Today is Grandpa John's Birthday. Now Grandpa John was Grandpa John for about 5 years while Andrew was little. Then suddenly he became Papa. Now I don't know if it was the twins doing or Tyler's doing, but he is now known as Papa, but to my kids he will always be Grandpa John.
Either way he is loved!!
The following pictures are in order of Grandchild appearance...and if you'll notice, Grandpa John doesn't age one bit!!
First there was my Boo. Man my little guy loves his Grandpa John, and still does. Grandpa let him ride the tractor, and drive the golf cart (he is much better at it now, and probably scares Grandpa a little less...maybe). They love playing golf together now and it is such a wonderful thing to see them together.
My Bella was the grouchy baby, but she loved her Grandpa John. Something about his beard fascinates all the grandkids.
Then came the twins. If two little girls have one grown man wrapped around their fingers it is these two. He adores those little ladies.
Tyler also loves his Papa. They do so much together because Tyler loves to come to Nana and Papa's house.
Then there is JoJo. Talk about a kid who loves his Papa. Whenever he sees Nana he always asks "Where's Papa?" She has come to accept it.
When Sami slows down enough she usually ends up in Papa's lap.
Abby will soon figure out what all the other Grand kid have...that Papa's the best Grandpa ever.
The best part about Grandpa John is that, with the exception of the twins, we are not even blood related. My dad thanks you for taking such good care of his kids and grand kids...he knew how special you are and we do too.
I mean c'mon how many grandpas get turned into a Halloween Pumpkin...
Another week has flown by...geez it all goes too fast. Take a peek at my week, leave a comment, and then head over to The Bowers and see other peoples weeks...in that order!!
Sunday:
Oh, My Goodness
Instead of Andrew baseball pictures I thought I'd share this photo we took as we were leaving. I SO remember Andrew being this little and playing baseball. They are such little bitty guys (and gals). It is like watching ants scatter when the ball is hit and grown men covering their privates each time the ball is thrown is also really fun to watch.
Monday:
Be Careful What You Wish For
Yeah...100's on Sunday and we wake up to this on Monday. I sat at soccer practice with two jackets and a blanket. Not that 61 is cold...well ok it is cold to me...but it was SO windy. However, I like this weather WAY more than the 100's. I makes me feel like it is fall.
Tuesday:
Scotty
Don't take a quick rest in the choir room is the moral of this picture. You'll be SORRY...
Wednesday:
Big Girl
Now if she would only make her bed and do the dishes.
Thursday:
Gotta Love School Uniforms
I love it when my girl has to get all dressed up for assemblies. Today her French class performed and they did such a good job. She and about 8 other girls got to sing the harmony part, they were lovely.
Friday:
Lonely
Me and my car were lonely. Rich went to Iowa to see his kids and left on the red eye tonight. Bella is happy because she gets to cuddle with me at night, but she was also very sad to see him go.
Saturday:
Yep...Soccer Again
It was a beautiful day for soccer...finally. Since Rich was gone I was the photographer. She actually posed for me!!! Now if only she could get her brother to do the same.
In Summary:
Normal everyday week in the ARo household. It is obvious, however, that I am really not happy unless the weather is 75 degrees and sunny...I'll admit it I am a weather snob. If I lived in Iowa I wouldn't mind the extremes, but we pay way to much money to live somewhere that isn't weather perfect...ha ha. Once again I have the best students, the best kids, and the best husband. The last one becomes more apparant when he has to go away...
There are just some instances where you look at your kid and you think..."wow, I am so proud of you and what you have just done...I must have done SOMETHING right". Now I am sure that there are plenty of times that you look at your kid and think "who's is your momma and can I have a chat with her?" Granted both of those scenarios may or may not have anything to do with you as a parent, but I'd like to think the incident I witnessed on Sunday with my daughter had a little something to do with genetics - mostly from my father.
We were at Andrew's sweltering baseball game on Sunday...now I hate to use the word sweltering because we had just sat through 100 degree soccer game the day before and Sunday was only in the upper 80's. However, by the time we got through half the game we were sitting in the complete sun and decided that we would throw loyalty to the proverbial arid cook your face wind and go sit on the opposing teams side, which just happened to be in complete shade. We quickly realized that most of our team had already jumped ship and were enjoying the much needed shade.
Bella sat on the bleachers and continued to work on her homework. Pretty soon I noticed a 5 year old little girl in a t-ball uniform sit right behind her. This girl was straight out of a picture book, sandy blond hair all tossled and pulled into a pony tail, big blue eyes, and a face full of freckles. Such a cutie pie. Well pretty soon I notice that she is sitting next to Bella on the bench about 2 feet from her. That didn't last long and before I knew it she was sitting RIGHT next to Bella.
So close that later on Bella told me she could feel her breathing down her neck. Pretty soon Bella turned to her and said hello, but kept working on her homework.
Pretty soon the little girl asked her if she wanted to color.
