We Loved Those Hidden Notes!!

Papa and I had a great time in Florida this winter. We were with our friends, Janie and Jerry Gavin, and were away for seven weeks. Beach Villa is such a fun place. I got to swim almost every day in a pool heated to 88 degrees. Papa got to go to the ocean with Jerry just about every day. We had lots of laughs with all the other retirees!

Christine and Scott, your cousins, were in Boca Raton for a few days because of work. We went to a fabulous restaurant, Brook's, with them. It was a pleasant night. Because of their relocation to California, we don't get to see them very often.

Uncle Skipp and Aunt Peggy made an over night visit. They came to dinner (take out, of course) and visited with us for a couple of hours.

I found all the notes above in various articles of clothing. It was so fun. Thank you Kara and Aunt Shell; two partners in mischief. We even received a card from Kara in the mail. That really put smiles on our faces.

All and all, our time away was very relaxing. We got to be out in the sunshine and doing things we couldn't do at home at this time of year. I felt so much better. Sunshine, warm temperatures, a heated pool, and people to have fun with can do wonders. They surely did for us. We hope to return to Beach Villa in Deerfield Beach next winter, too. We are looking forward to more hidden notes:~)
Hugs and kisses,

The Story of Your School Pictures in 2012

This is a very different year for school pictures. Alex, your Mom gave me your kindergarten picture quite a while ago and I posted it to this blog. Zack, Mom didn't give me yours. She said you looked very, very pale it in. And understandably so, as you have had Lyme disease and mononucleosis this year.

Miss Emily, here is your sweet first grade picture and I just love it. And then there is Kara's picture. Here is how it went. Kristen gave me Kara and Emily's pictures, late of course (That's our girl!). I told the girls how much I love them and couldn't wait to post them to the blog. Kara said she did not want her picture posted. I was surprised, as it was such a nice picture of her. Her explanation to me I will probably never hear from another female.

She said the picture was touched up and not natural. Kara, I hope I am still around to see your Senior picture. Believe me, you will want it touched up. And you are totally correct. None of them will look natural. I just didn't think this would be something I would hear from a fifth grader. But then again, you are an art student and would not want your drawings "touched up." They would no longer be yours:~)
Hugs and kisses,

Kara's Original Sketches

The above are two of Kara's latest works of art. Every time I look at these sketches, I notice something new to my eyes. I can feel the depth perception Kara creates in the gravestone sketch. The moon appears to be way off in the distance. It obviously is fall as the tree limbs are bare of their leaves. The bats in flight tell me it is night.

A few years back, Papa and I where sitting on our deck. Papa decided to open the table umbrella. When he did, bats came flying out. I was horrified. It was also the first time I had seen the tiny, intricate face of a bat. Kara's depiction is so realistic; the huge eyes, the pointed ears, the V-shaped chin, the outstretched feet.

Kara is taking private art lessons now. Her mentor must teach her to draw her subject as it looks through her eyes. But I don't have eyes like Kara's. Mine miss so many details. And if they noticed them, my hands still could not draw them. I lack that God given talent. Kara, you are so blessed.
Hugs and kisses,

Kara and Her Krazy Klothes

Every evening is a challenge for Kara. She spends a lot of time putting together the next day's outfit. She has become a legend at Tamarac's Elementary School as the girl who wears outlandish outfits; and she pulls it off. Her fellow students wait to see what each day brings.

Kara has the ability to create in so many areas. She designs clothing. She writes great stories. She sketches realistic pictures. And she enjoys every bit of it. It doesn't get any better than that.
Hugs and kisses,

Alex Loses First Tooth - by Accident

Now, there is a story behind how Alex lost his first tooth at the age of five; rather premature. Alex and Zack were rough housing, which is far too common an occurrence at the Baldwin residence. Well, down went Alex's month against Zack's knee. Result: loose front tooth.

Not too many weeks after, Alex was biting into a marshmallow using his front teeth. Result: Alex's tooth fell out. And that, my grandchildren, is the end of the story, for now.

Hugs and kisses,

Emily Loses First Tooth

Hugs and kisses,

Remembering My Dad On St. Patrick's Day

There is an old saying "Everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick's day." If you walk by places that sell alcohol, you might think this is the case. Well, most of those people only wish they were Irish. Doesn't everyone?

My father, your great-grandfather, was Irish to the core. I remember hearing him sing, "My Wild Irish Rose," to my Mom, who by the way, was 100% French. If I close my eyes, I can vividly see great-grandpa Harpy pretending he was playing an instrument and belting out an Irish lullaby.

We had a standard song that was a must at our wedding receptions. At the end of the evening, the last song sung was "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." I remember having tears in my eyes when our family stood and sang this song together.

Just another awesome memory. And just in case you've never heard the song, here it is:

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

~Lyrics by Chancellor Olcott and
George Graff, Jr.

There's a tear in your eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile,
Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while
And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part
Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song,
Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours
Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hugs and kisses,