Ma and Pa's Blog

We had a great time watching Caleb’s first game.   It started with a slight delay while players watched a hot air balloon pass over the field.   Benched for the first period, Caleb saw plenty of action during periods 2 through 4.    He did great, going after the ball at the right times and moving it down the field when he had possession.   He even got to make one of the throw-ins.  You could tell by his smiles that he was loving the game, even as he was getting tired.  The game was late (6:45 to 7:45), and we were not surprised when he when to sleep within seconds after his head it the pillow at bedtime.  Good job, Caleb.

Hot and humid with plenty of rain, but I really enjoyed our time in The Hocking Hills. Having the family together in one place is the BEST. The grandsons’ enthusiasm and energy was contagious (well, maybe the enthusiasm to a greater degree than the energy). Hiking, cooking and eating, playing games, laughing and just hanging out together made for a great week. Mike and Jeff (and sometimes I) entertained and annoyed audiences with “canjo” music(?) — that’s music on a banjo made from a stick, a tin can, and a guitar string, which Mike and Jeff discovered at a local antique store. The grandsons built elaborate scenes and structures with dominoes and Jenga blocks. We team-cooked pizzas and Sebastian discovered Moon Pies. Owen ruled the kiddie swimming pool. Caleb lost his second tooth — deja vu all over again. We saw deer, wild turkey, and more butterflies than we’ve seen in decades. Anna-Marie and Mike caught fish (Anna-Marie’s first). Pa stunk up Lake Logan trying to clear a dead fish from the shore near our picnic table — which only stirred up more eau d’ dead fish. Sorry. Anyway, here are some snapshots from the week.

We thought Caleb would lose his first tooth before leaving here on Saturday. At that time he could bend it 90 degrees in and 90 degrees out AND rotate it 360 degrees. How he managed to go three more days amazes me. It must have been fun to watch him eat and brush his teeth. Anyway, here’s a picture Jenn sent.

We had a great week. Let’s do it again soon.

Today we road on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Everyone had a good time and a good meal in Peninsula before returning to Akron. The only photos are using my phone . . . sorry ’bout the low quality. It was a beautiful day.

Caleb and Owen cooked dinner this evening. Yummy pizza.

Today we celebrated Owen’s birthday (a few days early).    It was a rainy day (on and off all day; from sprinkles to downpours), but we had a good time.  Kate, Anna, Caleb and Owen had fun playing, setting off bottle poppers, and opening presents.  Owen and Anna licked the cake before we sang “Happy Birthday” . . . this is why Owen’s face looks a little blue in some of the photos.  We finished with Owen defending Caleb from Nate — Owen returned from the bedroom wearing boxing gloves and proceeded to deliver a major whooping to his much older (by 20  years) cousin Nathan.

We had a great weekend with Mike, Jen and the kids, with a visit to the Allen County Museum, swimming at the motel, hanging out and playing board games and Wii.  Caleb is a great big brother,  skilled at Wii,  patient with Owen and with ol’ Grandma, and a wonderful reader.  Owen is bright and funny, incredibly imaginative, loves his brother and his Grandpa Choochoo,  and is energetic and companionable.  We had a blast!

Here are a few pictures of Caleb & Owen in the motel pool.   Their swimming styles are different, but equally enthusiastic:  Caleb is cautious, but is becoming much more comfortable in the water, and Owen knows no fear.  They would’ve stayed there all day if mom and dad had let them.

We cannot WAIT to have all three grandsons together this summer when Jeff, Anna Marie and Sebastian come to town–their very different personalities just seem to blend and complement each other!  I’m starting to count the days…

Caleb and Owen at the Pool from Pa on Vimeo.

Easter was a lot of fun this year. Weather was wonderful, and everyone arrived safely. Caleb and Owen lit up the house . . . at quarter ’til seven each morning, which Jenn says is their routine.    On Saturday, we had a video chat with Jeff, Anna-Marie and Sebastian.   We wish they could have been here in person, but it was great to see Sebastian, Caleb and Owen greeting and entertaining each other on screen (we’re counting down ’til we’re all together this summer).   That evening, after Ma had spent the day preparing food for Sunday, we went to a Hibachi restaurant for dinner. The boys (especially Owen) were a little leery at first, but the chef’s clowning put them at ease. They seem to enjoy their meal, even though it was a little later than usual, and they indicated they’d be willing to go back there. On Easter morning, they were so excited to search for hidden eggs and their baskets. They even sneaked an early peek to make sure the Easter Bunny had visited; we think it was just before wake up, but it could have been earlier. Now the house is quiet, and we’re observing a day of rest and recovery and warm memories.