A Few Days With My Favorites

Hello friends. It's Friday. Yay! 

We're retired so I'm not sure why the fact that Friday's here is still so exciting, but it is. 

I'm going to recap the past few days which definitely falls under the heading of favorite things, and I'm also going to try to meet the Everyday Image photo prompts at the same time. Mine might land a bit out of order (and I may have missed a couple) but I think that still counts. 

My daughters very rarely post their children's faces online so I have to get creative with my blog pics. I take plenty of their faces for our own enjoyment, and all you need to know is they're the cutest humans on planet earth. 

The most recent prompts Kym (A Fresh Cup Of Coffee) posted were-

wildflowers, water, neighborhood spot (quarterly), nature, adventure, favorite, twilight

We've had our Tennessee grands and their momma here this week and the local grands spent most of the week with us too, so lots of noisy fun was had by all. My favorite thing is having all the cousins together. There's a six year age gap between the oldest and the youngest and plenty of personality to go round. 

Daughter2's hubs had an out of town work commitment all week, so she brought her two sweeties, plus her big puppy to the lake for a few days. They arrived around lunchtime Monday and their Carolina cousins were in the driveway shouting their welcome. Did you hear them? I feel like you might have heard them. 

We had lunch then hit the lake. The lily pad is a great thing if you have little ones around open water. Everyone wears a life jacket or some other type of Coast Guard approved device at Nana and Pawpaws, and they all know they aren't allowed on the dock without one. The oldest (aka the mancub) asked me recently how old he has to be before that rule doesn't apply and I randomly said 18 ha! Maybe? 

Anyway the lily pad is great fun and they all love playing sea monster or alligator where hubs shakes it and tries to grab their feet and they try not to fall off. You can literally stand on the lily pad which makes it especially great for the smallest grands. 

Daughter1 took her kids home for dinner, and I'd made cold shrimp with cocktail sauce, cucumber and tomato salad, and crock pot chicken for dinner. Easy peasy is the name of the game with a houseful. 

After Daughter2's kiddos were tucked in she and I watched the second to last epsiode of last season's The Great British Baking Show. It's only taken us three months but we were determined to finish it up while she was in town. We watched the finale Tuesday night and were happy with the outcome. 

Tuesday was a beach and boat day. Let me just say here that getting five kids under the age of 8 into life vests, sun tan lotion applied, toys, drinks, snacks, towels, and floats all safely on board the boat is not for the faint of heart. Oh, and four adults too. Can't forget the adults. 

The weather was fantastic and we had the best day. All the grands wanted a turn as co-captain so half drove us out to the island and the other half motored us home. 

~adventure~

~wildflowers~

~favorite~

This particular island has a nice long beach and everyone swam and dug in the sand and collected shells and explored the local habitat. 

I wonder if this is our beaver's handiwork or one of his buddies? 

~nature~

We had lunch at home, the littlest cousin had a nap and everyone else rested until we were ready for round two, which was a trip to the neighborhood pool. It's literally about ten houses up from mine, but we still took two cars, several bags, and a trunk full of noodles because go big or go home, right? 

~neighborhood spot~   ~water~

We pretty much had the pool to ourselves which was so nice. Our pool is never jam packed because we have a lake in our backyard.  Also, we definitely sound like more people than we actually are. 

Once home the kids watched a show while Daughter2 picked her pup up from doggie day care and hubs and I got dinner going. My son-in-law arrived in time to eat with us, and hubs grilled brats, we had corn on the cob, slaw, and a big veggie tray. 

Then it was time for birthday presents and ice cream cake celebrating the newly minted four year old. His birthday was the week before but we wanted a family celebration at the lake. 

The cousins went home and the two staying here got so excited when our sprinklers popped up. Whoohoo! Ran through in their clothes like it was the best day of their lives. We'd been boating, swimming in the crystal clear lake, and playing in a huge pool but nothing could top running through those sprinklers in their clothes. Life's simple pleasures are usually the best. 

