Christmas

Seeing the happy faces of my grandchildren, in person and virtually, is a Christmas gift. Miss Squirmalicious is into tech gifts, Major Cutenss is all about gaming, Little Flower is into Unicorns and coloring/drawing/writing (She showed us her report!), and Baby Z loves her new stuffed animals and picture books (Showing us and saying "apple" and making animal sounds.). 

Birthday

 My birthday started with a call from my grandbabies (and daughter) in Kenya and ended with dinner, cake, and hugs with my US grandchildren (and their parents). This grandma is feeling loved. 

Chocolate

 Baby Z eating melted chocolate ice cream...Priceless!

Sharing

As soon as we started our Zoom call today, Baby Z was trying to share her crackers with us! She'd put one towards me and open her mouth, say yum and then next to Grandpa. She was back and forth between me and Grandpa, of course giving herself one occasionally. What a cutey, sharing with us. 

Double Digits

Major Cuteness is 10 today! It seems like it wasn't that long ago he kicked his way into the world. It is a joy to watch this boy grow up. He has the biggest heart. Miss Squirmalicious cannot believe her little brother is double digits. On our Zoom call today, his cousin, Little Flower sang him Happy Birthday in not only English but also a birthday song in Swahili! She made him a Play Doh birthday cake with a candle and some interesting things on top...sprinkles, ok normal, but bunny ears? Baby Z was blowing lots of kisses; she's getting so good at it! The best smile always follows!

3!

Little Flower turned 3 yesterday! Time just keeps flying by. She had an owl birthday party since she loves the owl backpack her cousin Miss Squirmalicious passed on to her. :)

London, England

 We arrived in London, England almost a week ago. We've met Little Flower, Baby Z, and their parents for almost 2 weeks in London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Our son-in-law is attending a London school online for his MBA and needs to attend several in person week-long classes. 

The first thing Little Flower said, before even saying hello, was "Where are Miss Squirmalicious and Major Cuteness?" It warms my heart that she loves her cousins so!

Jumper & Watermelon

On our Zoom call yesterday, Little Flower was very excited to show us first her new jumper for London that she was wearing. Very cute! Then she showed us her painting of a watermelon slice. Wow, it was quite good! Can't wait to see her and her family.  

Jake the Dog

Today Major Cuteness and I finished making a stuffed felt Jake the Dog from his current favorite cartoon. He kept underestimating the time it would take but at the same time was very understanding and patient. It is so nice to spend this kind of time together. Who knows how long he'll want to do things like this? I treasure our time together.

Good Decisions

I'm so proud of Miss Squirmalicious. She has been walking to and from the bus stop (1/4 mile each way). She told her dad that she wants to get her steps in every day, and maybe even get a Smartwatch! She also chooses to have an apple as her snack when she comes home. Many days when it's too hot she is on the treadmill. Love that she is making good decisions. 

First Day of School

Miss Squirmalicious starts 6th grade in Middle School today (hard to believe) and Major Cuteness starts 4th grade! They both look so grown up in their 1st day of school pictures, especially Major Cuteness with his hands in his pockets. All of a sudden, he looks like a tween! Sad that school is starting in the middle of August.

Crazy Zoom

Yesterday's Zoom call with our Kenyan family was a little crazy. First of all, our internet was extremely slow and then went out altogether. Secondly, Baby Z had her Kenyan 1st Birthday party and both her and her sister Little Flower were on sugar highs! :) Both of them were jumping around and couldn't sit still. Also, they only wanted to take their moms phone and carry it around. It was still so good to see their faces. I was joined by Miss Squirmalicious and Major Cuteness who kept saying, they're so cute, I love their little faces!

Soap

Little Flower just LOVED the new hand soap in the guest bathroom. It's called "You are My Sunshine". I bought it because of the name as my grandbabies are my sunshine. She would ask for the Sun soap and then, standing on the stepstool with the foam soap cupped in both hands, she would bring it to her nose and take a big sniff, and then bring back to her nose and take another big sniff!

Camps

Today started Volleyball camp for Squirmalicious and Soccer camp for Major Cuteness. They loved their camps! Both were extremely tired with achy legs. Miss Squirmalicious even fell asleep before dinner while watching TV in Grandpa's recliner!

Zoom

Little Flower, Baby Z, and their parents are back in Kenya now. Little Flower seems to have a bit of jet lag so it will do her good to get back to her routine with her nanny Auntie Lucy, Auntie Marcie, and school. Their visit went by so quickly. Miss Squirmalicious, Major Cuteness, and their parents joined us for our Sunday Zoom call. We're all missing each other.

Grandpa and I are so lucky to be meeting our Kenyans in London just over 5 weeks from now! Our son-in-law will be attending a class for his MBA and we're all joining him. Little Flower is a big fan of Peppa Pig and already has a British accent! Looking forward to seeing them all again. So wonderful that we don't have to wait so long.

Baby Z is 1!

Today our precious granddaughter, Baby Z is one! She too is such a unique child. I love seeing her run or crawl away from her chasing Dad, teasing us by pretending to share food, her first word of yum, and most of all her adorable smiling face. 

I have been so remiss in writing in this blog that I didn't even celebrate her birth. Sadly, I've not taken note of so many moments that I've probably forgotten. It seems crazy that my retired life seems so busy! I plan to change my calendar reminder to a current more conducive time of day with the hope that I will write more often.