Post-Thanksgiving Grandparenting

Now we get down to business! Today is our fifth full day of having Emma, Vivi and Princess with us. The first two days were cold and rainy, and if that had lasted one more day, we might have had some cabin fever to deal with, but as it was, we made it just fine. I really don't remember what we did on Saturday, but the horses and blocks and some coloring books filled the time pretty well. On Sunday, we went to church, and I WISH I had taken pictures of the girls in their finery. I'll try to remember to do it this next Sunday, because all the Johnsons will be with us for the weekend. They really looked awfully pretty. . . . So pretty that we just had to show them off after church, so we went downtown to La Madeleine for "brunch." Later that day, I took the girls back downtown to see the movie, "Enchanted." It was a so-so movie, but did help pass the rainy afternoon.

Monday, I took the girls to the National Cowgirl Museum and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

FWMSH is currently undergoing renovations in their building, so shares space with the NCM -- two museums under one roof! Of course, the space limitations keep FWMSH from having much of their display, but the kid-oriented activity center is re-created, and that's what the girls were most interested in. Couldn't take pix in the Cowgirl Museum, but did get a few shots of Emma doing the "jitter critter" activity, and of Vivi convincing a much younger girl to give up her "car" at the "ATM."

When we're not doing museums, movies, etc., the girls play with our limited supply of toys (most are still in the garage, but the horses & blocks and some books are available), work with clay (snakes and coil pots), and spend a bit of time checking their email (thanks, Uncle Steve) and playing Webkinz (only on Saturdays & Mondays, I'm told), and reviewing their math flash cards (can't skip school entirely, of course). And Gramma's Big Indulgence is a couple of scoops of ice cream after dinner -- not EVERY night, but most nights.

Thanksgiving 2007

We did our turkey dinner at Nana's again this year -- cooked here, transported food to the farm and ate there. As usual, Nana was "surprised" to see us, but she was very welcoming, and we all had a good time. "All" means the two of us, plus the Johnsons, and John, Darby, & Eli. We had natural organic free-range turkey, gluten-free cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, fresh carrots, and Nana's cranberry salad. She also made a yellow cake with pineapple topping, and Vivian liked it so much she ate 4 pieces!
Cliff and the girls did a lot of hay-roll hopping after lunch, and Orvis & Boone went off to play, too. Princess stayed close to the house. The highlight of the afternoon was the rooting out of a skunk by the dogs, and even a tomato juice bath followed by a dog-shampoo bath couldn't really eliminate the skunky odor and itchy eyes. Boone might want to re-think coming to see Uncle Orvis, because Big O was the main instigator of the skunk episode.
I forgot my camera for the Decatur trip, but got a few at breakfast the next day (notice Clifford-the-snoozer's absence), and on the river walk that John, Courtney & I did with the dogs.

Southern Tour

I had a great trip "down south" last weekend, but sadly, I kept forgetting to get out my camera, so have pictures only of John's family. I missed a lot of great opportunities: Wurstfest with Dan & Lisa; action shots of Emma Grace and Vivi swimming, doing tae kwon do; being lively Brownie Scouts; and . . . BOWLING!!! Yes, we went bowling -- my first attempt in well over a decade. I expected to have swollen arthritic fingers and a sore right forearm, but didn't really have much soreness in my hand/arm. What was sore were my hips and legs! My first yoga session upon returning (Thursday) was really hard . . . but it helped in the long run, I think.

Anyway, it was a great loop -- I stayed with John, Darby & Eli on Friday night. Darby & I took Eli to Zilker Park Friday afternoon, then Dan & Lisa came over for pizza dinner (Darby did a "Girls' Night Out").

After John did his SuperDad routine, we sat out on the patio with the chiminea going . . . ver-r-r-ry nice.

Saturday morning, I went with John & Darby & Eli first to a brunch spot (Wildwood) that has a lot of gluten-free stuff; then to an "Attachment Parenting" exhibit with an adjoining park, so Eli played and played . . .

Then a little after noon, Dan & Lisa picked me up to go down to New Braunfels for Wurstfest. Over the course of the evening, we ate: white wurst & sauerkraut; corn on the cob; fried potatoes; funnel cakes . . . and washed them all down with beer/wine.
Heard a lot of good oompah music; Dan actually succumbed to Lisa's charms and tried a bit of two-stepping. The people-watching was top notch.

After a night at the Holiday Inn and a meat-laden brunch at a smokehouse, we went back to downtown NB for an "art fest," which was mostly little knitted things, doilies, patchwork, and beads.So we didn't fill our shopping bags........not sure why........

Back to Austin and my car around noon, and I took off for Katy. Cliff was traveling, so it was a girlie visit. We were Very Busy the whole time. I marvel that Courtney finds the energy to do all this day after day, week after week! Sunday evening was Christmas program practice for both Courtney and the girls. Courtney is not only singing, but dancing in the adult musical. The girls both have speaking parts in their show. Vivi has quite a long read for a 7-year-old, and handles it beautifully.

Monday morning was full of homeschool, while I tackled Courtney's freezer to help sort out what was in there. Afternoon had swim practice and the Brownie meeting, which Courtney had a major part of, so after lunch we did a lot of cutting and hole-punching to be sure we could move along with the "sit-upon" craft; got together s'more supplies; and Courtney worked out a relay game for learning the Girl Scout Laws. The meeting was very lively, but lots of fun.

Tuesday morning, I tackled a couple of pantry shelves and we took Courtney's car for detailing; Vivi had a violin lesson around noon; we went bowling; and then went to Emma's ballet lesson, followed closely by Vivi's tae kwan do. Cliff came home Tuesday evening, so I did get to see him a bit.

Wednesday morning, we picked up Courtney's car after school; then I finished the pantry and took off for Fort Worth!

It was a very busy, very fun time with everybody! And I wish I had more pictures.