Wednesday hubs played golf with some friends. It was good lol. He's the king of fun and his back needed a rest. To answer your question, yes. Golf is less taxing on the back than slinging five kids in the air and on and off your shoulders into a pool. 

We girls plus their kids hung out in the lake for a while, then everyone changed clothes and the sisters took all the kids to Daughter1's house for lunch while Nana stayed home with the dogs and made sauce for dinner. 

Nana may have also sat on the porch in the quiet for a quick minute too. Just sayin'. 

The oldest two boys had piano lessons late afternoon so their momma took them to that and Daughter2 and I took the three youngest back to the pool. 

I told you grand parenting wasn't for weaklings. 

After piano lessons the boys moved on to baseball practice, but their dad took over there so daughter1 and her little miss could have dinner with us.   

Which brings us to Thursday morning. Hubs had a work meeting so we girls took the kids to our neighborhood playground to play for a while before lunch, and then daughter2 and her crew got on the road to head home. Boo. 

~everything's an adventure when you're two~

I did laundry and managed to get three sets of sheets washed, dried, and back on the beds, along with two loads of towels, then hit the grocery store to grab a few things I needed for company coming on Friday night, picked up dry cleaning and two library books that were on hold and then back home to put away the 'kid gear'-stepstools, a small table and chairs, the toybox, toys and games, books and more.

For the record...it's all worth it.

Linking today with Kym for Everyday Images 

and 

Friday Favorites with Erika at A Little Bit of Everything) and Andrea (Momfessionals)

There Is A Young Cowboy...

A letter today for the birthday boy, which is a blog tradition on From This Side of the Pond.

Dear Sweet Baby J-

Today you are four. 

You've been a joy and delight since the day you were born and we only love you more with every passing year. There's so much to love about you but since you're turning four Nana is going to tell four things-

~You're curious. Which is why we know to keep an eye on you lol. You want to know how things work and you like to take things apart to figure that out (the lock on the back fence gate and your bedroom lamp are two that come to mind). 

You want to know how they might go back together too, and you're quick and intuitive about such things. When momma asked recently what you want to be when you grow up you said a construction worker. You like to build and use your hands and you're good at that like your Daddy. 

~You're sweet. Hence your blog name. You love your little sister and she adores and looks up to you. Sometimes she tries your patience, but mostly you are a wonderful, loving, protective big brother and that makes Nana's heart so happy. 

You love your momma, but you're a Daddy's boy too, and when asked what your favorite part of vacation was this year you said, ' hanging out with Daddy'. 

~You have a big imagination. Huge. You love to pretend and you love others to join in the make believe game too. Your little boy big brain is always working and we love watching you grow and discover new things every day. 

~You're adorable. How old will you be when I'm not allowed to use that word to describe you? I don't know, but I think at four it's still okay. You have a twinkle in your eye and when you're happy and excited about something you squeeze your hands together and jump for joy. Your bright blue eyes, your infectious smile, your joie de vivre draws everyone in. 

You love your cousins, 'your boys' as you call the two oldest and your extra special co-conspirator Little Miss who is your same age, who bosses you only a little even though you're three months older, and who you have the best and most serious conversations with whenever you're together. We all would love to be  flies on the wall when you two put your heads together. I pray you're always the best of friends. 

Your cousins live near Nana and Pawpaw now, and we're excited for a cousin party at the lake to celebrate your special day.  There will be swimming, fishing, boating, s'mores and your favorite thing-balloons.

There will be birthday hugs and laughter and a whole lotta love because there always is when you're around. Happy birthday sweet baby J. Being your Nana is one of my favorite things and always know I love you deep and wide. 

xoxo

Nana

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Linking with Joanne today for Talking About It Tuesdays

Note: I'm hosting a Day In The Life link up here on Thursday (6/18)...feel free to join the party

The Weekend ReQap

Good Monday morning everyone. Hope your weekend was nice and you're ready for the week ahead. I'm still working my way through the alphabet in the April A-Z Blog Challenge, and will incorporate today's letter into my weekend recap. Here we go-

Hubs and I had a busy weekend on tap. He was working a booth for his real estate office at the local boat show and I had plans to meet up with my sister in the nearby city to shop for the last of the furnishings we need for my mom's new space. 

