July 2012

July 4th you and your family came over for a BBQ and swimming.  Uncle Bruce couldn't make it because he had to work.  Monday he is leaving to go over to Uncle Jeffrey's and then flying to WNY to attend their cousin's wedding.  I decided to get some fun red, white and blue glasses for the 4th.  Here's a photo of your mother and Andrew that she posted on Facebook.

You parents brought some sparklers for you and your brother.  You had fun, but got a couple of little burns from some sparks.

So your mother got one of my plastic cups, cut a hole in the bottom so you could hold the sparkler with your hand in the cup.

Later you and your brother went swimming.  You jumped so many times on the round float that it got a hole in it.  No big deal.  I have patches!

On Monday the 9th I came over to babysit so your mother could sleep.  You had asked your mother to call me and ask me to bring the new puzzles I bought with Andrew a couple of weeks ago.  So we put a couple of puzzles together and you guys went on the handlebar to see who could hang the longest.  You lost.  Later you wanted to go to Best Buy.  You convinced me to get you a set of 3 Skylanders for your birthday.  I said okay, but that it would be for your birthday and you said okay.  We went to McDonald's for lunch and you and your brother played in the "Toddler Corner".  You are way to old and too tall to be doing that.  Back at your house you and Andrew played with the Skylanders and the portal.  We had a fun day and I will return tomorrow.

So now it's Tuesday and I am back to babysit again.  We put together another puzzle and decide that the three of us will put together the Simba puzzle, which is 300 pieces.  I always do the straight edges first and then you guys jump in.  This time I ended up doing most of it, but then you both helped out at the end and really liked the finished product.  We did the handlebar thing again and you both were acting silly.  Just as we were going to go to Peter Piper, your mother woke up and went with us.  You ate some pizza and played some games.  I think you ended up with 150 + tickets and got some great prizes.  We all had fun.  While we were there, your mother told me about one time a couple of weeks ago, she was sleeping and you and your brother were supposed to behave.  Well...when she woke up you told her you had cut your finger.  Okay, but it came out later that you and Andrew were sword fighting with the knives that were kept on the counter.  The look on your father's face when he found out was priceless!!  I never noticed that those knives were no longer on the kitchen counter.

On Thursday, the 12th your grandmother and Les came to visit.  On Friday, Mr. Bob and I needed some help with a couple of things at our house, so your father came over in the afternoon.  He had taken vacation to go to Niagara Falls for his cousin's wedding, but decided not to go.  He is afraid of flying, but is working on over coming his fear.  So, when he arrived and had just opened the gate to get into the courtyard, our resident bobcat ran right in front of him and almost gave him a heart attack. 

Here's your father and Mr. Bob looking on the Internet at jets.  Your father was thinking about leasing a jet to take your mother to LA to help her get over her fear of flying.

Later, Mr. Bob took us to The White Chocolate Grill for dinner.  You father had never been there and really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food.  He said he would bring you and your brother there.

Here's a photo of you, your brother and friends that your mother sent to me.  She took this a couple of weeks ago at the Seville C.C.

Today, July 19th I went with you, Andrew and your mother to Seville C.C. While in the car you and your brother were talking about urinal cakes.  Apparently you thought they were real cakes made with pee in them.

You also told me that you lost a molar last Wednesday.  You asked the Tooth Fairy to wait to give you $5.00 until Thursday when Grandma and Les would be there.

Waiting for the water slides to open.

You kept after me to go down the slide.  You picked the fast one for me.

You came in 1st place for the fastest water slider.  Andrew came in 2nd and Alex 3rd.

I went down again on the slower one.

Before we left Seville, we went inside to get some membership info.  While talking to the Sales Manager, I mention something about my husband.  Both you and Andrew said that I wasn't married and your mother and I said well sort of.

On our way home you wanted to stop at Wendy's.  I don't eat in my car, but made an exception for you because all you had were chicken nuggets and a Sprite.  So I had you put my little hand towel on your lap and you spread out some of the nuggets.  Before you started eating you said "Bon Appetite."

I asked you where you learned that and you said on the TV.

At my house we went swimming and you looked like a hot dog in a bun on Mr. Bob's new canvas raft I bought him for his birthday.  Later we played Parchesi.  You had to try on my hat.  We also put together a puzzel you got at the Space Space Center.

Later you made cookies with Mr. Bob.

You talked to Mr. Bob and told him that he is more like an Uncle to you and I said no, he's more like a Grandfather.  I also told you that some of his grandchildren call me Nana.

 

In Mr. Bob's office you hound his new cowboy hat.  You liked it so much I could hardly get it off your head.  Maybe we'll get you one for your birthday.

During your visit we watched Mirror Mirror on Blue Ray, then Mr. Bob bought from Cox the Three Stooges, which we also watched. 

You wanted to play some games in the living room and moved the leather stools we have and set up the chess set.

I almost forgot this...............During the games and movies you had to go to the bathroom.  You asked me if we had any wipes and I told you they were in the pantry.  Next thing I knew you were asking me to wipe your butt.  I told you you were old enough to wipe your own butt.  You said no, please do it for me.  I did, but it is the last time.  I told you I was going to put this on your blog.  You said nooooo.  Well here it is.  You need to start wiping your own butt!!!!!

