Guest Blogger-Grandma & Baja's adventures with Gunner & Karlee!

****….We interrupt your regularly scheduled blogging for a special guest blogger. Today’s guest blogger is Gunner & Karlee’s Grandma Linda!****

Grandma and Baja’s Adventures With Gunner and Karlee

Thursday October 15, 2009

The day started out early as Mom wanted to say Goodbye to her munchkins as she would be leaving to the airport directly from work. Breakfast was eaten great by both-oatmeal, banana and yogurt…yumm yumm. Baja and I were still getting our bearings (we let Baja sleep until 9:30) so by the time all was said and done we decided the troops were exhausted as they had a busy night the night before not going to bed until 9pm and up early so they were down for the count (not a peep from them) by 11am. We had promised to try and keep the schools time frame as much as possible but they both were just too tired to make it until 11:45 . .

We knew we needed to go to town to do some shopping because I really enjoy cooking and putting it in the freezer for all of them to have at a later time. So we figure down early up early and on our way-Hmmm nope. Best laid plans are never a given with kids. Nap ended at 3:30-yep 4 ½ hours, guess they needed that. After a snack we headed for where else, but Walmart to get some groceries for my cooking endeavor. By now we realize that would be the only stop we would do.

Back home we had dinner (enchilada’s Mom had made)-yumm thanks. Play time and bath time, then bed. Gunner went pee pee three times today and is really enjoying sitting on the potty.

At one time when Gunner was sitting on the potty and Sheba was laying in the hallway he kept pointing at Sheba and saying a two-syllable word that he almost kinda rolled his tongue. I called Scott and asked him if he had any idea what he might be saying-NO IDEA. I asked him to show me and he headed straight to his nebulizer. My gues is that he was telling me nebulizer or treatment. Funny thing, I had taken his mask off to wash all the other parts and he says to me “Where’s my mask?” Oh Please a 2 year old telling an adult how to do his treatment???

Probably the most interesting part of this particular day was the issue of the “missing bra”. Now I realize I was raised in the 60’s but I was not one of those that burned my bra during a demonstration (now Scott’s Uncle would have!). Since I only brought one bra with me and we needed to go to town it is important that I have one on. Thank goodness I brought a sports bra to knock around the house in because that is what I wore to Walmart. I bought a new one incase “we” didn’t find mine but luckily it showed up. Lesson: don’t leave anything on top of the suitcase that is near and dear to you because you might not see it again

Friday October 16, 2009

We had a great night and we had a full day planned. I didn’t set the alarm because why should I, the kids will be my alarm clock, they always are. NOPE. They decided to stay asleep until 6:50 and we needed to be out of the house by 9am. I thought not going to happen and it didn‘t. We did manage to leave by 9:45. Before we left we did a search for the missing little runt kitten. Baja was afraid he had stepped on it or did something to it. We did find it when we got home.

Our adventure today was to Gilmer Texas about 45 minutes from Mt. Pleasant. Today we are going to the Yamboree parade and carnival. The parade started at 11 and we actually arrived at 10:50. Gilmer being a small town really goes all out for this yamboree. All along the street people were selling yams (sweet potatoes). I had Baja stop so I could buy some and let the kids try them. I wasn’t sure if they had ever tasted them before.

As the parade went past us Gunner watched and Karlee cried every time they played music. I thought they would be happy or excited but that wasn’t the case. Luckily it was just the school parade so it was mostly schools from the surrounding towns and not too many bands. I forgot to mention that as we started out that morning the stroller had a flat tire. We had to use it to get to the parade and figured we would air it up after the parade, but before going to the carnival. I asked the policeman if there were any gas stations on our side of the street. He said, “The only station that has air in town is the Chevron down by the carnival.” Now, like I know where the carnival is…we did find it a few blocks away at the Chevron station. Now, the problem being there was no way to get in the station because that is where the carnival started. Luckily we found parking, loaded the kids into the “flat” stroller and back to the Chevron station to the air. Okay, sounds easy-Baja is putting air in it when this loud pop sounds and a totally FLAT TIRE sends us back to the car and not going to the carnival at all. I was so bummed. I had been planning this for weeks but as I have said, the best laid plans don’t always work out.

From Gilmer we headed to Longview to get some things at Sam’s Club and grab the dog food out of Lyndee’s car at the airport. It was a back road and wouldn’t you know Baja found a gun and ammo store. It was kind a little strip mall, not really mall just a couple of stores. We pull in and I hear the kids say “Eat! Eat! Eat!” Guess they were hungry, huh?

