Grandma Lu

Jake's grandma, Lucille Malstrom Nelson, passed away on September 17th. She was a wonderful lady, and we all have great memories of family gatherings at her home, camping at the Spruces, Christmas parties and ornament exchanges. She will especially be remembered for her delicious cooking, including "roast-a-beef" and homemade rolls. In all the years I've eaten at Grandma Lu's, I can only think of one thing I didn't enjoy, aspic! But really, does anyone like meat and tomato jello? Kennedy and Macy loved to visit Grandma Lu with Grandpa Brent and Grandma Sue while I was at work. She had such fun toys for them to play with, and it was clear that the great-grandchildren brought so much joy to her life. Even after her stroke, her face would just light up when she was around little children.

Kennedy and Macy had a great time playing with their cousins at the viewing. They got to go with the bigger kids to practice a primary song for the funeral, but in the end, Kennedy decided that she didn't want to stand up on the stage to sing a song she doesn't know. Her favorite part of the evening was playing "Judge" with the older cousins. She was trying to explain it to us on the way home, but it was clear that she really had no idea what was going on. I did my best to explain what I know about court room procedure (mostly from TV and John Grisham novels), but she told me, "No mom, (exasperated sigh) that's NOT how you play it!"

The service on Saturday was very nice, and the girls were on their very best behavior. It was a beautiful tribute to a mom, grandma, and great-grandma that was loved by all.

After the burial, we returned to the church for lunch. While we were eating, someone broke into two of the cars in the parking lot, and several things were stolen. It was such a terrible thing to have happen! We spent the afternoon waiting for the police and then going through some things at Grandma's home, so we could all have something to remember her by. The girls were very excited to take home their favorite toys - a Little People school bus and a toy that talks in both English and Spanish (Kennedy is sure this will help her practice learning the language.)

The next night, we all went to dinner at Rodizio Grill. Jake and I have never been there before, but it was really good - especially if you like meat, meat, and more meat. The waiters bring around big skewers of various kinds of meat, fresh off the grill, to slice right on to your plate. It was a fun night, and the kids loved running around on the upper levels of the near deserted mall.

After dinner it was extremely difficult to convince Kennedy and Macy to leave the Pottery Barn Kids store. They were having a great time playing with all the cute (but out of our price range) stuff there. Kennedy even asked if we can go back there someday so that she can finish baking her muffins in the pink kitchen.

New words

Macy learned a new word last night. I painted my fingernails while the girls were in the tub, and when Macy saw them she was quite interested. I wiggled my drying nails in front of her and said, "purple!" Then she started saying it back, "puh-ple!" This morning I asked her what color my fingers were, and she remembered, "puh-ple!"

When she hears a motorcycle drive by our house, she gets a big smile on her face and says, "Dad!" Unfortunately, it's usually the neighbor across the street.

She's getting easier to understand, and I'm recognizing more and more words every day. Here's a list of the things she says on a regular basis:

Mama/Mommy/Mom
No

Just kidding - she says much more than that!

A-Choo, Applesauce, Baby, Balloon, Bath, Bee, Bed, Belly Button, Bite, Book, Bread, Butterfly, Bye, Cat, Cheese, Clap, Cookie, Cracker, Dad, Dance, Dog, Down, Duck, Ear, Eat, Elmo, Eye, Flower, Football, Grammie/Grandma, Pa-Pa (Grandpa), Hair, Hat, Head, Hi, Hot, Hot Dog, Hug, Juice, Kennedy, Kiss, Mickey, Minnie, Milk, More, Necklace, Night-Night, Outside, Ow, Pamp, Pat, Raining, Rock, Scary, Shoes, Sip, Sleep, Socks, Splash, Step, Stomp, Swing, Toes, Tongue, Towel, Tummy, Turtle, TV, Umbrella, Up, Walk, Water, Windy

And all the animal names and noises that I've already mentioned in other posts. I know there are more words that I'm forgetting! I'll have to keep adding to the list.

Way behind

I think it's usually a good thing when life gets in the way of blogging, but I do have to remember to pause and write some of the things down that I want to remember.