And of course my girl said..."Sure"
She is the kindest, most thoughtful little girl, and so very generous.
I was so proud of Bella, she made this little girl's day.
It is time for the Random Dozen with questions written by a Random Dozen of 2nd Cup readers. Click on the above button and link up your own answers, or just head over to read some other blogs...Don't forget to leave a comment.
1. From "Men Are Dumb ....": If you had a theme song that played whenever you walked into a room full of people, what would it be?
Boy a tough one to start off...hang on while I scan my ipod.
Ok...Got one.
I,like my Dad, love to be around people and really, if I do say so myself, bring a lot of fun to a party.
2. From Pam of "Alert And Oriented x 4": Which of your shoes are your absolute favorite, and which are of the object of your most painful shoe-buyer's remorse?
I cannot pick just one pair. Just can't. However, shoe-buyer's remorse does happen now and again when you have as many pairs as I do. My most remorseful purchases are ones that I realize are too big for me just after I wear them enough to not be able to take them back. I know very silly.
3. From Susanne of "Living to Tell the Story": Tell about your favorite birthday celebration that you've personally experienced.
I have to tell you a very sad tale. I cannot remember one of my birthday parties that I have had. I was cursed with a summer birthday...this means no friends around and usually no big parties. I am sure that my Mom would disagree with me just as I will when both of my summer birthday kids whine about their lack of big parties. I know that they don't get too many big parties...it is just the fact. Summer birthdays stink. Now that I am older and have my birthday towards the last day of camp I am blessed with a little bigger of a celebration. I love my campers and colleagues they always make me feel special on my birthday.
4. From Lori of "Just me and My Life": If you were a flavor of ice cream, which would you be?
Butter Pecan...sweet and a little nutty
5. Cindy Swanson of "Notes in the Key of Life" asks: Have you ever had a crush on a movie star? Who was it, and are you still crushing?
Not to be confused with my very young crush on a rocker...Sean Cassidy complete with Sean Cassidy jeans...
...yep Sean Cassidy jeans.
But my biggest crush on a movie star would have to be Christopher Atkins. I was in Middle School when I was crushing on him. It was not the Blue Lagoon Christopher Atkins because I was too young to watch that movie (blush). It was the Pirates Movie (Based on Pirates of Penzance) Christopher Atkins.
He sang, he acted, he looked amazing...I remember listening to the sound track over and over and getting to see the movie and swooning.
No not still crushing.
6. Jill from "Jill Boyd's Place" inquires: Glasses or braces--if you had to wear one, which would it be?
Been there done that, in fact at the same time. Now I still wear glasses (contacts) and glasses would have to be the answer still. The tin grin is no longer in.
7. Nel from "Fasteneau Facts" asks: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would choose to live in Iowa. I know that sounds so lame, but I miss all the people who live there. I know Rich would like to be there too so we could work on our relationship with his kids. I'd like to visit a whole lot of other "worldly" places, but Iowa is where I want to live.
8. Thena from "Patiently Waiting" wants to know: If money were no obstacle, what would be the perfect birthday gift to receive?
A shiny new car. Doesn't have to be red or have a big bow, just new and shiny.
9. From "Life Through Bifocals," LynnMarie asks: What is your favorite birthday meal?
Italian food and white cake with butter cream frosting, and my birthday is a long way away...sigh
10. Debby at "Just Breathe" checks in with: Do you still send hand-written thank you notes?
Not as many as I should. I still think that is the way to go, but sadly don't get there very often...sigh
11. Linda from "Mocha with Linda" poses this question: What is something you've done that you never thought you'd do?
Run a 10K. Before January of 2009 I thought that the only way I ever run was if someone were chasing me. Then I just decided that I really wanted to run a 10K and started training. (Where that came from I'll never really know) and in April 2009I ran my first 10K in just under 1 hour.
12. Jewel, my homegirl from Indiana who writes at "Musings from the World of Jewel," is very insistent that we answer this: Mount Rushmore honors four US Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. If you could add any person to Mount Rushmore, who would you add and why?
hmmmm...what is the rule about discussing religion and politics??? I think I would have to say JFK. Despite the rumored? affairs he was a good president and taken way to young.
In Summary: Wow...birthday bummers, but the new car and white cake with butter cream frosting is just around the corner...right?? Every birthday I am always very thankful that I have had another year on this earth to buy shoes that are too big for me, run 10K's, and wish for closer relationships. However, no matter how small the party I am always ready to have a "Celebration" complete with theme song. And I promise if I get that new and shiny car I will write a handwritten thank you note, but I bet JFK will be on Mt. Rushmore before that happens...sigh.
Friday started with Rich having to work late...really late. I had all these big plans. I was going to finish writing college recommendations for my students, work on mid quarter progress reports, get monthly meal plans going, and work on my niece Abby's birthday blog. I know big plans. Well I got the blog done and my meal plans done, but that is it. Rich actually got home sooner than he thought so that was a nice surprise, not getting everything done...not so nice.
