What Do You Remember?

As we're sitting around eating our dessert, Strawberry Sparkle Cake, we're chatting and I say to J, "I wonder what they'll remember about Family Dinner and what they did at their grandparents' home". J turns to E and asks "what do you do at G.Ma's?" and E says "I watch Octonauts".

We laugh and I say, "I wonder what else he'll remember". So J asks E, "what else do you do at G.Ma's?" and E responds "watch more Octonauts".

Argh!!!! What about all those books we read? and the T-Ball? and the walks? and the.....well, you get my drift.

It will be interesting to see what he remembers when he's older. I hope I'm around to hear what he remembers. And I really hope that it's not all the episodes of Octonauts that he watched!!!!

Park Time

You may remember last year when we began having both boys, at the same time. We took them to the park and well, I may have let T take a header off the steps where there may have been blood involved. I am happy to say that we have survived and are thriving at the park. We're learning what T can handle and also, what we can't handle. T is doing much better than we are. While we can still move about, it is tough on the joints. Especially difficult is trying to fit in to the tunnels and crawl. We do that once, learn, and do not repeat.

The slide is always fun, for everyone

Theo set up shop, Ezra was his customer before he went pirate

Theo still loves the speakers and I'm happy he can reach them all by himself

Look at that blond hair! He looks so much like his cousin Charis that it fools iPhoto.

Brothers

Lucky is still a favorite toy. He no longer speaks and his mouth won't move, but he is deeply loved. Two can't quite fit and yet they still try to make it work.

And NEVER let that adorable face of Theo fool you....that little guy can torture his brother

Time With Great Grandma

We LOVE Family Night......Family, Fun, and Food!!!

Ezra is showing his imagination. He found an old looking box (well he started by taking down a decoration that looks like an old treasure chest and I had to lead him to this box to get my decoration back!) and made up a game with it. Here he is sharing his story with Great Grandma and brother (that's what he calls T)

I'm Not Proud

We had the boys for the weekend. By Sunday morning, we were running out of tricks so we did what anyone would do.....right? They climb in bed with us and we turn on the TV....don't judge.....

 It's not as bad as it seems....do we get points for PBS? Super Why?

We did feed them and dressed them for church. They were a big hit. Our nursery is full of girls and the teen boy helping out was so grateful to have a couple of boys to play loud and rambunctious games.

See Ezra Ride His Bike

I may have mentioned, once or twice, that my grandchildren are "over achievers". Well, here's a video of E riding his bicycle, without training wheels, just shy of 3 1/2 years old.

http://theswensonfamily.blogspot.com/2013/06/so-proud.html

They had to reshoot the video because his mother was SCREAMING with excitement. Go ahead, take a few moments to watch the video of the amazing feat....once or twice.

See, I told you he was an over achiever!

Hair Cuts....Theo's First!!

One of our duties as grandparents is to have the boys' hair cut. Do you remember when we found the most wonderful place to have the boys hair cut? Well, we went back and might even be happier this time, if that's possible.

First one up was E, he thinks he should go first because he's the big brother. We think he should go first so he can show T how it's done. It was a little difficult to keep him away from the toys. He whipped his head around to see all the toys, making it very challenging for Erika to cut his hair.

She worked her magic, going for a very layered surfer boy look....looking good.

Next, it was T's turn, time to cut the baby mullet and get rid of his gorgeous curls....

Erika gave us his curls in an envelope so I can include it in his album....if I ever get back to working on it and bringing it up to date. He still has some curls and Mama approves...although she was afraid to look at him when she picked the boys up since she though she would cry.

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Looking at these images makes me want to hug and kiss their adorable faces!

Fathers' Day at The Pool

We headed to the pool for swimming and dinner. After only a few visits to the pool, the boys are getting very comfortable in the water. They can stay in there until their lips turn blue.

