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.

Music Makes Us Happy

I had the privilege of accompanying my granddaughters Lorelei and Genevieve to their "Tiny Tunes" music class the first weekend of February. Their father was taking them alone as their mother was out of town so I asked if I could go. I was Lorelei's partner and woo-ee, did I ever get a workout! The class is great in that the activities alternate from a sit-down activity like playing maraccas or bells to movement activities like The Walking Song, which is a circle game. It was hard for a granny with bad knees! But I loved it and I know Lorelei did too! She wanted her Mimi to hold her for some of the activities and we laughed so hard as our bodies moved together as we tried to "run" and "hop!" Lorelei has a real sense of rhythm and keeping the beat. All of the kids in the class were smiling, happy kids. I believe in the power of music in making us happy and lifting our spirits! I look forward to continued music times with Lorelei and Genevieve as well. Lorelei enjoyed making this memory with her Mimi!