Airplanes and space


I recentlytook Shawn Jr. to the museum of flight. The first time I took him he was 3 yrs. old. He loved looking at the many airplanes hanging from the ceiling and displayed on the three levels of the museum. He was slightly interested in the space shuttle.. It was fun time for both of us. Since that first visit he has mentioned several times that he would like to go back to the museum of flight, his requests coming more frequently in the last few months. Loving our alone time, I decided to take him again this January. Even though it was hard to cough up $25.00 to go walk through and look at airplanes again, I wanted to please my grandson. (He was free the first time around, and I had a coupon for me:))

We spent an entire afternoon looking around and walking through the museum. This time Shawn Jr. was talking the entire time. He asked questions nonstop. He was relaxed and in no hurry. He walked through the museum with his little eyes wide open with wonder and excitement, enjoying every minute of it. He asked if we could go walk inside the space shuttle and showed me where they slept standing up-things remembered from our previous trip about a year and a half earlier. It was a special day for me that I will always remember. I don't know much about airplanes and I fear the questions will become more and more complicated as we return to the museum, so I took Shawn and his brother to the library last week to load up on books about planes and space shuttles... what a wonderful learning experience for both of us. My number one grandson( as he calls himself) has started yet another tradition to be passed along to his younger brother and cousins. He did say that we probably shouldn't take Xarik and Baron until they are four-because they would run around too much, but that Carson could probably handle it . My wise little guy....

Shawn Jr./museum of flight

Shawn Jr./museum of flight

Museum of Flight

Museum of Flight
Shawn Jr. in the Concord 2011

Shawn/air balloon

Shawn/air balloon

Shawn Jr./helicopter

Shawn Jr./helicopter

Shawn the Astronaut

Shawn the Astronaut

Shawn Jr./control tower

Shawn Jr./control tower

Shawn Jr.helicopter

Shawn Jr.helicopter

Shawn Jr.space needle

Shawn Jr.space needle

Shawn Jr./airplane

Shawn Jr./airplane

Shawn Jr./2011

Shawn Jr./2011

Museum of Fight/ 2009

Museum of Fight/ 2009

Gaga/Papa and the grandkids

Gaga/Papa and the grandkids

My little blessings

My little blessings

Sunday, February 15, 2009

STARBUCKS

Keith and I were talking the other day about our plans for Saturday. Keith mentioned that one of his clients gave him a Starbucks card and we could go have a green tea latte--my favorite!! As he mentioned the starbucks card, little Shawn spoke up and said I know you have one Papa I saw it. Papa was a little puzzled and said , "you couldn't have Shawn , it is in my wallet." I shrugged and said maybe he meant that they drove by starbucks or something. A little while later, we were standing by the hutch in the dining room and little Shawn picked up a little box that I keep there(it is shaped like a star) He said , very matter-of-fact, "See Papa, I told you I saw your STAR BOX".

The Three's Class: Valentine Tea

I had the honor of attending Mrs. Eakins's Annual Valentine Tea at the preschool my grandson attends.
The three year olds are told that they can invite one "special person" in their lives to join them at the tea party. My Little Shawn chose me. As you may guess we were both very delighted!!!
He is such a special little guy. We had a wonderful time together, playing with his favorite toys at preschool . Shawn loved showing me off to Mrs. Eakin. He was very proud of his Gaga that day and Mrs. Eakin said that she loved watching me "glow" as I observed him at circle time and other activities. I wonder if , as parents we are able to get that fullness of love and affection for our little ones. Or are we often so caught up in our responsibilities and pressure of our lives that we can't fully get it. I know I had very enjoyable moments watching my own children grow..but as a grandparent, I feel like I enjoy all of these moments in a whole new light. It is such a wonderful chapter in my life, I want it to never end...