Macy's been more interested in reading. Her favorite library books are the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems. Sometimes she calls elephants "Gerald" like the elephant in the books. I'd say that she likes "Pigs Make Me Sneeze," "I Will Surprise My Friend," and "Elephants Cannot Dance" the very best, but they all make her laugh and completely hold her attention. She also remembers little lines from each, and will say, "A-a-a-a-a" (like she's going to sneeze) or, "He, he, he, he" (like she's laughing and about to surprise someone.) Lately she has a new found interest in playing peek-a-boo, especially with puppets (I think it's both from the surprise book and from seeing Jake and Kennedy play hide and seek in the house.)

Kennedy went to a Super Fly birthday party for her friend Lucy. I don't know how Lucy's mom managed to keep 25 three- and four-year-olds entertained for two hours - although, the bounce house did help! Kennedy loves her friends from school, and I'm so glad that the three amigas (Kennedy, Lucy and Mae Mae) are together in the Purple class for the next three years. Kennedy was very excited to shop for a birthday present, and she knew that paints would be the perfect gift for Lucy.

Jeff leaves for college this week. He's going to the Oregon Institute of Technology, which sounds like such a good fit for him. We will all really miss him, but he'll be home for Thanksgiving so we can hear all about how school is going. He might as well be my only cousin (he's the only one I really know), or even another younger brother. I have so many great memories from spending time with Jeff: I tried, unsuccessfully, to teach him to swim one summer, and now he's helping me with my girls in the pool. He spent quite a few nights at our condo, either just for an evening or for a sleepover, usually involving pizza and playstation, with Spiro the Dragon being a particular favorite game. Then he moved on to late night World of Warcraft sessions with Jake, sometimes even bringing his computer to our house so they could play together in the same room. Watching him play tee ball, and then slow pitch baseball, before he found his love of tennis. He was so stubborn in the match we watched him play in St. George, not wanting to ease up on his power serve - even though he continued to double fault again and again. We were especially proud of him when he earned his Eagle Award in Scouting, and it meant so much to Jake to be a part of the ceremony. I loved watching him compete in the robot soccer tournament, even though all but one of his teammates bailed on him, he worked hard and had fun. And then there's the Bananagrams games in Sun Valley and debating the merits of various words (he is the bananagrams master!) He's such a great kid, and I know he'll be successful at school. We'll sure miss him at Sunday dinners, though! If only I had a way to scan my older photos - here are some more recent pictures of Jeff : Eagle Scout, Tennis Pro, Bike Fanatic, Meeting Baby Kennedy, 18th Birthday, High School Graduation, Sun Valley! Jeff, we're proud of you and we love you!

Bits and pieces

Since getting home from vacation on Thursday, we've done our best to settle back into a routine. We were able to arrange for Kennedy to go to school on Friday (usually she only goes four days a week), I went to work, and Macy spent the day with Pamp.

Then we went to the State Fair on Friday night. I don't think it was quite the experience Jake had envisioned when he suggested the outing. Kennedy fell asleep in the car on the way there, so I carried her around while we looked in the mobile command vehicle for any disasters that may arise, learned all about a "sun oven" and checked out the arts & crafts building. Some of that stuff seriously leaves me questioning the definition of fine art. I admit that I was fascinated by the butter sculpture. Finally she woke up - just before my arms gave out - and walked around to see some of the paintings. Macy didn't seem particularly interested in any of it - until we got to the animals. The pigeons were a highlight because there were some strange looking breeds. Kennedy also said she liked the rabbits and baby cows. Jake and the girls shared two hot dogs, but nothing sounded good to me. Kennedy complained all night about being thirsty, but we distracted her until we got back to the juice boxes in the car. Jake really wanted to take Kennedy on the giant slide, but she was not interested. By that time, it was obvious everyone was getting tired, so we called it a night. Thankfully, I don't feel like the fair has to be an annual tradition for us. Here's some of our own fine art.

Saturday we went to the farmer's market at a nearby park and brought home peaches, apples, cantaloupe, honeydew, and corn.

We spent an hour shopping at Costco, while they put new tires on my car. Kennedy got to play with the barbie dream home display again. She made up imaginary people with her fingers and moved them all around the house. She found this a few weeks ago in the Twin Falls Costco when we stopped on our way to Sun Valley. She did a pretty good job of trying to convince me that we have room for it in our house, but it's not going to happen. The girls are also having lots of fun playing with my "Heart Family" dolls. It's so great that my parents saved all this stuff! It brings back great memories for me.

