My Oldest Grandson is a Genius

My oldest grandson is on the iPad, working on an app with shapes, letters, numbers and colors (I know it is late, don't judge us) and he's getting them all correct!  Except for when his Grandpa helps him. Grandpa can't hear and he's color blind. If Grandpa were a horse, well.......

It's just so funny to watch because a few months ago he didn't know any of this and now he's getting them all correct. I should probably give a shout out to his Mama.

And it is so cute when he earns a sticker.....he picked the motorcycle and told Grandpa he was picking that one for him. Can you get any cuter? I don't think so!!!!!

New Style of Baby Blankets

I've been making hand-tied baby blankets to give away at baby showers for years. You may remember my uber long post describing this in detail. Well, I have learned a whole new style and I'm LOVING it.

While at the baby shower for J, one of the ladies made a blanket and my friend, Teresa (remember her? she's the wine rock star that knows all things crafty too...oh, and she can cook too...that lucky Peter) says, "oh, I forgot about that style of blanket". Of course, Teresa is a magician with fabric and sewing machine. And all I had to do was ask, and she said "sure, I'll teach you how to make one". 

I mentioned the upcoming lesson to Donna (she's my friend that got me started with the hand-tied baby blankets) and she was in too!  We went to Teresa's for a lesson (which is really funny because I used fabric that Teresa had given me) and we each had a blanket in a couple of hours. I was spoiled when I used one of her many fine sewing machines...my machine is like a Ford Fusion and Teresa's is a Lamborghini.....I am NOT buying a new machine.

Today was my first attempt at making one on my own. I did make two quick calls to Donna for encouragement and questions....there is SO MUCH MATH in sewing these.  I did make a silly mistake on my first piece of fabric, had to run to JoAnn's for thread, and still it turned out pretty darn cute. I'm all ready for the baby shower on Thursday.

Then, because I was having such a good time, wanted to prove that I could make one without making yet another silly mistake, plus I really LOVED the fabric, (and the weather is too awful to go outside) I made another one. It was so much quicker the second time around.

This one turned out so perfect and I LOVE the fabric. Can you see how both prints have itty bitty hearts? ADORABLE. I just might have to keep this one for Vesper because I don't think I can part with  it!!!

Maui Time

I wish I had a fabulously entertaining post about our recent visit to Maui.....alas, I do not.....because we do what we do while visiting Maui...that would be NOTHING!!!!  Really....nothing.....this is a vacation and not an adventure. We go for a week of detox....nothing....only relaxing. We do not turn the TV on....barely check our messages.....just lay around, quick visit to the fitness center, sit by the pool, and have fine dinners.

I'll see if I can find a few photos.....

Adventures in Hair Cuts for Boys

Let's make this clear, I MUCH prefer that little boys have little boy haircuts. In this family I am in the minority. Our daughter likes that we take E for haircuts, but I must be accompanied by Dave. They're in fear (and not completely unfounded) that E will come home with short hair. The one wish I am granted is that the hair is not in his eyes.

We've tried a few places and nothing really works. We are just not feeling the vibe and the cut isn't that good. Granted, we are limiting the stylist by our demands and we're going to the cheapest places.

We stumbled on a place that was only $10, we all felt comfortable (could be because it's a little family owned shop where there were wee ones and birds), the stylist was friendly, comfortable, quick, and talented. And the best part? I got a text from J that it was the best haircut ever!

We'll be back to the Haircutting Co.

Filoli Gardens with Dave and Friends

Can you believe that Dave consented to a trip to Filoli Gardens? Friends invited us to join them for a look at their annual Mothers' Day floral exhibit. There's a theme, this year it was Storybooks.

This is one of my favorites, based upon the book "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes", which I am not familiar with....but will be very soon because I ordered the book from Amazon while still on the tour. Isn't technology awesome?!

Dave wasn't enamored with the floral arrangements, but he did really enjoy exploring the house and learning about the history.

We all enjoyed walking through the gardens. I just can't imagine how many people were required to plant and maintain the gardens.

Then we went for lunch nearby at the Lobster Shack (Great food, friendly staff, and perfect weather) and took a tour of the local neighborhood where Teresa showed us the home her dad built. Another great adventure with friends.

Party Time!!!

The party hat tradition lives on!!!!

Our 30 year old baby girl with two of her babies....the youngest gave up the hat to play football (which was later cleaned of all cake matter). Love them all...plus others in attendance not included in the photos

30 Years Ago, Our World Changed

It doesn't seems possible that 30 years has gone by since our daughter was born. We were told we would not be able to conceive and carry a baby. Guess what? They were wrong.

I found out that it was not a tumor, but a baby on the very same day that Dave got the call that he could take delivery of the Porsche he had been on a six month waiting list for. He wasn't going to pick it up, but I told him to do it. Somehow it all worked out.

There was just the two us and then three. And now? SEVEN!

Huge thanks to Pete & Teresa for taking MANY photos on Mothers' Day.

More Museum Fun

We BARTed in to SF to see China's Terracotta Warrior exhibit at the Asian Museum with some friends. We don't get out during our busy season, but we schedule all these events so we get to see our friends again. If it doesn't get on the calendar, it just doesn't happen.

This was a well done and interesting exhibit. If you haven't seen this, get online and buy tickets (you need tickets because they limit the number of people in the rooms so everyone can enjoy the exhibit without being too crowded). Don't dawdle because the exhibit is over May 27th.

We arrived before our tour time so we had time to take in part of the permanent exhibits on the top floor. Lots of interesting information on Buddha, Hindu, etc.

We finished up, walked through the City Hall (we've driven by and never been inside, just seen it on TV when they had all the same sex wedding hoopla. It is grand and beautiful. I can see why people get married here. Very photo friendly. There were two wedding parties when we walked through), and then found a lovely little restaurant on Gough. They had a 3-5 pm Happy Hour with much only 50% of the regular price. Heavy appetizers and 8 glasses of wine (don't judge) for only $50...SCORE!

BARTed back home during the heavy time....we each snagged a seat since we boarded at the Civic Center. Still...so glad we don't do this on a regular basis.

Can It Be?

My sweet, adorable grandson said "Grandma, actually you're wrong". How can that be? Not that I'm wrong, but that he would say something like that. We all chuckled.

Oh, and for the record, I wasn't wrong.

Dinner, Theo Style

Theo has been the messiest eater...EVER. We're happy to report that he is learning to use a fork, sort of.