Memorial Day Weekend at the Cabin

The fish were biting, right off the dock at Clam Lake! And both Carl and Gus caught sunfish, much to their excitement. (I must add that Poppa was pretty excited, too!) The kids love spending time at the cabin, and I love having them there. It's easy to keep an eye on them when we sit in the porch drinking coffee....and there are so many things to keep them busy. Carl and Gus are intrigued by the "attic", and can't wait until they are old enough to sleep up there. But in the mean time, they love sleeping in the double bed bunks with Poppa and me.

Even though it was a little cold and rainy at times, it seemed like all our moments were filled. Jenn and I did some making of photo books and a little reading. Poppa was busy with a few opening weekend repairs. I like the relaxing pace at the cabin, how we try to plan for simple meals, and not keeping to a schedule.

Louise found exploring the inside of the cabin just right for her 1 year old interests. This might be her second season at the there...but everything is new to her! She loved reading her books and discovering many non-toy amusements to keep her fascinated!

We're all looking forward to "Moms and Kids Week at the Cabin in August" We had a great time last year with sisters and cousins and Gramma! Logan and Krista are ready to go too!

Poppa caught a Lunker Carp!

Breakfast with a view!

Our Next TUBA Player!!

Logan was helping us clean off the deck when he discovered this instrument. He kept me entertained and taking mini-video clips for quite awhile!! I think he's trying to take after his Uncle Erik and his tuba!

I'm not sure why...but Logan seems to be be the one getting mini video clips...he's quite the ham....Push play and have a peek!

Graduation from "Same Johns"

The very first of many graduations to come!! Carl graduated from Same John's (aka St. John's PreSchool) today. It's hard to believe he'll be on his way to kindergarten next year...and Gus will be starting at Same Johns!! Two sets of grandparents, Mommy, Daddy, Gus, Louise and Logan were there to witness this great day. All had fun and ate cake!!

Logan and the Big Firetruck

The firetruck has become one of Logan's favorite toys at our house. I've decided it's the perfect toy for him! It makes noise, has lots of levers and buttons that work and do things, and it's big enough and tough enough to handle him! He usually finds it in its "garage" under the crib in the grandkid bedroom. He's always so excited when he remembers it and drags it out!

Even when he plays with the other emergency vehicle toys beside it, Logan loves to have the lights flashing, the siren blasting, and the cranks turning on the firetruck. I think these toys have held his interest longest. What a big boy he has become!! Yikes! He'll soon be two!

Carl and Cribbage

Today Carl asked to come spend the afternoon with me while Gus and Louise were "afternoon resting". It's a favorite request for him because he knows I love to take him with me while I do errands, and that if we're just hanging out at my house he can bring out the BIG box of Legos. He can keep himself occupied for hours with passing converation as I move in and out of the kitchen where he sets up his creations.

Poppa came home in the late afternoon and was busy getting out his cards and cribbage boards for his evening Cribbage Gathering. Carl got very interested them and wanted to know how to play. It was a great chance for Poppa and Carl to look at all the different cribbage boards Poppa has made as well as those that have been given to him. They also discussed pegs and how they are used to score the cardgame.

"Poppa, when will I be old enough to play cribbage with you?" asked Carl

"How old do you think, Carl?" replied Poppa, wishing it was right now.

"Maybe when I'm a teenager."

"Well, Carl...if you work on your math, I'll bet you can play cribbage when you're 10!" was Poppa's answer.

Carl remembers...and I bet he's looking forward to playing cribbage with Poppa. I know they'll have many cribbage games in their future. And I'm guessing that Poppa is already designing Carl's first cribbage board in his mind!

Happy Birthday Gus!

Dear Gus,
You have taught me that there's no such thing as knowing what to expect!! You are from the same genes as your brother, but you are indeed your own person! "Mr. Energy", "Mr. Do It My Own Way", and Mr. Personality are names I could call you!! I love you for reminding me that each and every child is their own unique being! And I want to remind you, that a grandma loves each and every child as their own special self!

I was delighted and excited when you were born. I was there and heard your daddy say, "His name is Gus, Gustaf Kirkland Warolin Welbaum!! I held you and looked into your eyes. What a beautiful perfect baby! What a lucky grandma I was, two little grandsons in two years. What fun we would have!! And Fun, Fun, Fun we have had!!

There is no one that can hug like you can! Your snuggles and cuddles are the B-E-S-T!! You were a late talker, but once you started there was no stoppping you. I love your conversations! You always remember what we talked about before and can bring it appropriately into a new discussion. "Grams, how is your back today? Does it hurt?" You are thoughtful and kind.

I love your wild hair! Your MorMor says that you look like a dandilion gone to seed! And right she is! It's soft and blond as cornsilk...and has a mind of its own. I love spending time alone with you, and the chance to have you for your first solo sleepover with us! You're a man of big ideas and great plans. You love legos and cars and playing with Play-Doh. You're starting to figure out puzzles and you love to dance!

For your birthday this year we gave you a basketball hoop. Somehow it's easy for me to imagine you learning right away how to slam-dunk. It's really your style!! I know I have years of watching you on the basketball court in my future. From the time you were very little you were always the one to find the football, basketball, or tennisball around the house and want to throw it! You've got the energy and skill for all of them!

