Grandma and Grandpa's house: September 2008

sensational six!

It's hard to believe, but our oldest grandchild is six years old! Micah is really into the Castle Crashers video game these days, so Grandma made him a Blue Knight birthday cake...

... and Uncle Calvin wrote another hilarious birthday story, this time about Mega-Micah's secret super-identity!

I couldn't help but think back on so many significant milestones that have brought Micah to this particular time and place in his life, from his birth six years ago, through some hard times and through many great joys, and now through this past year filled with endings and beginnings. Here he is giving a quick glance back at me in the middle of a fleeting moment, poised between Kindergarten and First Grade, just minutes away from jumping over that fateful skipping rope!

Another fleeting never-to-be-repeated moment - the loss of Micah's very first tooth!

Dearest Micah Willem, may this coming year be filled with great adventure, fascinating discoveries, and most of all, with the strength that comes from knowing how very much you are loved. With all our hearts we love you and wish you well, beautiful Grandsonshine of ours!

dreams really do come true

CONGRATULATIONS, Calvin and Sharon! We stand in awe of the creativity, love and energy you have put into building and shaping your life together this past year. We rejoice with you today, and we thank you once again for blessing our lives so very deeply. May this coming year - and all your years to come - continue to be filled with inspired dreams and the joy of seeing them come to life! Happy Anniversary to a beautiful couple!

our sweet funny girl

Lovely Elizabeth on her very first day of Kindergarten two weeks ago.

Today was Grandma's regular Tuesday babysitting day. Elizabeth was wearing a smock over her clothes as she did some painting. Uncle Calvin was there too, sitting at the same table while working on his computer.

Uncle Calvin: "Elizabeth, that's a cute smock."

Elizabeth, looking up at Uncle Calvin: "I am NOT a smuck."

happy love/friend/joy day!

The name "Cara" has different meanings in different languages, all of them wonderful. Love (Italian), friend (Gaelic?), and finally the reason we chose the name 31 years ago today - JOY (Greek). Cara, you are all those things to each of us in your family. Thank you for the love, friendship and joy you bring to us all through the generosity of your spirit. Happy Birthday to a lovely thoughtful daughter...

... a loving supportive wife...

... a nurturing imaginative mom...

... a faithful creative sister...

... and an arms-always-open auntie!

Happy 31st Birthday, Cara Michelle!

We love you with all our hearts,

and are so very proud of you!

un-deux-trois-quatre firsts

un... Michaela went to school for the very first time ever! Orientation on Tuesday, half-day today, building up to her very first full day tomorrow, complete with her first ride on a school bus! She is in French immersion, and she told me that today she learned "un-deux-trois-quatre", bonjour and au-revoir. When I told her that I know something else in French - je t'aime - and that it means "I love you" - she exclaimed - "Awwwww!!! I LOVE YOU TOO, Grandma!" There just are no words for moments like that.

deux... Micah is back to school in GRADE ONE!!! I got to see him yesterday as he sat in assembly, and I got to pick him up at the end of his very first day. SO grown-up! With his very own desk!!! Feels like the beginning of a brand new era, as our first grandchild steps onto the first rung of the numbered grades.

trois... Elizabeth knows Kingston Christian School very well from tagging along to events there for the past two years. And she already knows what it's like to go to nursery school. But yesterday was her very first day in Junior Kindergarten, and it was a privilege for me to be able to be there, and to celebrate with her, and to spend the afternoon together afterwards. We had a lovely happy day together.

quatre... Last but not least - Sharon has gone back to school. A natural with children, loving them and being loved in return, and having a heart filled with kindness and fun, Sharon has chosen teaching as a career. YAY Sharon! Can't wait to hear how your first week is going!