We know a few places in Longview so I knew Chic Fil A was right by Sam’s club. Easting isn’t a problem for the troopers so chicken it was, then shopping for a little while and we headed home after that.

Saturday October 17, 2009

Another day we had big plans. Baja is a graduate of Annapolis and the Navy team was playing in Dallas @ SMU. We thought how fun would it be for the kids to go to a College football game? Well really they could care less but Baja would love to go and why not take the little ones until…..we find out it is a 7pm game-uh not happening. I realize we haven’t stuck to the bed and nap routine (not that we haven’t tried) but going somewhere that begins at 7pm I don’t think so!!!

Best laid plans don’t always happen. Karlee woke up with a slight fever, not feeling really bad but just not up to par. Baja needed to go to town so he took Gunner and Karlee and I stayed home. Karlee was all decked out in her pink and black boas and a book that was really a photo album but it had a handle so that was her purse she thought. We had fun and so did the boys with their shopping adventure.

Our breakfast was fun. I decided the kids would help me make our breakfast. Baked apple pancake, something different and I figured the kids would love the apples baked in to it. WRONG. Gunner loved it but Karlee wouldn’t touch it. Who knew?!?! The fun was in cracking the eggs and NOT getting any shell in it and seeing their faces glow just being able to help. Nap time again was 3 ½ hours. It should have been ME taking the nap I think!

We went out to dinner tonight to our favorite restaurant, CiCi’s pizza. Umm Umm it was good. Gunner and Karlee were perfect. We decided to sit next to the window so they could watch the action outside in case they got bored. That did not end up an issue. Just as we sat down and got them some salad to start and in comes a school bus with 42 kids and all of the adults. Oh my, have you EVER tried to feed kids when you can’t get in line? Challenge it was but they were so interested in watching all the kids it wasn’t a problem. They ate really good. Dessert was next. I put a cinnamon roll and a brownie on the plate. I was kinda hiding the brownie behind the cinnamon roll and I cut a little piece of it, give it to them, and they eat it. Then Gunner stands up in the high chair, looks over the cinnamon roll and sees the brownie and says, “Cookie?” Of course the little Missy chimes in and there goes my brownie!!! We had so much fun.

After dinner we walked down to the Super1 to get a couple things for the dinners I was putting in the freezer. Outside the store is one of those cute merry-go-rounds, we tried it but it was broken or I am sure they would have learned how to say quarter. Great day. Oh I forgot to tell you about Gunner helping with the laundry. I was hanging shirts and he decided he needed to do that too which was okay, but try hoisting that solid boy over your head to reach the bar to hang them. Thank goodness he hung it on the edge of another hanger. He was so proud of himself.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I figure since yesterdays cooking adventure went so well we would try it again today. Voila we have scrambled eggs-they did great, and again no shells! Added to that we had peppered bacon and yep, they love it. They are their father’s children.

We dressed and headed to the Pumpkin patch. Now we thought about this being a Sunday in Texas and how everyone is probably in Church but decided to try it anyway. We found it, and it is about 10:20. No gate, no one around and no hours posted. Hmmm. Baja gets out and walks around the whole place, nothing. Another truck drives up with two guys and a boy hoping to do the maze and pick a pumpkin. We all left and after that day called to get hours. Sunday was 1-5 and we knew that we couldn’t do that because naps have been running so long. But Monday the hours are 8-5 so we will do it tomorrow!! Since it would be wrong to go to town and not made a visit to Walmart or Home Depot we chose Walmart. Did a little shopping and home for lunch and naps.

Up from naps we played outside and took a walk down to the barn as Baja was watering the pigs. Gunner found every branch and stick along the way and Karlee just did her Little Missy walk and enjoyed talking about the sky, trees, grass and Daddy’s truck called Brownie. We talked about how long Daddy has had Brownie and what it means to him. Gunner decided he wanted to find out what a tape measure was. He measured everything in sight and had so much fun. It wasn’t anything Karlee was interested in at all.

Chicken and rice was the dinner for the night. I made a dish of it for the freezer and thought, ‘well they like chicken and rice so I will make a smaller dish for us and then there will be enough for Lyndee and the kids Tuesday night.’ Oh no again. Best laid plans don’t always work out. They devoured the rice and one of the pieces of chicken and still wanted MORE rice. I diverted their wants with more rice so Lyndee doesn’t get chicken and rice. Oh well, we enjoyed it!

I am realizing now that our time is quickly coming to an end and both Baja and I cherish each and every minute we have left.