The place was busy and Jessica visited with one of her friends from middle school. They run in to one another around town and their children know one another. T played with Ryder and was impressed to find they both wear teething beads, although Ryder has an anklet and T wears his around his neck. E and Lily spent their time climbing the tree. Jessica? Well she mostly enjoyed a Mai Tai while the Fathers took the boys in the water.

I got to hold V, she was particularly cute in her swimsuit.

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!!!!!

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.

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.

Camera Love

Ezra has decided that he likes to have his picture taken.....a whole lot. He's mugging all the time. Which is actually nice, except he makes funny faces.....

I still think he's adorable....even with food all over his face

Imitating Jesus

Tuesday night family dinner wouldn't be complete without a bath for the boys. This gives the adults time to chat and brings calming for the wee ones before dessert. The water is filling in the tub and E is ready to jump in. I say "hey, you can't get in the water with your clothes on" and he tells me "Jesus gets in the water with his clothes on". I then have to break it to this sweet child..."yeah, but you're not Jesus, so take your clothes off before you hop in the tub".  He's always good for a chuckle.

We Have A Winner

We continue to have Family Night...aren't you proud of us? We're keeping this up and I 'm having a great time.  I'm enjoying searching the internet to find tasty recipes. My rules are something that can feed a group, is tasty, and I can prepare and get on the table while still being able to visit with everyone. I still need to get some work done during the day too.

Most of my searching is done on Pinterest......hello, my name is Edie and I am a Pinaholic. My Food Boards are very full and I've actually prepared many of them. There's a whole lot of crappy websites, and so many people think they explain things well and they don't. The reason Pioneer Woman has so many followers, well, she is fabulous. Decades ago I found new recipes in the Wednesday edition of the local paper. Things change some, but not that much.

I think I've found a new favorite website to checkout, DeepSouthDish.com. With the cold and dark days, I was looking for comfort food and found a winner......Hamburger Steak with Creamy Onion Gravy. This is fabulous! My SIL told me to double the recipe the next time I prepare this.....this will appear on my table again....and again....(So sorry Jessica that there weren't enough leftovers for your next meal).

Here it is while cooking.....please notice the camera trouble continues. I'm wondering if the mirror is not lifting up quickly enough because it seems like the first photo has the blackness and then the other frame taken right after does not....I think I need to find a camera shop.

Here it is on the table....

and here's my youngest grandchild....now I'm just showing off....

and yes, that is an owie on his forehead.....he face plants in the same spot so much that I think he's rubbing his skin down and bleeding....he'll learn.

After dinner we clean up, have dessert, and then bathe the grandchildren. Honestly, I ask you, does it get any better than this? No it does not!!!!  I'm leaving out the parts where Lucky is dragged in and furniture is rearranged, the boys make a huge mess, balls are hurled down the hall, little hands are dragged along the white walls, snuggles are handed out freely, books are read (and tossed and gnawed on), the lights are turned on and off when the switch can be reached, and so many other activities all crammed in to two plus hours.

Crazy Grandparents

Our two grandsons ( 3 yrs & 16 mos) spent an afternoon with us at our home. It's freezing cold outside so we're stuck inside. What to do?

Yep, bring the toy inside. That's the Harley Big Wheel, with flashing lights, horns, music, and various loud noises.

We got the motorcycle for Ezra, well he was the only one way back then. He is sharing it with Theo now. At least he's learning to share with Theo. First E rode it, then T got on it...until E sat on it too and squished T and I rescued T by lifting him up and off of it, and then T was miffed that his brother did this, and then I had to snuggle T and kiss him repeatedly on his ears and neck while saying sweet Grandma things about how marvelous he is.

Then they moved on to have T follow E and push him along. Oh, and please notice the cute sweaters. As E likes to "match" with his baby. He told me they bought them at Target.

And what is going on with my camera? I thought it was my lens, but now I'm pretty sure it's the camera.

Hair....don't like it when it gets in the eyes...a bit too Bieber if you ask me. Oh, you didn't ask me?