On Friday we wanted to hit the nursery and get started planting a few things around the yard. Hubs had to pick up a poster for the boat show so first stop was Walgreens. He thought he ordered a poster on a board but it was just a poster so we made a short hop over to Hobby Lobby who said they could fix it in 20 minutes. 

So we went back to the shopping center we'd just left to pick up the dry cleaning and to kill twenty minutes, then back to Hobby Lobby to get the poster.  Done. 

Next stop the nursery. I love a trip to the nursery, especially this time of year. 

Also, I want roses. 

We had a specific area we were trying to beautify on this trip, so we did not get roses. We did get some beautiful plants to put around a big rock that sits beside our cart path, and I made a couple of pots for the upper deck. 

We'll need more, but it's a start. 

I love this blue eyed grass which blooms with little purple star flowers and I especially love this plant, called lime ruffles for obvious reasons-

Insert today's letter...

Day 17-Q is for Quick Change Of Plans 

While we were browsing the plant life daughter2 phoned and asked if they could come for the weekend. Her hubs grandma lives somewhat near us and she's not well so they needed to make a trip our way. Of course we said yes but my brain immediately went into overdrive...are there clean sheets on the beds? are the bathrooms downstairs clean? is there something I can cobble together for dinner? 

Not without a stop at the market so that happened too. 

We got home and worked in the yard and daughter1 called and said the boys wanted to come paddle boarding if that's okay. It's fine. As long as they manage it because hubs is up to his elbows in dirt and I need to figure out dinner and food for the weekend and all the rest. She said they'd take the boat for a ride instead and would come to us after dinner to see the cousins. 

So I wrapped up my gardening and came in and showered and made sure everything was ready for people to sleep and stay for a few days and then about 4 daughter2 arrived with her littles. Her hubs went straight on to his grandparents, but we had dinner and then the cousin crew was all together again. There were popsicles all around and outdoor play in the beautiful evening weather. 

Saturday was a hot one, and after a breakfast of bacon and eggs everyone went their separate ways. Hubs went to the boat show, daughter2 took her kiddoes to her sister's house to play there, her hubs went back to his grandpa's, and I drove into the nearby city to meet my sister at a furniture store. 

We spent the whole day shopping and forgot to snap a picture, so here ya go-

This is us a few years ago, and we basically look the same. 

Saturday night hubs grilled steaks and after the kids went to bed the adults sat up and chatted for a while. We didn't make it to church on Sunday because hubs had to leave before lunchtime to go back to the boat show, and daughter1 and her hubs had spent the night in the nearby city so they could attend my son-in-law's high school reunion. Her kids were at the in-laws so we just had a morning at home...

Then after lunch we loaded up and went to check out the boat show. They had a bounce house which was a huge hit. Sugar has no fear and needs no help. All the little girls who were playing in there wanted to hold her hand and slide down the ginormous slide with her, but she was not having it. "I can do it myself!... her Nana's granddaughter for sure. 

There was a sweet little lemonade truck beside the booth hubs was manning and daughter2 tried the dill pickle lemonade which was pretty good (I love dill pickles) and I had Princess Peach which was a combo of strawberry, peach, and coconut...heavy on the strawberry, but very tasty. 

Hubs grilled burgers once the boat show wrapped up, and we relaxed afterwards before getting the kids settled in to bed and the adults not too far behind. 

We had a lot of plans this weekend and they mostly still happened but there was some shuffling too and that's the thing I want to keep. The ability to hold plans loosely and be flexible when my grown kids call and say, 'Is it okay if we come last minute?'

