Signs of the times!!

When I was a kid (so I'm dating myself), it was hula hoops, double dutch jump rope, hopscotch and Sputnik gum! (Those blue balls with sparkly stuff on them!) Oh, along with lots of other stuff -- like Elvis Presley who my best friend was madly in love with and was sure he would want to marry her. We walked to school -- even two miles!! Fast forward to now -- actually, last night and this is where I found my 12 year old granddaughter, Marley! Phone and computer -- at the same time, of course!! (Although this is the home phone -- she does have a cell phone, too!)

Sweetest words ...

I remember when our girls were little -- really little -- and we were anxious for them to talk. Roxanne talked the earliest -- at 7 months old; Sandi, the latest -- at 2-1/2. (She's made up for it since .. and Tim, my sweet brother, no comments about who she inherited that trait from!!)

But, whatever the time was, we were always anxious to see what they said first -- was it "Mama" or "Dada" ... or now that I have grandchildren, "Nana!"

I was pretty excited when 11-1/2 month old Rudy awakened me early this morning (I had a video monitor in the room where I was staying) with, "Nana!!" I didn't come quickly enough for him so he added about three more "Nana's" and the last one was rather emphatic!!

Did I come to him? You bet, not just because I would have but his plea of "Nana" added an urgency to my response!!

Survival Swimming Lessons .. throw 'em in the pool!

Well, not really, but almost! I took Rudy to his swimming lesson today. Jeff warned me that it would seem like torture. He had taken Rudy yesterday and was less than happy to see Rudy less than thrilled with being thrown in to a pool. Okay, that's stretching it a little but not a lot. I watched today and managed to keep my emotions at bay when I saw the teacher push Rudy down into the water and his arms and legs going every which way. Then the teacher calmly turned him on his back and he began to float. At not time did he seem to inhale water where he would choke. He wasn't happy and was protesting vehemently that he was not happy at all to be there. (By the way, the photo above was taken BEFORE the lesson!)

However, in a state where the #1 cause of death in toddlers is drowning, survival swimming lessons are almost a necessity. They literally teach the infants and toddlers survival skills in case they fall into a pool. Right now, Rudy is just wearing his 'swimmies' but soon, he will be fully clothed when he learns to float.

He hasn't really mastered the floating yet as Michelle (the instructor) told me that he when he learns to float correctly, his arms and legs will be still as it is a resting position. After falling into a pool, the child will learn to fight to the top and then flip over on their back and rest. I was amazed that Rudy did float as far as keeping his face just above the water.

So, while I wasn't happy to see him so unhappy, I know he will never remember this -- he will only remember that he has always known how to swim!!

I loved this photo -- we came home and I fed him. Whatever it was he was chewing on here, it had an unusual response!!

New Math -- called 'babysitting'!!!

If you have been around for the trip down my 'blogger' lane, you may remember my discussion about staying with my grandchildren in Winter Haven and how it becomes a challenge at New Math. I think I have talked to Teri about four or five times this week -- and it usually starts something like this, Well, Mom, I do have everything written down for you but .. Bailey is going to stay with a friend on Friday night, Marley is going to a funeral tomorrow, Rudy has swimming lessons at 11:20am, Regan and Bailey don't have school tomorrow because of the funeral ... oh, and there's a sports banquet on Friday night -- the banquet part being a relative term as you don't need to stay for it because it is an exercise of chaos (sort of and having to keep track of the kids) ... oh, and by the way, Marley is staying with Meredith on Friday night ... and let me see, I think she told me that Regan is going home with someone from the banquet -- which means, I think I start with four when I get there tomorrow for a few minutes -- wait, Marley won't be there so it will be three. I think I may have four tomorrow night but will lose three by Friday night so it will just be Rudy and me on Friday night -- and Jordan. Did I forget Jordan? (She's the dog!)

Teri wanted to make sure it was okay if it was just Rudy and me on Friday night. I assured her that subtraction was better than addition -- like in times past when I thought I would have four and ended up with seven! Oh, well ... go figure! Then again, maybe not, since I can't seem to figure out the New Math anyway .. I must be getting old! Hopefully not ... so until tomorrow evening when I see if I actually end up with four, have a good evening! Not that anybody is listening .. or reading ... or whatever. And I think I shall stop while I am still ahead. I need to go pack a suitcase! And the camera for sure! Rudy turns 1 year old in a week! Yikes -- where has the last year gone???

