Sunday Afternoon

Fall is definitely in the air. It's a cloudy, gusty afternoon. In other words, it's an "inside" day. The boys are having a great time, however, watching "Star Wars" with daddy.

Michael, the Fish!

Michael is really proud; he is now brave enough to put his head under water! Just look at the smile on his face at the end of this video.

A Lost Tooth and a Boogy

Tommy is going to have trouble taking a bite out of an apple since he is now missing both front top teeth; love that smile, though!



Tommy has loved music and dancing since he was very young. His dad bought him a CD player when he was just a toddler; he learned to use it and it became one of his favorite possessions. Soon he was pretending to use a microphone and perform. Last weekend he entertained us with the "Cookie Boogy" before jumping into the pool.

Sunday

Tommy's mom is in charge of the child check-in stations at church and Tommy helps with the set-up/tear-down. As of today he has an additional job. Mom set him up with a test account tied to his finger scan. After she sets up a station Tommy tests it to make sure all the printers are working and printing the right documents and labels for checking in and checking out. He knows what to do and what should happen. He reports to mom if something doesn't work correctly. Mom says that Tommy is better at his new job than many of the adult volunteers she's worked with. Way to go, Tommy!


Last night Michael and mommy played tanks. This evening they played "abby-lences." Michael was very explicit about the rules: Mama, you can only go this way through and you can't pass.

Playing Tanks!

Last night Michael asked his mom to play tanks.

Michael: Mama, you be the bad guy.

Mom: Why do I have to be the bad guy?

Michael: Because we need a bad guy.

Mom (warming up to her role of bad guy): OK, then it’s time for bed!

Michael: Mama, I said you be the bad GUY; not a bad MOMMY!

Then the game began in earnest.

Michael: Mama, here’s our tanks, here’s our air support, and here’s our garbage truck.

Mom: Okay, should I be in charge of the tanks or the air support?

Michael: Mama, you’re in charge of the garbage truck.

Eventually mom got fired from the tanks game. Apparently the garbage truck didn’t shoot back often enough and it was determined that mom was “not fun" when playing tanks.

A Word From The Other Grandmother

Let me introduce myself......I am proud to be Tommy's and Michael's other grandmother. Having raised 2 sons of my own I can relate to what Mark and Kirstin are experiencing and chuckle so often when I see history repeating itself. I am even seeing many of the same toys resurfacing and sometimes I even hear familiar "motor sounds" or other play sounds that I heard years ago. What great fun to be a grandmother!

Thank you, Barb, for setting up this blog to keep those of us who live a little farther away up to date with the activities of the boys. Thank you also for inviting me to write about the times when we get together with those rascals. I look forward to sharing those times with you in word and pictures. In the meantime I will be reading your fun entries.

MJ

Grandparents Day at School

The boys have been attending a wonderful preschool. Tommy is now in kindergarten; however, since it's only half days, he'll continue to attend Kinderberry Hill before and after kindergarten. Last week KH invited all grandparents to visit. Enjoy this video of the afternoon:

Good news: Mary (the boys' other gramma) is going to contribute to this blog. Mary and John have lots of adventures with the boys, so she'll be posting some of her favorites here.

All you need is love, all you get is...

HOMEWORK???

Okay, so when we last saw Tommy he was sitting--looking very charming--at a kindergarten table with his cousin, Drew. It was time for school; he was ready to rock and roll! The next thing I knew his mom sent me the image posted above. It seems that the boys had a short homework assignment based on their first day of school. Tommy's reaction was not exactly one of excitement and glee.
Soon I received another image; this one showed Tommy actually completing his homework--still somewhat lacking in excitement and glee. Coincidentally, just as I received this image I was working with cousin, Drew, on the same assignment. Unfortunately I didn't snap a picture. Had I done so I could have put them side by side so that you could see not only a physical family resemblance, but an identical reaction to homework. Hmmm... looks like there will be some interesting years ahead.
Here is Tommy's finished product. As you can see, it is very well done. Now we just need to figure out how to help him smile while he shows us how smart he is.
Posted by Tommy's Nana Barb

PS Just in case you missed it, the third line from the bottom says, "I did not like homework." At the very bottom of the page the children were to list what they wanted to learn this year. Perhaps Tommy just forgot to complete that part:-)

A Picture is Worth...

a Million Words (at least)!

Tommy and cousin, Drew, in the same kindergarten class on the first day.
Thanks for the picture, Mark. It is sure to become one of my all-time favorites!

Tommy is on his way to Kindergarten!

Tommy, I hope the next 13 years will be some of the best of your life!
Go, Tommy!

Dandy Dandelions

"If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn."

Andrew V. Mason

Most young children do find dandelions welcome; kids love dandelions. They love them when they're bright yellow and even more when they are whispy white and float away with a puff of breath. Tommy and Michael hopped off their wagon to pick some dandelions. Michael carefully placed his in the wagon to save, but Tommy offered his to me. Thank you, Tommy. You're right; they are beautiful!
Nana Barb

Michael Graduates

Tommy and Michael attend a wonderful school. When last I visited, Michael was in the "monkey" group. Last week he graduated from the jungle cats to the gators. Is this how I'll feel when he graduates from high school... and college? How could the time have passed so quickly? How did I miss the entire jungle cats era? The image shows Michael as he left for school this morning on his first day as an official Gator.

Welcome!

These two special boys have grandparents and a great gramma who love them, but who live far away. This blog will be a way for them and everyone else who loves them to keep up with their exciting life. I am lucky to be their other gramma (mom will also add posts). Here we go...

Summer in Minnesota passes quickly, so the boys need to take advantage of the hot weather. They are busy having fun in our pool and learning how to swim. Here are a few of their favorite swimming tricks: