Mexican Restaurant Followed By Ben & Jerry's

Ruby had on her Mexican dress when we went to dinner at our favorite restaurant in Palm Springs. She fit right in. (http://www.lascasuelas.com/)

Here Ruby is giving an "energy award cheer"! (ask Kristin???)

We followed up the dinner with Ben and Jerry's -- right down the street. Yummy. Again, the kids were so good in the restaurant and afterwards. The young guy working in B&J's even commented on how good they were behaving, sharing a taste with each other.

Last Evening In Palm Springs

On our last night in Palm Springs we went outside to say good bye to the pool. We discovered there were bats flying around -- another FIRST. We learned that bats fly crazy, not smoothly like birds. (To be honest, I was creeped out and couldn't get inside fast enough -- but didn't let on to the kids!)

Thanks Gretchen for sending us these cool flip-flops from Santa Cruz! You're the BEST!

Below they decided to strike a pose for me.

Keeping with tradition -- Carson slept in the HUGE walk-in closet. When Katharine was 19 months old she slept in a crib in the closet on her first visit to Grandma's condo. The twins actually argued over who GOT to sleep in the closet. Here Kristin is snuggling with Carson on the last night. She later told me he was telling her all the things he wants to do the NEXT time we go to Palm Springs.

Ruby got one of the queen-size beds and thought it was fun to sleep in a "queen bed". We call the closet -- the "prince closet".

Last Morning Walk Surprise

Yes, this is actually a view of where we took our morning walks to find ants. "Hey, wait up!"

On our last morning we were treated to something more than ants. We saw a road runner and he came close enough to us that we threw him some cheerios and he actually ate them. He is on the rock. What a treat!

This little roadrunner was making the sweetest sounds (no it wasn't "ummmm beep-beep!") It was almost a cooing sound that was coming from his throat. Each time he made the sound he lowered his head. The kids were imitating him.

Last Leg Of Palm Springs Trip

Here they are all ready to fly back home. Ah, the airport in Palm Springs -- where it was close to 90 that day. We had jackets and long pants packed where we could easily get to them because we returned to cold and rain (what a surprise!)

Gotta love those I-Pads!

I was sitting behind Kristin and Carson on the way home and put my camera over the seat to capture this one of Carson from overhead.

Back on the shuttle to get our car.

Subway sandwiches on our way home. Can't believe how well these kiddo's eat!

Fun at Grandma's House

Here we were doing an art project with some new scissors and glue sticks. Ruby asked for the pen and began to draw intricate little people all over her volcanoes she cut out of red paper.

Carson was enjoying the two new pairs of scissors. "How am I suppose to make these things work?????"

I kept telling him to "open up the scissors more". Each time I said that, he opened his MOUTH more!

Ruby is tucked in between the dolly cradle reading books. They are books that were mine when I was a child. My mother had me in a book club and I would receive one in the mail each month. I'm surprised I still have them! (prices are $.25 each!)

Carson was looking at books with his new truck. He would pause and show the pictures to his truck. It was very cute.

Quote From Preschool Weekly Newsletter

We were in a deep discussion the other day about firefighters and all of their amazingness and we began brainstorming all of the helpful things they do for us --- this led us to chatting about kittens who may get stuck in trees who as Iris said were most likely running up because they were getting chased by a dog. We couldn't help but really roll with it all as one student in particular could not believe her ears about the goodness of firefighters work/duties/jobs etc....Ruby's eyes could not have been wider nor her body language louder (dramatically leaned in etc.) so when the conversation died down - Ruby says in the most sincere and heart felt way as she shakes her head "my heart is gooooooooonna swell....my heart is goooooooooonna swell!" She was immensely touched by the notion of a firefighter saving a scared and stranded cat --- we have been talking a lot about things we can do and things others can do to make people's hearts happy or swell with happiness so Ruby's connection of all was uber precious. Needless to say Ruby's heart swelling was contagious. Here is to three heart swellers:

kittens + firefighters + Ruby!