By the way, that's my dad in the photo with Teri's young'uns. Bailey (9) is on the left and Regan (10) is on the right, in front. Marley is now 12 (going on 25) and is holding the little guy, Rudy, who turns 1 on May 3rd!

Backtracking a little ....

Now that we are home and recuperating from our weekend away (isn't it interesting that you need to recuperate from your recuperation!), I thought I would share photos of Saturday morning and Kamen's midget basketball game. Rachel and I tagged along with Kamen and his family. I wish you could have heard his "YES" when he found out that Rachel and I were going to be able to be there for the game!!

Watching a room full of 8-11 year olds (that's my guestimate of their ages and I'm probably wrong) play their hearts out was quite inspiring. Or watch them get offended and have to laugh at one gal who stuck her tongue out at another one who had stolen the ball from her! Now, that was quite hilarious!! Of course, had I been a mom, I would probably not have been as amused! (While you can't see it clearly -- unless you click on the photo above -- the basketball is hovering right above the net! And Kamen had put it there!!)

And then there was the mom who was so anxious that her son score points that the minute he got possession of the ball, she was yelling (very loudly), "Shoot! Shoot!!!" Okay, enough already! You should provide earplugs for those of us nearby! Then again, as I'm complaining (a little), I find myself yelling, "Go, Kamen" and know I'm one of those cheesy grandmothers!!

(Rachel, Roxanne and Chris watchin' the game ...) I was proud of Kamen for being a team player. He didn't want to hog the ball but I was also quite impressed when he did a "lay up" (is that what it's called?) and the ball swished right down through the net! What a guy!!

What fun for a Saturday morning!!!

The Melting Pot

Isn't that what our great country is called .. "The Melting Pot" or is my mind just drawing a blank? Rather than writing a lot here, I am going to post a collage of photos which tells the story, I am sure! You will want to take special note of the next to the last photo where Roxanne asks the question, "Is there anything in my teeth?" I'm not sure if our waiter was entertained sufficiently or was simply being polite!!

The last time we were here, the girls had to have a funny foto so wanted to reproduce that same one. I'm not sure they accomplished it but had a great time doing it!

Awesome beginning with a cheese fondue!!!

The dessert plate .. "Bananas Foster White Chocolate Flambe'" ... wow!!!

Keeping track of the colors!!! I was red for the evening!!!

Our waiter, Mike P.

Okay, so we are getting really full!!!!

I think they must be, too!!!

What is soooooo funny????

Is there anything in my teeth????

I think we left a typical mess!! But the pot is empty!! And we are full!!!

"I'm a victim of a drive-by blogger ...."

The joke in our house is that whatever happens will probably make its way to my blog somehow. I'm not sure that the statement above is original, but I believe Allen (my notorious brother-in-law) has repeated that statement. That'll be on Linda's blog tomorrow ... or the next day ... or the next. And so it may be ... I don't try to be as detailed as I've seen some other bloggers (lest I bore someone to tears) but I do have fun sharing some things that happen along the way ...

Like playing the silly Pop 5 game! Rachel doesn't necessarily claim to know a lot of celebrity names and understandably so. She is one dedicated mom and focuses her attention there. So, when the category was 'celebrity', the only one who came to mind was "Oprah Winfrey". And it usually wasn't ... until!!! All Roxanne did when she was presented with the "Celebrity" category was look at Rachel and I'm sure our neighbors here heard her yell, "Oprah Winfrey". And she was right!!

But, things weren't always so funny -- well, maybe not -- when the description was 'break dance' and I had to try to present my version! Okay, you can quit laughing now -- it wasn't quite that funny!! But, almost ... I think Sandi has some pictures of my effort at making an absolute fool out of myself! Then again, here is her sharing her description of "Chicken of the Sea".

Tonight it is off to the "Melting Pot" Restaurant. For years, we have treated ourselves to a dinner at a nice restaurant following the end of tax season. Since all three who are here with me helped during this tax season, tonight is that night! So, we shall be treating ourselves well!! I'm sure there will be more photos!!!