A Conversation With Santa

On the ride home from visiting Ava at the hospital yesterday, Jameson fell soundly asleep. He missed a golden opportunity to talk with the Big Man himself in what may be a last chance to fulfill his Christmas wish list. While Jameson napped at home, Jamie, Ayden and I attended an open house at their school - Royal Learners.

Crawling onto Santa's lap, Ayden asked for a Power Ranger something. The Bearded One seemed to understand exactly what Ayden requested. Hey Santa - can you help a girl out??

After a lengthy and animated discussion with Mr. Claus, we walked to the arts and crafts room where Ayden decorated a graham cracker present.

He also decorated a cookie with brightly colored sprinkles.

"Mimi - look at the pretty cookie I made!"

Going...going...

...GONE!

"Cookie? What cookie?"

Oh Ayden, you're such a con artist but you have to go a long way to best your mother. You don't understand that I survived the Queen of Con.

Fun With Playdough

If you are a reader of our blog, you'd know how much our grandchildren mean to us. Four year old Ayden didn't begin to spend overnight visits with us until this past July 4th. Before then I would ask Ayden when he was going to spend the night and he'd say, "Saturday Thursday". He still has a limited grasp of passing time and measures days by sleeps. Strange yes - but it works for him.

With Jamie in labor with Ava, Ayden and his 2-1/2 year old brother Jameson spent Thanksgiving evening through Saturday with us. Ayden has spent several overnights with us but this was a new experience for younger brother Jameson. We were quite doubtful that he would actually make it through the night without calling daddy to take him home. But he surprised us all by never giving in to a wimper or tears. It helps to keep their little minds occupied at all times.

Bumpa sat patiently with the boys at the kitchen table molding Playdough into artistic shapes. It's amazing how much fun a pack of $1.97 colored Playdough means to kids - both old and young.

Making Playdough shapes requires copius amounts of intense concentration. I love their serious faces. The best part of having grandchildren is being able to play like a kid again. Come to think of it, that has never stopped Doughboy from acting childish ;)

Now that we know Jameson can survive separation anxiety, hopefully this is the beginning of many other wonderful sleepovers with the boys. Now we can begin working on getting baby Ava to sleepover too. First things first, she needs to get healthy enough to come home from the hospital. Hopefully soon...very soon...

Don't Drink The Water!

Whew - what an exciting week this has been with the arrival of two new babies! Kelly delivered a healthy baby girl by a scheduled C-section procedure at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time last Friday. You can read about Tova Margaret on the Engstrom blog here.

Four hours later, Tova's cousin Ava Marie made her debut. Because Ava's arrival was a few weeks ahead of schedule, she remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until her little lungs grow stronger. But she is pure perfection and growing stronger with each passing day. You can read about Ava on the Payne blog here.

With the addition of two new babies, the number of our grandchildren has increased to eight. This is going to be a fun-filled Christmas! With Doughboy as my caddy, I better get started on my Christmas gift shopping before the holidays sneak up on me. But first things first...

New babies call for a toast... or two. Thank goodness Ayden and Jameson were willing helpers when decorating the tree. Didn't they do a great job?


P.S. With the early arrival of Roxanne and Tom's baby - Nathan Gerald born Tuesday, December 2nd - all I can say is I'm not taking any chances. It's bottled water for me! Congrats on the safe and healthy arrival of your bouncing baby boy! For more information about their little bundle of joy, visit the Schwandt blog here. Hugs and kisses!

I hope everyone's holidays are off to a grrrreat start!

Kid's Room Part Deux

I started this blog more than a year ago when we bought our new home. There was daily action on construction of the pool and poolhouse, and decorating inside. Because Doughboy's job takes him away from home Monday thrugh Friday, he was missing all the activity and wanted a way to keep informed. I never expected there would be other readers. I apologize for the boring topic of this post, but Doughboy has asked to see Mike's progress on our grandchildren's bedroom.

Mike Sheperd has finished his magic on transforming the walls of our grandchildren's bedroom into a marvelous southwestern scene. Mike is an amazingly talented artist whom we have used in both our present and previous home. One of our favorite areas that Mike has touched is the pool house where our family gathers on most summer days. Click here and on the Pool Label here for other examples of his talent.