I want to always say yes to my girls when they need us. One thing about this season of life is my priorities are crystal clear. I don't get to see my daughter2 as often as her sister due to geography and I want to seize the day when the day is offered. 

She is in a busy busy busy whew! season currently with a two year old and a three year old who are always in ON! mode and I want to be a soft place for her to land. Both my girls. Hubs and I have the opportunity to do a million and ten things here at the lake, but I want to hold on to flexibility and embrace the quick change of plans that can happen, knowing above everything else family gets top billing. 

Linking today with Holly (Pink Lady) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books)  for their regular Hello Monday hop. So what were you up to this weekend? 

About Last Week And Maybe The Week Before Too

Hello friends. It has been non-stop party party party here for the past couple of weeks leaving little time to blog. I will hopefully not feel the need to tell you absolutely everything here today, but I make no promises. 

Two weeks ago hubs trekked over to Tennessee and brought his momma back to the lake to spend the week. While she was here we had a minor repair to the flashing and shingles around the chimney which meant a lot of hammering and banging. The actual work made a bit of a mess, but the roofers did a great job, tidied up before they left, and it's done now which is what matters to me. 

While this was happening we also had our front door refinished. It takes a beating from the sun, and we've been in this house nine years now so it was time. The job was supposed to take just a couple of days but ended up taking the whole week (minus the day the roofers were here). 

That's because they had to remove the door, seal the opening with plastic, sand the door, restain it, then tone down the stain on the interior because hubs thought it was too shiny and amp up the stain on the outside because hubs thought it was too matte, then seal the whole thing, and re-hang. It looks like a brand new door so a job well done. 

This is interesting, isn't it?

Hubs mom and I got out every day to do something fun, and she got to spend time with the greats which made her so happy. They all came here for dinner one night and it was the right kind of weather for a fire so we made s'mores. 

That Friday our neighborhood social committee hosted a Veteran's Day event and she enjoyed that too. They do a really nice job with this evening and everyone brings an appetizer or dessert to share. My mother-in-law and I had gone to a flea market on Wednesday and I bought some beautiful tomatoes there.  I made a Caprese style flag that turned out really pretty. 

The 'stars' are black olives. 

Hubs and I took his momma back to Tennessee Sunday after church. We spent the night at hubs brother's house, then drove home on Monday morning because we had our monthly wine dinner that night. 

Let's pause for a moment and give this cake its due. So delicious! It's a Portokalopita aka Greek orange phyllo cake. I will be tracking down a recipe online to recreate. 

Tuesday I had book club and Mah Jong, oh and daughter2 and her littles arrived to spend a few days. She stayed over at her sister's this time which was fun for everyone. The cousins had a great time together and so did the sisters. 

Cousins...

Be still my heart. 

Wednesday everyone came over here in the afternoon and I gave the kids their Christmas pajamas so we could take the most adorable photos ever! and also have dinner together. I'm not posting any of the pics as I'll use one in our Christmas card. 

Congratulating myself for not overthinking the pajamas, for buying as soon as I saw them, for remembering to take a picture of the grands all matchy matchy. I got the LAKE pjs, holly jolly for the boys and sugar plum dreams for the girls. I've never bought any of their kid wear, but their women's pajamas are really comfy. 

Hubs snapped this photo of the night sky-

Thursday the boys had school but the rest of us met for breakfast at a local spot we love. 

Hubs went on to the office for a bit and the girls and I (plus the three littlest littles) went to Hobby Lobby and Belks. Here's my haul-

The bedding was from Belks. I've been wanting to add Christmas linens to the bedrooms and decided this was the year to get started.  As we were leaving the restaurant hubs snapped this picture-

It's one of those pictures that plays tricks on your mind. You see moms walking their little ones to the car. I see teenage girls who dreamed of raising babies together living their dream. 

Hubs and I had plans to meet up with friends later that afternoon to talk about a potential trip in 2026. It sounds exciting so hopefully it all works out. My daughter invited us to come for dinner, but we were tired (ya think?!) and said we'd just eat leftovers at home and let them have sister time that evening. 

