A Weekend with Grandpa Gary and Anya Eanie

This is coming a little late. Playing a little catch up with the blogs tonight. August 22-25th we spent with my Dad in Hayward.

The kids were very excited to see Grandpa Gary. And everyone got a kick out of Ally's pronunciation on Grandma Jeannie. We think "Anya Eanie" is a name that may stick for awhile.

The weather was crazy. Loads of 80 somethings weather followed by a weekend of jeans and sweatshirt weather. We decided to downgrade our day of swimming and a canoe ride to strictly boating. I emptied the backpack of swimsuits and towels in exchange for fleece running suits in case of an emergency.


When we got to the lake we were surprised when Sam was the one who didn't want to get in the boat. First we had to check the boat for holes. Then he made it very clear that he was "ready to go back now" -- after about 2 minutes of paddling. We stretched it a bit longer and I even got a smile or two from him. Ally was having a blast the whole time. She was the opposite end of the spectrum -- not enough fear!

After the boat we played on the playground for awhile and walked down to the beach. What started with wading quickly turned into full blown swimming. Sam even got brave and dove underwater -- once! Nobody seemed to remember that it was too cold to go into the water!

The Simple Joys

Why is it that even when there is a pool, a sprinkler, a slip-in-slide -- they just want the hose!!

The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

So, we all read the story when we were kids. The city mouse just can't appreciate the country lifestyle and the country mouse is completely lost in metropolis. I was the city mouse transplanted to the "boonies" as I referred to it when I first met Robin. For what it's worth, this mouse has learned to love the country!


Granted, I moved from Wausau which is not a big city by any means. But even in those 20 miles from home to the edge of town -- routines, rituals and the way of life changes. Out here -- we really do borrow cups of sugar from our neighbors. When I lived in town -- I only knew about one person on my block. And if you need something -- you go to the store and get it yourself. Out here, you wave at anyone going by. In town, you drive to fast to see if you are passing your own family on the streets. I am probably exagerating a bit but you get the point!


The motivation for this line of thought came from a birthday party we went to last night. Friends that grew up together, all still hanging out, now with a few wives and kids in tow. And now, our kids are all going to school together. I look at Sam playing with his friends and even Ally playing with a little girl that I know she will play with for many summer nights to come. In fact, chances are good that they will have each other to depend on for all 13 years of school. Those are the kinds of bonds that city kids just don't have as many chances to make.


I feel really lucky to allow my kids to grow up in this peaceful environment. Where I can let Sam and Ally play outside and listen them laughing instead of the busy hum of city noises. Where the school is small enough that even the lunch lady knows the names of the preschoolers -- who don't even each lunch at school. Where even though they didn't know me at first -- everyone waved when they passed!

Scrapping Just for Me!

Don't get me wrong -- I love my classes and our monthly meetings. But I rarely scrap pages just for my very own book. The last week or two I have come up with a new way to scrap my very own stuff!

1. First I browse online, mostly on http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ and hit print pics for pages that catch my eye.


2. Then I print my fav pics -- the scrapworthy ones. I spread them out all over the floor and flip through my pages to see which layouts would coordinate with the group of pics.


3. I take my layout and pics and dig through my hoards of patterned paper and add it to the stack.


4. I throw all the pieces -- along with any embellishments that fit -- into a page protector.


5. Lastly I order any bigger/smaller prints that I need to match the layouts.

Then I have all these kits, pics and all, ready to pull out and work on. If I want to go to a crop -- they are ready. Or, when I get scraplocked on a layout I stuff it away and grab a new one. And the funny thing is -- all that inspiration started from a layout I copied. And my layouts still look unique and sometimes completely different than the idea I started with.

Anyway -- working this way I finished a few layouts and I have a ton on their way. Here are a couple that I have ready to show you.

The Saga Continues. . .

The Anti-Potty Training Queen and her "Crown"

Counting back I have been working on this, in some way, for over a year now. When Ally was about 18 months we starting sitting her on the potty and getting the idea in her head. I knew it was early so we didn't push we just kept reinforcing the whole idea. Since she has been two we have done potty charts, Dora underwear, candy and downright bribery. We went 3 whole weeks just wearing underwear. I was not going to turn back. I could handle wet pants (there were rubber pants over the top so it wasn't too bad). But after 3 weeks of #2 accidents and no progress -- we brought back the Pampers. That case even included messy circumstances for Grandma at the library! We've tried the little potty, the big potty with the Dora seat and even -- per Ally's request -- the big potty with no Dora seat. She picked out her own underwear and promised she would not get them dirty. Trick after trick and I am still buying diapers.

According to everything she is ready. She is older than Sam was -- 2 and 3/4 now! She is the second child and they are supposed to be quicker. She is a girl and they are also supposed to be easier. She wakes up from nap and in the morning dry. She almost always goes on her potty if we can get her to sit on it. She tells me when she needs her diaper changed. She even brings out the wipes and a clean diaper and looks at me with those big huge eyes and says, "poop." This child knows the game and she plays it well.

Then I heard a new tactic. Becky told me about the "Brenda technique". The idea is to put her in the underwear. Every time she has an accident you take her in, give her a bath and make her do the laundry. Every time. Apparently kids don't like to do all that work. It is easier just to use the toilet. We are going to try it this one. As soon as we have a few days where we can stay home and be consistent with it -- Game On! Then maybe we'll get those underwear off the head and down where they belong.

Sam's First Time Driving

Last night, Sam got a surprise he won't soon forget. Robin called him outside after he had finished mowing. He had taken the deck off the tractor and told Sam he was going to get his first chance to drive. He spent at least an hour driving in circles around the yard.

He actually did a really good job steering and turning it off when he needed a break. I was impressed.

Of course, as he made the rounds a chorus of , "Me too, me too mommy!" followed him. So every once in awhile he stopped and took a minute to let Ally climb on with him. But only a minute!

August Stampers 10

Hi Everyone!

We have a new group and a new way for me to share info with you.

Hope this works well for everyone!

Our Next party will be
on Aug. 26th at Tracy’s house at 6:30.

Please email me for address and directions.

Here is a pic of the pages we will be doing:

The pictures are 1 – 5x7 or 4x6; 2 4x4; and 1 3.5x3.5.

The cost of the pages will be:
Stampers 10 (or a $15.00 min order): $4.00
Less than $15.00 order: $9.00

The cost of cards will be:
Stampers 10 (or a $15.00 min order): $5.00
Less than $15.00 order: $10.00

Please RSVP to me and let me know if you will be making cards or pages.
If you cannot attend I will arrange to get your order once we have catalogs.

Thanks,

Cybil