Anyway, I couldn't be more pleased with the finished transformation of the walls in the kids room. I tried to take photos, but the room is dimly lit and I really needed to change to my wide angle lens. To enter the kids room, there are three steps up to a small alcove. Mike painted the walls of the alcove to resemble weathered wood planks. The metal sculpture leaning against the wall will be hung when Doughboy comes home for the weekend.



AJA Ranch is above the door as you enter the room - it stands for Ayden, Jameson, and Ava.


The longest wall in the room has been painted as if you're standing inside a barn or stable. The barn door is open to reveal a scene outside. I was very precise in describing the way I wanted the scene to look. Little Ava isn't born yet, but I wanted to show her with her brothers in silhouette against a twilight sky.


They're sitting on a fence rail watching a cowboy on his horse.

I'll try to get better photos this weekend when a) the light is better, b) I've changed my lens to wide angle, and c) Doughboy has helped me push all the furniture back in place. It's fun to watch the progress. I'm very excited to have it completed in time for Ava's arrival, but that's being overly optimistic. I'd be happy if it were finished by Christmas. Oh well...it has been more than a year with the room undecorated. A few weeks longer won't hurt. But everyone who knows me understands that I have no patience once I begin a project. It's one of many faults.

Have a great weekend!

So You Wanna Be A Cowboy

We have been living in our new home a little more than a year. Until the day our previous home sells, which isn't likely to happen any time soon, funds are tight. This translates to a meager budget when it comes to decorating. The three upstairs bedrooms remain unchanged from the time the movers put the furniture in place. We have no visitors so there isn't a mad rush to do anything.

With the soon-to-be arrival of our new grand-daughter, I am feeling a push to get the kid's room finished. The biggest challenge was to select a theme (I always need a theme to help gel my ideas). Not too babyish...something that will grow with the kids...but not too mature. I get my best ideas from Pottery Barn, but admittedly I get a lot of help from my decorator friend, Denise. She is a genius at selecting fabrics, paint colors, and coordinating all the accessories. And she acts as the general manager while I'm a half hour away at work. She is truly a master at her craft.

Here's the basis for our theme. It started with bedding...

...and this is the look we're trying to achieve.


The painter started today and next week Mike, a spectacularly talented artist, will do his magic creating a scene on the walls. The wood blinds are ordered and Suzy, a whiz at transforming fabric into works of art for the windows, is busy at work. We already have bunk beds and matching dresser, crib, and changing table. But I am checking my e-mail daily for this treasure to go on sale.

I want a safe, cozy room for our grandchildren to enjoy. Up until this past summer, Ayden was too young to stay overnight away from Mom and Dad. Now it's second nature for him and he cries when he has to leave us. All too soon his little brother Jameson will want to have sleepovers. Not all of us can fit in our bed, so it's time to create a comfortable place for them to sleep and play. I'll post pictures of the progress as their room takes shape. I can't wait to begin planning Ava's bedroom. Just kidding, Doughboy...don't have a coronary!

Surviving Ayden

Ayden's sleepover with us began earlier than expected. His little brother was sick and Jamie was concerned about exposing Ayden to Jameson's stomach virus. After scooping up Ayden, we went to lunch before our movie date to see Madagascar 2. We had a little time to kill before the movie and I had the bright idea to peruse Toys R Us for a game to play later that evening. Ayden was on sensory overload - he dashed through the store like a junkie on crack. We didn't make it past the aisle of battery operated vehicles as Ayden came to an abrupt halt in front of the Polaris Ranger Rzr. I guess it was only inevitable that it go home with us. Ayden was wired throughout the movie. Sitting still was a monumental feat as visions of riding his new "Jeep" was a higher priority than watching the cute characters of Madagascar. We barely made it into the driveway before Ayden and Bumpa had the box ripped open and parts strewn all over the garage. The testosterone was flowing abundantly, but I stood my ground. I was given decal duty. Humpf!

