On Wednesday I drove down to Southern New Hampshire for Savannah’s graduation from Kindergarten! It was marvellous to watch our girl, in her little gown, get her medal and diploma for completing Kindergarten. My heart was full and I was so proud of her!

Her Class sand two songs. One in French and one in Spanish. It was wonderful to see these little children enjoying themselves as they sang their songs. And Savannah loves music and she was up on stage swaying to the music!

And then she got her medal from her teacher and posed so I could snap a picture!

After the ceremony, we gathered in her classroom and watched a short video. We also took a few pictures. Here is my favourite one of Savannah and her Mommy and Daddy!

Now it is Official! Savannah has graduated from Kindergarten and is an official First Grader! Wow!!!!

Monday found me driving south for a medical appointment. It is a long way to go, but I like the doctor I am dealing with.

After the appointment, I headed to my favourite place. My daughter’s house, where I was greeted with big hugs and kisses from Mandy, Savi and Quinn. So much love! What a wonderful thing!

One of the best things about being with them on Monday was that I got to play with them on the swings and monkey bars, and we also played hide and go seek! I just spent the better part of an hour simply laughing and playing with the kids, and it was the most wonderful thing in the world.

Being surrounded by their love made me feel so blessed. I am so lucky to have them!

Best of all, despite the long drive for me, I will see them again on Wednesday and Friday! Wednesday Savannah graduates from Kindergarten, and Friday I am babysitting the kids as there is no daycare that day, and Mandy has an important work day. Long ride, but oh, so very worth it!

What a great way to start my week!

The grandparent’s all gathered for Savannah’s dinner celebration on Friday night. She opened her gifts, enjoyed each and every one of us, and felt our special love!

Savannah and Oma.

Savi and her grandfather, Bob.

Savi and her Nana, Mary.

(Notice Quinn photo-bombing)

Despite the fact that it was Savannah’s birthday celebration with her various grandparents on Friday evening, I managed to stay on the WW plan. Amanda bought the most awesome steak and marinated it, and Matt cooked them up on the grill. That man knows how to cook a fantastic steak, and I sure did enjoy every bite!

Dinner also included corn on the cob and Parmesan Cheese Noodles. Now I know that corn on the cob is a zero point food, so I had that and the steak (which does have points, but is really lower than you might think) and I did not eat the pasta. Now, I wanted the pasta, but I wanted a loss at the scales on Wednesday, more than I wanted the pasta yesterday, so it was an easy choice. I also wanted a birthday cupcake, so the noodles never even saw my plate!

I also drank…WATER…ugh, not a big fan of water, but once again, I am trying to make better choices. I knew I wanted that darn cupcake and so I made no other breaks from my eating plan and ate zero point foods all day before that dinner.

So when I got up this morning, I raced to the bathroom scale and hopped on, just knowing that I must have lost at least ten pounds for all my great planning (and sacrificing!). Ah no. It is also very humid up here right now, and in this humidity, I always retain fluid. (That is my story, and I’m sticking to it!)

Savannah’s party was great, all the grandparents are good friends, and we all adore our mutual grandchildren. We laughed and joked and lamented the fact that the last six years have gone awfully fast!

And then we looked up and there was the kitty cat Bear, the mouse hunter, with a chipmunk in his mouth! This time Matt was here to go out and rescue me from the creature.

I finally knew I’d better hit the road, as I was working under a time constraint. I needed to get home before dark (my car will turn into a pumpkin!) as I cannot see well at night, and the Friday night, summertime traffic can be a nightmare.

I kissed and hugged one and all, and off I went. No traffic and I managed to pull into the garage at 8:41 pm! I just beat the onset of darkness.

After the heat and humidity and two long drives, I collapsed into bed at 9:15 and slept like a rock never moving until 5 o’clock this morning!

Today is my granddaughter, Savannah’s Sixth Birthday! I cannot believe how quickly the last six years have gone by!

The first time I held Savannah in my arms, I remember thinking how I couldn’t love anyone more than I loved her at that moment. But the wonderful thing is, that love continues to grow and grow!

I also remember thinking that I could hardly wait until Savannah could talk to me and tell me what she was thinking and feeling. Now, at the age of six, she is able to tell me everything, and how I absolutely love that!

So Happy Birthday, My Darling!