Saturday started with a run and a middle school musical rehearsal. Moved into a sweltering hot soccer game, and ended with grocery shopping and cleaning. Yeah that is usually the way I spend my Saturday nights, but Rich and I enjoy doing all that together.
Sunday was laundry and baseball. It was a much nicer day at only about 80 degrees, but I was sitting in the shade enjoying the game while my boy was actually playing in it, he might have disagreed on the "nicer" part of the nicer day. What I enjoyed most was the car ride from baseball to his orchestra rehearsal. He quickly realized that the odor he was emitting was not the best, but he forgot to pack his deodorant. We decided that if he left his uniform on, his smell would be more forgiving, but if he decided to change his clothes he needed to use Bella's powder fresh scent deodorant that was in her school gym bag because being in "normal" clothes with BO would not be so forgiving. He decided to use her deodorant. So we, in the take any opportunity to rib Andrew, spent the rest of the car ride calling him "miss" and "sweetheart". For instance we drove up to McDonald's to get Andrew a quick bite and Rich said "So what would you like, miss?" and "Would you like a Coke, sweetheart?" Finally Andrew got upset and said something mean and Rich said "Shut Up Missy" and Bella, who had been quiet up to this point said "Hey Rich, that's no way to talk to a lady"
Cracked. Me. Up.
This was only after we spent some time pondering the question: Why is "What is your favorite color?" the be all end all to finding out if you really know someone. Why not "What is your favorite texture?" or "What is your favorite smell?" or "What is your favorite taste?"
Aren't you glad that we are discussing such important, life changing issues, in the car?
But aren't you even more glad that I decided to tell you about it?
More Later
- A Ro
P.S. I need to know what is the word that describe words that make sense, but aren't exactly the word...like wheelbarrel instead of wheelbarrow. Anybody?? Anybody?? Bueller?? Bueller??
It is time once again to take a peek into my week. It was an odd one, let me tell you.
Click the button above to head on over and take a peek at some other folk's weeks.
Enjoy!!
Sunday:
I Can Hardly Watch
I get so nervous when Andrew is pitching. It makes my stomach hurt. He always does just fine, but I am not sure I want him to be a pitcher...ever.
Monday:
There's Fire In Them Thar Hills
We came home to the hill by our house on fire. It is that time of year, but I was not ready for it. I hate this season. Thankfully there were no winds, which are also common this time of year, so they got it out very quickly.
Tuesday:
Shoes, Glorious Shoes
Maxx Studio shoes. $149.00. On sale $16.00. Living in my closet. Need I say more?
Wednesday:
What is Burning Now??
Today we came home to the laundromat, right around the corner from our house, on fire. Geez...what next, wait I don't want to know.
Thursday:
Perfect Pump
I perfect pumped my gas today. I feel lucky!!
Friday:
Plan, Plan, Plan
Rich had to work a very late shift tonight so I took the opportunity to plan menus for the month. Let me tell you it is looking like some good cooking will be going on...you wanna come over?
Saturday:
Holy Moly is it HOT!!!
Yep it has been in the 100's this week and yesterday was no relief. We had a 2:30 pm soccer game and man it was miserable. No shade, blazing sun, black shorts and high thick soccer socks. I am not sure how my baby did it, but she did. She is a trooper. I love that Bella!!
In Summary: Let's see, a picture of Andrew, fire, more fire, unbelievable shoe deal, 100 degree temps, AND a perfect pump. Yes it was a very weird week.
I have picked my favorite pictures to celebrate my favorite red headed girl's birthday, and because I love the cheesy captioned pictures I have added a few captions. I know so clever.
But I'm warning you right now, this blog is full of very cute pictures. If you choose to continue, get ready for your heart to break into a million pieces.
I warned you.
"Dude...I got my picture taken with Andrew!!"
"Mom, I'm showing Bella how to make this thing sing...see"
"JoJo, is that really you?"
"I love you Max"
"My Momma's the BEST!!"
"Hey Nana...is this thing PLASTIC??"
"Hey Papa, could you just bring Tucker a little closer please I need to grab his ears"
"I'm sorry Uncle Ryan...I'm just not happy"
"Ah...Aunt Stacia"
"Uh Mom did you want me to download it to the hard drive, to the desktop, or just erase everything?"
"I love just being one of the girls"
"Ah...Titi"
"Uh Mom, you sure about this?"
"Uh Mom, you sure about this?"
"Hey UG, I got one of those too!!"
"Oooh Mom that's a bright light"
"I know...cute huh"
"Whatcha talkin' about JoJo??"
"Dahdah..wha deh you puh on yah fath...yuhm?"
"Nah...Aunt Amy won't mind that I am stealing her show"
"AAAHHHHH"
"Ah...gas"
"I love my family"
I will now try to put all the pieces of my heart back together...I love you Abby and Happy Birthday!!
