A Teddy Bear Picnic

queue the music...

If you go out in the woods today

 
You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go out in the woods today

You'd better go in disguise.

 For every bear that ever there was

 Will gather there for certain, because

 Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

 The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today.

 Watch them, catch them unawares,

And see them picnic on their holiday.

 See them gaily dance about.

 They love to play and shout.

And never have any cares

.At six o'clock their mommies and daddies
 
Will take them home to bed

 Because they're tired little teddy bears.

 Hip hip hooray for Olivia's First Birthday Teddy Bear Picnic!


In case you are wondering...yes I did make Olivia a new quilt for her first birthday!

A Year Filled With Olivia

Who has sparkly blue eyes, chubby rose-kissed cheeks, lots of shiny new baby teeth, says Mama and Dada, a 6 month old baby brother named Henry, loves avocados and sushi, and is having a first birthday?


Why Olivia of course!

One year ago, Dean and I were wandering purposelessly through our local Farmer's Market wondering what to do with ourselves...we were nervous and anxious...waiting for any kind of news. Olivia was on her way and we were about to become Nana and Papa! Albeit joining our family in a special way, we straightaway fell in love with this baby girl!

And yes it's true...we have become those kind of grandparents!

You know the kind...overly doting, snuggling, baby talking, crawling around on the floor, sewing quilts, buying every sort of baby thing imaginable...that's the Nana and Papa we are!

Admittedly, I can scarcely believe myself how fast and the degree I fell head over heels for her. If you haven't had the opportunity to be a Nana yet, just wait...you're going to love it. I promise you!

I know that some people believe Olivia healed our hearts, shattered from the tragic loss of Jocie. But the truth is...nothing or no one can heal a broken heart...you have to fix that one all by yourself.

But now, Olivia along with baby brother Henry...they are the frosting on my cupcake; the sparkle in my diamond, and the joy of my life!

We have had a year of delightful dreamy days getting to know each other...Olivia and I!

 Chasing down giggles and storing sweet memories away.

Olivia has taught me to quietly examine the fine elements of life...getting up close to inspect exquisite details I might otherwise have missed. I still do not like to taste rocks like she does though!

She has taught me that when you're tired, all you need to do is simply rub your eyes and just like magic...someone who loves you will pick you up...and snuggle you close for comfort!

Every single moment of Olivia's first year of life has been filled with new experiences and adventures. The touch of grass under tiny toes, falling snow, splashing water in a pool, tasting delicious new foods and becoming a very little, big sister!

With an over abundance constantly showered on this baby girl, no child could feel more loved...from parents, grand parents, Aunties, Uncles, all kinds of family, and loads of friends too! I simply can not imagine this past year without having Olivia part of my days!

Without further adieu...

Happy First Birthday to my gorgeous, adorable grand baby girl Olivia!!!

And now for some cake...

Freshman Vocabulary

Do you remember the
21st night of September?
Love was changing the minds of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away

Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing.
As we danced in the night,
Remember how the stars stole the night away
                                September-Earth Wind & Fire

It's September; he made it through the first week of his Freshman year in high school. Just a few of the 9th grade vocabulary words The Teenager will need to know...

Amenable...Although his alarm sounded off approximately five hours earlier than he had been waking during the lazy days of summer, his demeanor was amenable and cooperative.

Cessation...Comfortable summer routines of reading books on Kindle, playing with chickens, tossing around lacrosse balls with a constant barrage of friends, and making banana pancakes came to a complete cessation.



Early morning faces and lighting

 Erudite...Erudite discussions of Algebra, geography, and biology will soon be at the forefront of his thoughts.

Gregarious...There is something about being in high school that releases gregarious swagger in young teenage boys...all to impress the girls.

Ingratiate...He was determined to ingratiate himself with upperclassmen...to prevent getting pounded or stuffed in a locker.

Garrulous...Returning from the first day of school, a garrulous young man spouted quips of lunch, girls, classes, buddies...and more.

Volition...Of his own volition...he started straight into homework without being reminded.

Following dinner...The Teenager and I lay in the cool evening grass chasing the fluffy white clouds with our eyes. We chatted about his first day of high school...friends, hot girls, teachers, and everything else. For a split second I considered running to find the camera to capture the moment. Instantly, I realized I already had.

It is definitely looking to be a winsome year for this new Freshman.

"Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in September
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day"

Play Date with Our Playmates

Dear Olivia and Henry,


We had a blast last weekend when you came to stay and play at Nana and Papa's...where we eat brownies for breakfast and never nap!

 "Say, say, my playmate

 Won't you come play with me

And bring your dollies three

Climb up my apple tree

 Slide down my rain barrel

Excuse me Miss...you're pulling my tail feathers!

 Into my cellar door

 And we'll be jolly friends

 Forever more!"

We loved bouncing on the trampoline, splashing in the pool, playing with the chickens and taking you to the Farmer's market. Just look at these adorable Sock Monkey hats we found for next winter. I can see a future photo shoot soon.

 And Henry, your eyelashes...still astound me!

 Olivia had her first guitar lesson with Uncle Chet.

 and a four-wheeler ride with Papa.

 Chet, by the way...is getting really good at this Uncle thing.

We discovered that just like your Nana...horses are apparently not your friend either.

And happy day...because Olivia's first birthday is just around the corner...Mama said she could sample some of Papa's delicious honey for the very first time. 

I made homemade blueberry muffins just for the occasion. Olivia LOVES honey! Yummy!
Henry, sorry you only got to eat rice cereal this time!

My arms filled with two babies, I learned just how much work your Mama does every single day in caring for you. Olivia, I chased you up and down the stairs and tried to close drawers as fast as you opened them. Papa and I woke up early at 5:00 am one morning, when Henry decided he was finished sleeping.

Every day we checked the nests for eggs and you were very surprised when we saw what the hens left us.

 And you rang the bell announcing the discovery of a new egg!

Look at Henry popping his collar.

Oh, but by the time your Momma and Daddy came to pick you up we had filled our reservoir with loads and loads of memorable baby time, but boy were we exhausted! And don't tell anyone...but Papa actually changed a couple of diapers while you were staying with us.

I am already making plans for the next time you have a sleepover with us!

All our love, Nana and Papa