Grammy's diary time staying with The kids

Nov. 24th, Wed: Grampa and I arrived at 3:30 p.m., fairly nice weather. No snow , 20 degrees snow storm in behind us to the west. Didn't hit Chicago . Great to see Priya and Stephen. Met Ryan at Pin Stripes for supper and celebrated
Stephen and Priya's birthdays-----Star Wars Transport Vehicle, for Deegs and Salon chair for Pri. Fun playing til bedtime.

Nov.25th, Thurs. , Thanksgiving Day: Ry and Shoj get packed up and we all head over to the Larson's for turkey dinner. Apricot glazed turkey, dressing, cheesy potatoes, squash casserole, cranberry compote, rolls, brussels sprouts,
yum.yum. Pumpkin pie, apple pie and peacan. Delish! Enjoyed meeting everyone and the kids had fun playing. Grampa took Ry and Shoji to airport @ 1:30. Helped clean up the dinner dishes ect. Home about 4:30, took the left over
turkey home. Gramps fixed grilled cheese sandwiches. Kids ate well. Off to bed pretty much on time, pretty good for the first night.

Nov. 26, Friday: Cold today but no snow. Kids up around 7:30. Breakfast, oatmeal, muffins, toast. ; playing with kids . Went to store and picked up something (can't recall exactly) but we rented the movie 'How to Train Your Dragon' and after our chicken dinner, we all watched the movie downstairs. Off to bed. No problem getting the kids to bed. Had a little accident today. Pri and Deegs were sharing the tall wooden stool and tipped over. Deegs split his lower lip and there was some crying but that seemed to be the only injury from the accident; scared them. His lip healed up in a couple of days.

Nov. 27, Sat: Happy Birthday Priya! Watched the Dragon movie again this a.m. (Deegs watched the whole thing). Mac and Cheese for lunch . Took a drive to Cabela's this aft. Not Priya's first choice for fun but promised to go to McDonald's for supper and to get a birthday treat so she was happy. Got some pound cake and a special ice cream she picked out called, 'Happy Birthday Cake Ice Cream' ----packaged up especially for kids. she really wanted it so that was the one.
Don't buy again, they didn't like it too much; the carton was so eye catching ; too bad , fooled us. In the afternoon, Grampa went to a Buffalo Wild Wings somewhere and watched some of the Badger /NW game; came back soon cause the Badgers were so far ahead.

Nov.28, Sun: Made it to church and Sunday School. Weather cold but not snowy. Good sermon by Bill Hybels---Ruth and Naomi. Came home and ate bison burgers. Kids ate well. Grampa took the kids to the park for a little while.
Had mac and cheese tonite. Lots of playing 'zoo' in the basement among other games. Off to bed, reading American Girl Christmas book and Deegs loves the fairy tale seek and find book. Lots of fun reading at bedtime. both go to sleep with easily and say prayers so sweetly.

Nov. 29th, Mon: Burr , cold this morning, like 13 degrees. Priya up on time , took a cold lunch, had to do a little running to catch the bus but we made it. No snow yet , so didn't wear snow pants. Grampa and Stephen played downstairs all morning. Made a ramp for the cars to go down. Ask Deegs what that ramp was made of. Packed turkey sandwiches and Gramps took off for Baldwin about noon. Stephen and I played in the basement ; had P&J for lunch . Watched the movie Benji. Pri home at 2:30. Lots of playing. No home work. Finished up the chicken dinner with squash. Ate well. Played 'Lightening McQeen Bingo. Fun. Pri read some to us. Wow, the day went fast. Off to bed already. Priya coughed some during the night , gave her some cough syrup and she stopped.

Nov. 30th , Tues: Cold and windy, a little sleet. No snow pants yet. Pri took a turkey sandwich. Stephen and I went to the store this morning ( not sure might have been yesterday afternoon, no matter) He had a ham and cheese sandwich and also some Lucky Charms that he picked out at the store. Made turkey soup (might have made this Monday cause Gramps remembers making it too)?? no matter. Playing lots of 'cat and rat' , and safari game and monkey game. Pri home on time--brought a card home that showed a restaurant in Schaumburg is called 'Priya's' , her friend from school gave her the card--very exciting. She brought a traveling book home for homework. She is a good reader. Ordered scholastic books , one for each of them; should arrive around Dec. 17th.Talked to Barb Nahey and she will be driving over tomorrow aft. to stay until Friday. Looking forward to our time with her. Turkey soup and grilled bagels for supper. Pri now knows the riddle , 30 days has september ect.This was part of her homework or the green weekly sheet I think.

