Yes, Rider is napping but so is Grandfather and, maybe soon, Mimi. Busy morning outside and then on to the local park for lots of sliding, racing around in the sand and going entirely too high on the swing which was pushed by Grandfather. Men just have to encourage all the dare-devil behaviors that little boys naturally love. Rider was fairly content going down the smaller slide but found it enticing to go down face first on the tall slide when Grandfather proposed the notion. Luckily, he doesn't stick with anything too long so we had no mishaps at the playground.
Lunch out was on the agenda for Grandfather and elicited a prompt veto from me for any place other than a pick-up. Tired eighteen month olds should not be inflicted on unsuspecting strangers in my opinion. So, since we do not have to be responsible parents and the food police were no where in sight, we went to Taco Bell and choose for Rider a soft, beef taco. I'm thinking this is not too unhealthy except for the salt.
We raced home and he ate an entire taco and an entire kiwi while downing most of a sippy cup of water. Then, after a diaper change, drank a sippy cup of milk and went down for a nap.
I phased out bottle the first day I kept him and he absolutely could have cared less that milk was now in the cup instead of a bottle. He is the easiest kid to feed. Breakfast today was a banana, cinnamon puffs and an egg with some toast. He eats virtually everything and in humongous quantities but he also burns calories like crazy.
It is another beautiful socal day and life is good.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
California Dreamin'
I've made it as far as California and am happy to report Rider remembered me. No, he didn't yell out"Mimi" and throw himself into my arms but he did have a big grin when I walked in through the door and jumped and clapped. He then proceeded to race around the house shrieking.
I am currently enjoying a few moments of quiet while he naps. I am playing "grandma" today so we have been bonding since before eight this morning. I had definitely forgotten how many changes of activities it takes for an almost eighteen month old.
He has been very good so far and we haven't yet managed to break anything or use the markers on any but appropriate writing surfaces. He did spend a lot of time picking up minute pieces of mulch and throwing them over the fence into the neighbor's flower bed...it was behind some trees so no harm done. After nap time, the plan will be to take a walk, have a bath and wait for Mommy and Daddy. ( and most probably a glass of wine )
Paul will arrive late in the afternoon from work in New Mexico and, he is unaware, but I have a project in mind for the rest of the week. Rider needs an outdoor space and we will have to cleverly design one in a 53 inch wide concrete area beside the house. We do have about 20 feet of length in which to conjure up a play area. Water is accessible so I think a sandbox, small wading pool, area for cars and trucks, small plastic slide and a closed toy box should be more than adequate. This boy is on the go!
I am currently enjoying a few moments of quiet while he naps. I am playing "grandma" today so we have been bonding since before eight this morning. I had definitely forgotten how many changes of activities it takes for an almost eighteen month old.
He has been very good so far and we haven't yet managed to break anything or use the markers on any but appropriate writing surfaces. He did spend a lot of time picking up minute pieces of mulch and throwing them over the fence into the neighbor's flower bed...it was behind some trees so no harm done. After nap time, the plan will be to take a walk, have a bath and wait for Mommy and Daddy. ( and most probably a glass of wine )
Paul will arrive late in the afternoon from work in New Mexico and, he is unaware, but I have a project in mind for the rest of the week. Rider needs an outdoor space and we will have to cleverly design one in a 53 inch wide concrete area beside the house. We do have about 20 feet of length in which to conjure up a play area. Water is accessible so I think a sandbox, small wading pool, area for cars and trucks, small plastic slide and a closed toy box should be more than adequate. This boy is on the go!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Countdown to LA
Last minute details to accomplish...actually load the bag with the stacks in the bedroom, water plants one last time, leave the list for Lesle who will return from their South African sojourn next Thursday, drop off the tax information at the CPA's and refill the numerous bird feeders so the little , feathered friends can snack as long as possible.
Paul, meanwhile, has a few things to finish up business-wise, pack and complete his project of placing net fencing around several flower beds in hopes that he can foil the deer and we'll have some flowering plants upon our return. He dislikes missing the tulips, late daffodils and such.
None of that sounds too daunting. I don't think I've , personally, ever been so prepared ahead of time. It is a luxury to know that we'll have an entire week in LA to remedy anything forgotten.
We are missing some of the truly lovely weather in Bent Tree. The trees are beginning to show their color and some of the early bloomers are magnificent as they herald the advent of spring in the mountains.
Paul, meanwhile, has a few things to finish up business-wise, pack and complete his project of placing net fencing around several flower beds in hopes that he can foil the deer and we'll have some flowering plants upon our return. He dislikes missing the tulips, late daffodils and such.
None of that sounds too daunting. I don't think I've , personally, ever been so prepared ahead of time. It is a luxury to know that we'll have an entire week in LA to remedy anything forgotten.
We are missing some of the truly lovely weather in Bent Tree. The trees are beginning to show their color and some of the early bloomers are magnificent as they herald the advent of spring in the mountains.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
New Adventure
March 1, 2012
A new adventure is about to begin, this time without a child in tow. Paul and I are taking a real vacation to the intriguing country of China. Friends Judy and Ted Owen discovered this trip last fall and invited us to join them. Much to my surprise, Paul agreed to actually go on a guided tour so I began the planning. Our usual method of travel is to plan and excute the trip on our own thus this is a radical departure. How different it is when someone else is making all the in country arrangements. My primary responsibilities were to make sure we procured the appropriate visa, wrote checks for fees and planned how to actually leave the house for a month.
When you are of a certain age, one of the items for which you must plan ahead is to secure enough medications to cover the time span. To facilitate a smooth trip, having 90 day prescriptions and filling them on the planned time line is essential. Medications in hand, mail held, provisions made for watering indoor plants, bills paid or put on automatic, credit card company informed of itinerary, cash from bank...just a few of the details to check off before departure. Because I subscribe to the "clean nderwear" theory as explained by grandmother i.e. always wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident, I have cleaned the house from top to bottom and washed all dirty clothes. I also sifted through the underwear drawers and discarded the grungy things and bought new bras at Victoria 's Secret. Obviously in retirement, I have way too much time on my hands. Howver, I venture to guess that most women undoubtedly can identify with this scenario.
Today I reviewed everything I had packed a week ago to validate whether I needed to add or subtract. We are allowed 44 pounds in the checked bag and a carry on!
A new adventure is about to begin, this time without a child in tow. Paul and I are taking a real vacation to the intriguing country of China. Friends Judy and Ted Owen discovered this trip last fall and invited us to join them. Much to my surprise, Paul agreed to actually go on a guided tour so I began the planning. Our usual method of travel is to plan and excute the trip on our own thus this is a radical departure. How different it is when someone else is making all the in country arrangements. My primary responsibilities were to make sure we procured the appropriate visa, wrote checks for fees and planned how to actually leave the house for a month.
When you are of a certain age, one of the items for which you must plan ahead is to secure enough medications to cover the time span. To facilitate a smooth trip, having 90 day prescriptions and filling them on the planned time line is essential. Medications in hand, mail held, provisions made for watering indoor plants, bills paid or put on automatic, credit card company informed of itinerary, cash from bank...just a few of the details to check off before departure. Because I subscribe to the "clean nderwear" theory as explained by grandmother i.e. always wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident, I have cleaned the house from top to bottom and washed all dirty clothes. I also sifted through the underwear drawers and discarded the grungy things and bought new bras at Victoria 's Secret. Obviously in retirement, I have way too much time on my hands. Howver, I venture to guess that most women undoubtedly can identify with this scenario.
Today I reviewed everything I had packed a week ago to validate whether I needed to add or subtract. We are allowed 44 pounds in the checked bag and a carry on!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)