So Happy 3rd Birthday Gus! Welcome to many new experiences as a three year old. Give them all the energy you've got....and we just hope we can keep up with you. You are very special to me! Grandma loves you!!

Happy Birthday Louise!

Dear Louise,
Time flies so fast! A year has zipped by and you have gone from a beautiful little bump of a baby to a lovely curly haired sprite of a one-year old!! It has been a special year of dolls, dresses, tights and pink! All grandchildren are a gift....but a grand-daughter is an extension of a grandmother's womanhood. I was the firstborn daughter.....your mother was my firstborn daughter...and you my firstborn grandaughter. Nothing prepared me for the the overwhelming feelings of the thread of women moving through the generations that I felt as I held you the first time!

I will love you unconditionally no matter what your interests or loves may be....but for now, it's so easy for me to imagine afternoons of baking together, teaching you how to make little quilts for your dolls, sewing sundresses, and reading Bobbsey Twins books with you. With two big brothers, parents that love sports and the outdoors, a farm to spend time on, and a Poppa who's nuts about baseball and fishing, I know you won't be short on opportunities to try out all kinds of activities. But for now, I'll indulge myself with somewhat gender specific dreams and not feel at all guilty!

We have many years to spend together. My hope for us is that we will build the kind of relationship that is unique between a grandma and her grand-daughter. I want to be the person that's like your mom, but NOT your mom...someone you can come to when you want to spend some time, try something new and different, find out why your mother thinks like she does....and learn about your family history.

So, Happy First Birthday Birthday Louise Florence Augusta Welbaum!!! With your middle names you carry the history of great-grandmothers and a great-great-grandmother before you. I wish for you their creativeness, strength, skills and "smarts". These were great women...you will be a great woman, too. But for now, you're just the brightest, most beautiful red haired one year old I know!! And this next year is going to be so much fun!! Grandma loves you, honey!!

Sammy's Kindergarten Program

The Spring Music Program for Sammy's Kindergarten class was this morning. We brought Logan with us, and he was enchanted to watch all the children.

Sammy was lovely...getting so grown up! Her group was the "Children In the Rain" singing "When we Look into the Skies", plus back-up for all the other groups. So cute. She was very excited to have us there, and to bring Logan into her kindergarten class.

CUTE, SHINY FACES!

School Day for Logan

Since we were in the northern suburbs for Sammy's program this morning, Krista suggested we bring Logan to her school to meet her first graders!! What excitement! He wasn't quite sure where we were going when Poppa carried him into the school...but when we set him down in her doorway...and he heard Mommy's voice say, "I think our special guests have arrived..."...He squealed and ran to her at the front of the class!
Then...guess who wanted to be part of the "gang"?? Yes, busy Logan. but he was much too squirrley to stay long. All the kids loved him. They've heard Loggie stories all year, but had never met him. He was High Fiving everyone in the room!

Krista took Logan to several other classes to meet some of her teacher friends while Poppa read a favorite, "Wodney Wat" to the class. Soon they were back, Logan headed for the computer. The students were delighted with his antics. Gramma and Poppa better get him out of here! He's not quite ready for First Grade, yet!!

Tag Team Sleepovers

Great weekend planned with the Welbaum boys.... Friday night Gus arrived. Solo sleepover with Grams and Poppa. He really loves the attention! The evening was filled with Legos (all to himself), games, books, and helping Poppa get the new fish tank ready for a trip to the fish store tomorrow!! The boys have always enjoyed our aquarium...and it's been on a 6 month rest and clean-up. Time for new!
Then the favorite place to sleep...the chairbed with animal sheets! We have a large chair and a half in our bedroom that when paired with the huge ottoman becomes a wonderful childsize bed. Carl and Gus think this is the most special place in the world to sleep. We talk and say goodnight before they doze off...and they love to climb in bed with us in the morning.
Saturday starts the tagteam part... Gus and I spend the day doing fun stuff...and by afternoon, Poppa picks up Carl and they head for the Twins baseball game. Taking the train down to the MetroDome is fun, and meeting the Bakers for the game is exciting,too. Gus and I go buy the new fish and have pizza for supper. Their mommy and daddy have a wonderful easy dinner out with only Louise. ("whoever said taking an almost one year old out for dinner was tough?...this is the best!") They came to bring Gus home, and he didn't want to go!! A Gramma's secret smile! Bye Gus...we'll have another sleepover soon!

Carl and Poppa arrived home, excited from the game. We settled into reading and talking. Carl had his new Lego Magazine, so we were all engrossed in discussing the latest in the Lego World. My how he's grown up!

Carl loves to sleep in the animal chairbed, too. And morning is just as sweet with him! It's scrambled eggs, english muffins, fruit and a great appetite for Carl. Lots of exciting things to play with...the legos of course, and a puzzle or two. Where does the time go? We didn't even get any photos of Carl's time here...and it's time to go home!! He's off to the May Day Parade with his family. Wow!! What a busy weekend!!