Final butterfly things

Heather was able to give us a very good lesson on the life cycle of the butterfly. I love how they are all little sponges just soaking up everything that they are learning at school.

Our final shots before leaving for home. Someone was very artistic with their backdrops.

TJ as a monarch butterfly.

Heather as a caterpillar.

Ruby as a monarch.

We didn't manage to get out of the garden without butterfly mood rings for the girls and an identification book for TJ. I had planned ahead for a surprise in the car for each child. The girls were thrilled with their new Fancy Nancy books. This new title includes a visit to the butterfly pavilion. TJ received a butterfly pop-up book by Robert Sabuda. As I turned onto the Galvin Parkway headed home, I overheard Heather from the back seat saying, "When you go on a trip with grandma, you get a wonderful surprise!"

I much prefer these field trips with grandkids vs. those with a bus load of 4th graders!

St. Patricks Day - my "ho, hum" holiday

I've never much cared for this holiday. As a child, it meant avoiding getting pinched and it seems I always did, wearing of the green or not. As a teacher, I was just grateful that it always fell during Spring Break! Today I wore my red shirt and red shoes (new and sooo cute by Teva.) We haven't much Irish in us, only the Fitzgerald line on your dad's side. Your dad bought this purple shamrock plant a couple of weeks ago. My plant that weekend was a bleeding heart. The shamrock plant has had delicate lavender blooms. Hopefully, mine will someday have red heart shaped blooms, just like Grandma B's.
This is my most charming, latest project. Today, let's call it a little Irish cottage. I landscaped it a week ago with small succulents, sand, and small rocks. I should have taken a picture a few days later when I discovered a dead bird in this small garden. It had the feel of a real bad science fiction flick or monster movie, but it would have provided a bit of scale for everyone. My hero, Glen, removed the bird from this peaceful resting place. To where, I did not ask.
Our project of this weekend was these lovely hanging baskets. These are one of your dad's dreams. They hopefully will grow into a great big hanging balls of foliage. Today, especially, notice the bright green sweet potato vines. Please ignore the pigeons in the background and maybe they will go away!

White shortalls was what she wanted

Since Janae told us all more than we could possibly already know about her birthday, I am merely adding a picture for possible inclusion under "Notable BD gifts." Here we are at the happiest place on earth on Spring Break 1992, shortly after Janae's 10th birthday. Please notice, she is indeed wearing the now infamous white shortalls, still very white and pristine. I have a feeling that the fanny pack may also be new, but I'm not sure, Janae will have to fill us in.

This photo could also be used to illustrate her also mentioned four handsome brothers (before starting to loose their hair.) Perhaps it could be even be titled, "My mother 10 years after her 10 year high school reunion." Or, "My brother, Nathan, the cutest little boy in the whole world."

Oh, those were happy times. I miss them often, but enjoy all the new people who have joined us and all the present day memories in the making. Janae, however, did fail to mention one very important "Notable shared birthday." Sweet Baby James, one of her mom's favorite singers who helped her get through junior college. I would go into the MCC library and check out earphones and his music to listen to while I decompressed and did my homework.

So sweetie, add James Taylor to your shared BD list.

Now for the sentimental stuff. I made a blessing dress while pregnant with you (it won a ribbon at the county fair by the way) because I already had three boys and I needed to be ready for my girl. I also had made pink lace trimmed nightgowns and your father really was worried about my sanity if you came out a boy. But you didn't, and you were beautiful, and you looked nothing like your brothers but more like your father's side cousins, and I was ecstatic and could not sleep. Your brothers also adored you and your father adored you and your grandmas adored you. You have been a blessing in my life and I am so grateful that we have had the chance to do the mother/daughter part of life. You are definitely one of my "tender mercies."

Little snippets from outside

This is my favorite piece of yard art. We found it last Fall at Costco Home. We also bought the geraniums, because of their interesting foilage, at the same time. They took several months to flower, but it was worth the wait. The blooms are an amazing orange color.
It may not be officially Spring, but it was definitely time to store the Winter flag. In Arizona one must cram Fall, Winter, and Spring into the six months that are not SUMMER.
The blue pots along the west side of the pool are full of these cheerful beauties.
The grandkids "Peas in a Pot" are doing well. From left to right, Heather's, TJ's, and then Toby's. They water them everytime they come over. Grandpa fills in when the visits are too far apart.
This is what happens to broccoli when your church calling calls you for days and the broccoli doesn't get harvested. The bees don't mind at all and the small yellow flowers are really quite lovely. We fed 30 missionaries at a zone conference on Tuesday after the enrichment meeting on Saturday. Luckily, all the food prep worked for both. It's been good to have time to spend a couple of days outside again.

My Kids on a Sunday Night

Emilia and Ryan leave with a few leftovers and the remainder of delicious "pudim" which Emilia made. It was very much like flan and very good.
Eric relaxes with Toby and his now "ipod" uploaded with Primary songs.
Sally and Dave cuddle up for a picture. Dave had fun skimming through out latest magazines. He was sick on Saturday. He caught it from his girls.
As you can see my grandkids are much more exciting than their parents. The girls get some dancing in before heading home. Sadie was so thrilled to be included.
Handsome TJ displays his beading work before going home. Afterall, tomorrow is Monday when work and school start over again. We have a family dinner/party time at least one Sunday a month, usually fast Sunday. I always miss Andrew and Janae and the boys and wish that they could join in our fun, too.

Grandkids on a Sunday Night

These are the discarded dolls, mostly boys, outside the grandkids playroom. Who decided the fate of those involved in the doll massacre?
Why, these darling little girls who call themselves "angels" and are wearing light stick halos. Notice the winning girl dolls in the background.
What's up with that frog in the box? Sadie can push the button and then dance to "Jeremiah was a Bullfrog." Sadie can really bust some great moves.
Toby was banned from the playroom along with the dolls, what with being a boy and all. He was especially enamored with the light sticks and doesn't seem to be taking it personally.
Grandpa bought some beading kits for his favorite little ones. TJ gets a bit of help from his mom to put together a great piece of neckwear.

Prior to the later inside pictures (grandma finally thought to grab her camera;) this gang of five had watered their pea and nasturtium pots, hung out in the greenhouse, eaten dessert at the outdoor cafe, floated some ducks in the pool, and helped grandpa light a fire in the outdoor fireplace. Our 80 degree plus days were chased out by a wind from the north today, so everyone soon chose to be inside.

The party is over . . .

I packed up my camera this morning but in the midst of doing, forgot to use it at the event. Things went very well and there was so much help. The yellow roses are the best and prettiest part of the remains. The aprons were a big hit. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow - and just four more months until Nathan!