Savannah – Page 3 – The Dackel Princess

Birthday Dinner

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!

Happy Sixth Birthday, Savannah Rose!!!

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!

A Rainy & Cold Saturday Joy!

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!

Being An Oma

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!

Savannah The Star!

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!

And I’m Off……

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.

First Cast

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!

The End Of Summer

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!

My Weekend

The weekend seemed to fly by. It was a good one, as I drove down to visit with my daughter and grandchildren. My grandson is changing so quickly right now. He will be 17 months old next week, and remarkably moves and acts much older . The cutest thing about him is, if he sees any sort of machine, lawn mower, tractor, etc, he stops and watches intently.

The neighbors were mowing their lawn and each time the rider mower passed us, Quinn waved. And his eyes never left the machine! And Quinn loves it when his Daddy takes him for a lawn mower ride too. He doesn’t wiggle around, he just sits quietly and helps Daddy drive the machine!

Mandy made a terrific breakfast while I was there and it was fun to share this with the kids. I brought a fruit tray and when I arrived Mandy had also gotten a fruit tray. All I can say is…fruit is good!

After breakfast, I spent some alone time with Savannah as it was time for Quinn to nap. Savi is five years old now and very interested in how things work. We played around taking pictures together and then Mandy asked her if she wanted to take some pictures of Mandy and me. At first she looked nervous, but she carefully lined up the camera and took a couple of pictures of the two of us, and they came out pretty well.

This is one of the pictures that Savannah took.

Soon it was time for me to go, and I got in my car and headed out toward the highway. As I neared the entrance to Route 93, I could see that all the cars were completely stopped and there was no movement.

In the summertime on the weekends, it is not uncommon for the main routes into New Hampshire to be completely clogged with traffic. I thought for a split second and then opted for a back router going north. Route 28. It’s actually a pretty route. It parallels the main highway and goes through all the little towns. The traffic lights and the mini rotaries slowed me down, but I did keep moving, and when I reached Concord and hopped back on Route 93, things were moving right along. Still, it took me 45 minutes longer to get home than it usually does.

I made lunch for Jack and me, played with the pooches and took a short nap. Yes, even Oma needs a nap!

Then on Saturday night we watched a Bruce Willis movie. “Hostage”. It was very unlike most Bruce Willis movies, this was suspenseful, and kept both of us riveted to the TV. We did not want to miss a moment of this film! Made in 2005, his daughter Rumor also plays his daughter in the film.

Sunday was a slower day for us. I’d been up late watching the film, and so I just did the basics.

Monday finds me making a Recycling Center run and taking out the vacuum and sucking up all the Lili hair!

Have a great Week Everyone!!!

A Saturday To Remember

This past Saturday was a busy and wonderful one! It started on Saturday morning, when I left early to drive to Savannah’s dance recital. I stopped at the Outlet Mall in the rare possibility that I might find a pair of jeans. You know right up there next to the horror of trying on a bathing suit, is trying on jeans!

I went to Talbot’s and tried on a pair of jeans and a shirt and both fit like they’d been made for me! Jeans! I could not believe it! And they were a smaller size too! One thing is for sure, these darn antibiotics have robbed me of an appetite and the weight has fallen off.

Once I was happily back in my car, I again headed South. As I drove along, I passed several speed traps (I never worry about them because I am a Granny driver!), and eventually I pulled off to get a bouquet of flowers and some thing to drink for me. I found some lovely purple carnations, white roses and baby’s breath for Savannah. After all, every Prima Ballerina must have her bouquet after the Recital.

I almost never drive into a city unless I know it well, but on Saturday I had to drive into Lowell, Massachusetts. It’s currently full of construction zones and this made it pretty easy to take a wrong turn. And I did.

I should have stayed going forward, but I turned left. Ugh! Well I drove a little further and then “banged a U-ee” In other words, I made a U-turn and corrected my error. Of course, I got beeped at, but not too bad, really.

Then I arrived at the Recital. I met up with my daughter, Mandy, and Matt and his parents and my former husband, Bob. We all waited for the doors to open and then we gratefully took our seats inside, out of the heat!

The show began, and a few numbers passed, and then…there she was, our Savannah. This year, Savi wasn’t nervous at all. She knew what she should be doing and she did it with sass, pizzazz and so much happiness! I sat watching with happy tears streaming down my face. She was marvelous!!!

After Savi was done with her first number the children were led to the balcony, where they could watch the show. I happened to catch a glimpse of her watching the show and my heart swelled. My beautiful, sweet, talented, loving, granddaughter. Oh, how I adore her!

In a bit, Savannah’s class was up on stage again and they performed one more routine. Again, I felt such love and joy.

The Recital ended with a big balloon drop and the kids were thrilled. Mandy went to get Savi and I waited outside with Matt and Bob. Then there she was, running toward me, talking a mile a minute and waving two of her balloons in the air. Mandy took one of them so I could give Savi her flowers. We stood talking for a bit before I kissed my girls and said good-bye.

On my way out of Lowell, Massachusetts, I was cut off by a small car, and the girl inside flipped me off. Okay, a trip into the city of Lowell with one false turn, one honking of the horn, and one finger flip off, is actually not bad really! After all, it is a larger city than I am used to!

Once back on the Highway, I drove along with the heavy traffic until I reached the grocery store, and loaded up on food, and gassed up the car before hitting the road again and heading home.

I got here to find Jack searching for Lili. I asked when he had last seen her? He answered about an hour ago. I clicked the remote for the garage and…Lili came waltzing out! Poor baby had been locked up in there for a while. Needless to say, she was very happy to see me!

After having a small bite of dinner, I headed to bed, where I fell instantly asleep! The end of a truly great day!