Grandma Kate visits

It was with great anticipation that we waited for Grandma's arrival. Rachael had a science project due that morning and was worried that Grandma Kate wouldn't get a chance to see it, so we took pictures before she headed off to school. It was an animal project for science class in which they choose an animal and created a visual presentation. It could have been a poster or, diorama, or model or mask. Her class all thought that she would do a hippo, but instead she decided to learn new info about a unique animal. She choose the platypus and wanted to sew a stuffed animal. She drew her own pattern and cut out the felt by herself. I had recently shown her how to use my sewing machine so with a little guidance from me so used the sewing machine and sewed the pieces together. Often time she put too much pressure on the foot pedal and surprised herself as the stitching zoomed along. We bought a scrap piece of gray vinyl and she turned that into the bill and eyes. She stuffed it, hand sewed the bill and eyes on and then hand sewed it shut. It was a really impressive 2nd grade science project.

Monday when Emma and Rachael came home from school they were greeted by Grandma. Jim went to get Megan and Bridget from daycare and Megan was in a hurry to get home to see her. It is so nice to have her; she eases right into our crazy house, and pitches in wherever there is need. Bridget looked at her from across the room with curiosity and familiarity, but couldn't seem to place her. Jim showed her the family portrait in which she is sitting on Mom's lap and that helped put it together for her.

The next day it was Megan's day to have Grandma Kate all to herself. Megan was really excited about this and lots of ideas on how to make the most of this time and get as many games in as she could. Jim was surprised when he found the 2 of them sitting around the ottoman playing cards when he got home and Mom's face swollen, bleeding, and bandaged. It turned out to just be a case of leading with her face during a walk with Megan. Mom's face really did look awful. By the time I got home, her right eye was almost completely swollen shut. In bed that night, when I asked Megan about her day with Grandma, she relayed to me a number of games that they played and that she really enjoyed. The fall didn't seem to negatively impact her at all. Mom said that Megan was stunned by the event but was a great help. We have had many falls in our family as we have gone on walks and she responded just as we always do, "Let's get you home." Megan helped get band aids and was very understanding.

That night Jim took Mom to get a temporary repair on her very scratched glasses and order a new pair. Since then Mom has had many people ask about what happened and each day we watch new colors as they appear on her face. The scrapes are healing nicely and hopefully the bruising will be less obvious soon.

Friday morning Mom and Bridget walked the big girls to the bus stop as Megan and I headed off to her pre-school field trip to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Megan and I enjoyed it but I think her favorite part of the trip was the bus ride. Friday night Mom volunteered to keep watch so Jim and I could head out for a little time together. That was a nice treat for us and so much less complicated then arranging a babysitter. Mom read Emma and Rachael the next chapter of our current bedtime story, "Little House on the Prairie."

We had a great Saturday with beautiful weather for Soccer games. Rachael's game was first. It was a great, competitive game that's only point was a penalty kick. Both teams moved the ball well. Rachael is learning to play positions and isn't afraid to go after the ball. They lost 1-0. It was fun to watch and cheer for. Emma's game started just a little bit after Rachael's finished. It was getting warm by then and I spent the 2nd half trying to get Bridget to keep her shirt on. Emma played well as half back and as a forward. the other team had some big girls and they were a pretty aggressive team. Near the end of the game they scored their 2nd goal and I had thought it was Emma. She was right in there but it turned out to be her team mate. They lost 4-2. It was an exciting morning. The volume of Mom's cheers increased as the morning went on and I expect she will pick it right back up next weekend. Jim had teased the girls earlier in the day about Mom's sideline cheering. They really enjoyed having her and flashed many smiles her way.

Mom took us out to Wendy's for lunch and we savored our frostys before we headed home. That evening after dinner we had baths and then all snuggled in to watch a movie, "the Iron Giant". All 4 of the girls enjoyed it.