I left the house pretty early on Saturday. As it turned out I was way too early. I had planned to stop and get more Scallops at Market Basket, and gas up the Highlander, but I ended up with an hour to kill. What’s a girl to do? I went shopping.

I left home where our temperatures were close to 60 degrees and sunny, and as I drove south, the temperatures went down, the skies turned gray and it was rainy!

So, I stopped at Talbots Outlet and picked up three shirts. One I wore right from the shop, a nice long sleeve blouse. And because I am a frequent buyer I had $25.00 bonus points to use up! For three gorgeous tops, I only spent $35.00! Yes, I love a good bargain!

Then it was on to Savannah’s dance recital. As I said, I got there very early, so I stayed in my car playing CD’d and reading Facebook. Then, out of nowhere, I saw Mandy and Savi about to cross the street in front of me. I hollered to them, jumped out of my car and joined them.

Do you know how wonderful it is when your granddaughter throws their arms around you and tells you how much they love you and have missed you? Well, it made my day. Who am I kidding, it made my entire week.

I watched as Mandy helped Savannah get ready for the recital, and then we went out front to meet up with Matt and his parents. We took our seats and watched this amazing dance recital. Oh, they did have the young dance students and they were wonderful. But they imported their dance competition students for some amazing dance numbers.

Savannah was adorable and I loved watching her. It was so much fun! And as I have previously stated, I am so proud of Savannah in all her endeavors!

After the recital, we went for dinner at T-Bones. Nice place. Very casual and the steaks are good. I ordered a T-Bone and it was so huge, that I brought it home and Jack finished it for his dinner.

We all exchanged Mother’s Day gifts and cards, before finishing up our meals and leaving to return to our respective homes.

The drive was a bit long, but not too bad, but I admit to being just a little stiff and sore tonight. No, I didn’t dance, but driving for long periods of time, makes my neck stiff and sore. But, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

I am still basking in the afterglo of time spent with my daughter and grandchildren! On Sunday morning before I left, I played Barbies with Savi and dress up with both Savi and Quinn and then we did these selfies! All of this reminds me that I am a very lucky lady.

I spent a lot of time with Savannah as she was growing up from baby-hood to child-hood! But with Quinn, I got sick just before his first birthday, and I feel like I missed a lot of that age 1-2 years. In the last few months I have tried to get down more and the funny thing about Quinn is that he knows exactly who I am, “OMA” and that I am his!

I really am so very lucky to have these two wonderful kids for grandchildren. I not only love them, but I like them too. And like all grandparents that I know, I am just crazy about them!

On Saturday I woke at 4:45 AM. I got up and the dogs looked at me like I was crazy. But I was so excited! Saturday was Savannah’s Play Day! She was one of the cast members in Suessical Kids!

I had no idea what to expect, but being the loving, happy, Oma that I am, I knew that anything Savi was doing would make me very happy and bring tears to my eyes! And such was the case.

After getting myself showered and ready, and realizing that if I left my house when I could have, I would have gotten to my daughter’s home nearly two hours too soon! So, I sat down, had some coffee and something to eat, and killed time.

Soon enough I threw the last of my things in the car and headed down to southern New Hampshire. Arriving just about on time. When I came in I discovered their babysitter had cancelled at the last minute, but they’d figured it all out, so even though it had added some stress, they’d just decided to go with the flow and actually take Quinn to the afternoon show.

By nine o’clock, Mandy, Savannah and I were headed to Milford, NH where the Playhouse is. We got there with plenty of time for Mandy to apply Savannah’s make-up and then off she went.

I really am impressed at Savannah’s independence! Was I so brave and daring when I was her age? Possibly, but that was so long ago…

While Savannah was preparing to go onstage with her fellow actors, Mandy and I went to buy her flowers and I got her a heart shaped stained glass ornament for her window.

Then we raced back to the theater, where we met up with our cousin, Janet, got our seats, and settled in to be divinely entertained by these wonderful, talented children!

I was so delighted to watch Savi, and I will admit to tears flowing at the end. I was not sad, just bursting with happiness, watching this amazing little girl!

We waited to pick her up after her costume change, and Mandy gave her a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She immediately pronounced them…delicious! And they really were!

Then, Janet, Mandy, Savi and I drove to a Hibachi Restaurant, where we met up with Savi’s Daddy, Matt and brother Quinn, her Nana Mary, her grandfather Bob and Uncle Robert. We sat down around the grill and the show began!

