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

Storybook Land ~Another Hometown Treasure ~Jack’s Favorite...Anything to do with Trains

It fair to say that Jack loved the trains at Storybook Land.

All the trains. This one is designed

so children can climb aboard and play.

We spent a lot of time here, just taking it all in.

To be honest, Jack likes anything with wheels.

Trains, Cars, Fire Trucks, and Papa’s Big Pickup.

Here’s Jack operating the Fire Truck at Storybook Land.

Of course we bought tickets to ride the Big Train

that goes out through the Zoo and all around the Park.

Jack took this trip very seriously.

Here he is with his Mama after our ride.

Remember this from two years ago...

This was his first ride

on the Storybook Land Express.

We had so much fun that we had to take Papa

out to the park again later in the week.

Once again, the trains were the most captivating.

Next year, we will get tickets for this train ride, too.

But Papa and Gigi were too big for this one,

and we wanted to go, too!

It’s fun for everyone of all ages.

“Bye Choo Choo”

See you next summer!

Take care,

~Natalie

Flag Day 2020 ~Remembering my Grandmother on her Birthday ~Happy Birthday to my Blog ~My Annual Birthday Give Away

The Origins of the first American Flag Day

go back to the Revolutionary War, and involve

the nation’s founding father, George Washington.

He tasked seamstress Betsy Ross with the making of

a flag for the American cause. On June 14, 1777,

the Congress approved the design of the official American Flag.

Centuries later, in 1949, President Harry Truman

proclaimed June 14 to be Flag Day.

I found this quote by Senator John Thune of South Dakota,

“I believe our flag is more that just cloth and ink.

It is a universally recognized symbol that

stands for liberty and freedom. It is the history of our nation,

and it’s marked by the blood of those who died defending it.”

June 14 was a day when we celebrated my Grandmother’s birthday.

If you have ever scrolled to the bottom of my blog,

you have seen this photo. She is there in the center.

Today, she would have been 127 years old.

This photo was taken on Thanksgiving Day in our old Farmhouse.

That is me sitting on my Grandpa’s lap.

Then Grandma Rhuda and Grandma Hilda seated next to him.

Standing behind us is my Daddy and my Uncle Milford.

My Grandparents lived nearby and we saw them often.

I started this blog on Flag Day in 2008,

with a tribute to my grandmother.

A woman who taught in a one room schoolhouse,

got married, and raised a family of nine children.

She milked the cows, baked all their bread,

and grew all their produce in her garden.

How she found time to sew quilts

and crochet bedspreads is amazing.

Today, on my blog’s 12th Birthday,

I am hosting my traditional Birthday Give-Away.

Anyone who comments on this post, will be considered.

I will draw a name on my birthday, which is June 23rd.

I have done this every June and it is fun to see

where all the packages have traveled to.

I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Stay Safe and Well.

Take care,

~Natalie

 

Thursday ~The Little Things that Make Me Smile ~Here’s the Day We Made Mac & Cheese

Here’s the rest of the story

about my Facebook Profile Photo.

Jack’s Mama put in some long days of training for her new job.

Jack and I were on our own for lunch.

“Gigi, are you serious? Do you really know how to make this?”

“Macaroni and Cheeeze”

”The directions are right here on the back of the box.”

“Just stir it all together like this.”

“I’ll wash the dishes while Gigi sets the table”

“Sooo Yummy!”

“Next to my Mama,

Gigi, you are the best lunch date!”

Stay safe and well, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

The Little Things That Make Me Smile ~What’s in my Inbox ~Gigi Misses that Little Boy

This Nana Gigi spent three weeks staying with our family

and looking after our Grandson

while his Mama was training for a new job.

Like all toddlers, we had lunch,

then read some books, and settled down for a little nap.

I kept watch via his monitor.

Sometimes he woke up on his own...

and sometimes it seemed like he could sleep all afternoon.

However, if you have cared for a toddler,

you know that one must limit that nap time,

so they will eventually go to sleep at night.

After two+ hours, I’d slip quietly into his room,

turn off his sound machine, open the blinds,

and sit in his rocker/glider.

From there I’d softly sing some songs.

Songs that I learned in Sunday School years and years ago.

Jesus Loves Me...

Into My Heart...and,

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart.

Soon, he would let me know when he was ready

to get up and out of his bed.

The afternoons, right after naptime

were perhaps my favorite time of our day.

If he was still a little sleepy, he sit on my lap

and we’d rock and sing some more.

And he never seemed to care how well I can sing!

So, if you can imagine, I am missing those times...

Those after nap snuggles and that sweet smile.

I have cherished all the photos

that have since come in my text messages.

Thank you, Mama!

Papa and Gigi look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Memories ~Celebrating our Family’s March Birthdays ~Emily’s Party Report ~And The Anticipation of Jack’s Big Day

It was a wonderful time to visit our family.

I enjoyed visiting our daughter and family in their new home

and helping to provide childcare for our grandson.

While there, I loved getting to see both daughters and sons in law,

and especially having them together under one roof...

even if it was just for an overnight stay.

Jack and his Aunty Emily have a birthday

just one week apart.

She and her hubby celebrated

with a special lunch date out while still at home.

Then the next morning, they made the 90 minute

drive to celebrate family-style with us.

With all the family chefs in the kitchen,

we put together this amazing meal of

Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce,

Pot Stickers, and Ham Fried Rice.

Jack says, “I am not waiting for any photo,

I must taste this right now!”

Amy captured this selfie with

the Birthday Boy and the Birthday Girl.

After dinner, we watched Emily open her gifts,

and Jack and Uncle Jake play with Trucks and Cars.

That Morning, Amy, Jack, and I had visited a local Italian Bakery.

We saw the most amazing Cakes, Cannolis, and Pastries.

We brought home that sweet little cupcake for Jack,

and four generous slices of the Peanut Butter Mousse,

the Tiramisu, a Lemon Cake, and a Ricotta Cannoli Cake.

There was enough so we could all have a taste of each,

and some for the next day!

We had fun talking about the details of a party for Jack,

planned for the following weekend...the guests, a menu,

the cake, and age-appropriate activities.

At that time, we were still looking forward to having Papa

join me there to cherish time with family.

Of course, those plans are on hold.

I feel so fortunate to have had the time with them,

and it will be even that much sweeter

when we can be all together again.

Stay Safe and Well, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Sending Birthday Hugs to this Special Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to this Big Boy. Today he is two years old!

As you know this Papa and Gigi had plans to be there

for his Birthday Celebration. Since those plans changed,

we were happy to FaceTime with him today.

Look how much he has changed...

His Mama posted this Birth announcement two years ago.

I was fortunate to be able to travel to Okinawa

to visit him when he was four weeks old.

He already had so much to tell me.

And then, he came to visit us in the Midwest,

when he was four months old.

Jack enjoys the water...

Playing with his toys...

And eating good food.

I visited the family again last spring.

It has been so fun to watch him grow.

Since we couldn’t celebrate with him in person today,

we chatted and watched him open his gifts on FaceTime.

Happy Birthday, dear Jack.

We hope you had a wonderful day!

Take care,

Papa and Nana Gigi