The Christmas Story (HD version)

How to make a "Turkey Cookie"

Lorelei and Genevieve followed the directions in this adorable flip book that I made to create their own turkey cookies. Each page shows the next thing to add. Papi helped Genevieve with her cookie. Lorelei "gobbled" up the whole thing afterwards but Gena only ate the toppings.

Rediscovering the Aquarium

I joined my son and his wife for a visit to the Georgia Aquarium on Nov. 13th. Lorelei and Genevieve were mesmerized by the sea life. Lorelei got very tickled when the beluga whale swam by the glass where she pressed her face close. Genevieve delighted in watching the penguins jump in the little pool. Lorelei held on to the fish identification card and tried to locate a shark and a stingray. It was an enjoyable family outing for us!

Camping Out With Mimi

I'd been planning to sleep outside in a tent with the girls but the right time hadn't presented itself. So when I was asked to babysit on a recent Saturday night, I decided to pitch the tent in the living room and add an air bed so we could "camp out" right there! We called it a castle. We read books by flashlight (currently "Knuffle Bunny" by Mo Willems is the favorite) and talked and played. We had a great time and the girls slept well. The following morning Lorelei announced, "This is fun!" Next time we'll camp out in my back yard when the girls come and overnight at my house.

Exploring Dress Up Trunk

I found this fabulous old wig case at an estate sale and refurbished it as my traveling dress up trunk. Since my grandchildren rarely come to my home, I wanted to be able to easily transport dress up items in a fun way so this case was perfect. When I introduced it to the girls, they began pulling items out, commenting on each one. Lorelei said, "Ooooh!" and "Wow!" followed by "This is amazing!" and "I'm going to be married." She proceeded to pull on a purple tutu with a wedding gown over it, added a purple and white bead necklace, a crown, and the gaudy "Queen" ring. Genevieve was happy to sit amidst the jewelry and put necklace after necklace around her neck. They had a grand old time, which was my purpose!

Sisters

Genevieve and Lorelei share a couple rides at the fair...the operators were generous in letting Gena ride even though she didn't have an armband...Lorelei kept up a running commentary the whole time the girls rode the orange car. This is the beginning of a close and wonderful sisterhood and it reminds me of my relationship with my sister Janice.

Mimi and Lorelei at the Fair

I was invited to join my son and his family for their trip to the local fair at the end of September. Lorelei had ridden a few little rides at a parking lot set up before but had never been to a fair. We rode the Crazy Bus, carousel(she didn't want to sit on a pony), and the Circus Train rides together. On the Crazy Bus Lorelei laughed so loud and excitedly as we whiled around and around like a giant wheel. Lorelei also rode her first roller coaster, one that looked like a dragon. It was fun watching her face go from unsure to delight! She's gonna be a "rider" so Six Flags here we come! I enjoyed that afternoon with both Lorelei and her baby sister, who couldn't ride much. Another memory made!

Very first "Mimi" card

When I learned that my oldest grandson Tucker and his family were moving soon to Roanoke, VA I hurriedly planned a visit to his classroom. It was his last day of school and I only stayed 20 minutes. But, it was fun to see Tucker at school...he is in first grade, the grade that I teach. One of his classmates teased him by singing, "Tucker has a Mimi, Tucker has a Mimi!" but Tucker just shrugged and smiled. A few days later, when Tucker came by for his last visit before leaving, he gave me a little yellow card on which he had drawn pictures and written "Me Me"...his spelling of "Mimi." It was the first card I've ever received from any of my grandchildren that said "Mimi" on it. It was so special because his mom told me he had asked the teacher if he could make his Mimi a card because he "just wanted to" and she let him. I have that card on the fridge now...I miss the little guy. I doubt we will see him any time soon but I am always thinking of Tucker and the last few visits we had with him before he moved away. I'm hoping he'll write and send me a drawing.

Queen Mimi Arrives at the Castle

When I arrived at the home of my granddaughters dressed like a queen, their mouths hung open as they stared at me. I spoke with a British accent asking Lorelei to join me for "tea" which was chocolate milk and pecan finger iced cookies. She was delighted to pour the "tea" in flowered cups. Thus began a fun visit. When it was time for me to leave, Lorelei said, "Mimi, when you come back, will you be a queen?" Priceless!

