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,

Easter at The Baldwin's ~ 2012

We had a great time Easter at Michelle and Don's house. Shelley had a great brunch. The table was dressed beautifully. Everything was just perfect. She has that knack (takes after her dear Mama).

After brunch the kids had their yearly egg hunt in the backyard. I caught Alex trying to steal one of Zack's eggs. But, alas, I got it back. It was fun watching you guys open your eggs to check out your loot. Lots of smiles.

Then it was on to Nana and Papa's baskets. Of course, you loved everything you got.

Papa and I just love these family gatherings. The most important thing in my life is family. There is nothing I wouldn't do for any member of our family, immediate or extended. Fortunately, we all feel the same way. Family first.
Hugs and kisses,

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,