6-26-2017

 Here we have a girl being TWO.

Why we're doing this with the ads, I don't know.  She actually rolled on them at one point.

 Harmless enough

Early in the morning we baked cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and they worked on art some more.  In the afternoon we went to the pool where it was a little too cold, but we tried.

They did face painting out in the backyard.

 They're so darn cute:

She could use more practice, but he was a willing subject and appreciative of the results;

His Uncle John, however?  Did not approve.  I don't know why, what's the harm?  It's not like it was done with a Sharpie

And that's the end of that.  What a day, packed full of kids and fun.

Love, Val, aka Grandma

quiet weekend

It was sunny and cloudy, windy and warm, alternating hour by hour.  We went to Hayward for the Muskie Fest, walked up and down the vendors in the street, bought salsa, and baby booties, had a great time.

We ate lunch at the restaurant where there's a great back yard deck, but they were slow and the food was marginal.  Hmm, disappointed, but that's okay.

 Tim was illuminated in the sun yesterday, hair shiny as glitter, sun back-lighting his ears.  I tried to get a picture and he cooperated, but yeah.  Wish you could have been there.

 Tonight: the sleepover. These three cooked up a plan last week while they were here, and it was a great plan, and I liked it.  After we got home from the lake, I ran to Target for art kits and an inflatable mattress.

They were enthusiastic about the art, which made me happy, and are now sleeping in the family room.

A little while ago, after Jay and I had taken baths and were in our pajamas, and I told them, "We have now reached the point of a sleepover where we must sleep.  Grandpa and I are going to bed. Maria is in bed. Kari and Julia have gone to bed.  Elin is in her kennel sleeping.  Do you see how very dark the night is?  Early in the morning, Maria and Grandpa and Kari have to go to work.  The little sister will be arriving early.  It's time to sleep."

They nodded, eyes wide.

 They were super good at this, rinsing and drying the brushes between colors, painting carefully. They're growing up.

 James came from upstairs about then, ready to drive Kenya home.  He came out to the family room, looked at them and said, "What are you doing here?? Get out of my house!!" There was giddy laughing, and he pounced onto the air mattress, "I love you," and kissed them good night.

And that's the end.   Love, Val

this week

 There were kids here. They drew maps.  We were entertained. One kid knows she lives in Blaine.  Another kid wrote Rodihstal.  He lives in Robbinsdale. We got this.

 Little Jay was here.  He is entertaining.

 We went to the little pool:

 We also went to the mall in Maple Grove for a free Teddy Bear Band occasion.

 Today, early in the tired morning, eating scrambled eggs.

Love, and nothing else.  Val

fathers day

 There were little gifts in the morning after breakfast.

 Some goofing around in the yard, then tackled the tree that fell in the field, until Dan was knocked off the ladder and thank God does not seem to be particularly injured, a little dented, but nothing serious.

Kind of terrifying.  They were cautious, had a solid plan, but one little snag and look out--so grateful.

Tonight I went clicking around on this computer looking for some Dad pictures in honor of  our superb dads.   There were so many pictures of dads doing dad things, so grateful for fathers.

My dad with Dan and John in his lap:

Jay and Dan, 1982:

 My dad pitching over-ripe squash for my nephew Alex to bat:

My mom and her sister, Pat, with their father:

My mom's dad helping me lift half a watermelon:

 Jay's dad, and mother too:

Jay's mother's father playing cribbage with John:

 My great-grandparents and me:

 My dad and me:

 His dad, Pam in the red tights, and me:

 Pam and our dad:

 Dad with my little brother:

Joe and p.j.:

John, a few years back:

Happy Father's Day, you guys,

Love, Mom, aka Val, aka Grandma, And all the rest too