Future Pilot

Papi and Mimi took Tucker, our 6 year old grandson, to the Museum of Aviation on Labor Day. He was very interested in all the big aircraft. He enjoyed sitting in the different cockpits and manipulating the controls. We have not spent the day with Tucker for 11 months so this was especially meaningful. He enjoyed his time with us. After this visit we went to see great-grandparents, eat at Chick Fil A, and visit Aunt Janice and Uncle Ken.

Just Gena

Youngest grandchild Genevieve (18 months old) recently had tubes put in her ears with much success. She now seems to hear much better and we are hoping she'll begin talking.I don't get to see her often, maybe once every two months, but when I do I try to work with her encouraging her to copy what I'm saying. Genevieve also does some sign language. During my July visit, I shared my oatmeal with her. The next thing I know she is signing "more" over and over. Of course I shared with her. Gena also called me "Mimi" for the first time on this visit. She copies/repeats what her older sister Lorelei does but it often sounds garbled. The important thing is she can hear her sister and she is trying hard. Gena's little personality is much more evident now. Gena loves music and is good with rhythm. Gena loves cheese and okra (see picture with slime dripping off okra). She is a sweet, cuddly baby but she can flash into a tantrum if she disagrees with her mama's decisions. She will flop her body back, scream, and even bite. I look forward to getting to know Gena as she is the grandchild I have been around the least. I am hoping her parents will permit me to take her for "Mimi & Me Days" like I used to do with her sister. Those were very memorable days for Lorelei and I and Genevieve deserves the same opportunities. She is so much fun!

Sweet Words That Warm the Heart

My grandchildren always delight me with the cute things they say. I am also always proud of when they say things for the first time, especially after I've been coaching them.But words spoken with spontaneity are the most meaningful. During my May visit with my granddaughters, Lorelei and I played together with storytelling props for a very long time. When we were done, she climbed into my lap, hugged me and said, "Mimi, I just love you!"

Little "Lamb of God"

We didn't spend Easter together but when we visited the girls prior to that day, I had several Easter activities planned. For our Easter art project, I helped Lorelei and Genevieve each make a little "Lamb of God." They glued cotton balls to to the body. Lorelei, as you can see in the pictures, controlled the glue. Genevieve ate the glue! Luckily it was non-toxic and her mom was not worried about it. Genevieve was real proud of herself after sticking the cotton balls on. We made two sets, one for their parents and one for me. What a sweet little activity! He is risen!

Silly Hair

I've had this activity on my list to do with Lorelei and finally had the opportunity to do it last month when we visited for the last weekend of March. Lorelei and I picked out several bows and put them in our hair (I mostly had to do it because it was hard for her to manipulate the clips). When we were done (she said "that's all")we went together to view ourselves in the mirror. Lorelei exclaimed that we were "beautiful!" These pictures show her choosing from her bow keeper and posing with her Mimi.

All Wet

During the summer my youngest grandson did a funny thing. I was in the other room when I heard a loud splashing sound. I hurried into the kitchen to find Tanner, who was 2, drenched and standing in water. He had turned the dog's water over his head. He was silent but standing there with a look of shock on his face. He didn't cry or act upset. I thought it was so funny! I guess he just wanted to see what happens when you turn the water container over yourself!?

Riding in a Box

Part of moving for kids should always include using the boxes for fun activities like making a house or riding in them. Lorelei got her first experience of riding in a box when Mimi and Papi (pictured) pushed her up and down the slick wood floors in a box. She laughed and laughed so hard and thought it was the greatest thing. Some old traditions should be kept alive!

"Wuv you"

I had been taking care of Lorelei for four days while her parents were moving. We spent a lot of time together--I'd get up with her each morning, feed and dress her, and then we'd play and read. On many occasions I worked with her on learning to say "I love you." To my great surprise, she said it for the very first time on Dec. 29, 2008 by saying "Wuv you." She repeated this for her mom the following day. We were so delighted!

Easter Memory

Last year my son and his wife didn't want to come for Easter so I planned Easter activities with Lorelei when I spent the weekend there three weeks later. On our Mimi & Me Day, I took Lorelei out to a field of wildflowers for an egg hunt. She delighted in finding them and opening them so she could eat the fish crackers inside. Dressed in a lavender ribboned dress I bought for the occasion, Lorelei cavorted in the tall grass and I took lots of precious pictures. Later she opened the gifts in the bunny bucket I made for her, made pictures on the window with Easter clings, and also hunted eggs in the house when her daddy came home.