Travels with Grandparents

The world is full of advertisements for all the big, fancy, impressive, expensive places people "need" to go to have fun. However, it doesn't cost anything other than gas and perhaps snack money to have a semi-exotic little adventure away from the usual routine. That's what it's like for Mom and the Muffins when Grandmother and Grandfather come to town. Now, we do occasionally end up at an official Destination, but for the most part, the adventure is about spending time together and seeing new things. Thanks to digital cameras, we can even share what we've seen. And so, dear readers, if readers there be, stay tuned for a post or two concerning adventures with grandparents, some recent and others a bit less recent.

Waffle Wednesday, weird version

A month or so ago, Mom dug up the waffle iron after some 5+ years since its last use. It still worked just fine, and so our new Waffle Wednesday tradition began: Waffles for brunch, maybe some friends over to share them, and a general good time with good food for all. And then we got to this Waffle Wednesday: plenty of waffles (good ones, too), but not much eating.

It all started when Jared began throwing up, a lot. Knowing that we might have to cancel our company, Mom decided to whip up some waffles earlier than usual in case Dad wanted to grab one on his way out the door. When the waffles were served, Jared didn't want one, Amanda only ate a couple of bites, and Curtis decided to shred his. Lydia got in a few crumbs gumming one, and Dad did indeed grab one, but needless to say there were more than enough left over for Mom.

The plot thickened later in the morning when we found a probable cause for Amanda's aversion to food: She has her first loose tooth! She's been feeling left out as her classmates have been losing teeth, and so she is very excited and has spent most of the morning wiggling it. Any bets on whether it will still be in her mouth or not by the time school's out today?

Fun coincidence in tooth trivia: Amanda's loose tooth is the same one as Lydia's second tooth coming in right now. In other news, Lydia can sit alone for short periods of time.

Teeth . . . we all have them

. . . and this is news because for the last six months or so, we have had a toothless Muffin in our midst. But no more! Lydia now has her first tooth broken through.

Thank you note to Santa for Christmas 2010

Dear Santa,
Sorry this letter is a bit late; I meant to send it off a couple of months ago, but I'm sure you understand how busy life gets in a house full of small children. I really must thank you, though, for the wonderful Christmas this past year. As you probably know, we've tried hard to downplay the Santa mystique in our family, not from any inherent Scroogieness or Grinchiness on our part, but just to avoid any potentially unpleasant discussions with our kids in a few years. And yet, this year we have you to thank for Christmas.

I'm not sure if you remember us; just to jog your memory, the kids and I came to see you a few days before Christmas. You may remember my little Curtis, the brave toddler who climbed up on your lap with no help from Mom.




There was also one more child, baby Lydia, who stayed home with her dad. But you remembered her, too! We started out the season with our little tree, the one my parents gave me back when I was little.


Then we got the gifts from the grandparent Santas (thanks for putting in a good word to them!).


We were so surprised, though, to find that you weren't finished yet. By the time Christmas morning came, we had stuffed stockings (including the stocking you brought for Lydia, her very first stocking ever) . . .


. . . and we had an overflowing treeful of presents, too! The kids were delighted. I felt so loved every time one of your elves stopped by. Dad was amazed that we should have such a Christmas, especially when he knew we certainly hadn't done any Christmas shopping.

Little Curtis dove right in and started passing out gifts.

We were all so pleased and so thankful for the things you brought, and most especially for the love that went into the gifts, from boots for the kids to gas for the car, and all sorts of amazing fun and practical gifts in between. I would write out a list of it all, but I know you know what you sent, and what I really want to do is just thank you again and again on behalf of us all for all you did for us this year.

Love,
Muffin Mom

p.s. Here's a picture of Dad spending Christmas with us; we were glad to have time with him. Oh, and thanks again for the boots, coat, and watch for me; my winter has been so much nicer!

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Hello, everyone . . .
Guess what? We're still here! And one of these days, we'll actually update with some more stories and pictures. Prepare yourselves for strange time shifts, such as Thanksgiving before Halloween, or summer in the middle of winter. One way or the other, we'll be back online again eventually . . . in the meantime, please enjoy the cute picture of Lydia with her friend Kai, who just turned two!