Friday morning everyone came to us after breakfast so the girls could divvy up my Snow Village. I've had the Snow village for decades and I love seeing it all set up around Christmastime. I don't have a great place for it in this house, and honestly the set up and take down was starting to bring me more stress than joy. Recently Daughter1 said she wished she had a snow village in her new house, and I told her I'd happily hand mine over. Half anyway, and half to her sister. 

So we pulled out the boxes and they took turns choosing who got what and in the end I think everyone was happy. I'll enjoy seeing the village in their homes and am glad they're excited about setting it up. 

Still here? 

Daughter2 got on the road back to Tennessee about noon, Daughter1 took her gang to the library and hubs and I had a day date. I'll save that for tomorrow. You're welcome. 

Saturday Daughter1 and her hubs had a day date of their own, and we were in charge of the three grands. They were excited for a sleepover at Nana and Pawpaws and we were excited too. They were dropped off here about one and we started the afternoon with ice cream sundaes. Or Saturday 'sundae's as Max likes to say. 

The weather was beautiful so we went to the park for a while. I played a little soccer and y'all it's been a minute. Hubs helpfully yelled from the sideline, 'don't hurt yourself' and you'll be relieved to know I did not. I called for a sub and hubs played the rest of the afternoon and I pushed Little Miss on the swing which felt less risky. 

We came home and everyone played here before dinner. We watched some football which the boys also enjoy and played some games then had dinner, Mississippi roast and mashed potatoes which everyone loves. After dinner it was baths and showers and then movie time. Hubs made popcorn and we watched The Incredibles and then everyone went to bed with nary a complaint. 

Sunday morning we went to church and met the parents there for the switch. After the service hubs and I stopped and got Mexican food for lunch and then it was home for some afternoon r & r, which translates to blogging on the couch for me, and football at a friends house for hubs. Watching, not playing just in case that wasn't clear. 

And I think that brings us up to speed. 

Mostly. 

So, what's new with you? 

This post is linked with Hello Monday hosted by Holly (Pink Lady) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books). 

Ten On The Tenth

Joining Marsha today for her monthly 10 on the 10th prompt which is this-

I didn't do a year end recap on my blog this year, so I'm thinking this might take it's place. Scrolling back through the prior year's pictures it's funny the moments you see captured there that were so special as you lived them, but that were then pushed to the recesses of your mind as time rolled forward. It was fun to pull them out and dust them off.  

Here are ten for keeps..

1. A new little someone to love joined our family in February. 

The baby shower my daughter's friends hosted for her was truly so special. 

These friends praying for Sugar, who arrived just a few weeks later, is a moment I don't want to forget.

My own momma meeting her for the first time a few weeks later is another memory I'll treasure. 

2. There was a whole lot of lake fun this year-

3. Cousin time was for sure a favorite...

And even with all the comings and goings and people moving countries we still managed to squeeze in a whole lotta fun with grandkids in the house. 

4. Lots of happy celebrations happened this year, including a 2nd birthday..

Fireworks on the 4th of July...

A summer bridal shower and traveling to two different weddings of kids we knew when they were still just kids...

5. There were some fun weekends spent with college friends...

6. A great big outdoor project that will be enormously enjoyed in 2025...

7. Tea in Cambridge with my daughter on my birthday was a 5-star highlight from 2024...

That day was part of a fabulous trip to England taken with my hubs to mark our 40th anniversary....

8. Not enough sister time in 2024, but what we did have was special...

And I loved that my momma had a day at the lake with her three girls plus one granddaughter all together...

9. As always I am so grateful for the beauty that surrounds us...

10.  And last but not least, there was the Christmas holiday spent with littles to round out the year.

There was an awful lot to love in 2024. I knew this of course, but looking back and writing it down helps make it all stick. And while I'm sure I could have made a list of things I'd rather forget, it felt really good to count my blessings. 

'Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.' Ralph Waldo Emerson