Lunch With Granma

Today, we ventured out to have lunch with Granma. We traveled all of fifteen minutes to go to Granma's office and then to a local restaurant. It was fun. We walked around Granma's office and were introduced to all of her co-workers. Then, we headed out to the restaurant. I didn't take my camera, but wanted to report some cute happenings.

First, Grant is obsessed with cars (as you all well know). There is a car driving arcade-type game in the lobby of this restaurant. We were able to distract him two different times; once with strawberries and another with a balloon. Whew!! It was close at times. Carol and I have both seen an ugly fit thrown over not getting to "dry car." (drive the car)

Then, we sat down and Grant is not the child he once was...he's almost two. So, he proceeded to show out a bit. You know the typical yelling and saying "out" because he doesn't want to sit any longer. We diverted his attention a couple more times.

I told Carol (aka Granma) that I was washing dishes yesterday when I heard a little voice singing, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." I turned around and low and behold it was my son singing this tune. I had not taught him this. I started remembering this article that I read the other day exclaiming that if your child already knew his/her alphabet and/or numbers by the age of two that they have watched way too much Sesame Street. What would this Parents magazine say about him knowing a nursery song?? Anyway, I found out that Granma had been singing him that song for a long time. She hasn't heard him sing it because of course when you ask a two-year old (or a nearly two-year-old) to perform the answer always seems to be, "No."

Granma is looking for a tape of Daddy singing the Twinkle, Twinkle song when he was about Grant's age. That should be fun to listen to...I hope she finds it. We had a great time!! Thanks, Granma!

Disney is Coming to an End!

We bought So.Cal. passes to Disneyland, so we are blocked off after Friday for about six weeks. We all agreed that who would want to go in the middle of the summer with the heat and crowds. Well, we are trying to make the most of it this week. Grant and I went with Aunt Kris on Monday evening. We will be going tomorrow with Grant's buddy, Martin Michael. Martin Michael will be turning two tomorrow, so we are celebrating both birthdays tomorrow!!

There will be more pictures to share after tomorrow's event, but for now I have to explain the above pictures. When we went to Disneyland on Monday, I noticed that Grant was very eager to see Mickey Mouse (all day long). In the past, he seemed aware that we going to Disney but I wasn't able to convince him to take a nap in order to go. On Monday, I convinced him to lay down without a fuss to take a nap, so when he woke up we could go to Disneyland!!! That was a first!

We got to Disneyland and did our normal walk around and ride a ride or two. Then we ate some food (clam chowder and it was at least 98 degrees outside, but it sounded good to us). Then, we went on a few more rides in the Bug's Land area. It was fun! Then, the best thing happened (in the eyes of a nearly two-year-old). The Disneyland Light Parade and fireworks!!! Grant was mesmerized by the lights. When the fireworks started and kept going for about ten minutes, he would say, "More!!!More!!!More!!" He loved it and we got a kick out of watching him.

Popsicles Are Yummy!

We were at Miss Sandy's class on Monday morning. I remember Scott warning me that Grant is not much into the "sharing circle." This is where Miss Sandy reads them a book and they sing songs (i.e. days of the week song, alphabet song, months of the year, etc.). Well, Grant did well. He sat on my lap and participated by clapping. He was great!! He was great until he saw the snacks behind us. At Miss Sandy's class, we all line up like a train (and they sing some snack song...I don't know it yet, but knew to line up). You circle outside of one door and into the back door of the classroom and then can find a seat with a snack. Needless to say, Grant didn't understand why he had to circle...he saw a popsicle. He was like Cookie Monster about the popsicles.

He went CRAZY. He had a huge fit and once I had carried him around the outside and he thought he would not have the possibility of a snack, it got even better. Then we reentered the back door and life was good again. As you can see in the above picture, he loves the popsicle. The popsicle was too long for him to figure out at first. He kept shooting for his mouth and getting a cheek or his shirt. It was funny, but by the time I got the camera, he had figured it out!!

Grandpas!

I love how both Grandpa's really love to talk to Grant. My dad (Grandpa Bill) lives in Arkansas and has seen Grant about three different times for week long periods. Scott's dad (Grandpa Gary) lives five minutes away and babysits a lot. Either Grandpa will do for Grant because I am not so sure he associates them as different people yet.

Let me explain, he talks to both Grandpa Bill and Grandpa Gary on the phone, but only sees Grandpa Gary. So, I am never too sure if he knows one from the other. Until you show him a picture, then you realize the intelligence of your child!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, he still remembers Grandpa Bill from Arkansas and Grandpa Gary with the pool. That kid amazes me!! This blog is for the Grandpas (neither of which check the blog...lol)!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!!

On Sunday, we celebrated Scott's second Father's Day and Gary's 33rd Father's Day by going to Pasadena for some good BBQ!! We ate what the restaurant referred to as the Family Sunday Garbage meal!!! It was delicious and had a "little bit" of everything.

We left lunch to go see Erik and Jennifer in celebration of Erik gaining his Masters!! It was so exciting to see him finish his program. Jennifer had just received her BA about three weeks ago...so that family is getting "edumacated" as they say!! Congrats to the family of graduates! We enjoyed both celebrations!