Dec. 1st, Wed: Cold and a little snowy. Pri off to bus on time. She is a sweetie in the morning , doesn't fuss, wears what I pick out , eats good . Took a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch. Deegs and I made a quick trip to Butera (sp?) and got some french bread, pickles and a couple of items. Barb got here around 3:00. So nice to see her. Brought the kids card games, also food. Had her chili for supper and also pumpkin pie, kids liked it. We played in the basement after supper then off to bed. Barb did KP while I put them to bed. No homework . Started the advent calendar today.

Dec. 2nd, Thurs: Really cold again this morning. Deegs sleeping with me. Pri up on time. Going to have hot lunch today. Barb , Stephen and I went to Target this morning. Bought birthday present for the sleepover party. Ate lunch at Wendy's. Cold and a little windy. Still no snow tho. Priya home on time. Not much homework, trying to read everyday and do the weekly calendar thing (green sheet). Barb brought the movie 'A Muppets Christmas Carol' , they love it.
Had turkey soup for supper with french bread, veggies, and more pumpkin pie. Played hide the thimble and playtime in basement. Days fly by.

Dec. 3rd, Fri: Priya up and off to school. No problem. Eating hot lunch again today. Barb and Stephen and I played games , watched the Muppets again together. Had sandwiches for lunch and Barb took off for home. Deegs and I went over to the store for milk. Pri home on time. Both had Lucky Charms for a snack. Got all her overnight and dance stuff together and took her to Teagans house. We didn't fine anyone home there. Tried calling, no answer. After 25 minutes and a bit of frustration, and some praying little Priya says maybe we have the wrong day Gramma. Awe yes Lord , out of the mouth of babes. So we head back home and check the date. Sure enough I screwed up. To recover from that mistake , we went to Wendy's for supper , Priya was happy with that and also to know that she hadn't missed anything, only had to wait now a whole week. We watche the Vegie Tales Christmas DVD and off to bed .

Dec. 4th, Sat: Oh my woke up (7a.m.) to 3 or 4'' of new snow. The kids were really excited to see it. Too much snow on van and in driveway to get to the dance class. Had mac and cheese for lunch. 32 degrees out so kids went out and played in snow. Jaden and Samuel out too. Came in had cocoa and watched vegie tales (Lord of the Beans) ?? Played out again a little before supper , played with Gavin. Had Chicken, drsg and green beans. Swept off the van and drove around a little to see a few lights (careful not to get lost). Went to Walgreens and bought a gingerbread train to make. A full day. Also discovered the 'candy bag' in the garage today; they knew it was there ,but this was the first day they mentioned it to me. Nice find, wow. Shoji's mom called to check on us today. Had a nice visit with her. Fresh air tired everyone out. Prayers are good; the Lord is really watching over us. Also keeping the kids from being too lonesome, a miracle.

Dec. 5th , Sun: Up at 8 a.m. breakfast and then jumping to make the gingerbread train. Took us awhile to get it together. The box said 'easy build'---what? Pri called ours the 'spooky Christmas Train. ' If anyone saw it, I'd take no claim in helping (but did most of it) , bad, bad, bad. But did taste good. We read some bible stories and try to everyday , at least Stephen and I do . Hot dogs and tater tots, carrots and gingerbread for lunch. Played games after lunch, then down stairs and played cars. 4 oclock we watched Charlotte's Web. Then had pizza ,peas and pop. Gave Pri a bath after supper. To bed on time. Priya says big words like imagine,actually, afirmative, and says she learns all her big words from Jaden. Rachel called today to set up a play date sometime next week. They have been sick with colds. We have about a week left before Ryan and Shoji are home , they are counting the days and literally marking off on the calendar by the computer.

Dec. 6, Mon: Crisp and cold this morning , 11 degrees. Pri wore snowpants and boots , first time. Had blueberry bagel and cream cheese for breakfast, Deegs too. Washed some clothes this morning . Stephen played outside a short while late morning with Samuel. After lunch went to Jewell for a few things---root beer and vanilla ice cream. When Pri came home she dolled all up in her ballet outfit and danced to Angelina DVD was coaching Stephen right along. Most entertaining. Had a slice of ham, cheesy potatoes and , bread, squash and carrots, and more gingerbread train. Priya did her reading , no other school work. Played games off to bed. Only five more days til Mommie and Daddy come home.
Deegs loves helping and he really likes to run the vacuum, like a toy. Root beer float for treat at bedtime.

