Sweet little Lars - 3 already!!

Happy 3rd birthday to Lars!!

 

It's the unanswered question - where do the years go??

We don't get to see Lars as much as some of our other grandchildren, but Eliza does a good job of documenting his antics and activities, so we feel connected when we do get to visit.

And he's quite a charming fellow!

Back to work!

I am of the mind set that work is work - and some work is more enjoyable than other kinds of work. For example, I have just returned from spending 3 weeks with Eliza and family, to help out with new baby Lars and all that is associated with that. It is indeed work to get up and help care for small children, to fix breakfast, do laundry, mend, sew, clean up, vacuum, go the park and the playground. But such rewarding work - to see the smiles on small faces when you suggest going for a walk to mail a letter, or when small hands want to help toss the wet clothes into the dryer, to feel the warm comfort of a small baby next to you as you cuddle him, to hug your daughter good-bye at the airport and know that she is a strong and loving mother, ready for all that is ahead of her.

But then I come home to the work here. And it's valuable work - work that needs to be done - but it's not nearly as much fun!! It is good to be back with Harry, don't get me wrong, but as I sorted laundry, unpacked, went through the mail that had piled up, listened to the voice mails Harry had not listened to for three weeks, made the assignments for Anna May's luncheon on Monday, wrote grocery lists, and generally tried to get re-acquainted with our house, I was thinking that it's what I do all the time.

Maybe a change really is as good as a rest!

The visit winds down -

I will be going home on Thursday, and I will miss being here. It is work to help care for young children, but somehow laundry and dishes and child care is more fun at someone else's house!!

Hannah and Robbie took a "vacation day after a holiday" day and came to visit. We didn't do much, but it was fun to be together. Baby Lars was a bit fussier than he has been the whole time, but we all just took turns - including Robbie!!

Theo's preschool teacher sent home an erasable workbook for him, so he's daily been practicing his letters - and doing a great job. I love the little desk Eliza has - I'm not sure Theo appreciates how charming it is - but he enjoys working at it!

We often go walking to the mail box - and Theo has become my official letter dropper!! He's got it down to a science!!

Both Theo and Ida got haircuts today - we thought the short bangs made Ida look younger - add to that her charming conversational ways, and she's almost irresistible! (The photo does not do her cuteness justice!!)

And of course, the man of the hour, our own Mr. Lars, continues to win our hearts with his baby wonderfulness!

Weekend Wrap-Up, Holiday Style

It's been business as usual around here, with a little time off for the 4th of July!! We started out the day at a Pancake Breakfast at the ward - only here it's not the Scouts who do it, but the High Priests Quorum - and that makes a difference!! Not a bad difference, just a difference. We spent some time in the nursery - just to have a little oasis of calm!!

Theo doesn't look happy here, but he was - at least he enjoyed his breakfast!! That's what I get for not saying "Say cheese!"

Miss Ida loves her "piggy tails!"

I spent the weekend in DC with Hannah and Robbie, and when we got back to Matt and Eliza's, we got to visit with Hester and Moses via Skype. It was great to "see" Hester and Moses - isn't technology great??

Saturday night at Hannah and Robbies, we were all kind of engaged in her own little worlds. Hannah was making a quilt, and I was crocheting an afghan.

Robbie was enjoying their new camera!! We will be looking for some awesome posts on their blog!! At least awesome photos!!

I left on Friday afternoon and took the metro to DC. Hannah met me, and we walked to their place. Robbie grilled hot dogs - yum - and then we went to the show and saw Midnight in Paris - it was good - at least I enjoyed it - maybe you had to be my age!! Hannah liked it too - I think Robbie reserved his judgment!! After we went to the new gelato place - another yum!!

Saturday found us roaming around Eastern Market - fast becoming a fave destination of mine - waiting for the new French restaurant to open at 10:30. We hit the flea market - ah, the linens!! And the used book store - something you have to see for yourself!! Also tried out the chi-chi baby clothing store, but didn't even find anything we couldn't afford to buy!!

Brunch was great - I had Eggs Benedict with spinach and panchetta - with Creme Brulee for dessert - more yums!! Robbie then had some "chores" so Hannah and I prowled around the market some more and also checked out the local yarn store. I just love walking around the DC neighborhoods - they are so "historical!!"

Saturday night, Robbie and I sort of watched Guarding Tess on streaming on NetFlix. It was a slow film - a clever premise, but even Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine couldn't give it a spark. Hannah just plugged away with her quilt - and got it done!!

Sunday we went to church, and then to a baptism after. Both of the Cub Scouts they have worked with all year got baptized - one on Thursday night and the other boy on Sunday. It was a special time - I was glad to be there to be part of it. After that we headed back for dinner with Eliza and family.

Friday before I left, I took Theo and Ida to Home Depot, where we bought some paint brushes - so they could "paint" the fence with water. It's a fun thing to do, and they caught on to the fun quickly. Matt suggested we give them polyeurethene!!

