Guest Blogger: Nonna

My Mom, Nonna, is the guest blogger for this post.

Warren and I were lucky enough to have the kids while Kristen and Matt attended a wedding in California. The unlucky part was that I started school the day after we got the kids. Warren took off for the week to play "full-time Papa". Gigi and Gramps came over every day to help. We have found that routine was very important to all of us. We started off day one with all of us sitting down to breakfast before I had to leave for work. Warren had his routine throughout the day....lots of coloring, singing, snacking, and puzzles. Just when a 51 year old Papa started feeling his age, it was nap time. I think he needed it more than the kids. I would get home from work around 4 and the routine started again with snack, more singing, and coloring. Caroline liked to know what was being served for dinner and had a strong opinion of what we were having. We all set the table together. Caroline and the twins looked forward to dinner, which started with a prayer. After dinner, the kids put on their bathing suits and would run through the sprinklers and have ice cream outside. Bath time followed with more singing and dancing. Doc and M came on Saturday to pick up the kids for the day. They played in the rain and took a boat ride. How lucky to have two sets of Grandparents and Great Grandparents who totally adore these beautiful, precious children. I might add that while the kids were at M and Doc's, I had all intentions of cleaning and reorganizing the kid's room, but instead took a long nap and watched grown-up T.V. 

I came home from work one day and the kids were still in pajamas. I asked Warren why the kids were not yet dressed and the look he gave me told me all I needed to know. I will also add that there are two phrases that Papa doesn't ever want to hear again; "I don't want to" and "I do it myself".  I am so thankful that Matt and Kristen let us be such a huge part of the kid's life. 

After looking at all of these pictures, I realize that my children didn't miss me at all! At least bunny looks sad that I am away...

scratch that...

many, many thanks to my parents for keeping such loving care of the three people that we hold most dear!

Nonna

Matt had some out of town business and it was the perfect time for my Mom to come visit. We had the most fun! We giggled at the kids, with the kids, and laughed a lot at random You Tube videos (did you know that Mike Rowe from "Dirty Jobs" used to be a host on the shopping network, QVC. Google it). We made a yummy dinner, did some shopping, and went to the pool twice. The kids were wonderfully behaved and enjoyed the extra attention. Thanks for coming Mom!

playdough

Playdough is a real mess but it is totally worth the twenty minutes of clean up time you get for two hours of play. Sam also played for quite some time with it, but after about an hour, he had had enough. The girls made "cookies", "soup", and other "tasty treats" from the playdough and some random kitchen tools. Anything that gets them to play nicely and isn't spent glued to the television can't be all bad, right?

hhhmmm...I'll wait to answer that until after I've finished scrapping playdough off of the floor

homemade playdough recipe:

1 1/4 c flour (although mine usually ends up needing more like 1 3/4 when humid)

1/4 c salt

1 pkg koolaid

1 c boiling water

1 tbsp oil

mix well (it's hot, so I use my stand mixer) and then knead a few times. If gummy, add more flour.