A Play Day

Another fun day with the two babies here. They are four months apart, which at times seems like twins and at others like a generational gap. They are always fun and awe inspiring as they learn those lessons of life about interacting and cognition of other people. They are sometimes struck by the fact that people come in their size.

Julieanna was playing "Where's your ...?" with the girls. The three of them were so cute that I couldn't make myself stop taking their pictures.

"Where's your -- nose?"


"Where's your -- tummy?"


"Where's your -- toes?"

Logan got to play on her own also. She is an independent little lady.
Looking at these pictures, as I copied them in, I noticed that hair patterns are baby-style. It doesn't grow on the temples.

Cora has really started to grow a crop of hair. It makes her look so much older that Logan to me. I love these little girls. They are still little and will interact with us a lot. Ashley and Alex are older and have become very independent. There isn't much they need grandpa for. Amazing what twelve years means to development.

All this play make a girl thirsty and in need of energy.

Different delivery but the same need for fluids and nourishment. Both walkers! It's going to be a fun summer as these two can be taken to the park and for walks.


They interact well. They share so cutely and take a lead from one another. They haven't developed a rivalry.

But even a big girl gets tired with all this play.

And now the action!

Another Birthday

Someone has a birthday. No! It's not a grandchild.


They did bring Logan's chair. She sat down like any body for half an hour.


Here's a close-up of that pretty baby.


Older cousin Cora blocks basketball as best she can. No one minds terribly because she is so cute and charming.

Cora and her Dad are a pair. They are obviously well paired and partners in what they do. They are charter members of a mutual admiration society.

Logan went to Florida and got curly hair from the sea air. Apparently it is like a real permanent wave.

Cora has the magic wand to help Sarah extinguish her candles. Another year clicks off and Sarah is still a young mom.

Your Parts, My Parts, Parts Is Parts!

We had a regular visit coming up with Logan. On Tuesday night Sally said to me, "I think you should call Julie. Tell her she either has to put up a new post or come visit tomorrow."

So I called Julieanna as instructed. Resulting in a promise to bring Cora out. Then I had a conversation, which drew Sally's ire. I wasn't suppose to talk to her? I was to just do what I was told. No problem, I'm beyond control anyway.

The result was a Wednesday of fun. More fun than a barrel of monkeys. Four months difference in age is large at 17 and 13 months of age. They are close enough to play well together. They are both precious little girls with different personalities. Cora is very good at her anatomy (go figure)

I did think it was fun to watch an early mother versus daughter misunderstanding. Julieanna said, "Where's Logan's neck? Where's her neck?" Cora hands Mom the bottle and says, "Milk."

Julieanna says, "Where's her neck?"

Cora says, "Milk!"

Julieanna says, "No, where's her neck? OH! Not milk. Where's her neck?"

These simple misunderstandings will become more serious as Cora approaches her teen years. I hope they look back on this one and cut one another some slack.

Another Logan Day!

Logan is on to real people food.
Apple Sauce -- OK
Yogurt -- OK
Cheese -- OK
Meat -- Fa gedda boud it!

What Logan eats, she eats very well! She is also switching to milk. That fails to excite her interest in the bottle.

Grandma shovels very well. But Grandma doesn't sell it like Grandpa.

So it's my job to sit nearby and make it all seem so fun and appealing.
(Which I do very well)

When the system is working it works like a well oiled machine. When Grandma gets behind, Logan's little feet start running as if she were ponding on the bar.

Logan is also cutting back on her Binky. Not her so much as her folks and us are cutting back on giving it to her. Kyle said, "She really doesn't seem to mind."

OF COARSE NOT! She has many substitutes! This is the Dog from the barnyard set. She likes the kid with the cap, the cow, the horse and the farmer. The farmer's wife and the sheep -- not so much.

Logan test drives a new stool that Grandpa made. She approves! I guess we can keep it.

2008 Chicago Flower & Garden Show

At Navy Pier

We went to the show as part of the group from a local garden center. They had two coaches for 100 people. We left Hawthorne Gardens at 8:30 AM. It was a cold, rainy, gray Sunday.

The doors opened at 10:00 AM and this is the first garden in the door. Notice the fog in the corners of the fountain. The electronic fog emitters were very popular in many of the gardens.


This was the Autumn quadrant of a multi-season garden. I liked the grid by the shed and plan to make one against our fence.


This is the Summer quadrant. It was very lush and reminded me of Ann's garden in Hoboken. A lot of beds and just a maze of paths.


I liked this Sea Thrift and plan to plant an area by our water garden.

I liked the colors in the border and the low growth. This would fill in along the fence in the back.

This is a waste of space in my book. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago constructed this. The GeoGarden is to honor Buckminster Fuller. It is sod cut and elevated to hint of a geodesic structure. It looked sad on the second day, it should be all brown by the tenth day.

Bucky was many things, inventor, futurist, ecologist, designer, etc. He chaired the Department of Design at Southern Illinois University- Carbondale in the 1960's and 70's. I doubt this would have received a passing grade.

This was a high volume water fall that has no pond. It terminates in the gravel.