Bed time was the hardest as they are now starting to miss Mommy and Daddy. They only cried for a few minutes but it still breaks our hearts to hear that.

I forgot to mention when they went down for their nap Gunner was coughing a few times and each time I would hear Karlee say, “Bless you Gunner” So sweet!!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Today we wake up with heavy hearts knowing it is our last day with two little people we have had so much fun with over the past four days.

Anyone out there that does not cherish the roll of a Grandparent REALLY needs to step back and realize what is important in life. Don’t get me wrong, I love my two sons but the Grandkids (all 4 we have) are just so precious and teach you to enjoy the little things in life you take for granted. Puts things in perspective!

By now I have mastered pony tails, pig tails, and getting those stupid black rubber bands made for little girls hair out in the evening. I can once again spike a little boys hair with the help of Baja’s hair gel. I feel accomplished. We even got out of the house at the appointed time. THAT in itself was amazing!

Today is once again the pumpkin patch. We arrive only to see several school busses. I flash back to CiCi’s and the 42 kids in line. I look at Baja and say “Can you believe it?” We troop on, try to get a picture by the sign but they are enthralled with a lady passing by so she comes back and stands behind Baja to get them to look straight ahead. Thanks lady! As you drive in you see two HUGE HAY MOUNTAINS that are there for the kids to climb on a maze and lots of pumpkins. When we went through the gate the young lady said “If you go over the little bridge there is an area for kids their age to play” pointing to Gunner and Karlee. So off we went to ‘their age’ area..oh yeah right! Not happening. Gunner kept staring at the big mountain of hay, and in the kids area they had two hay bales for kids ‘their age’ to climb on. He was in that in a heartbeat standing on the top playing with a flower. Little Missy on the other hand did NOT like the feel of the hay (…and she lives on a farm???)

I knew Gunner wanted to climb on the big mountain but there were so many kids on it. I was concerned they would knock him down. He just kept staring at it. I see the hayride coming but I also see a ton of kids waiting to get on. Hmmm, we can’t do that either. Then all of a sudden the kids left the mountain and we headed over to the smaller version of the two. Gunner was at the top (almost) in literally minutes and Little Missy is looking at me after the first hay bale holding her hands up like “yucky”. I left Baja with them for a minute as I walked over to the smaller hayride to ask when it was leaving again. The gentleman said “you have 4? I can take you now.” I returned to tell the other three let’s go only to find out that Gunner had fallen down a hay hole and Baja had to climb up to get him out. He said the next thing he knew he just saw two hands coming out of the hay. All was okay, off to the hay ride. We were the only ones on the hay ride and it was so much fun. They just ride you through the pasture but the kids loved it. Next was picking out a pumpkin. They did a pretty good job. We decided against the maze because there were too many kids but we hope Mommy and Daddy will take them back. We didn’t realize they had lunch stuff until after we left so off to McD’s we went. Kids meal was devoured as they really worked up an appetite picking out those pumpkins.

I knew we could never keep them awake even though we tried until we got home. At one point I was talking to Karlee and she just shut her eyes and was out. Even getting them out of the car seat she opened up her eyes but welcomed her bed. Gunner the same. Another 3 hour nap. When Gunner woke up he was in his bed singing Happy Birthday. The reason I knew what it was, his melody was perfect! I have no idea where that came from.

I just realized I forgot our trip to payless shoes for the kids to choose their shoes. The lady measured their feet at 8 ½ for Karlee and 7 ½ for Gunner. Those shoes really turned out too big. Gunner went for work boots and Karlee white tennis shoes and sparkly pink mary janes (she is her mother’s daughter-likes sparkly things). We ended up with dark tennis shoes for Gunner and Karlee got Dora tennis shoes-and yes they are Velcro, no strings-whoopee.

After naps we cruised the garden. No squash ready but we picked a couple jalapenos, green peppers and one cherry tomato. The bell pepper and jalapenos are going home to San Diego-the cherry tomato was split and devoured by you know who!

Baja took a picture of Gunner in Baja’s bathrobe from when he was a little boy. Oh it was scratchy-made from 100% wool. It is 56 years old. Karlee got her picture in it too! Just a little fun fact.

As the night wore down and it came time for bed it became a little more sad for Baja and Grandma knowing we would be gone tomorrow. These past 5 days have been such a fun time. We really appreciate that we were allowed to spend a wonderful bonding time with our Grandkids. It is time that you can never get back and we truly appreciated each and every moment we shared and hopefully we can do it again sometime. We hope Mommy and Daddy enjoyed their time as much as we did. THANK YOU!

Love, Grandma and Baja