Summer of Recovery - 2024

 We have turned the calendar page to September, so even though it is officially still summer until the 21st, mentally I have flipped from summer to fall - which is also my favorite season!   The weather here in North Carolina has cooperated wonderfully, giving us highs in the 70's and low 80's, with a break in the humidity as well.  Hallelujah!   Since I have lived here for over 30 years, I know very well that this is likely "False Fall", and we still have some hot and humid days ahead before the weather really commits to the cooler season.  That's okay.  I'm enjoying what I can get!

The summer was a whirlwind, but a lot of it was spent in recovery from a hip replacement surgery in June and neck surgery in August. (warning - incision pics!) 

Healing is going well, although I am impatient and want it to all be done now.  

Now. 

Please. 

But there is still swelling to come down and nerves that need to wake back up.  But I am grateful for successful procedures with no surprises, caring nurses, and a patient and caring husband who is living out the "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health" part of our marriage vows. 

An unexpected surprise this summer was a new puppy. There is a long story that goes with this, but Rosie is my daughter's Golden Retriever puppy who came to our house at 9 weeks and is living with us, perhaps temporarily and perhaps permanently - it remains to be seen.  But she is sweet and sassy and has been much fun and a great distraction from pain and boredom this summer!  It has been a very long time since we had a puppy, so we are learning as much as we can as fast as we can, about puppy training, feeding, health, etc. 

 

We got to take a quick trip up north at the end of July to visit family and friends.   Rosie went to stay with her "other mom" while we drove up to Connecticut  and Massachusetts for a class reunion house party (hubby and I went to high school together and graduated the same year), to visit my mom, sister and brother, and go out to eat with Mark's sister and brother.  We made sure to fit in a stop at George's Surf & Turf in Mendon for whole clams, onion rings, a lobster roll, and lime rickeys! 

 

I didn't get to go to the pool with my grandsons or see them as much as I would have liked, but I did get a couple of Grammie Fun Days in with the 4 yr old.  He loves coming to my house and doing crafts, baking, reading books, playing with the toys I have here - and I am ecstatic that I get to make these memories with him, and soon, with his little brother too!  

 

 

August is also a big birthday month, with Jason's, Mark's and my birthdays and also our anniversary. 

Our Very First Grammie Camp

 

A good friend of mine has done a week-long, overnight "Camp Mimi and Papa" with her grandchildren for years, and I have long dreamed of doing the same with my own grandkids someday. 

Well, this past summer I did it!  I joined forces with my friend Chris, and her 4 yr old grandson and 2 yr old granddaughter joined my 3 yr old grandson for our very first "Grammie Camp"!    Since the kids were so little and this was our first GC venture, we decided to start with just 4 mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm.  

The first two days were in Chris's backyard and the second two days were at my house.  Together we decided on a theme for each day, and then each planned the activities for when we hosted.  Chris did the 7 Days of Creation and Plants/Garden, and my themes were Animals and Oceans.  This gave us a direction for crafts, stories, snacks, etc, but they weren't actually that important. 

Each morning started with free play time in the yard with bubbles, chalk, sand, swings, balls, and other yard toys.  Then we had Circle Time on a blanket or inside (it was scorching hot in July!) for songs and a story, followed by Snack that the grammies prepared, then Crafts, directed play, lunch brought from home, and Water Play in the wading pool and sprinkler! 

To say this was a hit would be a gross understatement, and the kids have talked about it ever since.  So much so, that we decided to do a Spring Break Grammie Camp in March!

Here are pictures from our very first Grammie Camp, July 2023

New Season of Grammiehood

 My friends have been saying it for years. "There's nothing like it!"  " Being a grandparent is the best!"
Now I know firsthand that it is all true. Every word of it. 
It was very emotional to see my baby holding his baby, and then to have that tiny little human in my arms. I didn't know that the strength of this Grammie love would be as strong as the love I felt for my own children.  I am completely smitten!
The aunties and uncles, as well as the furry family members, are also quite excited about the newest addition to the family. Welcome to this crazy clan, Little Bear!