Once Upon a Time . . .

Levin listening to The Three Little Pigs

To create another opportunity for contact with grandchildren who live far away, we created a book club.  

I found some well-told fairy tale books at the $tore. As I read them aloud, I made an audio recording on my phone.  Other than a signal that it was time to turn the page (a make-do solution of shaking a jar of safety pins), I didn't do any special effects.  

I sent the book in the mail to each family and sent the audio file via email.  

Each month we'll send another book (and after ten or so we'll burn a cd with the audio recordings that can be stored with the books).  Calvin will read some of the books and as the grandchildren learn to read, I'll ask them to make a recording as well.  

This was a fun (and easily replicated) grandparent activity and I was happy that it was so well-received by the grandkids.

Pictures for the Month of March 2018

This month our pictures weren't necessarily taken on the 18th -- some before, some after.  I also asked the family to share what their favorite hobbies and pastimes from childhood were.  Thanks to our family.  I'm so glad we have each other.

Abe and Grace's Family

Abe and Grace: Family breakfast with Pluto.

Abe: My favorite childhood pastime was camping and playing
Cowboys and Indians...although reading was one of my favorites too.

Grace:  Swimming every day in the summer at the Payson pool
and sledding in the winter, horse back riding, riding bikes,
building tree houses and sleeping on the tramp with friends.

Henry: Today I met Pluto, Mickey, Lilo, and Stitch.
I also didn’t wear socks all day today (which was a big deal because I ALWAYS wear socks).

My favorite childhood pastime is playing with Lightning McQueen or Legos. 

Henry

Hazel:  Hazel - I also met Pluto, Mickey, Lilo, and Stitch.
I liked it much less than Henry.
This is probably the last time I’ll touch a character this trip.

My favorite childhood pastime is taking care
of my babies and putting on lipstick and nail polish.

 Ty and Michelle's Family

Ty: Mustache March

I loved camping and all associated activities
(catching frogs and minnows, riding bikes, pretending, etc.).
Sleeping out on the trampoline with Abe and Levi (cousin) or Drew (friend)

Michelle: Showing off the earrings Afton got me for my birthday.

I loved playing night games (I think that's the generic term for yard/street games with the
neighbors like capture the flag and kick the can).

Afton: I listened to The Chronicles of Narnia in the car on the way to Birmingham yesterday
on my date with Dad to see the Lion King on Broadway. Tonight we got to watch the movie.

I love playing dress up.

Eliza: We played an Easter matching game this afternoon.
 I was really good at remembering where the cards were and
couldn't resist finding a few matches for my sisters!

I love playing pretend.

Kathryn: I’m hiding!

I love playing dress up.

Calvin: I love hitting and grabbing my toys.
And I love when Mom suddenly appears above them!

I love  my toys.

Joe and Ande's Family

Zeph playing legos in the wee hours of the morning.

Ezra stealing Ande's pillow.

Winnie taking an after-church nap.

Joe cooking a giant rib-eye steak.

Joe liked to play with action figures. He has many good memories of playing with transformers
and He-Man. He also liked to play with the antique tin soldiers his grandpa, Pop,
kept in a bookcase in his office. As he got older he enjoyed playing soccer and karate.

Today was our anniversary--which we've decided to celebrate as our family's birthday.
Joe planned a steak, polenta, Brussel sprouts, roasted carrot, asparagus, mushroom and leek,
and tomato feast to celebrate. Each element was at least one person's favorite
dish/vegetable.  We toasted to our family and enjoyed being together.

As a child my favorite hobby was reading. I loved taking a blanket outside in the summer
and reading on the grass, or holing up in my room with candy and a book. As a little girl
I remember looking through picture books and trying to find something about each page
I'd never noticed before.

Calvin and Jane's Family

Calvin:  The missionaries taught Yoko in our home tonight.

I liked hunting (birds and big game), sports (baseball, football, basketball,
track but not tennis or volleyball), playing hide-n-go-seek

Jane:  It's tradition.  Popcorn for Sunday supper. 
After a day of church and a big dinner, it's the perfect ending.

I loved building forts out by the big ditch, riding bikes, packing a "picnic" and eating
my lunch outside, playing with dolls and pretending to go to church with them.

Ray and Cali's Family

Ray:  my favorite pastime is snowmobiling

Cali:  Hauling the boys, and Pooh, up to bed.

I loved building forts and houses.

Levin:  Precious cargo.

Inman:  My face got scratched when my mom fell
on top of me while she was racing Levin.

Henry VIII armor before and after he gained weight.  (NY met Museum)