A weekend with little boys

Grandpappy dropped me off in Richfield on his way to take part in a workshop at the U of Mn on Saturday morning. I got to play with Ethan and Owen while CP and A2P2 went for a run in St. Paul  in the morning (Charlie took Angie back to the scene of the cow incident). The boys and I had a good time together. Here's some evidence:

E and O played on the steps with various community worker "boys". This photo was snapped shortly before the little stinkers silently scrambled up to the second floor while my back was turned.

Ethan got in some work time behind the cash register. Scanning the
pretend credit cards is especially fun to do. It makes a great noise.

When he got off work, Ethan made some repairs on the wood floor.
Loose nails can be dangerous!

Owen used the "backum" to tidy up. Yes, it's a lawn mower, but if he thinks it's a vacuum cleaner, so be it! He can learn the difference when the snow is gone. In the meantime, the floor is neat and tidy.

I'm including this one just because it's cute. Notice how Ethan keeps his eye on the ball.

After getting their chores done, boys decided to go for a ride together. The other photos I took of their excursion created a less cooperative an image than this one, so we'll just pretend it was smooth going the entire time.

Daddy and Mommy came home in time for lunch. Afterward, O, A, C, and E 'nuggled together for a pre-nap story, some of which I captured on video (I'll post it later on YouTube). CP and A2P2 have developed special voices for Piggie and Elephant, which the boys appreciate. So do I!

Grandpappy finally arrived after 5:00 after a long day at the workshop. We had a yummy dinner of Chili Pie, corn, salad, and chips with salsa and guac. Thanks for a great time and great food!

The weekend continued with another great time and more great food on Sunday morning. We traveled to O-Town for brunch at the O-Town Country Club and the best omelets Tanner's golf membership can buy! Afterward, we spent some time on Jadden Lane playing with Westy and Miles. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera (found it in the car on the way home) so there is no proof any of this took place. Trust me, it did!  Thanks for brunch and fun!

Sweet chicas and warm weather

We're back at home after a long weekend in North Carolina with Hannah, Vivian, Elisabeth, and Evan. "Long" refers to Thursday through Monday, but the trip was short as far as the length of time we had with the little chicas.

The weather was accommodating enough for us to have dinner outside at Cafe Carolina on Thursday evening. Hannah loves the fountain near the restaurant.

 

Meanwhile, Viv put on a bib and waited patiently for something to eat.

On Friday we took advantage of the warm weather again to swing...

 and to climb on the jungle gym at a very fun playground.

Saturday's fun included playing at an indoor playground. Hannah convinced Elisabeth to climb in a lifeboat with her.

Then, we met Cousin Linda for lunch. Gpappy, Linda, and Vivian caught up on all that has been going on since we last got together back in September, just after Vivian was born!

 

Later, at home, Vivian got a taste of her very first popsicle, 

thanks to Hannah's willingness to share with her little sister.

 

Hannah and Gpappy grilled a pork tenderloin for supper. While it was cooking, Hannah drove away some pesky bees by shrieking at them and threatening to call the police and send them to jail.

Evan got back from San Francisco late Saturday night. On Sunday we picked up fantastic pretzel rolls, chicken salad, and curry tuna salad from A Southern Season to have for lunch, then had a quiet afternoon at home. Vivian and Elisabeth shared a few laughs.

It was hard to say good-bye to everyone, but we'll see you on Skype, and then in person in May when you come to Minnesota!

Sweet Saturday

We went on a jaunt to Richfield today to see Ethan, Owen, Angie, and Charlie. I only had my cell phone, not my regular camera, so there are just a few pictures. Before nap time, Angie read an Elephant and Piggie book, I Broke My Trunk!

 

As you can see, Grandpappy took as much interest in the story as Owen and Ethan did. I think Angie's character voices are the reason. Ever hear a nasaly-sounding elephant with a broken trunk? Angie's got it down!

Part of the afternoon involved naps. Grandpappy and I managed to stay awake, and Owen slept in his crib. Ethan needed a little extra TLC, so I held him while he slept, and then Grandpappy took over. Pretty dang sweet, don't you think?

After supper (thanks, Angie and Charlie!) the Owatonna contingent called on Skype, so the four boy cousins had a little chat, and we got to see Roger, Miles' new teddy bear.  Now we're waiting to hear about Hannah's flower girl experience at Uncle Brian's wedding in Boston. 

Special note to the parents of my adorable grandchildren:  Time to set your clocks ahead. Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m.! 

Another weekend, here and gone

If I were a more frequent blog writer, I wouldn't need to resort to the passage of time for my titles quite so often. Of course, if I were a more frequent blog writer, I'd need daily inspiration of the type others would be interested reading. Not likely to happen.

This weekend, the Boys from Otown came to visit. Miles and Westy brought their parents on Friday evening and left this morning. We played and ate and read. We skyped with the NC cousins yesterday, and we invited the Richfield cousins to skype today, but they had a full schedule of traveling and playing, so it didn't work out. :o(
  
PS-- It DID work out after all! We had a Skype session with C, A, E, & O later in the afternoon. Lots of waving and smiling and cuteness going on at the Oliver Avenue Estate. And Ethan and Owen were adorable, too!

Westy is like Viv in his complete attention toward his older sibling. Miles, like Hannah, is great entertainment. We had a good time and here are pictures to prove it.

 Grandpappy and Miles surfing the freezer for something cold...

Grandpappy, admiring Weston...

Miles, striking a pose...

Weston likes to have his picture taken.

A little bit nudey...

Oh oh! Weston is using Rosie as a drool rag. Does Miles know?

Boys having fun together in the sun room...

Miles loves his little brother.

More brotherly love

Miles reflects on the weekend, deciding a good time was had by all.