In the afternoon today, we attended a 4th of July BBQ in McLean. I am loving the Virginia countryside - I will miss the green, foresty feel of things.

But I won't miss the bugs!

To end the evening, we put the kids to bed and enjoyed Rocky Road ice cream and Dave. I'd never seen it - it was funny and entertaining.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's adventures!!

At the end of the day!!

Guess Lars had a long day!! Don't we all feel that way sometimes?! He continues to be pretty mellow and easy to soothe when he's feeling unmellow!

When we go for our daily mail run - it's just a walk around the neighborhood, but it's a nice walk - we see this charming group of statues of children playing. Theo is very much intrigued by it too.

My favorite is the girl reading in the garden!!

We went to the bishop's house for a picnic with some of Eliza's friends - one friend in particular is moving to New York, so everyone wanted to see them one more time. There was a trampoline, and Ida couldn't get down by herself - but didn't want anyone to help her down. A conundrum for sure!! Ben was trying to entice her to let him help by showing her pictures on his phone - that happened to have her in them from a recent birthday party. It did calm her down.

Theo loved the swing.

Lars was a well-behaved guest - enjoyed meeting a new friend. Maybe the moms will show their boys this photo in 20 years!

Eliza with her friends - one pregnant, one a new mom.

Theo - intent on his Play-doh efforts.

Ida, offering a piece of her Play-doh b-day cake.

Lars, enjoying a bath.

Theo and Ida enjoying their new sandbox.

Today was warm but breezy. The trees and flowers are lovely. The bugs and gnats continue to annoy me - I'm thinking we should buy stock in bug spray!!

I will go Friday to spend the weekend in DC with Hannah and Robbie. No doubt it will be an adventure of a different sort, but an adventure nonetheless!

"Oh what do you do in the summertime?"

What we do around here is entertain kidlets and give the little newbies a free ride!! Lars is loving the carrier!

We've been making the rounds of the local playgrounds near home. It was breezy and much cooler today, so that was nice.

Yesterday it was breezy and sprinkling, but warmer. But the weather does not deter Theo and Ida from enjoying the equipment.

The days are taking on a pattern - baby Lars continues to be pretty mellow and sleeps well at night. I've hardly heard him cry.

Matt was home today, getting his old car ready to sell - guess I should take a photo of their new car to post for your viewing pleasure.

And that's the news from Lake Wobegon!!

What we do all day!!

The man of the hour - gets cuter every day!!

The day I got here, the A/C went down. We survived - with window fans, lots of popsicles, and the basement!! I came loaded with projects and ideas of things we could do, but like many plans, reality took their place!! I fix meals, load and unload the dishwasher, sort, wash, and fold laundry, play with the kids, take the kids for walks and to the parks and playgrounds around here, hold the baby, visit with Eliza but insist that she rest more!! And I've been trying to send notes to the other grandkids. I've also read two books and several magazines. The books are Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry - I would recommend it. Kind of like Southern Women Regional Writing - but the author is a man! The other book I found on the shelves here - Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska - a strange but compelling tale about a tyrannical rabbi and his 4 daughters in 1920's New York. Matt had to read it for a history class once.

Also, Matt, Eliza and I watched Matchstick Men - I'd never even heard of it, but it was pretty good.

I'm thinking it sounds like I'm some kind of Wonder Woman - don't wonder, I'm not - the days are long, and I spend a lot of the time with my feet up, so to speak. This is a treat - to spend time with people I love that I don't always get to see and spend time with - although we've managed a lot of visits this year - which I'm grateful for.

I am having a fine time - a change is truly as good as a rest. (Lest you think it's all work and no play, I've managed a nap a day myself!!)

Here are some shots of the kids. Like Hannah, I sometimes think that when you're having a fine time - or are pretty busy - it's hard to remember to take pictures!!

Theo loves baby Lars. Washes his hands and pats him on the head - softly!!

Big brother walking back to the house with little sister in tow!

On the playground equipment - it's hot and we are usually the only ones out playing, but this particular playground area is well shaded - and the kids need to get the wiggles out!

The A/C got fixed, so I added Jam Making to my repetoire. And we cleared off the sewing table, so I'm going to tackle the mending. I feel so virtuous doing mending for my kids - I never do mine at home!!

Maybe there will be something exciting to report tomorrow. And we will see Hannah and Robbie on the weekend - that will add some zip to the mix!!

On the East Coast Front!!

Late breaking news from the Eastern contingent: it is hot - and the a/c is on the fritz! It's going to be mended on Monday or Tuesday. Meanwhile, we are conserving our energy and sitting around eating rocky road ice cream and watching movies!! (At least after Theo and Ida go to bed!! - Baby Lars stays up for the festivities.)

I have taken photos - and I will post them. Meanwhile I'm keeping myself out of too much trouble. And I even got a nap in!!

And I'm glad my room is in the basement!!