Lunch was not only super tasty, but the Hibachi show was so much fun. Somehow, this was the first time I had done this, and it tickled me so much!

Savi helped feed her little brother and they both ate very well. The Chef was funny giving the adults Saki by squirting it in their mouth, and the kids wanted some too! He changed the bottled to plain water and called it “Baby Saki” and the two kids squealed in delight!  I have decided that we simply must do Hibachi again!

After lunch we raced back to the theater for the afternoon performance. Once again, Savi scurried off with the other kids, and Mandy and I waited until the doors opened and we got an entire row and a half for seats for the family and friends who were coming to the afternoon show.

One by one, the family showed up and the seats were filled. By chance I was in a seat looking down an empty isle and I was able to take some pictures!

Savi is fourth from the right!

And here she is, in the coveted role of the “Elephant Bird” popping out of her eggshell!

After the play, we brought Savi home, and we all settled in for a relaxing evening. I noticed that Mandy and the two kids were snuggled up under the afghan that I made for her.

My time with them ended the next morning, after a pleasant sleep in the guest room with Savannah. I’d forgotten how sleeping with a five and a half year old is like sleeping with a cat. They stretch, they roll, they stretch again, legs are draped over your body, as are arms and feet! But I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

My last picture is of Mandy, Savi, Janet and me at the restaurant. One of my favorite pictures of the day. My family is everything to me!

I am all showered and dressed, and today I even put on some make-up, so as not to scare small children and old people. Where am I going? To Savannah’s play at the Community Theater, and lunch with the gang before watching the play for a second time.

Seeing the same play twice? You might ask. Why yes! I’m the Oma and Oma’s can do that!

So many family members and friends are coming to Savannah’s play to cheer her on, and I think that is so wonderful. I remember when I was in The Sound of Music in the local Community Theater in Falmouth, I was so happy when my grandparent’s came, as well as family and friends. It made me want to do my very best!

Me as Gretl in The Sound of Music!

There will be pictures of this wonderful event, as soon as I can get them up onto Flickr and downloaded to the blog. Ah yes, the ever proud and loving Oma!

I will also be able to spend time with both grandchildren today and early tomorrow, before attending a Memorial Service and then heading home.

I’m so excited about this that I woke even earlier than usual, giving me plenty of time to get ready. In fact, I’m sitting here, knowing it I left right now, I would be at my daughter’s house and hour and a half early! So, here I sit, coffee mug in hand, passing the time.

Friday found my daughter Mandy, bringing Savannah to a Pediatric Orthopedist. It appears that Savi has a hairline fracture of the ankle. Ouch!

Per her request,  the doctor made a designer cast! It turned her little frown upside down, and put that beautiful smile back on her face.

Get well quick, Savannah, my darling!

I’ve been a bit lazy of late, posting the happenings here in New Hampshire. It’s not that there is nothing to write about, just that I find little time to sit down and put my thoughts in blog form.

The summer is flying by. My goodness today is the 15th of August and in less than 2 weeks, the kids return to school! This means the school buses will stop down the hill from our house 4 times a day, and it also means that our tourists will go back to their homes and my little town will shrink to it’s normal size. Well almost. We will have leaf peepers come at the end of September through the month of October, and then life will be normal.

Jack is doing very well. His nubbin looks amazingly well, and as soon as his new orthotic shoes come in, he will be out of the special boot they have had him in. Yesterday, he even went to the grocery store and was able to walk around a bit.

However, here is my new gripe. Handicapped Parking! Hubby now has a placard, as he has trouble walking, and will continue to. Yesterday, at the grocery there were 6 spots. Three of them were being parked in by people who had no placard, or license plate with a handicapped symbol. One guy came out with 2 cases of beer and tossed them in the back of his pickup. The only handicap this man has is drinking too much Budweiser!

So, people, if you do not need a handicapped space, if you do not use a cane, walker, etc. Please, I beg of you, leave these places for people who cannot walk easily, or at all.

My daughter sent two fabulous pictures of the kids from their vacation in Maine, and I love them so much, I am getting them printed for the 5X7 inch frames on the mantle.

Savannah Rose

Quinn Wallace

They both have that, “I’m enjoying summertime” look!