Rain Rain Go Away

A whole week of rain. The kind where friends were starting to make Noah jokes. But the rain stopped about bedtime last night. This morning the sun is blindingly bright. I might be forced to find an outside activity today.

The first part of the week was so warm (and wet) that the trees in our yard were really confused. Cherry blossoms in January? This morning it's 34 degrees and sunny. I think we had spring and winter all in one week. Only missed snow by a few hours. The rain moved out last night just before the cold temps arrived.

Another nice surprise this week was getting thank you notes in the mail. It's nice that our granddaughters are learning the importance of gratitude. We commented that Baby Sister surely had good handwriting for a 2-year-old on the snowman note. Her mommy said she dictated it. Although I'm pretty sure she didn't actually dictate the letter, Baby Sister IS talking a lot now. She was sick for a couple of days this week with a stomach virus. When we saw her the next day on Facetime, she couldn't wait to tell us she had been sick—"I spilled in the bed!" Toddler speak for "spitting up." A most accurate description of what happened. So glad she's better.

Baby Sister Says...

"It's more fun when they let Granddaddy tend to me!"

Memory Making

"They knew that everyone's activities would have to revolve around my naps and my meal times, so they just gave me the schedule of events and put me in charge. Hmmmmm.....wonder what Mommy would like to do first? Thinking Jessica might like a yoga class."

This was Baby Sister's second trip to the Grove Park Inn. Last year she was so very tiny that we barely knew she was there. This year was a different story. Immediately after we checked in, Big Sister and I took the baby and headed to find our rooms while Granddaddy, Mommy and Jessica went to park the cars. 

As soon as we rounded the corner from the front desk, Baby Sister spied the giant Christmas tree in the lobby that must have a million lights on it. She absolutely squealed with glee when she saw it. She pointed up and down as she laughed out loud. Guests in the lobby got tickled as they watched her. Pure baby joy. So sad that the rest of them missed that moment.

Our weekend was filled with assorted activities but everyone was free to do whatever they chose---as long as we met for dinner. Jessica did go to a yoga class. Mommy went to the spa. Daddy took Big Sister to a movie. Granddaddy and I enjoyed some time together, minus all the others. (We love you all, but that was nice.)

We were entertained the first night as we watched Jessica have her caricature done. Good thing it was entertaining to watch because there is no way we would have known the picture was of her!

Also located on the property is a antique car museum and the Grovewood Gallery that sells beautifully handcrafted items. Everything from furniture to jewelry to musical instruments. Priced from about $15 to $1500. Something for everyone. We only looked this time.

And everywhere we walked there were gingerbread houses. And gingerbread vehicles and barns and people. And gingerbread creations of every sort.The National Gingerbread House Competition is held each year here. 

Big Sister asked if we could take our knitting to the Great Hall early in the morning before the rest of the family got up. It was the only time of day that we didn't have to look for an empty table. We had cocoa, coffee and conversation both mornings. How nice to have a little special time for just us two.

Both bands in the Great Hall at night were great. The decorations were elaborate and gorgeous. We had dinner one night in the Great Hall--kind of like a fancy picnic. Seats are are hard to come by but we claimed two sofas and a huge coffee table. Just what we needed. The following night we enjoyed the buffet that is always good. I was hoping no one was counting how many times we went back. 

Another chapter in our book of memories. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our family celebrated as we usually do...

with lots of food, lots of relatives, and lots of laughter.

We are thankful for much.

As we packed up to come home, there were others who were headed to another set of relatives to celebrate again. I am happy to be back at home with a few leftovers for supper. I'll share a few special recipes from today over the weekend, but for the rest of the evening, I'm disconnecting from the web.

"What? We're going to ANOTHER Thanksgiving dinner now?"

Baby Sister Says...

Mommy's been talking about a party for days. She's rushing around, writing things down on a big piece of paper and we've been shopping a lot. Like when she bought all of these pretty gum balls yesterday. Then we had to go to the post office to mail a big stack of envelopes. A man in brown clothes has waked me up three times this week ringing the doorbell 'cause he brought boxes to my house. 


I'm not even exactly sure what a "party" is, but she says it's for me 'cause I'll be one. One what? Whatever it is, I think I'm getting excited!!!

Baby Sister Says...

Reading together is fun.

But mostly I just want to do what my sister does

and go where she goes.

I love my big sister!

Baby Sister Says...

That was a nice afternoon nap. I'm all rested now. Guess it's time to start waking up.

 I didn't know Mimi came while I was asleep!

 I'm so glad to see her!

I like it when she's here to get me up. Hope she stays to play.

** All thoughts and words above are purely imagined by Mimi---although I'm pretty sure that's what she was thinking. 

Baby Sister Says...

I don't know what you're planning for the weekend, 

but I'll just be hanging out with the fam, chillin'.

Berry-licious

<<sigh...>> What is it this time? Purple stuff. What were you thinking????

Okay....so that didn't taste too bad. I'm thinking it would also make good finger paint!

Mommy has been good to make homemade foods for Baby Sister. I must admit that these fruit and vegetable purees taste pretty yummy. Ever tasted the jarred kind? Unless you live under a rock, children will get to the "wrapped in plastic/out of a box" kind of food soon enough. It might not be at your house, but they will encounter it somewhere along the way. So it's nice to do this while you have complete control of what they consume.

I cooked fresh corn one night when Big Sister was younger. I asked her how she liked it. She told me as only a young child can -- "Well, I like SCHOOL corn better."  (School corn = canned corn with lots of butter and salt.)  The lunch ladies loved her.

Today's new food was blueberries. And after reading a little on Weelicious, I mixed some of it with mashed banana. That was some seriously good breakfast!

Hmmm....wonder how it would be spread on my toast?

Baby Sister Says...

 "The best way to eat a giraffe?"

"Personally, I like to start with the legs."

Baby Sister Says...

"I went to lunch with Mimi and her friend and the waiter brought me crayons and something to color. What does he think I am--a BABY or something??!?!!!"

Baby Sister Says...

"Read the book?  OoooOOohh......I thought you said EAT the book."

"Okay. I'll try it your way but I still think it was more fun my way."

Baby Sister Says...

"It's still cold enough for my snowman pajamas but Mommy bought me this hat because she says summer is coming.  Now tell me again....what exactly IS summer?"