My Grandfather

Sadly, my Grandfather passed away last week. As their only grand kids we got to see them a lot and we were very close. I love this picture- I found it on my computer last night. Here are some memories I thought I would share...

* We were both Capricorns and he liked to discuss this every now and then. He gave me a garnet ring (our birthstone) and I think of him whenever I see a garnet.

* He would set up their pool every summer when we came to visit. We spent a lot of time swimming trying to stay cool in the warm California summers. One year (I was probably around 10) we talked him into swimming with us- it was the first, and last time he got in the pool- but it was a lot of fun.

* I had really long hair as a child and as I sat getting it brushed and/or braided I would complain every now and then that it hurt. He always would just smile and say: 'I don't feel a thing'.

* He was a fabulous cook. Everything he made was delicious. While we were living in CA he made me the best birthday boysenberry pie I ever had. I made sure and told him that- he loved being complimented on his cooking.

* He taught us all how to play gin rummy. We spent lots of time playing gin with him.

* He was a great story teller. He had lots of stories about growing up in Chicago, dancing all night long, and cooking for large social gatherings. Even if we'd heard the story before he made it new and exciting.

* It was neat to live close by when Sweetie was young and Popcorn was a baby. He told me he never thought he'd live to be a great-grandfather. We usually went over once a week to visit.

I miss my grandfather, he was a great man.

Summer in Seattle

We're having a good time relaxing and visiting with family up in Washington. We've actually been cold (I can't tell you the last time I was cold in Texas- probably back in Feb). When we come back to visit I'm amazed at how green it is. There are trees everywhere and Popcorn made a comment about how we were in the forest now.

Popcorn was so excited to see Uncle G's mini. She called it: 'a car that's just my size'. She's waiting for Uncle G to drive her around the cul-de-sac in it. It's very loud and rather smelly so I don't think she'll last long but she has fun pretending to drive.


Sweetie had a 'Princess Parade' around the cul-de-sac. My dad drove her around and she waved and had a little parade out the sun roof. It was cute how excited she was about it.

The girls have had lots of fun playing in the cottage. Most of the time they pretend it's a pizza restaurant and they take orders. Cutie Pie loves to play with her older sisters and gets so excited to be included in the fun.

Here's Cutie Pie sitting in the chair as I was trying to get her to smile. She wasn't interested in cooperating but she's still cute sitting in 'the forest'.

A bonus story for reading the entire post: We were driving and Popcorn rolled down her window (this is a novelty because our minivan windows don't roll down). L said that when we got onto the highway she would have to roll up the window. Popcorn said: 'then I want to stay on the low way so I can keep my window down'. Funny stuff.

Sweetie Tumbling

Here are some clips from the dance recital. They are posted in reverse order; the first posted was the last performed. If you want to see them in actual order start at the bottom and work your way up.

I was impressed with Sweetie's cartwheels, she has improved a lot from when she started.

Special thanks to L for getting the video from the camcorder to the computer!

Popcorn tumbling

This one is funny. Popcorn makes her 'angry face' and I think she's trying to sing along. I especially like how she throws her pom poms. She does a couple good somersaults toward the end.

Sweetie's 2nd Dance of the Night

This is Sweetie's tap routine. L was holding Cutie Pie while I assisted with costume changes so it gets a little shaky.

Popcorn's 2nd Dance of the Night

This is Popcorn's ballet routine. The little kids are so fun to watch; at times it looks like they're all doing their own thing. Notice how Popcorn plugs her ears at the end- the applause must be too loud for her!

Sweetie's First Dance of the Night

Sweetie's ballet number. She's the one on the right of the 2 girls wearing green.

Dance Recital

Here's Popcorn's 1st dance of the evening. She's in the middle (to the left of the blonde girl who knows what she's doing). The girls were very cute!