Grandparents Day was Great!

Grandparents Day...A day our children celebrate the people who were once normal, until their children had children. I'm pretty sure my parents aren't the only people who have been afflicted with this condition. I have witnessed my friends parents also experiencing strange behavioral changes, such as baby talk, weird faces, totally 'unpractical' purchases, and dropping whatever they are doing to accommodate, etc. I have to admit the first time I saw my pretty reserved father on the floor rolling around with Grant, and talking 'baby' with Mason, it was a shock to my system! It was easier to accept with my mom, who had acted silly around babies for as long as I could remember, but my dad???!!! As the years flew by, I watched Grant and my dad form a bond that blessed my heart. My mom and Grant have a different type of special relationship, which only Nana's and grandsons can have. Papa Kowalski doesn't usually act as silly as my parents, but he is totally hands-on and involved, and Grant loves him dearly. So, on this day that celebrates the selfless people that are Grandparents, Grant's school had a program to honor them. Papa Kowalski was supposed to be working, and unable to make it, but he skipped out early so he could be there. My dad drove up from Virginia to attend, because the invitation Grant sent him and Nana broke his heart. Then there was poor Nana who was left behind to work and hold down the fort! Don't worry, she heard all about the program from my dad, who I'm sure didn't rub it in at all! The kids did a great job and we got to see their classrooms afterward. The only downside was Mason, who had got shots that morning, and was in a foul mood. But I guess that is part of being a grandparent too!

I Guess Surprises Can Be Good!

I usually hate surprises! I know, I know, pretty strong language, but I really don't like to be surprised. Today was an exception. As I left Beckys house, running late as usual, I headed for the school to pick up Grant. When I got there I was pretty fired up to see him running around outside with his friends. He is supposed to be kept indoors until I pick him up. That is when I saw my dad walking across the parking lot towards me! He had driven all the way from Virginia that morning to surprise us!! I started crying so hard that a fellow mother got out of her car to ask me if I was O.K. I think she thought dad was upsetting me! After I got myself under control, I explained that I didn't think I would see my parents until Christmas, and I was totally shocked! I'm usually pretty intuitive about things, and can at least guess if something is going on, but this time I did not have a clue. Anyways, he had made the trip so he would be able to go to Grandparents Day at Grants school on Friday! (And of course, he missed Mason and Tim and I terribly!) We had a wonderful visit that passed way too quickly...he had to leave Sunday to go home :( My mom wasn't able to get away from work and was very jealous of all the stuff we crammed into just a few short days. So I guess there are some surprises that are worth not knowing about :)!!

Flag Football

I have now truly entered a season of our lives that I can honestly say I DO NOT UNDERSTAND!!! Football has always been a "foreign" sport to me. I don't understand "downs" or really anything else about it. Tim has tried many times to explain, and just like euchre, it doesn't click. I have been lucky so far that Grant has had no desire to play this particular sport, until now. Tim has introduced him to "flag football" and he loves it! His only conditions were that he wouldn't have to wear all the pads and that he wouldn't have to tackle anyone. (Or be tackled :) Well this particular version of the game fits all of his criteria, and he is doing great! I really don't understand what is going on most of the time, but I am a mother through and through, and I can cheer with the best of them! Tim is helping out as an assistant coach...a fact that Grant is ecstatic about. It is so fun to watch "my boys" out on the field together. I'm sure that in another couple of years, Mason will join them out there!
The one thing that I do still struggle with is the terminology. For example, when Grant told me he had "blitzed" and "juked" a player from the other team, I thought that maybe I should go apologize to the poor child's parent. Grant and my dad reassured me that these were both "good" things and there was no need to make amends. Oh well, I am still learning. I'm sure this will not be the last time that I have to learn something new as we continue to raise our children...

Surprise Aunt Diane!

We had a great time at the Longhorn restaurant for Aunt Diane's surprise 50th birthday party! There were so many friends there and she got a lot of nice gifts. Of course everyone went crazy over Mason, and he was smooched so many times, I thought the lipstick marks were permanent! I think this was the first time that Grant realized that he wasn't the "baby" anymore - but he handled it pretty well :)

Lazy Labor Day!

It was so nice to get out of the house and spend some time with friends. We went to Kevin and Mindy's and the Johns familly came over too. We ate way too much and Alli made an attempt to sample every one of the desserts! She was definitely on a sugar high! The boys decided to play baseball, kids versus dads, and it kept us laughing all afternoon. The highlight of the day was Grant striking out Tim, not once but twice! Even Mason enjoyed all the fresh air. We went home very full and very tired, but with even more great memories!