Too Cute

Here she is engrossed in her little computer. LOVE IT! And she is obviously making some kind of a fashion statement!

Ruby Goes To Baby Shower With Mommy

One of Kristin's friends from Adidas was having a baby shower and Miss Ruby got to attend with her mommy. Kristin said she was perfect, and had such fun helping the new mommy-to-be unwrap her gifts. I love that Ruby can enjoy fun girly things with her mom, while Carson is happy to do guy-things with Dad.

The theme was Bubble Bath Duck, and this is the darling cake they served. How cute is this???

Sorry, No Camera on Hand......

Today I took the kids to story time at the library and there was a Petsmart next door. They love going there. On the way out I saw a woman with a duck on a leash. That duck was even wearing a black diaper (because it was a black duck and a white diaper would be too obvious!) They were in the check-out line buying -- would you believe -- a bag of crickets! YUM..... The duck could hardly wait to get the crickets and kept biting at the bag. Since the lady had drawn a crowd of people around her, right there in the store, she paid for the crickets ($2.00 for 20) and dumped them out on the floor and the duck finished them off in seconds! Carson, Ruby and I were rather shocked at what we were seeing!

Sounds like a children's book waiting to be written--DUCK IN DIAPERS.

Sorry, but I didn't have my camera.

Sweet Ruby's Words

Since moving down to Oregon, and being only 12 miles away from my grandchildren, I have been able to keep them at my house regularly. Ruby made me laugh with this comment as I served them dinner one night, "But Grandma, I wanted tacos!" I never said one word about having tacos, but I guess that was what her taste buds were suggesting to her for dinner! That is definitely genetic from her momma who loves Mexican food!

I was standing on the porch telling them good bye, after keeping them with me on Monday because they were both fighting colds and were a bit too sick to attend preschool. Ruby comes running back to me, gives me a big hug and says "Grandma Julee, thank you for moving close to us!" Ahh, that melted my heart. It came so spontaneously from her with such feelings and love. Just what I needed to hear.

Nanny Rach Becomes Auntie Rach

Rachael was mightily blessed on her 25th birthday by becoming an Auntie for the first time. Baby Max was born in the evening of her birthday, which became a perfect present for her. Of course she drove right down to Oregon from her new nanny job in Seattle to meet Max for the first time. Since Carson adores Rachael's brother, she decided to take him with her to the hospital. Boy oh Boy, did Carson feel special. When we ask him about the visit he can remember all the important details -- Baby Max cried when his toes were exposed, they ate pizza and one of the friends who were visiting too, read a story to Carson!

Rachael says "Now I have TWO favorite little men in my life!"

Brother Matthew (with the new-daddy-glow!) This adorable photo was taken a few days later at home, sporting his little mittens!

P.S. In case you are feeling sad for Ruby who didn't get to go to the hospital (since it would be very hard for Rachael to handle two 3-year olds and a new infant), Ruby was home with me and after a few tears when we told her that only Carson was going to run an errand with Nanny Rach -- we didn't even tell her what -- she was happily having lunch with me playing with the new play dough set. On our way upstairs for nap, she said

"Grandma Julee, this was the best time I've had alone with you!"

Vocabulary That BLOWS Me Away!

I was reading a library book to the twins that I had not read before. I didn't realize that the week before when Carson went with Nanny Rach for an errand, they took this book and it had been read to him. In the story a classroom of children are making a big map of their town and it has small pictures of buildings (i.e., library, fire station, school, church, children's homes). Each has a label or something that would give the children the idea of what it is, like a flag or cross. One building had a Star of David on it and Ruby said "that's a church". Carson said, "no that's a tabernacle"! I didn't quite know what to say except "Yes, Buddy, that's a tabernacle, and you are so smart!" He has an incredible memory for words and often blows me away. Both kids had appointments with their pediatrician this week and I went with Kristin. Under the examination table was an area that seemed perfect for crawling into before the Dr. came into the room. The Dr. said "what are you doing down there?" Carson replied "We are hibernating!" to which he replied "wow, that's a big word for a 3 year old boy!"