Seems like just a blink and they are heading off to school. Jethro (our grandson) is registered and slightly apprehensive as he prepares for kindergarten. Jet had a good time working on these back-to-school printables, a fun activity for little ones in preschool, kindergarten and homeschool classrooms.Continue Reading
Tobias the Cockapoo Puppy
Introducing Tobias, our sweet little cockapoo puppy. After three years without a dog in the house, I knew it was time for another canine pet. Toby, as we call him, is now officially part of the family.Continue Reading
Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Our Grandson, Jethro, was coming for a sleepover and trip to the aquarium. It was his birthday gift and he was super excited. Jet loves bread so I baked honey whole wheat bread to make his belated birthday dinner extra special.Continue Reading
Something Fishy Matching Memory Game
As a grandmom, I like to have fun activities for the kids when they are visiting. Interactive games for varied ages work well. These cute and colorful, Something Fishy matching memory game, provides hours of fun for kids while building recall, focusing and problem solving skills.Continue Reading
Spooky Halloween Food
read with a slow, deep, menacing accent…
Do come in my friend…
I have prepared for you fiendish and Spooky Halloween food that will send shivers down your spine…Continue Reading
Little Champ
Sometimes even a little tumble can cause a big hurt.
This is Chloe. She was playing in her Little Tikes Cozy Coupe and somehow getting out, she tumbled. Her siblings and neighborhood kids were all playing and went to help her when she ran to her mom shouting, “I broke my bone!”. One look and her mom knew this was bad.
Jamie cut away her shirt and put her arm into a sling. Off to Urgent Care. They took X-rays and sent her to CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).
This is what a supracondylar break looks like.
The night before surgery, the doctor had to manipulate the bone back through the fascia because he was concerned it could have poked through the skin as she slept. (middle left photo above)
Now, with two pins, a bright pink cast and a little time, Chloe will be good as new.
While Jamie was caring for Chloe, Joelle and Jethro came to our house for a couple of days.
Baby Joelle clung to Aunt Erin and shared all of her cold germs.
And like all that went before her, Joelle loved splashing bubbles in the kitchen sink.
At the store Aunt Erin told us how excited Joelle got when they turned onto an isle and she saw a display of little dolls. Joelle told everyone that listened about her babies.
Jethro was my little shadow. We planted seeds together. He showed me that he is as tall as a yardstick. We watched movies and snuggled at bedtime.
(Did you know that if you thread a yardstick down through the cabinet drawer pulls you can prevent a curious mobile baby girl from opening each drawer and removing dangerous content. Yes, after 13 grandbabies, I learned this. It is not perfect but it will buy you some time.)
(you can see the yardstick better in this photo)
Shaela is our granddaughter who lives in upstate New York. This week was Shaela’s turn to be Super Kid in her class. Family can attend this 30 minute time to celebrate each Super Kid and share interesting or amusing stories or thoughts about why this Super Kid is special to them. Jet and I got to be part via FaceTime as did PopPop John from his work office and Shaela’s other grandparents who are currently in Hawaii. Pretty amazing, I say.
and from the recent past…
When you are a mom to eight children it might take you almost a year to make good on your Father’s Day gift. Jamie and John finally got to enjoy their father/daughter evening together. Dinner and then home to watch a special episode of one of their favorite shows, Gold Rush. Remembering John Schnabel is a moving tribute of John by his grandson, Parker.
Back in February we had a visit from our New York family. Aunt Erin giving our grandson, Braden a haircut.
After this long week, John and I went to a restaurant we had been wanting to try. We were pleasantly surprised to learn it was Restaurant Week and the menu was a lovely 4-course meal, including, an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert sampler. We thoroughly enjoyed or time together.
