Our Little Red Wagon ~Fun in the Neighborhood ~Taking Helper Cat for a Ride

What’s just about as much fun

as riding the train at Storybook Land?

That’s right,

Taking Lizzie for a Ride in our Wagon.

There are two seats in the Wagon,

however Jack would rather walk than ride.

We put on a few miles around

our neighborhood.

I’m not sure who had the most fun here...

Jack, Papa, or Lizzie?

Now, she wants to know...

When can we go again?

Stay safe and well, everyone.

~Natalie

Monday Memories ~A Daily Walk to the Park ~Weather Permitting

Jack’s house is close to a Park.

We walked there often, if the Spring weather cooperated.

Here’s Jack with his Uncle Jake.

Running up and down the ramps was perhaps

Jack’s favorite thing to do.

There he goes again!

The slides are fun with assistance from Mama...

...even better with Mama and Aunty Emily,

one on each side.

Just a quick walk to the park makes for 

plenty of great memories.

Stay safe and well, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Friday’s Fabulous Finds ~Fashion, Food, Flowers, and Fun #COVID-19 #StayHome #FlattentheCurve #StoptheSpread

So many of us are spending all day, every day at home...

working, schooling, cooking, cleaning, and perhaps creating.

Find something to wear that is casual and comfortable,

but still makes you feel good, like a cheerful yellow.

With Spring in the air, our favorite stores are posting

fresh fashions on Facebook, Instagram,

and in frequent emails.

So many times, I already own

some of these pieces in my wardrobe.

I appreciate the photos that show

new options for putting them together.

The caption (where can’t this go?) made me chuckle.

Right now, most of us are not going anywhere,

except out for essential errands...

And for those of you faced with challenge of

finding nutritious foods for your children...

breakfast, morning snack,

lunch, afternoon snack,

dinner, and bedtime snack.

Aren’t these just the cutest?!

Older children can even create their own.

Here’s another fabulous food find.

One of our local establishments, Dempsey’s,

posted their Pizza of the Week.

It is available as a Take & Bake, so Hubby promptly called in an order

and picked it up in the late afternoon.

It was the perfect Friday Night Dinner plan.

Back to my Fashion Finds...

Spruce up your Spring Coat with a Scarf

when you go out for your daily walk.

A scarf also provides a way

for you to cover your nose and mouth

if you are without

the recommended fabric face mask.

I remember when I was a little girl.

Easter was one of the few occasions when I got a new dress.

This is what my Grandma was wearing

when we got to her house for Easter Dinner.

This generation of Nana Gigis has a very different style.

For the next several weeks it is important

for all of us to stay safe in our homes.

Enjoy the hobbies you love,

like cooking, baking, gardening, and creating.

Let’s flatten the curve and stop the spread together.

Take care,

~Natalie

Weekend Road Trip ~Country Roads ~Sand Lake Wildlife Refuge ~Social Distancing ~Flatten the Curve ~Stop the Spread ~A Message from Jack

The Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge

is a quick drive from our home.

I have not ventured out and about since returning

from my trip out East to visit our Family.

This was a great opportunity to break my 14 Day Self Quarantine...

a road trip to see all the geese that are migrating north.

I had not been out here since our girls were young.

I highly recommend it.

Load up your vehicle, immediate family only.

You should be spending time with just the people

that live under your roof. It will be a nice change of scenery

from the inside walls of your home.

From a distance, that looks like snow on the lake.

But when you get closer,

it’s easy to see that it is all snow geese.

It is a stunning site to see.

(Be sure to watch the video in my comments.)

We enjoyed making our way home,

driving through the small towns,

and detouring around the flooded roads.

Jack says, 

”Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.”

Enjoy what’s left of your weekend.

Stay Home and Stop the Spread of COVID-19.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Spring ~Things in our House Thursday ~The Little Things that Make Me Smile

Spring has Sprung.

Jack’s Mama purchased these

cheerful yellow tulips to grace our table.

Everything spring-like is a good reminder that

fresh and new is just around the corner.

While I stayed in their home, caring for Jack,

we often spent time playing outside on the patio.

We enjoyed some mild weather...

...so then, we brought the Outside Tonka Trucks out to play.

Can you think of any better activity?!

Playing with Trucks, Cars, and Tractors is always a good time.

Today, the first day of Spring,

brings a hope of better and brighter days to come.

Happy Spring, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

As you all know, I traveled home early due to the COVID-19 Crisis.

But I have lots of photos to share of the time spent with our family.

I hope you enjoy my memories!

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Here’s This Week’s Report ~Jack’s Wednesday Highlight

Wednesday was Mama’s first day of work,

therefore, it was my first full day at home with Jack.

So far, I have been here learning the schedule,

where things are, and how things operate.

After Mama left for her orientation,

Jack finished his mini pancakes

and Nana had a second cup of coffee.

We were happy to get her selfie

when she arrived at the site.

Mama looks so pretty and so professional.

Coming up...Jack’s Wednesday Highlight.

If you have a toddler, maybe you guessed it.

That’s right, It was Garbage Day.

We saw the big truck, first, on the other side of the street.

When it reached the end, it made a three-point turn

and came down our side of the street.

We watched the truck collect all of the trash

and recyclables in the neighborhood,

until it drove out of sight.

Then Jack went back to assure that things

were all going well in his own little kingdom.

After lunch, Jack helped organize

the staple ingredients so Nana could start dinner.

Then after reading four books, Jack was ready for his nap.

And Nana was ready to brown the ground turkey.

On the Dinner Menu,

Baked Ziti in the Crockpot.

After a good rest, we were ready

for some fresh air and sunshine.

We saw two school busses, one fire truck,

and lots of Compact SUVs.

On this stretch of sidewalk,

we saw three girls on bikes that all said Hello,

and two dogs that had lots of love to share.

Jack was not ready to come inside,

and since the crockpot was cooking our dinner,

we stayed outside to enjoy our Spring Weather.

We hope you all had a Wonderful Wednesday.

Take care,

~Natalie

Slow and Steady Wins the Race ~Where the Week Went ~Physical Therapy Report ~Lizzie’s First Selfie

A week has passed since I got the good news that I can now 

walk on my walking boot. Easier said, than done.

I don’t want to disappoint all of you, 

but I am not exactly dancing around the kitchen. 

Since I haven’t put any weight on my foot for over six weeks, 

it is pretty sore.

But I have enjoyed my re-gained independence.

I can take myself out and about,

 because my right leg is in great shape for driving!

I appreciate my Temporary Handicap Parking Hangtag.

It allows me to get close to the entrance.

First stop...the USPS, 

with a package for our family in Okinawa.

Stopping at Kesslers was a bit ambitious,

but I had to buy celery so I could make a pot of

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. 

We’ve had some cooler weather, so it really hit the spot.

The next morning, my first physical therapy appointment.

I will be spending time in their pool

doing some water exercises...

which means I had to locate my  swimsuit.

(I had not worn it for years!)

It’s always good to get home again...

...and enjoy the beautiful weather out on our patio.

Take care,

~Natalie