The boys haul down the hallway and they may have crashed in to the door once or twice. Which is completely crazy if you knew how much we paid for the solid wood doors that go perfectly in our home. Oh, and then there were the times that the wheel dragged along the wall as they were racing....no worries, we'll have that painted in the Spring. See? We are crazy grandparents. This would NEVER have happened when we were simply parents.

Ezra is Three!!!

Can you believe it? Ezra is 3! Wow, it seems like it has only been a few months.....

Jessica arranged a low-key family, and friends who are family, cake & ice cream get together. Ignore the nasty lines from my icky kit lens that has a replacement on the way from Amazon.

 Even Theo had a gift to open....yet another #1 hit from Auntie Donna & Uncle Bret. LOUD..and without an OFF switch.

Here's Papa, finishing up the cake, and yes he's still rockin' the kilt....and the Birthday Boy blowing out the candles. The "Woody" cowboy hat is from G.Ma and G.Pa, purchased from Christesen's on Main Street of course. It was a hit and he wears it all the time.

Ezra understands the whole opening gifts, etc. He's been waiting for his birthday for so long. He has everyone's birthday, in order, memorized. It was a fabulous way to teach him the months and calendar. 

Fun times visiting with everyone. Perhaps we'll be able to fit Theo in to the birthday rotation? Still not quite sure how we all missed the First Birthday.

Cute Things They Say

E.Boy stopped by with him mom and brother today. I open the door and he looks up at me and asks "Grandma (which he says in the most adorable way), are you still sick?" I told him yes. He then said I should go get some shea butter and rub it on my face, and then drink cold juice. I smiled a huge smile and told him that was a great idea!

Those are my two go to things when he's hurt or out of sorts. I hand him cold juice, or rub shea butter on him. So of course it would work for this sinus disease I still have...ARGH!!!!!

He actually asked to rub the shea butter on my face, and of course I said "SURE". He is the absolutely most precious and adorable little creature....and he has a clone too, his little brother.

Too Much Travel?

Just in case you're getting bored with our travel to Spain, here's what our loved ones were doing while we were gone....when they weren't sitting around missing us and counting down the days until we returned.....they decided to visit the Aquarium in San Francisco.  They visit places as if they were tourists.  Which is a totally awesome way of taking advantage of living in the area.

Here's my youngest grandson......

This guy is full of joy...really....this little guy has a smile on his face all the time.  His Mama and Papa might say otherwise, but we're pretty sure they'd be wrong.

Here's the rest of the gang.  And yes, my SIL is wearing a man skirt.  You may recall that he has Scottish heritage and LOVES wearing a kilt...a utilikilt....I still say it's a man skirt.

It's difficult to tell just how adorable my oldest grandson is....with all that hair.  We think he's very adorable.....and just can't get enough hugs.

MoMo to Motorcycle

Our oldest grandson was enamored with all things with wheels from the start.  He learned all about motorcycles from his G.Pa's garage.  He called motorcycles "MoMo's" and we thought it was very cute.  He read through all the motorcycle magazines and pointed out the motorcycles, helmets, and every rider was his G.Pa.

There were two motorcycles and he liked his G.Ma's mostly because he fit better on the smaller one.  He no longer asks his G.Pa to take him to the garage to sit on the motorcycle, but he still likes it....since he climbed up, all by himself, without asking (need to work on that one) while visiting this week.

You can really tell how much he's grown too.....

I sure hope G.Pa checks all the switches and dials before he rides.....

He's just too cute...and still doesn't quite fit in to the helmet.....

Late Summer Fun

Our grandchildren dropped by at lunch to play with their toys...when they see the toys, they act like they're new toys.....and I still can't believe Dave allows his garage to be filled with all their toys...good job G.Pa.

We didn't buy them all.....Auntie Donna gets some of the credit.....this is just one of about NINE Tonka Trucks that she donated to their stash.

And please note the totally cool Converse shoes that E is sportin'........