We worked well past dark to finish assembly of Ayden's Jeep

I put the decals in place and all was finished in time for Ayden's bath. His first words upon waking at 6:00 a.m. were, "Is my Jeep done charging?"

After a quick breakfast with the Payne's, it was time for Ayden to take his Jeep for an inaugural drive on the cart path. Jamie and I sat in the back seat of the golf cart so we could take a thousand or two photos (hence the reason for out of focus shots).

Ayden was focused on keeping his eyes on the road. Ayden? Ayyyyyyden!

Ayden is fidgeting with the radio. Yes, it comes with an AM tuner. Jeez! I wish there were toys like this when I was his age. Ayden, keep your eyes on the path ahead of you!

Ayden, stay focused! Notice where he's NOT looking.

Oh well...at least they had fun!


Crossing the bridge was challenging, but he did it! Jameson looks doubtful.

I think it's safe to say they had a ball driving their new Jeep! Don't you wish you could be a kid again?

Ayden's Saturday Sleepover

When I get up and ready for work in the mornings I’m in my zone. With Doughboy working in Pittsburgh, I’m alone during the work week. I have my routine beginning at 5:30 a.m. and am faithful to the clock. After feeding the pups and watching the morning news, I am in the shower by 6:15. Makeup, hair, and clothes are done by 7:00 and I am out the door by 7:20-7:30. Not much varies Monday through Friday. Therefore, this morning was “off” by the ringing of the phone. My immediate reaction was to suspect the worse. Is my 8-month pregnant daughter okay? Has something happened to the boys? Doughboy? I answered the phone with a timid “hello” as I braced myself for bad news.

Jamie: Mom? Ayden has something to ask you.

(there is a shuffling sound in the background as she hands the phone to my four year old grandson)

Ayden: Mimi?

Me: Yes, Ayden. What’s wrong?

Ayden: Mimi? Can I have a sleepover with you and Bumpa Saturday?

(I am much relieved at this point and would have agreed to anything)

Me: Of course you can sleepover, baby. Would you like to see a movie? Madagascar is playing.

Ayden: No, I already saw Madagascar. We have that moodie.

Me: No this is a new Madagascar moodie...er, movie. Just like you have a million Scoobie Doo movies, this is a different Madagascar movie.

Ayden: Great! I’ll see you after school, Mimi! (pause) Oh…I love you! Bye Mimi.

I absolutely ADORE that little boy! True, I am a pushover when it comes to Ayden. I love his little brother, Jameson, and will no doubt be wrapped around Ava’s finger someday soon. But the bond I have with Ayden is special. I can’t explain why.

I remember sleeping over at my Grandmother’s house when I was a little girl and still had the same thrill spending time with her when I grew into adulthood. I miss her incredibly and my heart breaks a little during this time of year as I remember losing her on Christmas Eve. As long as I am breathing, I vow to give our grandchildren wonderful memories to recall when I am gone. This isn’t a morbid thought really. I don’t plan to go any where soon. I just want to love and spoil them as much as I can while I'm around. That’s not so bad, is it?

If I’m not too busy, I’ll take photos of Ayden’s sleepover to share in a weekend post. We’re sure to have lots of fun and cuddles!

Starr's Mill

One of the most known historic landmarks in Fayette County Georgia is Starr's Mill. It has graced the covers of countless magazines and is a popular attraction for families and photographers. Click here for photos taken last year (sans baby Jameson who slept through the entire photo shoot).

For readers who are unfamiliar with Starr's Mill, the property was part of the 1821 Land Lottery that was held at the State Capital in Milledgeville. John Askew, of Jasper Georgia, was the first to own Land Lot No. 129 in District 4 in Henry County, this became part of Fayette County in 1821. He sold the land to Hananiah Gillcoat. When Gillcoat died in 1825 the property was auctioned at public outcry on April 17, 1827. It changed owners several time through the years until it became a county park.

This year I met the Payne's on a picture perfect Sunday in an attempt to gather the family for a group photo. This was much more difficult than it first seemed. The boys were wild with excitement and Jameson wouldn't sit still for more than two seconds. I did my best. Here's a sampling.