Weekend with the Grands Day One

Kristen had a chance to fly to St. Louis and visit with her sorority sister and best friend, Dena and we agreed to help Chris with the kids.  Yesterday morning, we picked up Landon.  It was his turn to have a sleep over at Nana and Papa's and what a grand time we had.

We were going to go to the farmer's market in Dunedin so Papa could teach Landon how to pick out good fruits and veggies but I had forgotten the market was closed for the summer's hot months.  We headed over to one of our favorite places in Dunedin, Old Bay Cafe, for a snack.  The Cafe is right on the water and Landon loved the seafood bisque and the kettle chips.  But his favorite was the undiluted lemonade!

Landon and I headed to the ice cream shop for some of the best ice cream around, Strachens.  Landon got something called Birthday Cake (a nice change from his other favorite, Bubble Gum) and I got black raspberry.  We moved outside as there was a nice breeze.  Not a good idea...we lost a lot of ice cream...lol.

After a quick sponge bath in the ice cream shop's bathroom, Landon and I continued our adventure.  We found a park bench in the shade and only had to wait a few minutes for the Jolly Trolley! I want to give a shout out to our driver, Roger, who made this a very memorable first time ride for Landon.  There is one bench seat up just across from the driver's seat and that is where Landon got to sit.  Roger entertained Landon with funny noises and then presented him with a map so we could show him where we had been.  This is now one of Landon's prized possesions.

(I do wish their mama had never taught the kids to say "Cheese"! lol)

Papa picked us up at the Visitor's Center down on the Sponge Docks and then we headed home for a surprise.  We have the most marvelous consignment shop here in town, Aunt Sarah's, where Papa and I found a very cool two wheeler bike with training wheels.  Since there are two little guys and often they are over at the same time, we headed to Walmart to pick up a second one.  It is going to take a bit of practice but I think the boys will get the hang of it.

We took a nice long nap and then went swimming when Landon (and Papa) woke up.  We had a wonderful dinner of pasta and shrimp and finished our evening with The Muppets on Treasure Island.  Both Landon and I were asleep by about 8:30pm.

This morning it is Papa's pancakes with assistance from Landon.  More pics to follow with any luck.

Later today, the kids dad is bringing the other two over for swim time and dinner and then Colvin will spend the night and Landon will go home with his sister and daddy.

We are having fun!

Monday with Leighton

Today is our first Monday back watching Leighton while her daddy goes to USF for his electrical engineering classes (this semester and one more til graduation!).  Chris dropped Leighton off and a swimming we did go.  I think she is practicing for the ALS ice bucket challenge...lol.

She floated in her ring, swam to Papa and me and back, made waves in the pool and watered everything in sight.  Then she asked if we could eat on the lanai.  Fortunately there was a nice breeze and, with the aid of our fans, we had a nice "picnic".

We had left overs from a couple of nights ago, Italian Beef and Polenta Casserole.  The tee shirt and shorts are now in the wash and Leighton has gone to Sweet Dreams Land. 

Of the three kids, she is the easiest napper.  After lunch, she said, "Nap time, Nana", grabbed her stuffed animal and started to climb into the pack and play.  As soon as her folks let the sides down on her bed at home and convert it to a "big girl bed", we'll put her onto a cot.

      DISCLAIMER...DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ME MOAN AND GROAN ABOUT MY BACK

I thought when we got home from the beach and I got meds for the sinus infection, we'd be back up to speed BUT  au contraire!  I've not been to the dr. (as of tomorrow) 3x for this issue with my back/side and nothing has been resolved.  I have tried the muscle relaxants, the moist heat, Celebrex, and Biofreeze with minimal help.  I know the nurse practitioner I have been seeing must think I am a hypochondriac but the pain is real and there is a lump on the ribs and tomorrow I am vowing to become my own health advocate and insist on finding out what is wrong.  I am tired of being tired of being not feeling 100%...

OFF THE SOAP BOX and I'll let anyone who gives a who an update when I know anything.   

Last Day of Summer Vacation for the Grands

So, of course we had a swim party and Papa fixed lasagna for dinner.  The kids have been taking swim lessons at Seal School for the past 3 years and now swim like little fish.  We still have them use the floats and noodles but that is more to give us a bit of a break..."jump to you, Papa", "swim to you Mommy".  The joy they have in our pool is beyond measure.  Best thing we ever did was to buy this pool that came with a house attached...lol.

We practice swim safety and there are always one adult per child when we all swim.  When we found out Kristen was pregnant with the twins, we installed a four foot fence between the pool and the lanai with a pool facing latch.  We had help from a good friend with this .

  

In Seal School the kids are taught survival swimming, flip to back breathing, and swim to the side. 

Today was the boys first day back to school.  At 4, they are in a pre k 4 class at their mama's school which helps.  This will be Leighton's last year at Montessori and, next year, she will join her brothers.   Happy end of summer to you and bless the teachers everywhere!

Home again

We got back home a week ago today but it sure seems longer.  Neither of us were feeling tip top so it took us longer to settle back in and get unpacked.   The 35 year olds hiding inside or late 60 ish bodies is constantly surprised by aches, pains and minor effects of our ages. 

We had the 3 Grands yesterday as Kristen had the first of 6 days of teacher workshops. It seems the kids have grown just since we saw them 2 wks. ago at the beach.

 With our splash park temporarily closed, we took them to the one in Dunedin.  We played for about 35 min. when the sirens went off and the park closed for an approaching storm.  I was totally surprised by how many parents just sat on benches waiting for the water to turn back on or who headed for the nearby play ground.  After seeing the results of lightening this summer on Ft. Myers Beach, and because we know better, we don't mess around when we hear thunder.

We had a picnic lunch back at the kids' house and started the nap time routine.  The kids are use to Mama and it took us a long time to convince all 3 that sleep is a good thing.  We have them 2 days next week and I think we've got it now. 

We had a lovely dinner last night with our friends, Leeanne and Jerry, at Tarpon Tavern where we met a couple of years ago.  We tried out a couple of new items on the menu, got to say hello to our favorite waitresses: Paris, Marguarita and Candace who were all 3 working last night.  NOW we know we are home!