This planter was attractive. I wonder how they would look in real life. The plants are out of season and therefore forced for the show. It is strange to walk around looking at Spring, Summer and Autumn plants.

We were done at 3:15 PM and due at the bus. They handed out cheese, crackers and water as we boarded the bus. Once in the bus they served wines and beer. We arrived home at 4:45 PM.

Grandpa Has A Play Date

I got to sit for Cora Saturday. She was excited when I came in the door and instantly changed to disappointment. Cora was running to greet her Daddy and I wasn't him. But after several minutes she warmed up and started with the books and toys.

Cora likes to get really close for the camera. Training for Mr. DeMille I guess.


As you can see, she has scratched her little nose. Still, she is perfect.


Then she started getting really close. I think maybe she is 'Moth Girl" and is just drawn to the bright light.



I think she enjoys having burned out her retinas and trying to focus on the spots.

This is about as far away as she got from the camera.

Cora loves Elmo. She loves to carry him around and watch him tell stories and sing. And she was fascinated monitoring the action on the screen of the camera.

You'll have to play this one more than once, I bet. Cora gave me a series of two-eyed winks. Which she promptly quit when I picked up the camera. There is a single "wink" at the beginning of the video.

Julieanna explains why it is so hard to capture a video or photograph of Cora more than a few inches away.

Another First!

Here is Logan Elizabeth and her doting Dad and Mom. Logan is ready to celebrate her FIRST Birthday!



"Are you ready, Munchkin?"


Let me get this hat adjusted. It just doesn't feel right when someone puts a hat on you.


Now what do I do with this? Why are you all singing?


Now that the fire is gone, can I taste it? It sure is sticky.


What are you saying? You encouraged me to.

I am not a MESS! I was just eating and sharing with my puppy, Buckley. You don't love me.

Of course we love you! You're a mess in the very best way.

Let's move on to presents.

I SAW the card, Mom. It was okay.


This is way better! I really love the easy-tear paper. How did you know pink was MY color?
And the stuff is pretty good too.


I LOVE blocks. They are so good to chew. And I really like to fling them in every direction.

Happy Birthday!

It's the thirty something lady.

We've known Tricia since she was a young girl. We watched her grow up, marry our oldest son, and have two great kids. When these times arrive I realize why I am old.

I have kids who are pushing middle age with kids of their own approaching their teens. That is a milestone for all of us.

I think of Tricia as kid. That is just plain wrong-headed! Although she and Drew have the energy of kids, they are really adults in their own right.

So Tricia finally had time to work in another big day only one day late.

I'll Grant You ONE Wish

Another bonus day with Her Majesty. Daddy brought her over and entertains her while Grandma heats some soup and makes a grilled cheese for her baby.

Grandma got out a couple toys new to Logan. Showed her twice where the button was and Logan was in business granting wishes.

Being in business and doing business are not the same. Logan can be stingy with wishes. She will flash a big smile to win you over at her discretion.

Here Logan had a few minutes of Daddy's time before he left for work. I love watching these little love-fests.

Way Back When ...

We had a mid-Winter gathering of the "volleyball" group. We started many nearly 40 YEARS ago. Playing at the church, camping and gathering in good times and bad. Rejoicing in blessings and mourning at losses. Dear friends who have reared our children together and bragged about our grandchildren. And now our children are friends as well. They are responsible for planning this event.

February 8th we met at Shipshewana, Indiana at Splash Universe. The water park features a Lazy River shown here.


It was a balmy 85 inside while outside it was 20 and snow still lay on the ground out our window.


Our room was bright and pleasant. Very comfortable.


Also featured were twin water slides, baby pools, hot tub and a snack bar.

This is the 500 gallon tip bucket in action!

It Must Be Baby Wars!

Yes! We still had our regular Logan Day on Wednesday.

Logan shows off the bristle block ring to Grandma.

Grandpa showed her how to make it and it was very pretty.

A Bonus Logan Day

Kyle and Sarah needed some extra sitting help and we won. Well it was by default; but we looked at it as winning. So miss beautiful came in all smiles on Monday!


Logan's always happy to be with her folks. But she generally has a pretty smile for any of us.


Then it is time for a Daddy-Daughter communication session. That girl doesn't want for love.

Grandma is beaming of joy, getting an extra day of sitting with Logan.

Logan plays the ever popular busy keyboard and rocks to the music with Grandma. She loves to dance.

Mom and Dad go to see "Coraline". The old folk get to watch the wee one a spell. They warned us that she has had a couple of bad days. And they "forgot" their cell phone. We loaned them one of ours and said, "Go on and have fun. She'll be fine."

Grandpa gives a finger puppet show for the real Cora.
Cora was a doll. Not quite as perky as usual, but very pleasant and I enjoyed her company very much. We marvelled over someones idea of what animal these strange crocheted finger cots might be. (Someone seems not to have been in touch with reality). But it only matters that we could play together.


Cora played music on the activity seat and encouraged Grandma to dance while seated. Grandpa was kind enough to keep those fun sights just for family. Cora did like to see it and laughed with Grandma.


Then Cora had some quite time with books (Of course. Whose daughter is she?). She did like the classic "Pinocchio".