Later Mr. Bob had to go to Best Buy and you went with him.  Later you both stopped at McDonald's.  Some of your conversation with Mr. Bob included your dreams about sex with a woman.  How Andrew whispers in your ear "sex, sex, sex".  You are growing up way too fast  You also told him that you like coming to our house because we" talk to you".   You also mentioned that your uncles never talk to you. 

You and I talked about Uncle Jeffrey's 50th birthday that I am planning for next year in NYC.  You don't want to go.  I hope your parents have not transferred their fear of flying to you or Andrew.   Then on Friday morning, while you were making muffins, you asked me whether or not you should go to NYC.  I told you that it would be a travesty if you did not go.

Because we slept in the white room you wanted to try the sauna.  Mr. Bob got it working and here you are enjoying the steam.  You loved it.

You also "raided" Mr. Bob's stash in the refrigerator.  You kept going back to get more Rolo Minis.

On Sunday we went to the DBack's game for our annual family baseball event. Below are some photos that your mother took of you and Andrew at the batting cage.

Unfortunately, the photos on my camera of all of us in our seats are lost.  My camer and the chips were corrupted and I lost all of them.  We'll just have to remember them in our minds.

Mr. Bob and I leave on Thursday, the 26th to return to Seattle.  On Sunday th 29th we arrived in Seattle.  Your other sent this photo of you making the Schoenbachler Oatmeal Chocoate Chip cookies.  Mr. Bob was a great instructor.

I called your mother to talk to her about the cookies and learned that some boy at the bowling alley told you about sex.  So it seems that your mother will have to start telling you about the birds and the bees.  He was close, sorta of.  He told you that boys put their penis near girls private parts and then pee.  Your mother had a little talk with you and told you that if you have sex you could have a baby.  You are growing up way to fast.

That's it for July!

We will be back in September and will celebrate your birthday on September 4th.

See ya in September.

June 2012

Well it's June and it's your turn to sleep over.  On Sunday the 3rd I meet your and your parents in the parking lot for the light rail off the 101.  We went to my house and dropped off your cloths.  You decided you wanted to go to the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM).  You wanted to go to the area where you could play some instruments.  So away we went.  You had a great time at MIM.

We stopped in the gift shop before we left.  You wanted a lava lamp.  You said you would count it against your birthday presents.  So I bought the lava lamp for you.  When we got home you showed it to Mr. Bob and then played with his helicopter.

You had some trouble controlling it and the blades hit your hands a couple of times.

Then you and Mr. Bob went to the pool store and asked Mr. Bob some questions about his ex wives.  You noticed a pizza restaurant next door and decided that's where you wanted to go for dinner.  So that's where we went for pizza.  You insisted in ordering a large.  I relented, but you did not finish it so we brought it home.  Back at the house, Mr. Bob let you make cookies.

Mr. Bob just learned that a friend of his had died in an accident, which he shared with us.  Other than stating what had happened, we went on to other things.   We slept in the white room with the lava lamp on.  The next morning after we made muffins, you talked to Andrew on the phone and told him about the pizza and the death of Mr. Bob's friend.  I was going to take you to the dentist with me, which was a change from leaving you with Mr. Bob, I didn't think it was a big deal, but apparently your mother did.  Your mother, after Andrew told her about the death, the pizza and the dentist, called to tell me she was picking you up immediately.  Apparently she was upset about the large pizza, the death and me changing the plan and wanting to take you with me to the dentist.  I was disappointed that you were leaving early, but she is your parent.  So, we went outside and I let you help trim Mr. Bob's mother's rose bush.  You did a great job.  Your mother and Andrew arrived shortly thereafter.

You asked a lot of things during your visit with us and would say "Nana can I tell you something?"  We agreed that you could tell me or Mr. Bob anything and that whatever you told us or what we talked about would stay here.  I promised that I would never tell your parents.  Of course, I would if I felt you were in jeopardy, but that would only be for your safety.  I wanted you to feel that you could trust me and Mr. Bob with anything you wanted to talk about.  Some things, though, I would differ to your parents to explain in their own way.  Such as death, sex or whatever.  Your parents are strict, but that's because they love you so much.

Today, Sunday, June 10th was Andrew's 7th birthday and you and your family came over to celebrate with a BBQ.

  You said "Nana can I tell you something?".  And I said of course.  Here's what you said...."I want a guitar just like Andrew's except in a different color."

While swimming, you were under the water and came up under the hand rail and got a big goose egg on your head.  So here you are with a bag of ice on your head.

It was a fun day.  You always enjoy swimming and your diving has gotten very good.  You can do the American Crawl and back strokes pretty good.  I told you that you should watch the summer Olympics being held in England this year.

On June 13th I watched you and your brother while your mother had her hair colored.  We went to the movies to see Madagascar 3.  We went in my car and you and your brother took turns sitting in the front.  You both like this car better than my old one.  In the car you told me your head was much better.