End of Year Wrap-up
As the year draws to a close I’m trying to catch up by posting activities and memory-making moments with and for family. It’s been a busy and full couple of months. My heart overflows. Hard to imagine that less than five months ago I had a total hip replacement.Continue Reading
Minion Headband for Jethro
When I gave all my granddaughters their knitted headbands, Jethro was disappointed he didn’t get one. He wanted a yellow headband. So I had to come up with something a little more boyish just for him. This adorable and easy knitted headband with crocheted eye keeps his little ears warm in a fun way.Continue ReadingKnitted Bow Tie Pattern
These little gents are looking dapper in their knitted red bow ties. Getting photos of our two youngest grandsons was much harder than actually making the bow ties!Continue Reading
Classic Crab Cakes
Making these yummy, classic crab cakes was the first real cooking I’ve done since my hip replacement four weeks ago. Continue Reading
Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Hawaiian Pasta Salad, brightly colored with an abundance of crisp veggies makes a perfect summer salad. It is a hearty one too, with the tortellini and diced ham. I served it at a graduation party as a side dish but it would be a great entrée served with crusty bread (and maybe a glass of wine) for a lovely summer supper.Continue ReadingGraduation
He did it. And, he did it well.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
With the warm glow of the setting sun, we watch and cheered as the class of 2016 filled the field with not just their caps and gowns but with their youthful excitement, hope for a bright future and relief their high school responsibilities were behind them.
This graduation class of 525 students almost filled the track with young adults that were just entering the school halls as freshman a blink ago. Parents and grandparents remembering with hearts overflowing as the procession flowed by.
Jared, with his best friend since middle school, marching right behind him, enjoyed every moment of the celebration.
“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.”
lots of hugs and smiles
highlighting his accomplishments
Storm Robotics Alumni
AP Latin students barbecue
The following day, it was PARTY TIME!
friends
family
fun
Braden and Jethro had no trouble finding adventures together.
our pond fish are well fed 😉
ending this beautiful evening relaxing by the fire making S’mores
Dear Jared says the Lord…
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.…
… Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you
do call on him, precious grandson
♥
Shake and Bake Coating Recipe and Family/Friend Times
Busy days and hungry kids call for easy meals. Do you remember the old Shake and Bake commercials with the little girl in her southern accent, enthusiastically exclaiming, “And, I helped!” I have always liked the product. Nice flavor, little mess and no frying. Now I make my own shake and bake coating. It’s easy and economical. I use it for both pork and chicken and you can change up the spices to suit your taste. (Scroll to bottom of post for recipe)
Welcome baby Joelle Elizabeth
Big sister Chloe, welcomed the newest member of the family on her birthday.
Baby Joelle Elizabeth not only shares a birthday with her sister, but they are both little leaplings.
Both born February 29th, four years apart.
Not due until March 17th, Joelle came a little early to join her seven brothers and sisters.
It doesn’t look like she will be in want of love and hugs anytime soon.
Joelle came into the world with very dark hair, at the same weight as her momma did (6 lbs. 7 oz.) and looking (in my opinion) much like her momma did at birth. She needed a little encouragement to let out a big cry after birth and still needs to see those bilirubin numbers drop but she is doing just fine.
A local hospital and paper shared this special leap day birth noting that the delivery doctor is a leap day baby as well 🙂
We celebrated Chloe’s birthday on the 28th and Caleb turned 8 on March 4th. PopPop John got to watch Silas play in a soccer tournament and we even had a late winter snow that cleared up by afternoon.
I wrapped up the week with a special outing to the Philadelphia Flower Show with dear friends.
The theme this year is National Parks and it was all so beautiful!
and… I even managed to get this post prepared!
Happy Sunday, sweet blogging friends!
Homemade Chocolate pudding
Looks like our newest grandbaby will be arriving a little sooner than planned. Momma had a doctor appointment and some testing so I watched the littlest ones who aren’t yet in school. It was a dreary, windy and rainy day but we made it brighter by making chocolate pudding together.
Back in the swing of things
We realized the time and energy it would take to plan and prepare for our trip abroad but what I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to get back into the swing once we returned home.
Unpacking, laundry, connecting with family, email, snail mail, photos from camera, iPhone photos, sorting photos, editing photos, food shopping, house cleaning, yard work, even making meals is a chore (and you know how I love to cook!)
A cold when I got home (so happy we were well while away) slowed me down too.
I am slowly catching up and getting back in the swing of things as we cherish these these family moments.