Tag Archives: grandchildren

My Christmas

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As you may have noticed I basically took an unofficial winter break! We spent a merry holiday away from home for a few days where we enjoyed time with the little ones, their parents as well as my mom and dad.

dsc_0341We arrived on Sunday and got the girls settled in at my folks house, then headed to Osama and Jacki’s.img_3608

Aiden and Bennett opened their gifts and so did Alayna. The boys insisted on helping with construction of their tee-pee and Alayna showed more interest in helping than playing with her stuffed animal. Who can blame her?

Auntie Foof and Uncle Ben showed up with more gifts and soon after Great Grandma and Grandpa came with the girls. Siblings hung out and then it was time to cook.img_3409 Fattima, Sumaya and Deeja all helped their brother with his food preparation while I took my place on the comfy couch playing with the precious little ones.

The meal was amazing; perfectly steamed chicken that was finished with a pan frying to crisp it up, topped with a light sauce, homemade pasta and a crisp flavorful salad, yumm! Of course Jacki was in the kitchen helping, watching her babies and interacting with this lively group!

I’d like to say identical twins are no match for Gaga but they do keep me on my toes! Meanwhile Alayna is in the thick of things making her presence known!dsc_0438

The next day we went out to grab donuts and coffee and the day of Christmas eve began!

After the babies were snugly tucked into bed, Santa came and delivered their gifts.img_3554

Santa and her helpers were quite good at their job and once again I relaxed and watched it all unfold.

When morning came I heard the boys talking, then Daddy and Mom went in to get them and the fun began!

Numerous photos were taken but it was obvious that this would be a challenging effort and we decided “real” was better anyway!dsc_0500

Gifts were both practical and fun, children were grateful and parents exhausted. The next stop was Great Grama and Grampa’s on our way out of town. Brunch was served along with more gifts.

As always it was a memorable event!dsc_0515

Happy new year!

Babysitting, birthdays and family

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This past weekend was spent traveling to Spokane, celebrating my youngest daughter’s birthday and babysitting. Osama and Jacki took a little trip that had been planned months before and then forgotten. With their busy life I can see where it would easily be brushed aside! Foof decided she would babysit and I agreed to help her for part of the time. My younger children went with their oldest sister out shopping, to dinner for the birthday girl and in the end they stayed in a comfy hotel. Meanwhile we did crafts, made a fort and watched the usual movies.

Later that night Ben arrived to help and I retired to my room where the boys both tucked me in and Aiden showed me his Halloween costume.

The next morning the kids came from the hotel, bringing coffee and some breakfast sweets. We decided to leave soon after so that the kids could get home at nap time. We drove in to see Great Grama and Grampa who had purchased a cake for the birthday girl. img_0792Both of my parents and my sister, were excited that the kids made a surprise visit.

Gifts were opened and then cake was served, all of which the kids enjoyed taking part in.

We discovered that Alayna does like carrot cake and insists on feeding herself! She has also become a strong little girl even at this age. Watching her deal with her brothers gives me insight into my own daughters. None of them will let their brothers, from the oldest to the youngest, get away with anything!

I wondered where this sweet little baby would fit in among identical twins, but it is easy to see she truly is the boss!

I hope you had a fun and relaxing weekend as well.  Here’s to a great week ahead!

Weekend before Easter

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This weekend we spent a quiet couple of days after being with the sweetie pies on Friday. On Sunday I cooked and took a few walks and worked on scheduling. But last weekend it was right after my birthday and the kids came to stay. I really love routine and make lists on top of lists to check off my monthly, daily and weekly tasks. However, when the kids come to visit it is just plain fun and my planning takes on a beautiful come what may status.

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First I ready the house; baby proof, spot clean, prepare the guest room. Then it is time for groceries, special snacks for the boys and a menu for the big people. The toys are taken out of storage and lined up on the back wall downstairs. Last minute details are attended to and then I wait, thinking of the fun that will unfold!

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Our routine is the same, Friday they arrive and I have prepared a meal. The boys are unsure for a few minutes but then start pointing to downstairs where they know they will find toys, aunts and uncles.  They play until they are tired and fight going to bed that first night.

The next morning I am on call waiting for the kids to wake up. I quietly walk in the room and grab the boys when I hear them stir and it is back downstairs. They settle in my lap on the recliner, grab blankets and chatter away. Eventually they shift to the couch where they switch channels and argue over the remote (so much like adults). It is then time for princess to wake up, we grab her and get a bottle started.

Frustration gets the best of the boys and they head to the tiny room at the bottom of the stairs calling Heme. Then it is on to the Aunties door where they pound and try to turn the doorknob. Uncle Hehe or Auntie Deeja wake up and I head upstairs to make a coffee and bring crackers for each boy. Alayna sits watching quietly but her eyes follow every movement!

This visit was different, we had an egg hunt. Fattima took charge and bought plastic eggs, filled them and hid them. The boys were not quite sure what this was all about but they found eggs, toys and candy! Needless to say Fattima was pretty excited and it went well.

My objectives are clear for these visits:

  • Enjoy the time we get to spend together
  • Let mom and dad  sleep in and have a tiny break
  • Hold as many babies as possible, get hugs, play with toys and soak in the sheer chaos that surrounds us with love.
  • Say goodbye and wait for another magical visit

Days when I feel anxious or down I remind myself or someone else reminds me haha, that I am living my dream. I sat in Saudi never imagining there could be a future like this one!

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Story time

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Two cute little twin boys each grabbed a colorful book and climbed up onto the recliner. They sat happily, looking at fuzzy bears, shapes and colors. Pages came to life with stories of trucks that beep and geese that honk.

Then they both decided one of the books was more interesting, it had textured pages and lots of bright colors. Both boys were crying and the book finally fell down onto the floor.  They looked at each other feeling quite sad that it had come to a fight. They decided to share and got back to reading.

What adorable and special little guys! I love these boys!

 

They lived happily ever afterIMG_2924