Terrible Twos???? No!

Well another birthday happened this past week.  Our only grandson turned two...but definitely not the terrible two's, no, no, never!  He is my little sweetheart, with a smile that can warm anyone's heart.

He is surrounded by girls.  He has two older sisters and a baby sister but he is all boy.  He is the one that loves wheels that turn, big trucks that make loud sounds, rough play and being independent.

He's quite okay with his sisters.  I think he missed his big sisters when they were visiting us for the summer.  He loves to play with them and be a part of the group especially if they are going to go for a ride in the car from Uncle Stephen.

So now the problem is how do we get him away from the "sister" police so that we can have some time with him????  And then there is another problem....

Oh well, we will keep working on the issue because I think it would be quite fun to get to know our little "tank."



This and That

Living on a reserve in a northern Saskatchewan post has given us many new experiences.  This past week I was asked to TEACH a grade 5/6 class and I did.  Interesting!

Last night Ron called me from work and said that the northern lights were dancing so he arrived to pick me up in the police truck to go and see the best skies yet.

Today he went to pick up our slippers made by one of the ladies here.  Made out of moose hide  and fur to fit us personally.  The bead work is very detailed and the fleece lining makes the slippers perfect for the winter months ahead.

And then tonight Ron calls to say that Staffing is coming to talk to him on Monday.  This will start the talks about where we will end up next summer.  More interesting times ahead!

And that is just a little this and that!

Happy 3rd Birthday Emma

Three years ago today I was extremely tired...because the night before I got called by Jenn and off we went to the hospital.  Three hours after we arrived at the hospital I was introduced to Emma Marie, our second granddaughter.  It was exciting to take Sarah to see her new baby sister.

Emma had the same light complexion as her beautiful big sister.  Of course she won my heart immediately and Grandpa too.  So tiny and sweet.

As Emma grew we started to see her personality develop.  She was a happy, cuddly little one.  If she hadn't already won my heart she would have at this point.  Her bright eyes and wonderful smile would make anybody just want to hug her.

This summer we had the blessing of having Emma with us all summer and we really got to know her personality.  And oh...what a personality.  Emma is a goer.  She wakes up in the morning with a little bit of cuddly time.  Once that passes she gets moving and moving she does.  Recently she was asked her name and she responded with "Emma, ram rod."  That was one of our nicknames for her this summer. There are many reasons for that nickname.  I have a dented lampshade and a broken lamp as evidence.  She has so much energy and I miss that energy this morning as I type.  Another name we gave her was "Fingers Clark."  She liked to touch everything.  The speakers in the house got turned up and down a lot over the summer.  Her blue grass station got added more than once on the truck favourites when she let her fingers do the walking.  She even changed our desk top image on the computer.  She heard more than once, "Emma, don't touch."

Emma cemented her place in our hearts this summer.  She is such a sweetheart.

And anything her big sister can do, she wants to give it a try.  If Sarah can canoe with Grandpa, so can Emma.  It is so cute hearing her ask.  "Can Emma have a turn now?"

Emma's favourite movie is Snow White and she would sing throughout the day, "Some day Emma's prince will come."  When we took the girls back to Ontario I bought Emma a Snow White doll and then ordered the prince to arrive as a birthday gift.  So hopefully when she opens her parcel she will be able to sing, "Today Emma's prince arrived."

Happy Birthday Special Three Year Old...love you lots!

 

Home

Just north of Regina...beautiful harvest time.

If home is where your heart is...then I have many homes.  We arrived back "home" on Sunday.  This home has our furniture and all of our belongings.  It is good to be back to our space but there is an emptiness here now.  I don't have Sarah and Emma to tuck in and read a story to.

Sarah's selfie with Emma

In the morning Sarah isn't standing over me at 6:30 a.m. waiting to be pulled into bed for a little snuggle.  Emma isn't calling from her bed...."Nannnny."  I miss their little voices and enjoyed the summer so much.  I now have to make bread and do my dishes all by myself.  It may be quicker but not as much fun.  What am I going to do with myself?

I know....FaceTime with the little ones.

Abigail with a beautiful smile

Jacob enjoying a nap in Sharbot Lake

Sarah and Emma chatting on the phone

It's not quite the same but I am so thankful for technology.  I got to see pictures of Sarah's first day of Sr. Kindergarten and then had a chat after school about her adventures and see Emma and Jacob being excited for her.

Oh and as far as our time in Ontario, it was great.  We had lots of family and friend time.  We got home on Sunday night and Ron got called out that night but then he called me to tell me to look outside.  There are some positives to living in the north.

Northern Lights from my back door

Four More Sleeps

Usually when it is time to go "home" to Ontario I can hardly wait.  Usually I have things packed with time to spare.  Usually I am looking forward to seeing my grandchildren.

....but this time it is different.  This time we will be flying back to Ontario to take back our two summer guests.

I know that come September my house will be cleaner.  I won't have to watch Snow White or Dora.  I will only have one bed to make and less laundry to do.  My dishes will take less time to do because I won't have two little girls eager to help.  The pool and tent in the backyard will be put away.  The homemade play dough will be thrown out.  The kids craft table will turn back into my scrap booking centre.  I will catch up on all the shows stored on the PVR.

 

And I am afraid that I will be struggling with just a little bit of depression.  The house will be too quiet, too clean and too lonely.

Oh, but let us look at the positive...it was an amazing summer.

Sarah took a "selfie" of her and Emma

Yes, I will cherish the memories and enjoy the few days that we have left here.  We will have fun travelling and then a week at home to enjoy family and friends and to see the other two munchkins that we didn't have for the summer.

And then come September...friends expect phone calls, make sure you play your scrabble games and I will be happy to FaceTime or Skype to have contact with the outside world.

Another Special Birthday

Ron's birthday was yesterday.  We packed a lunch and loaded the canoe for an afternoon on the lake.  The girls were pretty tired from a full day in Flin Flon the day before but they wanted one more day of canoeing and swimming.  We found a "perfect rock" and set up for our picnic lunch.  The birthday boy took turns taking Sarah and Emma out to let them paddle.  The exciting part was watching the girls more comfortable in the water.  When they first got here they were very nervous but yesterday

Sarah swam by herself with the aid of her life jacket.  She was pretty proud of herself and we were very proud of her.  On the way back Emma fell asleep in the front of the canoe.

For supper we had Ron's choice of a meal: steak, stuffed baked potatoes, corn and mandarin cake.

No fancy restaurant, no big gifts, no big party but Ron said he enjoyed the day thanks to two little girls, a great day on the lake and a mandarin cake.

Turning Five

Our oldest granddaughter turned five today.  It was great watching her excitement over the past weeks counting down how many sleeps until her birthday and then seeing her this morning when the day finally arrived.

We had the day planned.  First we started out with the breakfast of her choice.  Next on the list was to make cupcakes and she got to decorate them.

Next came lunch which included cupcakes for dessert. 

Through the day there were phone calls and FaceTime greetings and even birthday wishes on Facebook for this special five year old.  Of course there were a few gifts to open.

Supper was the birthday girl's choice ...shepherd's pie and cake.

And Junior Dan stopped in for birthday cake which was the perfect end to a great day.

I am so thankful for this summer and having this time with these two precious girls.  They keep me busy but they sure keep me smiling. Tonight when Sarah was saying her bedtime prayers she said:

"Dear God, thanks for such a good day.  Keep Grandpa safe at work.  Help Nanny to feel better (I was pretty tired) and help Emma and Sarah, that's me, have a good sleep.  Amen"

Now if that doesn't make you smile....Happy Birthday Sarah!