Hard to Believe

It sure is, I have a grandchild old enough to be in school and he's lost his first set of teeth!Now for a close up.

You're still as adorable as ever Michael Will.

Michael Does His Homework

It's hard to believe, but two weeks ago I was helping this little man with his homework. Not that he needed much help (he's a smart guy). I had the honor of looking it over to make sure it was correct. I must say that Michael knows his sixes.He needs to take a moment to think.
Did I mention how smart he is?
We are very proud of you Michael Bender!

Let me Help You

On my recent trip to WA, we celebrated Heather's birthday. Peyton was very excited and wanted to help his mama. Getting it out of the bag. Look at his excitement over a Jillian Wii game. He can hardly wait to keep helping mama.

Here you go mom, after all it is for you.

Heather is sooooo excited to start working out with Jillian. I just hope Jillian doesn't make my baby girl cry!

Wordless Wednesday

A Day With the Four Oldest

Edited to add: I was just informed that Casey is also five years old. Is it my fault that I can't remember everything? It's not every grandmother that has to remember, that she has two grandsons, born to the same parents that are NOT twins (irish twins I guess), that for six weeks every year are the same age!!! So I should have said Michael being almost six has better dining habits than the younger ones.

Did I clear that up?

While I was in WA, I took the oldest four grandchildren to see the movie Princess and the Frog. They seemed to enjoy it for the most part. Peyton being a typical 2 year old found the seats that went up and down fascinating, not to mention the arm rest did that also. He did really pay attention when it was time for a song (this boy loves his music). One song the chorus was you've got to dig a little deeper blah, blah, blah, when it was over her climb up next to me and said grandma you need to dig deeper. It was quite funny at the time. Michael and Casey really enjoyed it although at times Casey thought it was scary. Isa surprised me, although she sat and watched she only seemed real interested when the princess were on the screen. The princess wasn't there too much as she spent most of her time being a frog!

So after the movie we stopped at the McDonald's in the food court and got sundae's and a drink. A group picture.

Sweet little miss, just wants to get back to eating her sundae.
Thank you very much.
This guy really and I do mean really enjoys his food.
Grace E. stopped by with her mama to pick up her big brother's. Mama wouldn't let her enjoy a sundae, maybe next time.

Isa still going at it.

Caseman with a mouth full of the cold stuff.

Another spoonful, mmmmmm.

Michael, being five eats his ice cream without so much of a mess as the others!

Did I mention that Peyt really enjoys his food?

What a great time. I so enjoy being able to do these types of things with the kiddo's. They are all such a joy and it is so fun to watch the different personalities develop. Next time at my house though, OK?

The Next Day and Master Kai

Needless to say Kaikai was not very impressed with his meemaw when she took Isa out with him! Try explaining to a twenty month old that he's sick and when he feels better it will be his turn. So first thing the next morning we said good-bye to Isa (who shed crocodile tears) and headed out the door. Hmmmm . . . our activity of choice since it was raining was to go get a mocha, AKA hot chocolate.Look at that face. His very first "mocha".
Dad was working on old Whitey when we returned, Kai quickly ran over to show it to him.

Then into the house to show mama, and no, he wasn't going to share.

Happy boy off to drink what's left of his "mocha".

Kai was so much fun this time. He was his meemaw's boy. The only time he really, really wanted his mama was during a melt down or when it was time to nurse. Most of the time he was right with me, or running to the door because he thought we were going somewhere! Most of the time he was right we were heading out, smart little guy.

Dinner With Little Miss

Little miss with her fun hat on ready to go! Now to decide where we will be going. I thought maybe out to Lynden to Dutch Mother's. Dutch Mother's is a great restaurant, with fantastic pies! Isa's mama said, "What! all the way to Lynden this late? I don't think so. She needs to be in bed on time, that will make her late". My first thought was to just agree, then sneak off to Lynden. After a moment though I thought we must listen to the parents even when we don't agree, as they are the ones raising these little treasures and they should be respected. So off to Billy M's we went! Isa could have cared less, she was just having fun with her Meemaw and it was just her, as the rest of her family was home sick, no fun for them tonight.
Oh, yeah! Chocolate milk and she gets to take the cup home.
The corn on the cob was delish! The mac and cheese was good also. This girl is a very good eater. Why she isn't a little heavier is beyond me.

How excited my little Isa got when she saw the hot fudge sundae. Her eyes got big and she said for me meemaw? Ice cream for me? Well , actually I thought we might share, that is fairly big. So share we did. She sure shoveled it in, making sure to get her share!

Have to make sure she gets a big spoonful.

A Day With Two of the Boys

This is the day yesterday, it is backwards as I'm not wanting to fight with blogger about order today. We ended the day with Casey getting a much needed hair cut. He'd called a couple of days before my arrival to see if I would take him, so I did and he looks new and improved!

Before we went to get the hair cut we stopped by Target to look around, then on to the play area. We had wanted to go to a park but in true WA fashion it was to wet. Don't know what Casey is thinking here, he loved climbing on top of the baseball.One of the rare photo's I got of Peyton looking kind of forward. He just goes way too fast at these places, I can get a side view sometimes and a rear view any time!

Casey wanting another picture on the baseball.

Sliding down the spoon ~ ~ woohoo.

Mr. Smiley, himself.

Before we did the other things we went to McDonald's for lunch. Here is the fast paced Peyton in action again.

Casey having a great time.

The first thing we did was eat, really Heather the kids didn't play until they ate!! Casey was very happy with his chipmunk.

Peyt, checking out his lunch.

After we were all done we headed back to the Bender's, waited for Michael to get out of school then off to the Riedesel's. More on my evening with Isa later!!

Heather and Brian Happy Birthday

Brian's birthday was on the 13th and Heather's is on Saturday so they got their gifts when I came on in to town. Here's Heather working out to Jillian . . .

now we all know who Jillian is don't we? Think she'll have Heather sticking to it or will she have her crying?? Stay tuned for more video's to find out!!!Happy Birthday!!

Thank You Uncle Kevin

Look what grandma brought us . . .

a picture by the great artisit, Uncle Kevin!

Thanks Uncle Kevin!

Wish you were here.

Cheap Seats, Cheap Seats

I'm so excited!

I found cheap seats!

Makes it worth it for a quickie fly in weekend!

Hope someone will pick me up.

I'm so excited!!!

More Christmas

One last present for Kevin. He loves these basketball games, so we decided to go ahead and get him one. He does love it! Poor Leroy, can't say the same for him. He's just not understanding why Kevin won't throw these balls for him.

Studying the shot.
Look at that form!!

OK Mark, Kevin is ready for you. He says you're going down. Come on Michael, Casey and Peyton, Uncle Kevin will spot you guys a couple points.

More Christmas

Once we got back home Kevin had a few more presents to open. Oh, look it's a WII Fit. Think we can get fit??

Oh boy it's more HSM.

The CD from Hairspray, I'm going to be practicing The Nicest Kids in Town day and night.

Toy Story Mania, it's like I've never left California Adventure!

WOW. I had a great Christmas.