On another note, as I was playing with Shawn at the preschool , we were looking at an array of figurines.. The figurines were about 6-7 inches tall. They were "dolls" dressed up for different professions such as a doctor, a mail lady etc..I asked Shawn to guess each of their professions. I held up a women in career apparal and said to him, " look she has a breifcase in one hand and a cell phone in the other." Shawn leans over to me and with a look on his face that I have often seen on my own children's faces, he says, "no Gaga, that is not a cell phone, that is a tv remote" I looked at it again, and evidently this toy was a little outdated for these new toddlers, the very large cell phone (of the ninties) did indeed look like a tv remote and not like any cell phone Shawn had seen in his 3 1/2 years !!! lol

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Baby Baron

I have added a couple of pictures of Baron. He is growing up so fast. He totally recognizes "Gaga's" voice and is very happy to see me. These pics are him lying on the floor next to me at the computer while Mama runs upstairs for a quick shower!! He is just cooing and smiling as he looks up at me . He definitely has a lot to tell me, but then I haven't had a grandchild yet who doesn't have the "gift of gab" in one way or another.
He is a joy to have in our home and I will miss him when they move in with Shawn and Beth. But then I can go over and see three grandsons in one visit.


Saturday Breakfast With Shawn Jr.

This Saturday morning, Papa and I picked up Shawn Jr. to go have breakfeast with us. Shawn and I have gone just a couple of times to the donut shop, so this time I thought we could do something a little different. While we sat there at Dennys, enjoying our breakfast and Shawn talked about how much he liked his french toast and chocolate milk, he asked, "Gaga, can we go to the donut store on the way home?" I said why don't we go for donuts next time since we came to the restaurant this time. Well, he sat there for a second or two and considered this. Then, he answered very matter of factly:"How bout we just do both today." Do I need to tell you that yes , I drove through crispy cream on the way home and bought him a chocolate donut to go. A Granma's privilage---right?


That little guy can talk!!
Now this was the baby that communicated mostly with sounds up til close to his third birthday. Don't get me wrong, he communicated very well, it was obvious to all those around him that he not only understood us, but made us understand him. If there were any worries about his future speaking skills, and I admit there was at times, literally the day he turned three, all doubt was gone, he started talking and has not stopped!!!!
It was great sitting there at breakfeast and listening to all he had to say about preschool, mommy, daddy, Xarik,his cousins and aunties, his house and his bedroom , the things we passed on the way there, the food we were eating,and of course Clone Wars!!
A surrreal feeling came over me, as we sat there. Here I was, eating breakfast with my enchanting little prince and my wonderful husband. I felt like a little girl "playing house"-it was all I ever dreamed of and more! I am so blessed, I really am.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Card Making

Well, so far this month I would like to think I have been pretty successfull at making a few New Year's changes. Changing my cell phone tune..whew-big change ha ha, my blogspot, upgrading my computer-well Shawn came over and did that for me, but I bugged him until he did.
Another goal I have had with one of my best friends, Sharon, is to get together and make cards. We both joined a card making class about a year ago. We have wanted to put all the stamping up supplies to good use, to get our money's worth and of course to enjoy them. Well, we have made a few attempts, but with our busy schedules, and grandkids its been a little tough to do.
Last night we finally got together and we had a great time. We each made a of couple cards, cut out the supplies, then we put them together. I really enjoyed this. We have a plan to get totgether at least once a month to make cards, at this rate , we should have lots of cards and it will be lots of fun!!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Dumpster Jumping

I had a little adventure last week, that just goes to show--you never know where you will end up!!
I thought all night about how I would like to get a jump on organizing and getting things cleaned up on Saturday morning , so I could spend a little time on one of my favorite hobbies; card making or scrapbooking.
One of the many things on my list was to drop off clothes at Goodwill and to get rid of some garbage bags in the garage. I knew I had just done this a couple weeks ago, but well... things pile up.. I ran my errands, filled my car up with gas, went to the grocery , to the Goodwill and over to my son Shawn'sapartment complex to throw a few bags in the dumpster. Now first of all, I am not really compfortable doing this and I know it is wrong. But I have been convinced that it is no big deal by many others and I really needed the space in my garage. So I did my "drive thru" thru the aprtment parking lot--too chicken to go directly to the dumpster in case I get caught!! I dumped the garbage and headed home, feeling a big load lift--literally.
I was so proud of all I had accomplished in that short time!!! As I pulled into the driveway, Keith and Cody were there washing Cody's car. I proudly walked up to my husband and announced all that I had accomplished that morning . He stood there and smiled as he listened (obviously pleased) And then inquired "what garbage did you take?" I told him I took the bags in the garage. He told me then to let Kristin know that. I told Kris when I entered the house, she immediately said' Mom, how could you do that?" I was a little perplexed to say the least. She went on to tell me that she had taken all the stuff out of her car (including her purse) and put it into these two garbage bags. She asked if I had looked before I took them, well of course I did, but when I clean things out you can find any number of treasures that I no longer have a need for.. Well, I was a little embarassed and frustrated about my blunder. I wanted to fix it right away.. so I asked Kris to go with me to get it. It was bad enough dumping stuff where I shouldn't have -it was worse having to go back and retreive it. All the way over there I was trying to figure out a way to explain myself if I were to get caught. The first bag was on top, the second was not-I had to literally jump into the big dirty dumpster and get it. Funny thing is , it was a little bit of a thrill for a girl who always likes to follow the rules and can't bear the thought of humiliation it would bring to me to get caught.
Lesson of the story---Look before you leap or if you feel like making cards on Saturday --just do it--you never know where you may end up..

