Shhhhh . . . . . it's a secret

I had the most charming conversation recently with our oldest granddaughter who will be having her 4th birthday soon. I asked her what she would like for a birthday present. She told me she is asking Mom and Dad for a scooter like her friend, Will, has so they can scooter like this (as she shows me with an invisible scooter) all around the neighborhood.

"Ahh, that sounds like a great birthday present. What else would you like? What's something Grandpa and Grandma can give you?"

"I want a BIG playhouse for my dolls. A big, BIG one (with her arms making a very BIG motion for emphasis)", she said.

"One you can stand up tall in and have different rooms for your baby dolls?" I asked.

"Yes, a r-e-a-l-l-y big one", she confirmed.

"Hmm, that might be too big for Grandma to send in the mail. What's something you would like that I could send in the mail", I asked.

"Well, everything else is a secret", she whispered.

"Oh! Well, I'm very good at keeping secrets", I said while trying to look as convincing and trustworthy as possible. "Just tell me one secret so I'll know what you'd like for your birthday".

Hesitating, then, with a look of uncertainty at my ability to keep a secret, she told me her secret birthday gift wish. And then . . . she told me another.

"Wow, those are wonderful birthday gift secrets", I said. "I'll write that down so I won't forget."

She watched to make sure I did write them down. She was satisfied.

What were her secret wishes, you ask?

Oh no--I'll never tell.

Oh! What a Yarn

After learning about this darling pattern for knit hats with flowers and drawstring bags from my friend Julie, I decided to try my hand at making these projects of love for my granddaughters.

They were so delighted with these gifts. Big sister loved having a fun hat with a bag big enough to hold her toys.

And little sister loved having her own set of new hat and purse.

I was so happy to see their eyes light up when their gifts were opened because I did it out of love.

How Sweet It Is!

We grow a small little garden every year. Last summer our granddaughter came to visit us in August and September--harvest time. It was so fun to go get snacks in the backyard; baby carrots, sun sugar cherry tomatoes, and berries, berries, and berries. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.

At Christmastime when Keilah was visiting she asked if we could go out and pick some berries. Ahh, the hope of children.

This past spring, Keilah and I planted green peas. She kept hunting for the berries but none were found.

A few weeks ago, Keilah went to a pick-your-own berry farm with her family. While they were picking the raspberries she turned to her mom and said, "this is just like at Grandma's house."

I love it. It warmed my heart to have "Grandma's" be a reference point for our sweetheart.

Crocheting Creations and Sewing Sensations

Talents are lovely traditions to pass from generation to generation. My Grandma crocheted a baby afghan for each grandchild and she made numerous other hats, gloves, and throws for gifts. I have made a baby afghan for each of my 2 grandchildren. It's a fun connection to family, past, present and future.
My friends have similar traditions going on in their families.

Julie has created an ensemble of "Grandma Gifts' for her visit to her kids and grandkids this month. There's a yellow hat and monkey for the "Curious George" fan. A dragon with a stomach pocket for eaten victims. And pretty purse and bonnet any girl would adore. Julie also crochets delicate snowflake tree ornaments for her family. Beautiful!

Sally sends the sewing machine whirling whipping up adorable Nursery fashions for her brand new granddaughter, Lola. I love this idea because it helps the new mother; it lets you be connected with the new baby; and you get to share your talents with posterity.
Inspiring friends!

Wonder of the 21st Century

Do you remember the short film clips that forecasted the inventions for the new century? I remember seeing such a film when I was about 11 years old. One upcoming convenience was a kitchen where you typed into a panel the name of the dish you wanted for dinner and 'wah-lah' it would come out of a little compartment all prepared. Wow!! I could really use that miracle maker today. Another amazing invention was a phone where you would see the person you were talking to on a little TV screen while you were talking to him. My response to that futuristic gadget was, " ugh, I don't want to have to look nice just to talk on the phone". HaHa . . . oh my naivety. Recently I realized that, by way of my personal computer (which I don't believe was mentioned in the film), I talk and see who I'm on line with. Can you believe how convenient the future has become?

I love to webcam. Via web cam I can see our young granddaughter sing songs, turn somersaults and blow kisses to us. We watched some of her first efforts at walking, saying "I Love You", and showing off her new baby sister. In return Keilah hears our applause, sees us cheer and blow kisses back. Because of this live interaction we are familiar to her and that makes things comfortable between us, especially when she comes with her family to visit.

The possibilities for keeping the connection are numerous. We catch up on family photos our kids have taken on their jaunts around the countryside and the cityscape. We sing good-night lullabies to the babies, recite finger plays with them, read and show picture books.

The web cam is a wonderful thing. "It's the next best thing to being there."