Grammie and Pamp spent their 41st anniversary watching football at our house. Kennedy played with Grammie in her kitchen. Macy seemed to prefer being with the guys - and the snacks. I folded mountains of laundry. Then we all watched the last of the game together...well, at least we were in the same room together. Kennedy and Macy gave a piano recital. The girls and I drew on the easel. Jake napped on the couch. But it was a nice way to spend the day.

Sunday morning Kennedy and I made waffles (from scratch, thank you very much), and then Jake helped us make a peach pie.

Macy was content to sit in her highchair and do her school-like job with various sized fuzz balls, spoons, and cups before going down for a nap. Later in the afternoon, I took Kennedy and Macy to the playground. They both had a great time climbing over everything. It was hard to keep up with them when Macy wanted to be crossing the bridge and Kennedy was climbing up a ladder to the slide. I'm amazed at how strong and fearless they both seem to be. Macy has little interest in the slides, preferring instead to walk back and forth and up and down, over and over. Kennedy managed to make it across a huge, vertical spider web made out of rope without any trouble. But the fun ended when she fell off another rope climber, and decided she was ready to go home. So we did, and then we ate pie for lunch!

With a capital T

So recently I wrote about Kennedy being in trouble. Well, lately Macy IS trouble, with a capital T! Her favorite word seems to be "no." Sometimes she says it with a cute smile and sweet shake of her head. Occasionally she gets a very worried look on her face when quietly saying the word. It can also be a straight forward, simple no. Sometimes she cries while saying it. Other times it's shouted while her little legs are kicking away (Kennedy has had a few similar tantrums herself recently, but mostly when she is really tired and someone other than mama is trying to help her.) I've don't think I've ever heard Macy say "yes" to anything. And now she's also picked up "No Way!"

We've been spoiled by Kennedy. At this age, she could say so many words, and she was so easy to understand. Communication wasn't ever an issue. Macy is delightful, don't get me wrong. I love her more than I ever could have imagined. I love her just as much as I love Kennedy. And really, I don't even want to compare her to how I remember Kennedy being at this age. That's not the point. Macy just has a different personality. My mom called her a "little Kathy" (her sister) - I think meaning the difficult one. Is it just a common characteristic for the second child to be more challenging?

Macy doesn't eat well. She's picky about tastes and textures, often spits food out and throws it on the floor. I think she would live off cookies and cake if she could. Sometimes she gets really whiny. She wants to be held all the time (ok, not really), but it's usually at the most difficult times. And it has to be me holding her. And she's so persistent about it. When she wants something, she wants it, and she won't give up easily. And this particular night, she's demonstrated it all. And, although I think of myself as a pretty patient mom, it's really getting to me. Of course it's even harder because Jake had to leave Sun Valley this afternoon to get back home for work tomorrow. I know she's tired, she has a cold, she's off her schedule, and she doesn't want to miss out on any of the fun we're having. I can't blame her because we are having such a great time here. Finally though, enough was enough. I put her to bed right in the middle of dinner.

And now I just peeked in to see Macy sleeping peacefully. She looks absolutely perfect all stretched out in the port-a-crib with her arms above her head. That's because she is perfect, just in a different way from her sister. She's spirited. She's determined. She's focused. She's mine, and yes, I love every bit of her! (even when she's at her worst.)

Sun Valley or ghost town?

Since we didn't make our usual trip to Sun Valley in July this year, we rescheduled for Labor Day. It turned out to be an amazing time to be there. After the first day the place emptied out, and we basically had the whole resort to ourselves!

Jake could only stay a few days, so he drove his motorcycle up, while I followed behind with the girls. This is the longest driving trip I've ever done by myself! And it wasn't too bad. Kennedy and Macy were both very well behaved, even though neither one really slept more than 30 minutes the whole way up. I checked out some kids cds from the library for us to listen to. We also told stories, and watched Mulan. We also made our customary stop at the Twin Falls Costco to load up on groceries for the week, use the potty, and get a slice of pizza for lunch.

Uncle Andrew was the first one to arrive - coming from Boise, he also had the shortest drive. It was so great to see him again. I miss having my brother around! We didn't always get along as kids, but now I love spending time with him. As we all sat on the patio of the Lake Cottage, a rainbow filled the sky.

It was so beautiful, and so fitting because just that morning, Kennedy woke up and said, "Last night I dreamed I was walking on clouds." A week ago she had told me about a similar dream, but she was walking on a rainbow.