Dec. 7, Tues: Stephen crawled into bed with me around 3 a.m. Pri off to school on time. Another cold morning, 10 degrees. Pri took a P&J sandwich today. We played lots of games this morning. He beat me 5 out of 7 match games. Made some muffins and Deegs stirred them up . We played in the basement and got so absorbed, missed meeting Pri at the bus; she was okay about it. Might have had chicken in gravy tonite, and mashed potatoes. After supper they we a little wound up and wild. Stephen says, Priya's 'wired'. Missing Mom and Dad I think. Pri read to us and the day was gone, back in bed . Deegs had a bath today. A little out of routine. At bedtime Priya said I want my daddy and mommy , (first time.) Only 4 more days to go.

Dec. 8, Wed: Sweet Pri up and getting off to school on time. Took cold lunch . Stephen and I read lots of books and bible stories this morning. After lunch went to the dollar store. He needed some things. Had fun roaming around there. Picked up 3 Christmas books and a snow globe like Priya's for him. More running around the house and 'wildness' tonight; the 'natives are getting restless' ha ha. Only 2 more days to go they are very aware and counting it down. Ate
steak bites tonite with rice and tater tots. Good eaters. Had carrots and cucumber too. Try to encourage the vegies. Stephen not so into meat. No homework. They like singing the 12 days of Christmas with the book. Such cuties.

Dec. 9, Thurs: Cold again, 11 degrees, suppose to warm up by weekend. Pri is going to have hot lunch today. Deegs is playing over at Samuel's house this morning. Home for lunch , P&J, also finishing up Grampa's Pringles. Both kids have been eating fruit , grapes, orange, apples, pears, blueberries one of them everyday. Deegs and I watched 'Lord of the Beans' again trying to get those funny names down---Randolph son of Mandolf keeper of the ???? flame. Lord FalaminyonTeraglif son of Fairabill ala Lithamon, Elder of the Raspberry Forest. A riot. Granny very entertained. After school made a trip to Dollar Tree, Pri needed something, she missed out when Deegs and I went. Got more color books, and glow sticks and I found more micro fiber towels, nail polish ect. By the time we left the snow it had started to snow. Got about an inch, light and fluffy; temp is warming up some. Had good chicken nuggets tonight and mac and cheese and corn and toast. Ate good. Watched 'Horton Who' movie before supper. Pri had a precious prayer tonight, so from the heart. Did her reading. Bedtime is a fun time for them. and they do go to sleep well. no fussing. Gave her a partial bath and got stuff ready for the 'real ' sleepover. She is excited.

Dec. 10, Fri: Sunny morning, warmer , 20 degrees or so. Pri having fun playing at recess making snow fort. She started a fort and all the girls loved helping her. Stephen and I played lots of games this morning then off to Jewell for whatever . It was close to lunch and he was hungry so bought some fresh rolls and opened right in the cart and started munching. yum,.. After school both had snack , Lucky Charms (trying to eat up before you know who comes home) hee hee.
Off to the sleep over for Priya. Deegs stuck with me. We had left overs for supper and watched the first half of 'Cars' downstairs. With the warm up outside, the flys have come to life and tonight we had the big fly chase, Deegs loved using the fly'swopper' and also we got the vacuum down there and chased them with that. Big time. Off to bed. Tomorrow is the big day, Mom and Dad coming, no more waiting, no more counting down.

Dec. 11, Sat: This morning we finished watching 'Cars'. Played games , cat and rat, monkeys, safari, match. These games have been fun. Stephen also also has a mind for chess, beat me everytime. I play like checkers. Fun to hear him say the Queen moves dianaonly or something like that. Too cute. Priya home around 12:30; had a fun sleep over but is a tad tired and cross. Mentioned a nap maybe and she said noway. Had chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese then they watched a little Vegie Tale movie. Pri was sleeping on the chairs not 5 minutes into the movie. Bless her 'noway' heart. Wasn't long and someone came through the front door. Yeah, Mommy and Daddy are finally here. Yippie!!

Here are some miscellaneous tid bits: The upstairs toilet had a little over flow when Barb was here. You see Grannies get up often during the night and don't want to flush to wake the kids so the paper piles up in there and bingo too much paper for one flush in the morning and over she goes. Plunger fixed that.

On one of our many trips to Jewell or Butera decided to gas up (Friday ). Deegs shows me right where to go. We head left on Algonquin , pass up the first station, he says "go down farther" my Daddy doesn't like this one very much, that guy isn't too nice, bad guy".
Another Deeg's quote, " My Daddy likes the Bears just a tiny tiny bit" he's holding his thumb and index finger in pinching position.

Priya says, "Mrs. Sharp's husband sometimes shocks us and brings us doughnuts".

Had some undies drying on the clothes rack , Stephen looking everything over says, " are those my Dad's?" Oh laughed a ton, they were mine.

Probably missed a few here. We had a blessed time and the Lord was more than faithful. Made some good memories. THE END