Giving Thanks

In Everything Give Thanks....... I Thes. 5:18

I love that the twins are learning about being thankful in words and actions. They both love writing thank you notes (with the help of Nanny Rach and Mommy). Here are two things that Ruby expressed her thankfulness for recently....

Seeing Nanny Rach cleaning her potty chair, she exclaimed

"Oh, thank you so much, Nanny Rach for taking the time to wash my potty chair!"

Today I gave the kids new toothbrushes and Ruby says to Kristin

"Don't you think we need to write Grandma Julee a thank you note for giving us new toothbrushes?"

THREE YEAR WELL BABY CHECK UP

Today Nanny Rach took the kids to their check up and Casey met them there (Kristin is in Chicago on business). Before they even got to the waiting room, Ruby was crying. She even cried last week when Kristin told her about the upcoming appointment. Rachael said she screamed the ENTIRE time. She wouldn't cooperate for weight or height, so the nurse did the best she could. They actually weighed Rachael without Ruby in her arms, then with and got the weight that way. It took two of them to hold her down so Dr. Schunk could examine her. Carson, on the other hand walked right in and greeted Dr. Schunk and proceeded to tell him he was three and had a zoo birthday party and was Mr. Chatty! Such a difference! (Ruby reminds me so much of Kristin -- even in this situation.)

Ruby - 34 lbs (76%) and 39" (75%)

Carson - 33 lbs (64%) and 38" (62%)

We are so thankful for healthy children. Ruby continues to be bigger and taller than her brother and has been since birth. It will be interesting to see at what age he over-takes her.

Happy Father's Day Grandpa Ray

I just love how comfortable and cozy this little man is with his Grandpa Ray. When Carson is serious about relaxing, he likes to put his hand behind his head!

(As I look at this picture I see a little boy, not a baby anymore!)

More Fun Comments!

The kids love to go to library time. They especially enjoy the one on Saturdays that Kristin takes them to with an older gentleman who plays the guitar and sings, as well as reads to them. He was reading a story that had the word "Louisiana" in it. Ruby hasn't learned how to whisper, so in her normal voice, loud enough for others to hear she said

"Mommy, that story is about one of the United States"

to which Carson added,

"Yeah, it's about the state shaped like a boot!"

(Are Grandmas suppose to believe their grandchildren are brillant? I do!)

The kids were writing/drawing on Father's Day cards and Ruby was making a series of small circles in an arch. Kristin asked her what she was drawing and she replied

"I'm drawing the Hawaiian Islands!"

Carson was drawing large blue circles and swirls and he said

"I'm drawing a tornado!"

Nanny Rachael came up to visit me this weekend and as she was preparing to leave Carson said to her

"Nanny Rach, did you know Grandma Julee likes to drink ice tea?

Mommy says she drinks it by the gallons!"

(you are so right little man)

More Fun in Ashland

Grandma Carrie and Grandpa Ray got to enjoy the fun in Ashland, too. Good to see Ray up and about and having fun with the kids!

Ruby, you sure know how to fill up Grandma Carrie's arms. (a bundle of love!)

HOLD ON RUBY!!!

Walking in Auntie Lindsey's high heels isn't as easy as it looks!

(there's that concentration tongue again....)

Thank you Auntie Lindsey for the fun birthday gifts. Carson LOVES riding his elephant stick and Ruby truly is a princess with her hat and wand. It's a beautiful day in Ashland. Such a fun weekend for all....

Weekend Fun in Ashland, OR

Kristin and Casey took the kids to Ashland, OR for the weekend to attend a wedding for one of Casey's cousins. Auntie Lindsey gave them her little cottage for the weekend to enjoy. Here they are trying to get rid of some energy before taking naps so they can be fresh for the wedding festivities!

"Thank you Auntie Lindsey for sharing your cottage with us. We LOVE it!"

Cake!

Ruby says . . .

"Mommy Mommy, there is fire on my cupcake!"

I think they blew out the candles at the dinner table, then moved outside to enjoy them

(where messes easily wash away!)

Thank you Nanny Rach for making us birthday confetti cupcakes

while we napped today!

WE LOVE THEM!

Those Cute Carson Sayings Keep on Coming....

Carson saw a Darigold truck and said

"Look Nanny Rach. A cottage cheese truck!"

(he recognized the logo on the truck as the same on the cottage cheese container!)

Carson saw two children -- a boy and a girl -- at the park with a female. He said

"Those children have a Nanny Rach, too!"

I made up a little song for the kids that goes like this . . .

I'm gonna be three on my next birthday.

I'm gonna be three on my next birthday.

I'm gonna be three on my next birthday.

