An Average Day with a Sting

POSTED BY GRANDMA WALSH

This morning, I threw a load of white socks on the sofa to sort out. Before that happened, Kien had some fun with them.

These boots were made for walkin'!

Loving Daisy.

Duke caught a bunny in the backyard, but let it go when Brandy yelled at him.

After my scary event yesterday, Greg had a far scarier event today: the dry cleaner next door was robbed and shot!!!! Plus there was a robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank across the street recently. Pray for Greg's safety!!! The view from Greg's desk --

What a day... what a day....

POSTED BY GRANDMA WALSH

Kien came in Mommy's bedroom to say "Good morning!"

Kevin made this sun, earth, and moon mobile with Jeremy and left it behind for us to enjoy. BTW, Kien mentioned Kevin many times today! He must miss him!

A friend of Brandy's made her a wallhanging with several friend scripture verses!

As I was holding Baby Gabe, Kien gave him a brotherly kiss on the head.

Brandy and I went to Walmart to grocery shop and buy her a pair of shoes that she had seen and liked. We had to stop for a train. This is Texas! There are huge grain elevators near their house, and we have to cross THREE train tracks between their house and Walmart. It can be very frustrating... Today we were stopped for a long, slow one. Once it was gone, the cars in the lane to our right started moving, but our lane had not. Then we felt a huge jolt because someone hit us from behind. A 20 year military veteran kept saying he didn't know how it happened, but his 2001 Daewoo rammed a 1999 Chevy truck which put a good dent in Greg's Odyssey bumper. The cop kept joking, "I don't understand why she backed into you guys." Oh, my...

Here are the shoes which caused the problems...

"Problems?" you say? Yes! Brandy helped carry the groceries in the house and took the bag with the shoes to her room. After I had emptied the bags, I realized that the chicken noodle soup I had bought to cure Jeremy's sick stomach was missing. Brandy didn't know where it was. A guest was in the house this evening, so the two dogs were shut into Brandy's bedroom. When we released them, they had food packaging ripped all over the floor including an empty butter box, but the soup cans were intact. Well, I knew the dogs wouldn't be sleeping with me in the living room tonight (They always sleep with me when I am here.). Before we went to bed, we found a huge pile of regurgitation on the hallway tile (thankfully). Brandy had the privilege of cleaning it up!
Here are the culprits:

Kien wearing big boy socks!

Uncle Steve and Kevin Leave

POSTED BY GRANDMA WALSH

This morning, Kevin made one more "fort" for Kien out of Kien's large family room toys, then he volunteered to read a story to Kien.

"Uncle" Steve was naturally drawn to this darling little boy whom he rescued from a life of poverty and abandonment.

Then he cradled Gabe; his first time to hold a newborn ever! :)

On the way to the airport, Kevin asked, "Grandma, do you ever live at your house?"
You know... Grandpa is asking the SAME question!!!

The rest of the day had ups and downs. The worst down is that Jeremy is sick. :\ the best ups are that Gabe and mommy are beginning to enjoy nursing, and Grandma held a wide awake baby! Also another thoughtful church family brought in dinner!!! Yum!

Swimmingly Sunsational

POSTED BY GRANDMA WA:SH

Last evening, I realized that Kien's little high pitched voice sounds just like Elmo! I must try to catch a video! Also last night, Greg asked Kien why he was so grumpy. Kien replied, "Grumpy? What mean?" Greg looked at us; "Did he say what I think he said?"

As we scanned Kien's bookshelves for a story to read to him before his naptime, Kevin said, "I have that book, and that book, and that book..." Ha! These ARE your books, Kevin! ;-) Kevin read/sang "Skinamarinky Dinky Dink" to Kien!


After Kien's nap, we went swimming at the neighborhood pool. Brandy and Jeremy are fish. Kevin is learning to be a fish. Everyone had lots of fun!!!

When we first arrived, I was playing with Kien, and Kevin was hanging on me too. Steve was reading a book, but took some pictures of our fun.





Then Greg and Brandy arrived. Greg took Kien, and Kevin wanted to play with Brandy, leaving the camera to me.
Yes, that is Steve reading in the background.

Neighborhood pool...

Kevin, Kien, Brandy, Jeremy, my mom and myself all went to our community pool to play. Everyone had a great time!

Family Visit

Uncle Steve and cousin Kevin came for a visit. Kien was very excited to see his cousin Kevin!

Fun Family Day and Hysterical Walk

POSTED BY GRANDMA WALSH

What we don't do to entertain our kids! :)


First, Brandy played a guitar concert for Kevin and Uncle Steve.

Then Jeremy did. Both kids have musical talent!


Baby Gabe enduring the cacophony of a busy house.

I put a Sesame Street numbers video on for Kien. He sat very still in my lap enjoying the show.

Kevin well remembers being Kien's big brother. And Kien seems quite content and familiar with Kevin. At one point yesterday when I reminded Kien about who was coming, I pulled out the family photo taken 9/27/08, which I carry in my purse, to remind him again who Uncle Steve and Kevin are. He carried that picture around for quite a while before I was able to sneak it back into my purse!

We went for a walk around the block tonight. The walk began with me pushing Kien in his little car, Kevin riding Jeremy's scooter, and Jeremy doing stunts on his bike in the lead. Kevin was a bit concerned that Jeremy should not be doing those things!

Half way around the block, Kevin decided that he was too hot and too tired to scoot anymore. He walked while I carried the scooter over my shoulder and pushed Kien. Then Kien wanted to walk too, so here they are holding hands walking together with me pushing the car with the scooter inside.

I thought this was too crazy, and called Jeremy back to take the picture. ha!

The next stage was that Kevin decided he was too tired to walk any further! (In his defense, he had taken his evening med which does make him sleepy.) So I carried the scooter over my shoulder again, and pushed Kevin in the car while Kien ran ahead of us. We saw a bunny which Kien chased. Eventually, Kien kept heading for the road.

The walk ended with Kien back in the car screaming, Kevin walking unhappily, me pushing the car with a scooter over my shoulder, and Jeremy hiding behind cars peering at us while on his bike. It was a fairly funny scene!
The walkers were thirsty and sat at the table with cold drinks. Uncle Steve played making faces games and peek-a-boo with Kien. Kien is very comfortable playing with Uncle Steve and Kevin.

Kevin has his own IPhone (without service) from his Mommy, which he uses for games and music. He and Brandy had some IPhone fun together.

Secret picture...

Here is a secret spy photo of momma and baby Gabe sleeping. Notice he is wearing a shirt that says "My Mommy Loves Me"