Little Lyra

I got to watch Lyra for Hillary while she went to her best friends wedding.  Lyra was comfortable with me right from the get go.  I think it was good that we went to lunch a few days earlier....she remembered who I was.  Lyra is a cute, quiet little thing.  She just played and played and every once in a while she talked.  Her little voice is so stinkin cute.  It's really high pitched...reminded me of what a fairy would sound like.  Lyra made me smile.

The rest of the family was gone.  Kimi went to a demolition derby with a friend and Larry took Jared and Jaydan to the movies.  Braxton and Chelsea popped in for just a minute and I was surprised to see Lyra warm up to Chelsea.  I learned that Chelsea works at a daycare.....I guess Lyra could sense that Chelsea loves kids. Lyra was really good at ignoring anything Braxton said to her.  I wonder if she really even knew he was there? ;) (she wouldn't even look at him...so funny)  Before the guys left for the movies Lyra was liking my lap.  She hung on me as she observed the boys.  She did discover the candy jar while they were there and was brave enough to get down and run right in front of a few boys.  Lyra loved the candy jar....notice how I keep it low so the littles can get to it easily?  Lyra didn't eat a lot of other food and I did try to get her to but she enjoyed the candy. :)

It was really fun having her over.  I'm really glad that Hillary knew that she could ask me and that I would help her out.  I love my sister and her family.  I am always glad when I get a little time with any of them.

Kathy O....

Kathy is my really good friend.  We have so many fun memories together.  We laugh a lot while we are together.....everything seems to always be so funny!

Kathy took me to lunch for my birthday!  I know I'm spoiled....I like it!  We went shopping afterwards and I found a few shirts I liked.......and now own.  It was a lot of fun....but being with Kathy always is.

Looking at our picture makes me smile......we both look so mischievous! (maybe we are)

Swimming Anyway!

It's Wednesday so it's swim day.  We went up to Darinda's for swim day and no one was there.  Thank goodness for cell phones.  I texted Darinda and she said No Swimming since she was headed to Canada.  

I told her I was just letting the kids play on the tramp for a bit and then we would go.  She told me to let the kids swim since we were there.  I wasn't going to but the kids (mostly Ivy) were disappointed so we did stay for about an hour.  Darinda is so nice to let us come and swim....whether she is home or not. :)

The kids had a great time and it was a nice break in our day.  We have actually made it to more swimming days this summer and it has been fun.  That must mean our summer is a bit more relaxing this year.

We have enjoyed the swim days.....thanks to Darinda and Randee!  It's so nice of them to share with all of us!

Awwwww.......Loving this summer!

Rainbow Gardens

Hillary came to visit for a few weeks and so I was again invited to go to lunch with her and my sister.  I appreciate my cute niece for including me when she is here.  She's such a cutie.  This time we also had another motive for getting together.  I am going to watch cute little Lyra on Saturday while Susan and her family to go a wedding. (best friend of Hillary....I think her name is Yen)  We wanted to make sure Lyra was reacquainted with me before she comes and plays.  I am excited to have her.  I just love little ones.  The just make me smile.

Hillary loves Rainbow Gardens and so we went there.  Heck it's one of my favorite places to go too and I don't get there much since it's not as central as so many other places.  I love my sister and her kids!  I'm glad for the opportunities when we get to see each other. WooHoo!

I LOVE these little grands of mine!

Cupcakes with the Grands!

It's a tradition that around my birthday me and the grands make cupcakes.  I love our little tradition and the grands do too.  Today one of them said: "Gramma.....your house is the funnest".  I am so glad they like to come and that we can have fun together.  I sure do love these little ones!

Before we made cupcakes I put a few pizza's in.  While the pizza's were cooking the girls painted their toenails.  I planned on painting them but they wanted to and so I let them.  They did pretty good.

When they were finished we took some pictures like the big girls do. ;)  Zaden wanted a picture of his toes too and his truck.  Zaden always has a truck or motorcycle in his hands.  He's such a funny kid.

Parker is just funny.  I love his cheesy smiles!

So we had some pizza and then got to work on making the cupcakes.  This year we made two different kinds. . . . chocolate and confetti ones.  That way everyone can help more and there's more for them to take home. :)

All the kids were really big helpers this year and they all got into it.  They are so patient with each other and willing to share and take turns.

I took a lot of pictures since I think these kids are so cute.  I also took a lot of pictures because the grands like seeing themselves in my book.

Licking the beaters is part of the fun right?  Everyone got one except Parker got a spoon with batter on it and he didn't seem to mind.  Oh....I remember loving to lick the beaters.....I still do when the kids aren't around.

Everyone got a cupcake pan to line with papers.  It's fun for me to watch how each child goes about filling their pan.  Kamryn was super fast putting her papers in  her pan.

I usually let the kids fill the pans but this year they got busy doing something else and I hurried and did it.  (it was a lot less messy)  While the cupcakes were cooking I painted the little girls fingers.  They chose the colors and I helped them this time.  Seeing the picture of their little hands makes me smile......I love these hands!

I love these faces.  Each "little" has such a cute personality.  Oh my goodness I love them so much!

Also while the cupcakes cooked and cooled the grands enjoyed cleaning the kitchen floor.  They all took turns with the brooms, and mops.  They danced and spun and just had fun.  I thought about putting water on the mops so they could really clean but chose not to since I bet someone might have slipped and got hurt.  I still think the floor is cleaner....at least the crumbs were moved around.

Even the little boys got into it.  In fact, Parker loves sweeping and mopping and usually plays with the broom and mop while he is over.

I get a kick out of the kids decorating their cupcakes.  They load them up as much as possible.  This year I just had sprinkles, m&m's, skittles, and marshmallows to put on them.  I think they used it all!

Everyone did a great job decorating their cupcakes.  They got to take home the cupcakes they made.  It was a fun time!

Finally they got to go out and play.  They love playing outside on the toys and lately they have loved wearing the helmets we have in the garage.  I felt bad that Kamryn had to leave since she is the one that wanted to go out and play the most.  She got to ride a bike around quickly and then she was gone.

I absolutely love having the grands over to play and make memories.  They truly make my heart smile!
(I'm not going to lie by the end of the day I was wore out!  All worth it though! I think we need to plan another cousin sleep over soon.)