Catch Up

I have neglected this blog.  I have been so busy trying to get used to our new normal since Tito was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in August.  I have neglected many things.  I want to continue to use this blog as a way to keep track of these grandchildren who are growing so fast and changing daily.  I have many pictures that need to be downloaded and added and will try to work on them a little each week.  Today I came across a slip of paper with some notes about the boys - things I didn't want to forget.  So I am adding them here now along with some recent things while they are still fresh in my mind.  Some of these things happened a few years ago.

One Sunday after I read the scriptures at church and returned to my seat, Trevin asked me why I did that.  I told him it was one way I helped at church.  He thought a moment and said, "You're not God".

Both of the older boys say they like the communion wafers we use at church (I imagine they taste like Styrofoam would taste).  Kaiden asked if we could buy some so they could eat them at home.

Once when the boys spent the night, their toothbrushes had not been packed, so I had them put toothpaste on their finger and brush their teeth that way. The next time I picked them up to stay at our  house, Trevin was taking his toothbrush out and trying to leave it at home - he said he wanted to use this finger again.

I do not want to forget how Trevin would say "all the day" instead of "all day long".

I do not want to forget how Gavin scrunches up his face just like Kaiden did at that age.  

I do not want to forget how Gavin growls when he wants more to drink or eat or how he squeals with delight when he sees birds flying by.

I was walking the boys home from the bus stop when numerous geese were flying overhead.  I asked Trevin where he thought they were going and without even thinking he replied "to the pond to poop"

One afternoon at the bus stop the boys asked if they could go to a friends house to play, I told them no since I had not talked to their parents about this subject, but told them they could stay at the park to play (it is visible from their house) and walk home when their friends did.  I had driven that day and once I drove around the traffic circle and came back by the park (no more than 2-3 minutes) the boys were not there.  Panic set in, their friends' house was visited - they were not there. I called their parents who could not think of another friend.  Stacy was only a couple of minutes from home and I was just hanging up with here when the boys appeared in the driveway.  "Where have you been?"  Dominic's house (not the original friend).  After the discussion of you scared us to death, you can't wander off, etc was over and I had asked how they disappeared so fast, Kaiden said "you kept us talking for so long, we had to really run fast to catch up with him."  The next thing said was from Kaiden " I think I need my hearing checked because I am sure you said we could play at Dominic's"  to which Trevin with all sincerity and certainty that it would explain everything said "He has a trampoline".  I am sure one day this will seem very funny, but I still can recall the total panic I felt when I had to call their parents and say "I lost the boys."

At Least I Tried!

I tried to get a good picture of all three of them on Gavin's birthday, but one was trying to crawl away, one was making faces - so this is what I got.

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Third Grade

Kaiden started 3rd grade on the 17th.  He is getting so tall and seems so grown up.  

Eleven Months

Hard to imagine this guy is 11 months old today.  He has brought such joy into our lives.  

Ring Around the Rosey

Sculptures and Picnics

Loveland has a beautiful sculpture park.  I hadn't been since Kaiden was in a stroller, so loaded the boys up, picked up my sister and we went to the park for a picnic.

The boys tried sitting on the crocodile behind but it was too hot from the sun, so they conquered it instead.

Trevin wasn't too happy with the park because there were no swings or slides.

The saddle was in the shade, so they were able to sit on it.  

Catch of the day.

Car Wash

I had the boys help me clean my car which needed it badly.

Trevin cleaned up a spill in the back and then wiped down the dash and cup holders.  He did an excellent job!

Kaiden vacuumed the car.  He told me the biggest mess was on the driver's side!

They worked together to clean the windows

Trevin sprayed cleaner and Kaiden wiped.  My car hasn't been this clean in a long time.

They even helped me clear a spot in the garage so I could put it in out of the rain.

I rewarded them with ice cream sundaes and $$$

Ten Months

Gavin is 10 months old today.  He is such a happy little boy.  About the only time he is unhappy is when he is hungry.

Enthususiastic Eater

Gavin is an enthusiastic eater.  When he sees his bottle or his spoon, he is ready!

He is ready for each bite,

and he enjoys each one,

and will let you know if you are being too slow.

Adventures in Babysitting III

One of the other things I do with the boys is take them places, we try to go to the library once a week, we went to Rocky Mountain National Park one day, we go to the park.  In June we went to The Museum of Nature and Science.  There is a special exhibit, Nature's Amazing Machines. We went on members preview day.  

But we also had to visit the Discovery Zone where there are numerous activities for kids, but the boys like the water area the most.

Gavin loved it also.

The boys at on of the interactive exhibits.

And we always have a picnic and play in the splash park afterwards.

Adventures in Babysitting II

Another thing I do with the boys is cook.  They always help with making their lunches, but I try to do something special each week.  We have made cookies, pigs in a blanket, pancakes which they decorate with bananas, coconut, chocolate chips, granola.  This day we made skewers for lunch.

We had cheese, sausage, ham and pickles for our main course and melon, strawberries and grapes for dessert.

They want to make them again.

Adventures in Babysitting I

I try my best to keep the boys active and not sitting in front of the TV or their tablets all day long.  I have them doing puzzles, reading books, playing board games and doing art projects.  We have finished 5 puzzles so far this summer, have played Bingo, dominoes, Chinese Checkers, Sorry and several card games.  We have made Father's Day cards, created our own flags for Flag Day and made up mythical creatures.

One thing we try to do is take a walk first thing in the morning before it gets too hot.  We go different ways and try to find interesting things along the way.

This day we took bubbles which delighted Gavin.  He kept trying to hold them.

We also came to a greenbelt area that had just been watered, so there was standing water to splash in.  

Some days the boys walk, but they usually ride their scooters or bikes.  

Wake Up Tito

I am pretty sure we have a picture of each of the boys trying to wake Tito.

Gavin was pulling on his nose, his hair and his dog tags.

But nothing worked.

9 Months

This was set to publish on 6/20, but something happened, so it is a little late.

Feeding the Peoples

The boys enjoy cooking and baking.  They also enjoy helping serve coffee at church or as Trevin says "feeding the peoples".

A while ago they came on Saturday and helped me make the goodies for Sunday morning coffee.

Eight Months

Gavin is eight months today.  He is such a happy baby - laughing and smiling and chattering all the time.  Except when I take my camera out - I seem to never be able to get a picture of him when he is smiling.  I am having such a great time taking care of him three days a week.  

Five

Trevin turned five today.  We had a great day together.  After I picked him up at the bus, we went to lunch with Tito. After a stop at the playground, we came back to the house and played Go Fish with his new cards and his new card holder.  As usual he won 3 of the 4 games we played.

After I took the first picture, he wanted me to take this one, so his Mom could see how tall he is.  When we were at the play ground, he kept telling me all the things he can do better than when he was four - run faster, swing higher, climb higher.  I think he can smile bigger also.  Love you Trevin, Happy Birthday.

My New Boss

Since I retired, I have a new boss and he keeps me pretty busy...

He likes to eat and is pretty vocal when you are slow getting his meal ready.

He does require wardrobe changes

He stays pretty busy with his activities.

He is on the phone quite often.

He does take his breaks.

He likes to be chauffeured around.

He may be demanding at times, but the benefits are so great.