Ladies' Day on Gentlemen's Friday

 

No longer content to just shake and rattle Gramma's old spice jars

(she put different items in each one to create unique sounds)

Nolan works hard to get the lids off.

It's time for a new design, involving duct tape.

Another lesson in life.

 

 

There's a bit of engineer in all children.

Lights on, lights off.  Repeat as necessary.

 

 

He knows where Gramma's watering can is kept

and takes the job of watering the plants very seriously.

If only Grampa did, too.

 

 

He tries to test the dirt with his fingers, the way he's seen Gramma do it,

but he doesn't know what he's feeling for.

 

 

Gramma brought home two young girls for Nolan to play with.

"How did she know just what I wanted?"

 

Nolan checks out what the girls get to eat.

Then he tries to help Grampa feed them.

 

 

Nolan's favorite book is Dr. Seuss's The Foot Book. 

He likes to read it while he gets his diaper changed.

When Nila picked up his book, Gramma and Grampa held their breath.

But she looked it over and returned it to Nolan, which he gladly accepted

 

 

They discussed the book a little further.

 

 

Nolan decided he was willing to share with such a nice young lady.

 

We got out more chairs for our guests.

Nolan thought of a new use for them.

 

Nolan and his ladies.

 

"Is your name Micaela?"

 

"Or is that your name?

 

Did anyone bring a deck of cards?

 

"I bet a blue block and raise you a red one."

 

The Stairway to Heaven.

 



 

Grampa Terry helps teach Micaela to fly a plane.

 

 

Nila discovered Nolan has a lot of fun things to do at Gramma Deb's.

Twins know how to help each other.

 



 

Time for four-handed duets at the piano.

Nolan is playing the primo part.

I'm not sure who's pedaling.

 

 

 "Do either of you young ladies know "Chopsticks?"

 

 

A change of partners.

 

These seats are perfect for pre-Suzuki duets.

 

She can say, "Doggie."

And wonders why it never says, "Woof, woof."

 

"Are you thrilled with my trills?"

 

"I'm working on maintaining a steady beat.

I hope to grow up and be a drummer like my Daddy."

 

 

This is Alicia, Nila and Micaela's mother.

She plays cello with Gramma and has loaned her daughters to Gramma on Fridays.

 



I saw these deer in the front yard of a friend's house in Wauconda. 

There were at least ten more, but they refused to hold still for a photo.


News from California Crew

 

When you climb a tree, it's important to focus on where you're going,

rather than where you've been.

 

When riding a carrousel, it's important to learn to enjoy both the ups and the downs.

 

Wouldn't it be nice to go to work with a couple of superheroes everyday?

 

It's nice to know superheroes have alternative lives, too.

 

The end of being three.

 

When climbing a tree, it's important to take time to enjoy the view.

 

No man (boy) is an island. 

 

Gramma used to supervise Nok Hockey at her summer playground camps back in Dubuque.

They used to be hard to find when her own children were little,

but seem to have resurfaced again.

 

When riding a roller coaster, the thrill comes from anticipating what's coming next.

 

Twins are friends in the same family tree.

 

This must be a Gramma cow.  Look at the shoes!

And the evidence of a high fiber diet.

 

Now is the perfect time to sing a "rock song."

 

Easter



Nolan is eager to see what G & G have prepared for lunch.

This is how Nolan says "I love you."

His two fork technique makes lunch go faster.

Following in Nathan's footsteps, Nolan is "brooming."

Nolan insists the faucet should be on full force.
If I try to turn it down, he looks at me incredulously, as if I just don't get it.
Then he turns it on full again.

Oops!  Someone was slow in shutting the pantry door.
Nolan can shift into high gear to get there before it shuts.

He likes to shut himself into the closet; sometimes with the lights off.
I thought I would stand outside and wait for him to indicate he wanted out.
He can outlast me.  I become frightened over what might be happening  inside.

"I'll let you know when I'm finished in here."

Grampa is a good role model for our gentlemen. 
And he has cookies and bread baking, too.

How many pieces can you tear a sheet of tissue paper into?
We'll let you know when he finishes.

Nolan is teasing Gramma by cuddling Grampa.
He won't do it with me.  (Nolan, I mean.)

Nolan is preparing a meal for Aunt Meghan.
I think it must be an Italian dish.  She is!

Taking the plane out of the hangar.

This is Andrew copying his Grampa.
Daddy helped Andrew achieve this effect, by holding him upside down.
I didn't help Grampa.  He was on his own.

We finally got our Skype difficulties worked out. 
I guess the problem wasn't an incompatibility between Apple and Motorola.
It was a Windows 8 app, that made it sound like we had a hamster running on a squeaky wheel right next to us. 

 

I told the boys now they'll be able to understand me
when I tell them about all the silly things Grampa does.
Andrew immediately said, "Tell us one right now."
Grampa provides me with plenty of material, if my memory just holds out.

 

 

 

Nolan found a light switch he could manipulate himself. \

He's ready to turn the world on.

 

 

California Crew

 

 

 

Coloring eggs can be done outside in California.

 

Gramma's "Jaimie" eggs are brown, so they don't require coloring.

 

Remember straw Easter baskets?

Remember when we only had solid colored eggs?

 

Grampa loves Nathan's t-shirt.

 

 

Andrew calls this guy the Easter Dog.

His veterinarian mother agrees with him.

She will do well on her California boards.

 

Auntie Becca will be proud of her tennis playing nephew.

Looks like she has a new doubles partner.