School

When I found out last week what had happened at the elementary school I was sick to my stomach and my first thought was "homeschool all of my grandkids".  Those of you who know me know I am not a big believer in homeschooling even though seven of our grandkids are being taught at home by a very capable and competent teacher (their mom).  But as a friend's daughter said, they could have gone to a movie or a mall  and had the same thing happen.  Fortunately this week I was reminded that I am glad my grandkids get to go to school and I will continue to pray each day that they will be safe and protected.  Ava sang several rousing renditions of Christmas songs all in Spanish and I am telling you she was amazingly cute!  Then I got pictures from my daughter and saw the cute things her kids were doing at their school and our little Duncan was enjoying the whole experience as well.  I know we cannot have any guarantees and I am grateful to know that ultimately our Heavenly Father will make everything right in the end so I will be grateful our grandkids are having positive experience in their schools and in their homes!

Gingerbread Houses

Ava and I invited three of her special friends to come over and decorate gingerbread houses last night.  What a wonderful experience.  I wasn't sure what to expect since this was a first for me but the girls were so sweet and had a great time.  I was amazed at how dedicated they were to doing it themselves and how complimentary they were to each other while they were decorating.  What a wonderful time and how grateful I am to be a grandma!

New Pet

Hey grandkids.  Granpa and I have a new dog to keep us company when you aren't here.  What we need from you is a name!  Would each of you send us a name for our new dog.  She is a girl!  Once we get your ideas we will decide we will let you know what his new name is.

Fall!

 

I love the month of November.  Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday and I am looking forward to it this year.  Can't wait to see my grandkids from Arizona!  Here are some of the things I have done in preparation for the holiday.

New Look

I'm so excited.  Thanks to Kim for helping me I got my picture wall done.  It looks so good and I'm encouraged with how nice it turned out.  It is amazing all the cool things that you can do with vinyl and a cricut!

Busy!

I saw these cute Frankenstein cans on Pinterest and had to make them!  I also saw pillow case dresses that I had to make.  Loved the cans but wasn't as excited about the dresses!

Got Mail!

I saw this idea on pinterest from blonde-designs.squarespace.com and thought it was really a cute idea.  You put it on the back of the chair of the child who is going to get mail and then they can open the envelope and get their mail inside.  I think it would be a great way to acknowledging special events for your child and even a pep talk when something important is coming up. 

American Girl Store

It was very nostalgic for me to spend time in the American Girl store on Saturday with Ava and her mom.  She is the last of our granddaughters to do this and I loved the time we got to spend together.  I thought it was interesting that each of my granddaughters chose a different doll and Ava looked at every doll before going back to get the Caroline doll from the 1812 period of time.  What a great day!

Teenage Labor!

Perry is a hardworking young man and I really appreciated him coming over to wash all of our outside windows.  He had a little help from his brother.

Inside Decorations

Here are a few things I did for the inside of our house.

Pumpkin Patch 3

Each year since I retired I have made a pumpkin patch in our front yard.  This year Ellis helped me and it turned out really cute.  I love the fall!

Braces!

Ruth is the third of our grandkids to need braces.  Perry and Lincoln have had braces and now have beautiful straight teeth so I know that it will be worth it for Ruth as well.  She is already such a cutie so we will see her new look in 18 months. 

Sweet Treat!

Peter and I went out for lunch a couple of times.  One of those times we went to Carver's and after he ate his lunch he wanted chocolate ice cream.  What a treat for me watching him enjoy himself right to the last drop!  Three year olds are so much fun. 

Fargo, North Dakota

I just returned from a week in Fargo helping out while Becky recovered from surgery.  I had a great time!  I especially enjoyed Peter who was the only one not in school.  Speaking of schools I was shocked when I went to my kindergarten grandson's school and realized that there was no fence around the school and not once did any adult question me when I picked up Jeremy from school.  Can you imagine that happening here.  Actually it bothered me a lot and I know that California has issues but gee whiz!  I wish they were more concerned about the safety of the kids (especially when one of them is my grandson).

The first day I arrived the leaves were beautiful shades of oranges, reds, and yellows.  On the day before I flew home the ground was white. Needless to say my capris and flip flops weren't helpful the last two days!

Happy Birthday Ava!

I won't be in town when Ava turns five so I am posting her birthday announcement a week early.  We have a date after I get back to go to the American Girl store.  All of my granddaughters get an American Girl doll from Grandpa and Grandma when they turn five.  After she chooses her doll then she and her mom and I enjoy a lunch in the American Girl Cafe.  What a treat for me!!!

Halloween Wreath

I wanted a Halloween wreath for our front door.  I had made a ribbon wreath for Amy for St. Patrick's day so I decided that I could use the same idea for my wreath.  I was at Taipan and saw a cute sign that I wanted to incorporate and then found some pumpkins that I was able to draw faces on and that finished off my wreath.  I thought it turned out really cute.  When I get back from Fargo I will be decorating for Halloween and putting in my third annual pumpkin patch in the front yard.  I can't wait!

Table Runner

I saw this table runner on Pinterest and knew it would look great on my sofa table for Halloween.  It turned out really cute.

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

Lincoln turned 11 today.  One of his presents was to no longer have braces although he never seemed to mind them.

Happy Birthday Perry!

It hard to believe he is 15 years old now.

Back to School Wreath

I have wanted to put a Back to School wreath on our front door but didn't see anything on Pinterest that I wanted.  I had an idea of my own and so I tried it out and this was the result.  I think it turned out really cute and was actually so simple to do. 

Ruth's Baptism

Our granddaughter is being baptized this weekend.  This is one of the pictures her mom took for her invitation.  She is such a sweet girl.

Welcome!

Thanks to my wonderful and very capable grandson I have a freshly painted front door.  I love how clean and bright it looks.  Between Scott, Perry, and me sanding, painting three new coats of white paint the door looks brand new.  I am excited to mark this off of my to do list.

Banner

I found a cute banner in a Halloween magazine and had to make it.  It turned out cute so I wanted to share it.  Not sure my camera is good enough to show the detail but here goes.

Happy Birthday Ruth!

Happy Birthday Caleb!