memories of Nick

Have you ever noticed that some times you make a very naive statement, and then had it come back and bite you?  For example, when I was 18 and newly married, a neighbor of my husband's family had had a "whoops" baby.  She was the same age as my youngest sister-in-law, and was very spoiled and self-centered.  I said, "if we ever go more than 5 years between babies, we'll not have any more"!!  From my mouth to God's ear--we had 4 kids in less than 6 years span!!
My oldest, Shari, waited for one reason or another to have her first (and only) child until she was 36 years old. All the years of watching and observing her nieces, nephew, and friends' children, etc., she had very definite ideas of what was proper child rearing.  She made an effort to see that we spent time with the baby boy at least twice a year, usually Easter time or so and then in November close his birthday.  The year he was about 3, maybe 4 they came out from Texas for the week of Thanksgiving.  We arranged to have a birthday celebration for Nick, invited the aunties and uncles and cousins over for ice cream and birthday cake.  The cake came in and resided on the kitchen table while we all had dinner.  A short time later, someone asked "aren't you concerned that the kids will get  into the cake?"  Shari says"No, MY baby wouldn't put his fingers in the cake!" Meanwile I had snuck around the corner to witness Nick--not putting his fingers in the cake, but his tongue!! 

Donnie

My "God son", Donnie stopped by tonight and chastised me that I wasn't blogging often enough for him.  Just for that, a Donnie story.  Don had wanted only two things when he was nine or ten, to play college football and be a policeman.  His mother, my best friend, was scared for him,  the way we're scared, but so proud of our sons and grandsons for their willingness to put themselves in danger as a cop or as a marine, but truly hope they will always be safe. His mother hoped he would grow out of it.  The day he was accepted into the Concord police training program, he came by my house to show off his new uniform.  My youngest daughter's boyfriend was staying with us to jobhunt in the bay area (he lived in Oregon).  Doorbell rings, boyfriend opens door and there stands 6 foot 3, 250 pounds of black wool, leather gun belt and mirror shades!  Don's instincts took over and inquired, "who are you and why are you answering Ann's door?"  The boyfriend was 5 foot 8. 140 pounds.  I love the mental picture because I never did like the guy.

Getting old--er

One of the many benefits of getting old--er is that you have many kids of several generations to compare!  I have two granddaughters that did not grow up close by, so we had to work hard to keep a relationship going.  When they would visit, we would do several things that had meaning to us and them.  One of their favorite things when they were about 8, maybe 9 was to take orders for dinner.  One of them especially,  Gienah, would be very serious.  She would put on an apron, get a tea towel draped over her arm, and with a pen and tablet would circle the room taking "orders" for dinner.  Even from me and I was the cook!!  What makes it cute? funny? was that 15 years or so later, a new granddaughter Sierra raised in my house!!  enjoyed doing the same thing!! And---4+ year old great granddaughter, also in my house in her turn, does the same thing!!  None of the girls knew each other--Gienah was 13 and lived in Florida when Sierra was born and Sierra was 6 and out of my house when Anaila was born!!  Does this mean that girls instinctively cater to the wants and tastes of the members of their family?  Did I forget to mention that these girls had different mothers and did not grow up together?

Great Grand daughter

I have the most wonderful great granddaughter!  She is four and a half  going on fifteen!  I need to follow her around with a video camera!  The other day she got upset with her friend who stays with us a couple afternoons a week.  They are completely different personalities, with the friend being much more competitive than my Anaila.  Anaila comes marching in, hands on hips, stops in front of me,      " This friendship is at an end"!! Walks over to the couch and flops down. Where she heard this I don't know.  I have a very hard time exerting ANY discipline on her, I'm laughing too hard!!  Well now, not to be left out, her two year old brother has  started to show his own personality.  He comes in, stops by Papa's chair, looks right in his eyes and says,"Iwannaing"!  The translation: "I want to swing".  He cannot get into his seat alone.  He would keep someone, anyone, constantly standing behind him, pushing!  Problem is--if he is any at all sleepy, off he goes!!  He cannot resist rocking or swinging when he's sleepy!!  Good to know, hunh?  Naptime!!

Sunshine!!

Do you see that sun?  No matter the temperature, I love the sun.  After all these years though. it doesn't love me!  I have learned the hard le3sson of SUNSCREEN!! After cleaning my face, I use a sunscreen, my facial moisturizer has it, my foundation has it, and the creme I put on my body has it!!  I also wear a hat, and generally stay out of the sun.  But from my view inside the house, I love it.  The kids go out and do their whoopin' n hollerin' outside!!

Mark is home!  He came up to visit from Miramar where he is based.  Next stop is North Carolina again.  The Navy is scrapping the helicopter he knows so he will go back to school to learn all the ins and outs of the new helicopter that will replace it..  At least no one will be shooting at him or setting roadside bombs for him to walk through.  I pray that by the time he is through with schooling and training, this mess will be over!!