party at dan and alicia's

And that is the end of that.  The food was delicious, the company easy-going, just a great Sunday afternoon.

Thanks for having us all, and Happy Birthday again, Jay.

I love you all, Grandma, aka MOM

the big five six

 He turned 56 today.

The kids baked him a cake while I was working and they frosted it and decorated it, and it was pretty delicious.

 We had this all backward, eating cake before opening presents!  Who's in charge of the order here?

Apparently no one. But it was fine.

 He growled menacingly and tore open the paper with his teeth.

 Showing off his new underwear, which the kids speculated was it scratch n' sniff underwear.

Hopefully not.

 Here he's using his ESPN to guess what's in that gift on top of his head.

Yes, we all know it's ESP.  He calls it ESPN anyway.

 He guessed, "Peanuts!"  It was mixed nuts.  We gave him the points.

 This child requested a sleepover earlier in the afternoon, so excited about Grandpa's birthday she wanted to be here for this spectacular occasion of him opening his gifts and having cake.

 We are always glad to have her or any other grandchild, absolutely.  When I texted her mom and told her the request, she said yes. ("How could I ever say no to that??")  

The child jumped for joy and ran and put her pajamas on in the middle of the afternoon.

Jay?

You?

 Always, my best boyfriend ever.

 Not that we don't drive each other insane sometimes, frustrated and annoyed.

We definitely do.

 But one of the things I admire and love most about you is something I didn't even appreciate until we were in our 40s, like we are in this lake picture.

 As much as you may bitch or be accused of negativity and so forth, you tell it how it is with you. I don't have to wonder, or guess, or fill in the blanks, or imagine all the things you're not telling me.

Oh, hell no.

You've probably already told me three times more than I want to hear.

This is a good thing.

Here's a classic from your 40th.

 I always liked you in that shirt.

And this beautiful old picture from Green Lake, John pushing the boat out or dragging it in, who knows?  Probably in. It looks like the evening is ending.

As it did today, Julia commenting on the beautiful night sky.

Happy Birthday, my dearly loved friend.

Thanks for being mine, for being ours, for being devoted and kind to our kids, and all the dogs, the turtle, the guinea pigs we've had, the geckos, both our families, your customers and mine, and also me.

Thanks for the ranting and hollering that's real and true, also.

We are all lucky having you.

Happy Birthday, Darling.  love, Val and Everybody

party in the pounce pile

 A bunch of cousins were here today, going nuts.

More would have even joined, but I couldn't be sure they'd all be safe with just little old me in charge.

 These are the baby sisters, the girl cousins, happily eating tater tots for lunch.

 She wanted her picture taken too. She's never been big on photos, or for smiling for pictures, but if Grandma is taking pictures of the babies?

We need one too.

Plus she is my sweet honey.

 And that's Mr. Charming, giving a coopertive smile.

 Tim next to the pounce pile, getting pounced on by two babies.

 They did make it outside after puzzles.  It was about 32 degrees out, soft, damp air. I told them not to trample in any dog poop, and it seems as though they did not.  Just fresh air and fun.

 Then we heard that those two kids--the daycare lady from the rest of the week now has room for them in her situation.

(insert smart-alecky vulgar kissing noise)

Alicia and I talked about this in the house and the driveway, but came to no conclusion.  If Alicia and Dan pass this by, is it an opportunity lost to secure a spot?  (In which case I can have them whenever I want anyway, but they are required to pay.)

 I don't know what to do. I've sure enjoyed these insane little Mondays. Jay was no help in any kind of decision making, even though if I take on something and have overflow work, then he has to cover for me.  He's kind like that, rolls his eyes, but steps up.   And then Napoleon jumps on the back of his neck and kicks him around. That's the kind of relationship they have.

 And that brings us to the end of a very perfect Monday.

love you all. Grandma, aka Val

you, little angel

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl.

You're only been here one single year, and that's kind of confusing to believe because it feels like you've always been one of us.

 (These are pictures from the day you were born.)

And your dad says the same thing too, how sometimes he looks at you and is completely blown away by the miracle you are, the miracle your presence among us feels like.

Sweet angel, obviously this whole family is better because you're in it.

love forever, Grandma and Grandpa and Everybody

very cold monday

 These guys, this morning, watching Price is Right.  Alicia isn't sure if they've ever seen the program before, but the oldest one immediately understood the concept and the show.  They liked it.

They jumped up and down and cheered with the contestants

 And a little Little Debbie is a lot of fun.

Oh, and that angel in the plaid shirt told me that he needed to take a bath today. His dad said so, that I should give him a bath.

Whaaat?

I have to verify that first.

Dan said it was true.  Last night at bedtime, the kid wanted a bath, so to move him along he said he could take one tomorrow at Grandma's house.

Okay fine then. Water run, kid hopped in.  He was floating boats and little army men were on the ledge, some Barbie children were in a row.

I said I was there to wash him and he informed me, "This is not a washing bath.  No washing. No shampoo."

I texted Dan who said yes, he definitely should be scrubbed and to tell him so.

I did, and held up my phone.  He stared at the phone, cautiously.

No washing happened.

Dan said all the baths would be play baths if it were up to the kids.

Maria was laughing.  I asked her if she ever took a play bath?    We hooted.

Kids are so insane.

Okay, good night.  love to all you unwashed individuals, love MOM, aka GRANDMA