You want to stop at CVS to get some candy but you "compromised" and agreed to stop after the movie.  We were going to be late if we stopped.  At the movies you insisted that I get you a small popcorn even though your mother had given me a large bag that we could get a free refill with and 3 cups to get drinks.  You got in trouble about that when I got you back home.  However, with all the things I had in my hands I left my purse under my seat.  You saw it and said "Nana, here's your purse.".  We wouldn't have gotten far, because the keys to the car were in my purse.  Thanks for being so observant.

Back at your house you and your brother were fooling around and being silly.  Your mother came home. I left and she took Andrew to his hip hop glass and you went along.  I had to get home.  Mr. Bob is going into the hospital on Friday for knee surgery.

Bob did have is surgery and everything went extremely well.  Later that afternoon my niece Indra and her daughter Erica drove in from CA.  They had been touring the west coast and were on their way back home to Arkansas.  Here's Erica in the pool.

That night the three of us ate dinner on the patio and watched Nick Wallenda walk on a tight rope across the Horseshoe Falls.

On Saturday you and your family came over for a cookout.  Here's your mother with Indra.

Everyone in the pool.

Indra brought here guitars with her and here she's showing you the difference.  She then gave Andrew a quick lesson on his guitar.

Indra brought a couple of hog noses for you and Andrew. 

Uncle Bruce took this photo of us.

That night your father and Uncle Bruce took Indra to Old Town Scottsdale.  Erica stayed home with me to swim in the pool.  You father convinced Indra to stay another day and she did.  So the next day everyone came back again.

We had pizza for lunch and enjoyed having Indra and Erica here.  Later you helped your brother raid my jewelry draw to give some to Erica.  I just had to make sure you didn't give away something that I wear a lot. 

Over the weekend your mother told me that she was going to give you and your brother $30 each for activities.  When it's gone it's gone.  I think this is a good idea because it should help you learn about money and budgeting.

On Wednesday the 22nd you went to Crossfit and did the Fireman Drill.  Here's the video.

On Saturday morning you got up and sneaked into your parent's bathroom and used your mother's "gel".  When your father smelled mint on you, you were busted.  Cute photo though.

You and your brother called me on Thursday, but I was out playing golf.  So you talked to Mr. Bob and told him you wanted me to go to the movies with you on Friday.  Friday morning you called me and asked if I could make the 10:00 show.  I rushed to shower, wash and dry my hair and get to your house by 9:30.  I made it.  The you showed me the molar you lost on Wednesday.

You also had to show me how you could hang from the bar your father put up in the door to the spare bedroom.  Then it was off to the movie Brave.  It was a great movie and afterwards we went for lunch at a new place your mother suggested.  You did not eat anything, because you didn't like anything they had on the menu.  So your mother stopped at McDonalds later.

In any event we had fun and we talked about what you wanted for your birthday.  I know it's a couple of months away, but Nana is always planning ahead.

Last week Uncle Bruce saw my brother, your Great Uncle Ted Kriner, on TV in a show that was filmed in 2001.  It's Niagara Falls:  Fatal Attraction.  I tried to put it here, but it wouldn't work.  It is on my computer so you should look at it sometime.

That's it for June.

May 2012

Today is May Day.  Mr. Bob and I will start our trek home next Friday.  On our way, we'll stop by to see Uncle Jeffrey.  Will see you in a couple of weeks.  Can't wait.

Also, today, I opened a savings account for you, which may help with college expenses.  Unfortunately, you did not get all A's so you will not be getting the $125.00 I promised you.  Hopefully next year you will do better.

Talked to you, May 17th.  School is over next week and you lost your game so you are not in the finals.  You asked me if I was home permanently and I told you we would be going back to Seattle for a couple of weeks now and then.  You sounded so disappointed.  You also told me that you spent your money on an Ipad (Ithink.).  Now you're broke.  You didn't get A's so I won't be giving you any money.  I was hoping that money would be a motivator for you.  You are so smart.  All you have to do is study and apply yourself.

Will see you Saturday for Andrew's game.

Went to Andrew's game today.  His team lost.  You wanted to sleep over, but it was Andrew's turn.  He decided not to sleep over this weekend because all of you had plans to go see Marvel's The Avengers at the movies.  So he will come next weekend.  You wanted me to go to the movies with you, but I really had a lot of things to do at home, so I passed.  But I did go back to your house and watched you swim for awhile and then you showed me how good you could dive.  It was awesome. 
Unfortunately, Andrew doesn't get it.  He can't keep his legs together.

Your mother told me that you will be going to a tutor once a week.  You really need to start focusing on what you learn in school.


Today was Memorial Day and we all got together and my house.  You and your brother game me a Mother's Day card.

You had a new haircut.  It looked like a military haircut.  Also, you have a molar that is loose.

Uncle Bruce came over and we had a BBQ and went swimming.  I told you I took Andrew to the Musical Instrument Museum and when you heard how much fun he had you wanted to go.  You forgot that I wanted to take you there last month, but you were not interested.

Your mother sent me a Video Gram this month.  Here it is.