Visiting with Old Friends

On Saturday, we visited with some old friends. Ryan and Kara have two little ones, Natalie (will turn 3 in August) and Matthew (6 months). We had a blast!! We had not seen them since November. It was like picking up where we left off, but more exciting because we were able to meet their newest addition, Matthew. Grant and Natalie played well together. I think their favorite times were in the pool and eating popsicles together (as you can see in the pictures). As you can see in the last picture, Grant and Natalie are hugging/kissing each other goodbye...how cute!!!!!!

Ryan and Kara hosted us with an awesome meal and an even better dessert (well, I am a sweet tooth). We are now planning a once a month meeting and we can't wait to see them next month. We always have a blast with them.

Grant Graduated from Miss Sandy's Class

Well, most of you know that Scott and Grant attend a Monday morning class. They have been going all year and on Monday, Grant graduated from his class. I have a couple of good friends that go to this "Mommy and Me" class or should we say "Parent and Me" class. Scott and Grant have a blast (most of the time). Scott said that on his graduation day, Grant was not "too into it," but that is not the norm.

The children have three hours of a class. They play, sing, read, recite the alphabet, do crafts, et cetera. Here are few pictures of his special day. The lady in the picture is Miss Sandy (his terrific teacher). Congratulations, son!!

I'm Swedish and Proud!

Well, I am not sure how many of you know this but Grant is Swedish and Proud!! We are members of a Swedish club and attended a pancake breakfast with our other family members that are members! It was fun. We actually went last year, too.

Grant was more interested in playing at the park, than eating his pancakes. However, he did eat quite a bit of his eggs and sausage. He managed to drink his orange juice out of a big boy cup, too.

The best part of the day was watching him go up a small hill and turn around and come running down. He was biting the dirt for awhile until he started to understand the laws of gravity. Enjoy!!

Grant and Grace, Two Peas in a Pod!!

On Saturday, Grant and I went to pick up Grace. Grace is Grant's friend who is two years older than him. She is great!! The three of us went to a local children's museum and McDonald's afterwards.

As you can see in the pictures, the two of them had a blast. They played, climbed, dressed up, sang, rode a pretend bus, ate REALLY big pancakes and had happy meals. Grant is so thrilled that there are cars in the happy meals. He even ate his cheeseburger! We had a blast!

Grant, Grace and Baby Jake

Tonight Grace and Baby Jake came over with their parents. We went to dinner (three adults and three children...Scott was at work). We survived without any injuries or breakdowns. Afterward, we went to our house and Grace and Grant played. They are so cute to watch. Grant said hi to "baaby Ake." It was so cute.

Big Shoes To Fill!

Grant decided last night that he would try on Daddy's shoes and walk around in them. I told him...you have big shoes to fill. I couldn't help myself...I had to put this picture in the blog. Speaking of this picture making the blog, it is a common joke amongst family and friends whether they are going to make the blog...or is this picture "blog worthy?" Maybe we should have a Grant's blog picture contest!!! lol

Hangin' With Aunt Phyllis and Aunt Debbie

Aunt Phyllis was in town for a few days. She is from Mulberry, Arkansas! We were able to hang out with her and Aunt Debbie for all of Monday. Grant really likes his Aunt Phyllis and Aunt Debbie.

Scott, Grant, Phyllis, Debbie, Gramma, and Grandpa were able to meet for lunch and visit. Then the aunts and the guys went to a children's museum. After that, they came back to the house to wait for me to get home and played with Grant. Once I got home, Grant was wanting Aunt Phyllis to read to him. She had bought him some books and was glad to read to him.

I am not sure if you remember, but Grant first walked at Aunt Phyllis' house in Mulberry. She had an old plastic ball that she would roll on the floor. The ball would cross the room and Grant would work his way over holding onto furniture and walls. Well, he finally decided not to use any help and walked right to the ball. Now, picking it up is another story. He also played the piano for the first time at Aunt Phyllis' house.

Aunt Phyllis is the sister to Grant's Great Grandpa (of whom he was named after). She is very special in our hearts. It is evident because when she was leaving on Monday evening, Grant leaned out to go with her! Needless to say, that moment touched all of us and our eyes teared up as she and Aunt Debbie left.

We Welcome Baby Jake!!!!!!!!!!

On Friday, June 2nd, baby Jake was born! Congratulations to our good friends, Dan and Rachel (and their daughter, Grace). We went by the hospital on Saturday to see Baby Jake. HE IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!! Congrats, again!!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Kris!!

It was our aunt's birthday on Sunday. So, we celebrated by going to the El Capitan Theater to see Dumbo and a live dancing Winnie the Pooh. Aunt Kris' favorite animal is an elephant (hence the Dumbo showing). We then went to Bob's Big Boy restaurant. Later that night, we went to a local Mexican restaurant for dinner!!

Wow! It was a full day of fun and eating! Grant lasted until the last fifteen minutes of Dumbo. We all agreed he would have lasted through the whole movie if the Winnie the Pooh dance and cartoon wouldn't have been so long. Oh well, he lasted pretty well and ate more popcorn than any of us. He proceeded to eat hamburger at Bob's and rice/beans at dinner!! All in all, we had a blast and Aunt Kris did, too!!!!!!