Highlights from the trip, which included some activities that we've not done before:

Jeff, Andrew, Jake, Macy and I played mini golf at the Sun Valley Golf Club. It's not what you'd expect for a round of mini golf - it's actually an unbeliveablly difficult 19-hole putting green with lots of hills in the most inconveinent places. As frustrating as it was, it was also a lot of fun. It was such a windy day when we went, and it was really busy. Macy did a great job of staying out of everyone's way. She played with a ball and club for a while, but she was most interested in laying in the grass to roll around.

As frustrating as the course was, it was also a lot of fun. So much fun, that we came back again to play with Grandpa Ray, Tim, Kathy, Pamp, and Kennedy (Jake and Andy had left along with all the other Sun Valley visitiors.) The second time was a beautiful day, and we were the only ones on the course.

Jake took Macy over to inquire about the paddle boats on the lake, but we'd missed our chance by one day. They had closed on the day we arrived - the Saturday before Labor Day! The helpful staffers gave him some other activities that would be fun to do with kids, including visiting the little farm (which we did) and riding up the gondola at River Run to Bald Mountain (which we also did.) Andrew and Tim went off on a bike ride while the rest of us rode up to have lunch at the restaurant mid-mountain. From there, Pamp, Jeff, Jake, Kennedy, and I rode the chairlift up to the very top. It was breathtaking (and also cold and windy). Riding in a chairlift with a three-year-old is a bit scary. She made us nervous a few times when she scooted forward in her seat - even though I had my arms wrapped tightly around her.

My friend Lisha drove over for a visit. She lives in Boise, and it's been a few years since we've seen each other. It was great to catch up with her while we went out to lunch and then for a walk with the girls. Kennedy even talked us into playing a few games of Old Maid with her.

Of course, we had to stop by the bears for our photo...

Evenings were sometimes a difficult time, as the girls were often tired and we ate dinner later than they are used to. The perfect solution to their crankiness? Swimming! We were all alone in the pool, which was so nice. Jeff joined us one night when the water temperature was in the low 80s, but the next night it was up to 91. It's kind of strange to be swimming in a giant bathtub, but Kennedy and Macy loved it. The circular pool has a ledge than runs all the way around it, and both girls walked around and around. Kennedy even paddled across the middle of the pool in her floating "dolphin suit" (a thrift store find from when we were up here last year.)

Most nights, after dinner and bedtime for the girls, we sat around the dining room table and played games. Besides lots of Old Maid, we played Hacienda with Andrew and Jeff, Racko and Bananagrams, a family favorite. Kennedy also did some work in her princess sticker/workbook that we picked up at Costco. Macy wandered around the house, circling the table, playing in the sun room - and she managed to stay out of trouble and not get hurt other than a scrape from tripping on the doormat when we walked in the house for the first time. I also read lots of books to the girls, including reading Kennedy some tales from Arabian Nights in a book called "Geanies, Meanies and Magic Rings."

When we arrived on Saturday, there was a classic car auction going on at the resort, and then as we were leaving, a Going to the Sun Rally. Jake and Andrew also turned down the chance to drive a new Tesla - the line was just too long. I'm not a huge fan of old cars, but there were some pretty ones, and the Tesla was awesome! We stopped by to admire them after leaving the bowling alley. Grammie, Kennedy and I shared a lane with bumpers and Kathy, Tim and Jeff were next to us. Again, no one else was there; usually we have to line up for a lane when they open in the afternoon. The three ladies shared a very lucky ball, and I ended up the big winner (with only one minor bumper assist.)

On our last night, we had dinner at Trail Creek. The girls had been whining, especially needy and just plain frustrating (I credit the colds they both had, and the lack of naps again), and I was very tempted to skip going out to eat. I was picturing a scene with tears, shouting, chasing them all through the restaurant because it was raining and we couldn't go outside, squirming children in my lap making a mess of their food, with the evening turning into a general bust. We went, in our own car, just in case, and...they were perfect! There was nothing to worry about. I brought along a few books to read to them, which was all the entertainment they needed. They ate a good meal of warm scones with honey butter and fancy mac and cheese. We all had a very nice evening. I don't know why I was expecting the worst. They're always good when we go out. I'm just sure glad I'm not a single parent. I don't think I could handle it. It was good to get home to Jake the next day. And, yet again, the girls were fabulous in the car, thanks to Grammie who rode with us part of the way to help keep them entertained.