gospel and God’s love for all.
When the rain ceased we went out to hide Easter eggs for the grands to hunt.
It was a very casual Easter table this year with paper plates for the first time in the history of our home.
Dear and I dressed up for Easter service and we had many in our church family taking a second look. We are generally very country casual.
The kids and grands arrived after naps and the first thing on the agenda was to let Addy and JJ hunt for the eggs we had hidden in the back area of our home.
Addy is a pro being 4 already and was off to the races. JJ found a good number, too. Next year he’ll give his big sister a lot more competition.
Finally JJ managed a slight smile for the camera.
Our kids on the ‘coast’ snapped this photo and sent it to us. They were able to gather at their church for Easter service, too.
It was a glorious day!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 