Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Anna Turns 10 and Grandpa and Grandma B's Visit

This blog post is a little belated, but we were just having too much fun with Grandpa and Grandma B. to take time to write anything.  The fact that we are down to one reliable computer since the laptop we use at home has been sent in for repair (again!) has not helped either.  Both Caleb and Russ use the other one extensively for their school work so it is not readily available for the rest of us.

Last Tuesday, Anna Grace celebrated her 10th birthday.  How different the weather was from the day she was born!  I remember driving from Orange City to the Sioux Center hospital while it was snowing buckets.  I think it snowed 4-5# that day.  On Tuesday, however, the sun was shining and temperatures here in Grand Rapids were in the 50s.   After I looked at the forecast last Sunday, I told the kids that if they wanted to go sledding we had to do in Monday morning because we wouldn't have much snow after Tuesday.  (We had probably 5-6# on the ground).  So, we were up early Monday morning and worked hard to get the bulk of our schoolwork done in order to be on the sledding hill by 10:30.  We had a great time, but missed Russ and Caleb.  I am so glad we decided to go because by the end of the day on Tuesday, we were seeing all bare lawns and green (yes, green) grass.

Anyway, even though Tuesday was a busy day with the food pantry run, a Meijer shopping trip, Nicolas' cello lesson, and last minute cleaning and laundry for Grandpa and Grandma B's visit, Anna said she had a great day.  The highlight, of course, was that Grandpa and Grandma arrived in time for her birthday supper, opening of gifts, and cake and ice cream.


Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

New warm jammie pants

As usual, we loved having Grandpa and Grandma here.  Being able to leave the younger three at home on Wednesday morning instead of hauling them to the Homeschool Building for Nicolas' orchestra was such a treat.  Wednesday afternoon we rented Dolphin Tale again and this time watched it with Grandpa and Grandma.  Thursday morning they visited with Aunt Alyda and that afternoon we went to the GR Public Museum.  Grandma had been there on a previous trip without Grandpa, so this time it was fun to include him and show him all our favorite exhibits.  That night Grandpa took us out to eat at Russ' Restaurant.  (That is the name of the restaurant.  Russ didn't actually get into the restaurant business). Mom and I enjoyed a little shopping time Friday morning while Dad stayed back with the kids. Saturday afternoon was so beautiful that we took Grandma to the Blandford Nature Center.  Unfortunately, Grandpa was at his mission committee meeting so he couldn't join us.  We'll have to take him there on his next trip!  Russ gave his monthly sermon at the assisted living center on Sunday afternoon, and once again it was nice to go with him and the boys (who played a violin/cello duet) and leave the three youngest at home.  Three services a Sunday doesn't always work so well for the three youngest.  But most of all it was just wonderful having Grandpa and Grandma here to share meals, coffee, walks, and conversation.   Now that they have left, we are all feeling a little blue.  I am thankful for a busy week this week to get me up and going.  Let's see...we have BSF and St Cecilia Orchestra on Monday night (more on the orchestra later), MWI on Tuesday night, B & G Club on Wednesday night, and the Bleeker birthday get-together on Friday night.  Glad all weeks are not like that!



Reading letters written during the Civil War

Dress up as a Union soldier

Too shy to give a puppet show, but they tried briefly...


Watching the river by the blue bridge right outside the museum.

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