March 29, 2008

Only 3 more days left in this month! I can't believe how quickly it has gone! The sun is shining and it looks like Spring will be arriving very soon. It is still a little cold, but it is not snowing and there is no ice. I have even seen some tulip leaves popping up through the ground. I am ready for the brown to turn green and lush!

Easter was very low-key and quiet. We bucked tradition and went out to dinner instead. It was great. No spending the day in the kitchen cooking and cleaning up afterwards. I only got to see one grandson that day though as the littlest one was on a trip to see his other grandparents. But the Easter bunny left him something anyway--it was at his house when he got home.

Another milestone in the family--the youngest child, my brother, turned 40 on Wednesday. Boy does he feel old! I certainly don't feel that old--at least not on most days. We went to dinner with him and I gave him a present--a Mr. Potato Head dressed as Optimus Prime. He loved it. The potato head toys have sort of been a standing joke for a long time. It started when I asked one of my children (they were very small at the time) what we should get Uncle Tim for his birthday. They thought he needed a Mr. Potato Head. So, we have been giving him that gift for a while now--not every year, just when I run across one that I think is unique or reminds me of him or something he likes--like the Tranformers. He and his wife will leave this next week for a trip to Australia. He will be doing some teaching there and they will take some time to tour a little bit.

My other younger brother and his wife are also leaving the country this next week. They will be touring China. I know they will take lots of photos and have lots to tell when they return. It will be a great trip for them as well. I am staying here. Someone has to keep an eye on things. :)
I hope both traveling groups have a safe journey!

March 24, 2008

Today has been very busy. I am back at work and there is a lot to do. This post has been created with ZOHO Writer and then published from within ZOHO. It works pretty slick!

March 2008

The first day of Spring has arrived and moved on. At least today is sunny. The temperature is hovering in the mid 40 range--warming up at least. Easter Sunday may be blessed with some snow. But I don't think it will last too long.

I have been on Spring break this week. I stayed home and was intending to work on some things around the house. Steve got called to a job in Monticello Iowa. He left on Monday morning and should be back this evening (Friday). So, I used his absence as an excuse to not do what I intended and instead, spent the week doing things I wanted to do. I worked on a quilting project with my friend Eunice. I went to lunch with my sister and a friend, Heather. I spent time with my friend Joanne and I had some Grandma time with one grandson, Charlie. I didn't get to see Kalub--but will make that up later when I take the rest of my vacation time.



Kalub with his Valentine monkey from Grandma and Grandpa S.






Charlie--ready to play.



Both Grandsons are growing and are so fun to be with. Kalub is almost sitting up on his own now and rolls around. He is all smiles for his Grandma and Grandpa. Charlie is a little guy on a mission--very busy! He wants to do things for himself. He likes being with his cousins, Emily and Kirsten. He likes Kalub most of the time too--unless Kalub has his Grandma's attention. But he gets over it quickly





Another photo of Kalub with monkey.

Happy Charlie!

Emily and Kirsten are now 8 years old. Wow! They are getting so grown up. Both girls have their own personalities and interests. They also have a lot of energy. It is sometimes hard to keep up with it all. I am very busy!!

Will Spring Ever Arrive in Iowa?

The sun is shining. The temperature is 55. Another snow storm is predicted for this evening and tomorrow morning. We just got the ice on the driveway melted away and now we have to do it all over again. AGGGGGH! It seems to be the pattern in Iowa this winter.

Spring will be a welcome relieve--if there isn't a lot of flooding.

The little guys are doing well right now. They have had their share of colds, coughs, flu, etc.
It is so much fun to watch their growth and progress from this side--that of the grandparent. I was much too busy to watch it with my own children.