Friday, January 16, 2009

Proud Grandma

Whew!

The week is coming to an end. I watched three of my precious grandsons last night. It was a perfect evening. First of all, I did not have a headache, which is a big plus any day of my life!!!
After work, I picked up Baron at the sitters, stopped to get Shawn and Xarik, fed Baron while waiting for Beth to get ready for work. Loaded the boys up. Unloaded them at my house and all went very well. After I changed his diaper,Baron was content to play on floor on his play mat. Xarik happily crawled and rolled around on the florr. Shawn and I had time to make a salad and sit down and eat. I fed Xarik his food while I ate mine, which left him content to play some more.
After all were fed and changed, Shawn and I were able to sit down on the floor and play his favorite "Star Wars" with his star wars and clone wars figures. We took a good amount of time taking turns picking which ones each of us would get-of course if I picked the "wrong" one for myself Shawn quickly jumped in with "oh no, you don't want that one, gaga". I offered to let him sort them out but he insisted I "could choose my own" lol. As each of our individual "bad guys' would take on the "good guys", Shawn would randomly jump up to check on his brother, and cousin. At one point he jumped up, took a bag of diapers away from Xarik, handed him a toy and came back to battle without missing a beat! Another time, he ran in to check on a crying Baron, came running back and announced "he's ok, auntie Kris is here now" and proceeded to continue and win the battle between his droid and my "good guy". He is an amazing three year old . I have no doubt that he will always be there to watch over and protect his little brother and cousins!!!
I am so proud of my little guys-- I just love them all so much!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Burnt Out Grandma

Yesturday was a very hectic busy day. I started out with a headache that never goes away-its that time of year for my headaches ugh!
After going to the Johnsons and cleaning up and getting Hallie off to school, I went to work---this includes kindergarten, recess duty and various other responsibilities such as teaching a reading resource class...anyway I have a very full day. Meanwhile, my headache grew worse and worse..but my day is not over when the school bell rings...I then went to pick up Baron on the other side or South Hill , desparately trying to beat the traffic..he was happy when I got there but he started crying on the way home..next stop---pick up Shawn and Xarik and drop Beth off at work. Meanwhile, Baron is still upset as we load three car seats in the back of my car. We finally get home and I unload the two babies, 2 diaper bags and a backpack and of course Shawn-who, thank goodness can "do it myself" . I get them into the house and out of car seats onto the floor. I feed Baron and Xarik and change diapers. Shawn and I are hungry too, my head is killing me and so we settle for "scoobie snacks and milk" no argument there from Shawn. During all this craziness I question my sanity..why am I doing this..I know there are many reasons..the biggest one being that I want to be there for my kids..I didn't have that while raising them (my kids) on my own. Suddenly, as I am sitting on the floor, I look around me...all is calm..Baron is happily playing with his hanging musical frog, Xarik is curled up in my lap looking up at me with those big beautiful eyes , and Shawn is beside me, talking happily to his "gaga" and content to be right where he is. I realize then, with tears in my eyes (partly from head pain) that this is why I am crazy enough to want to spend every moment that I can with my grandsons. I want to be there to capture those moments when all is well in their little world, and they are happy and content because they have a "gaga" that loves them all with all her heart and always will. Would I go through this again--you betcha... I am trying to figure out a way to make it a little less hectic for myself tho...