Monday, April 27, 2026

a little weekend

We were watching kids try to play in the sandbox last week, and at this point it's mostly just dirt.

Kind of depressing.  The turtle sand box we got last summer is just too small.  Kind of disappointing.

So Friday I called for a load of new sand.   They wanted to bring it out right then and there!  I told them not necessary.   The sandbox isn't going anywhere and neither are the kids. There's no rush.

Well, in two hours the dump truck arrived.

Later on we went up to the lake.






Alicia's dad arrived in the afternoon, a nice surprise.  He joined us for supper at the restaurant, and it was a quiet weekend, but that's okay.

And then Sunday we came home again.  

Hope 2026 is a good summer.   Love you all, MOM aka Grandma
 

volleyball


She's improving, getting really good at serving.

We have a kid playing Ultimate Frisbee, which is new.  Don't have any pictures, but hope we can get to a game next week.

And tonight!  They played lacrosse in this cold rain.  Ugh.

Love you all, Grandma
 

davey vs spider



 Julia's video

Love you, MOM

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

happy birthday



Fourteen!  


 


It has been such a pleasure watching you grow and knowing the fine person you are.

The sweetest little baby turned into a darling, funny kid, who became this beautiful teenager.

This whole family is lucky having you.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart and all the best wishes for the year ahead.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa












Monday, April 20, 2026

monday guys

There they are, ready for action.


It was a little cold, but not too bad, got outside for an hour.

It is still pretty drab and muddy, but some warm sun will get everything green very soon.

I think we might have to get a load of sand.

The sandbox was supposed to be going away, and yet?

It has so much play value, so much.

We made this sandbox for Baby Jay back in the day, and he's 34 now.  Then we took away the old sand and brought in new for another batch of little kids years ago.

And now it is mostly dirt again.

It would probably be worth it.  We are thinking about it. That little turtle sandbox I bought last year doesn't really cut it.




Anyway, that's the end of a fine Monday.

Love you all so, Val


 

some kids

We hadn't seen these guys in a while and they were so nice to grill hamburgers and spend a few hours with us.  

So much fun.  I haven't laughed this much in a while.


Lacrosse has started and they're off to a good looking season.
And volleyball too, can tell she's getting better each season.

This was the concert and Inventor's Fair, very nice evening.

Joe especially loved the songs that had the recorders playing.

Recorders are actually not that easy to play, and are easily out of tune. They did great.


That's her with the invention--an insert to keep all the items in the lacrosse bag from sliding into a heap.  It was important it not add a lot of weight to the bag.  Seemed pretty successful.

The other inventions were cool too.  One child had a guinea pig cage where you turn a crank and the plastic flooring on a roll slides straight into the trash, little poops and all.  Very useful and creative.



 Lots of love, Grandma

this and that






Okay, that's my feather duster.

Destroyed.

Who, me?
Love, Val