Hip hip hooray for me!

Carson asked me

"Grandma, you're not going to be three on your next birthday. How old will you be?"

Then he started singing

"You're gonna be 60 on your next birthday" etc, etc. (that's quite enough Carson!)

"Can I write a thank you note to Grandma Carrie for the turkey-pot-pie?"

(I love, love, love that the kids understand about writing thank you notes at this age!)

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TODAY - JUNE 6TH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY GRACE ROBERTS

AND CARSON RAY

These pictures were taken on Sat. at the zoo party. It was a gloriously warm day in Portland and Kristin and Casey planned for their party to be at one of their favorite spots -- the ZOO! I was not there, so I don't have more pictures at this time. I'm hoping I get some more photos from the party to share. These were taken before their friends arrived.

What is so special about this little sun dress is that my Grandma Katharine made this dress for Kristin when she was 3. I was so pleased to see Kristin put it on Ruby for her birthday! It warms my heart and gives me such good thoughts and memories about my Grandma Katy. She was a seamstress and sewed most of my clothes, including my wedding dress.

Sparkles on the Wall

Ruby loves wearing a tu-tu and her ballet slippers. She had on a tu-tu with sparkles on it and as she walked down the stairs I noticed reflections on the wall. She was thrilled when I pointed them out to her and when she wiggled they moved all over the wall.

Learning Time!

Nanny Rachael does "Learning Time" with the kids each day. They were doing it just before I left and it was so dear to listen to them. If you click on a photo to enlarge it you will see what Ruby does when she is concentrating real hard.

(if I remember correctly, so does Michael Jordon)

Fun with the Kids!

I am down with the kids for a few days. Kristin has their annual sales meetings in Palm Springs (when she arrived on Sunday afternoon it was 100 degrees!) Ruby and I got our hair cut. She wasn't real happy about sitting in the big chair and was not going to cooperate one bit -- until the gal gave her a pink lollie-pop and let her look at a "Dora the Explorer" movie on her I-phone. Then all was well. Here she is waiting for me after her cut, still with the I-phone in her hands. I'm always amazed at how much this little girl is a clone of her mother! Who says you can only color eggs at Easter??? We had such fun doing it that I purposed to find the kits on 1/2 price sales after Easter. We are calling them "happy colored eggs" (not Easter eggs) It was a hit, again. Don't tell the kids, but we will do it again in the summer, because I bought two kits! Then they will be "happy summer eggs". Since they all love egg salad sandwiches, we can color eggs any time and they will get enjoyed and eaten.

Both kids have colds, so we had to find fun things to do inside

(not to mention it has been raining off and on for 3 days!)

Dear Carson

Today at breakfast, out of the blue, Carson says to me

"Grandma, I'll take care of you!"

Those were some of the most reassuring words I have heard lately, and made my heart melt. Such a dear thing for an almost three year old to say to his Grammy!

Then after baths tonight I was helping him brush his teeth and he spontaneously said

"Grandma I LOVE you!"

New Jammies

WE LOVE OUR NEW PJ'S GREAT AUNTIE STEPH! THEY ARE PERFECT! THANKS.........

Sweet Story

Ruby: Carson fell off the chair in Sunday School.

Carson: Yeah I did!

Ruby: The teacher wanted to give Carson a hug, but he only wanted a hug from ME!

(I love the twin connection that becomes more and more evident with time!)

Farmer's Market

Today Kristin and her friend, Stacey took the kids to the Vancouver Farmer's Market. Sloan is Stacey's little girl who is a few months older than the twins. They had a great time together. Looks like Carson has his hands full!

Body Painting

Nanny Rachael planned for a FINGER painting project for the kids.

It turned into a BODY painting experience. Sure looks like fun!

(note they are holding hands -- partners in crime at such a tender age!)

Lunch!

Today for lunch Ruby told Nanny Rach she wanted a

"girl-cheese sandwich".

Carson decided he wanted a "boy-cheese sandwich".

Makes perfect sense to me!

Mom's Day With Kat

I spent Mother's Day afternoon and evening with Katharine. The top photo was taken at her church and the others she took on a walk with our dogs around where she lives in Woodinville. We had bright sunshine and rain for our walk. Nothing consistent with our weather these days! Couldn't get both dogs to look at the same time! Silly pups!

We walked passed this lovely pasture with horses.

Sweet Wishes

Kristin told me that the kids were playing in the field next to their house and Carson found a "wish".

(I think it's a dandelion that the kids blow and make a wish).

Kristin asked Carson what he was wishing for and he said

"I wish Grandma Julee was here!"

And everyone said "Ahhhhhhhh"..................