Special Person's Day ~ Emily ~ 1st Grade

Papa and I had to divide our allotted time between Alex and Emily. So, somehow, Papa did not get his picture taken with Emily. I still don't know how that happened. Sorry Papa.

Visiting Emily in her classroom showed me a very quiet side of her. She sat at her desk the entire time; smiling because we were there to meet her teacher and see where her week days are spent. Em decorated her bag, which would be the carrier of a special teddy bear for a very sick child. Then Em read me, Grandma and Grandpa a book.  All so very quietly. I have to remind her next time she visits Nana and Papa to use her "classroom voice." I know that will make her laugh.
Hugs and kisses,

Special Person's Day ~ Alex ~ Kindergarten

Mrs. Bonesteel is Alex's teacher this year. She is very nice, but more importantly, Alex loves her. That makes life much easier for all of us.

Papa got to decorate Alex's bag with him. It is a great thing Tamarac does every year in the lower grades. We can honestly say we have helped decorate many, many bags with our grandchildren. And it has been an honor. They have all carried a precious teddy bear to a very sick child.

I got to spend my time watching Alex in gym class. Seeing Alex interact with his friends was the best part. He shares that big smile of his with all of them.

Let's see, next year it will be first and second grades for Special Person's Day. We will have to divide our time again:~(
Hugs and kisses,

Mother's Day ~ 2012

Mother's Day brunch with all of you was, as usual, wonderful. You were all dressed in your finest attire and looking great. This year we veered from our usual restaurant and went to Prime at Saratoga National. The dining room was elegant. The brunch was extensive. And you all behaved like "young adults."

I am so proud of our family. It is not possible for me to find the words to express my feelings. Watching our family evolve was, for lack of a better word, overpowering. I still remember the all enveloping love I felt the first time I saw your Moms. I knew there would be no time in my life I would ever feel such love again. Then, as each of you joined our family, there was that feeling in my heart; my heart was full. I can not express to you what it was like to see each of my baby girls and the love of their lives bring you home to your forever family. I saw that kind of love in your Mom's and Dad's eyes. And it spilled over into Nana and Papa's hearts. Mother's Day and Father's Day will always be special to me. Those memories are brought to the surface.

We are a very special family. I thank God every day for giving us our daughters, your Dad's and all of you. Kara and Em, your Mom wrote in her journal, "We were meant to be." And we were. Happy Mother's Day to our daughters and to each of you!
Hugs and kisses,

Special Person's Day ~ Kara ~ Fifth Grade

Special Person's day was really different for Kara's fifth grade class. Each special friend had to bring in one of their favorite poems. Kara had to bring in one, too. Funny; Kara and I both brought in poems about rainbows. I love rainbows second only to butterflies. Grandma wrote a beautiful poem about Kara and Grandpa brought in one about how Kara can influence her own future. Next, we all put our heads together and wrote a poem about Nature's Classroom, Kara's upcoming trip with her class to study nature.

We made a cute holder for the poems and Kara decorated it. What a fun thing to do.

Kara went into her cubby and took out some blue gooky, slimy looking stuff and shared a chunk with me (who, in turn, shared with three of her friends). We had a ball just trying to get it from one hand to the other. We laughed a lot.

Her teacher, Mrs. Motzer, came over to us and said only Kara would take that stuff out on Special Persons Day. She said nothing Kara does, wears or says surprises any of the teachers. Mrs. Motzer said the class is putting together a book to give her of things she has probably never had to say until this class entered her room (I really think see meant Miss Kara).

Kara is very confident. She always leads; never follows. She keeps a schedule of her duties and activities. She has a wonderful imagination. She has a great love for reading. She is taking private art classes to develop her drawing ability. Her friends are very much like her. Hope she never changes; just develops her captivating personality and God given capabilities.

I am so proud of our granddaughter and could not love her more.
Hugs and kisses,

Father ~ Daughter Dance ~ 2012

Another year has passed and, again, it is time for the Girl Scout Father~ Daughter dance. Papa and I had to go and take a few pictures for your blog.

Well, I must say, I took a step back when I saw our Miss Kara. Kara, you are growing up right before my eyes. You must know Nana doesn't want that to happen quite yet; but time stops for no one.The lip colors I'm getting used to. The black top off the shoulder almost sent me into an exacerbation. In these pictures I see a beautiful young lady having fun with her friends and family during her "growing up years."

Miss Em, you look so beautiful in your very trendy dress with coordinating flip flops and lipstick. I do believe there is some eye shadow on your sweet eyes. Thank God I have another five years before I watch you become that inevitable preteen branching out as your sister is doing now.

You are both so blessed to have your Mom and Dad so involved in everything you do; loving every minute of it. God smiled on all of us when He brought us together as a family.
Hugs and kisses,

We Got Two for the Price of One This Year

Emily and Alex shared their concert night this year. Alex was all spruced up in his dress shirt and tie. And of course, his shirt tail was out and his sleeves were unbuttoned by the time the concert started; just as we expected:~)

 Emily looked so pretty in her spring dress and big-girl sandals. She had a great time singing and showing off her sweet smile.

 My favorite songs were "Had a Little Rooster" (Emily) and "The Farmer in the Dell" (Alex).

Hard to believe all our grandchildren are now in school. The years have flown by, but we have enjoyed each and every day of them.

Hugs and kisses,