Showing posts with label granddaughters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label granddaughters. Show all posts

Friday, April 6, 2018

Spring Break Grandma Style

A certain little face has been at my house all week because her school was closed for spring break so I might have tried to get a few pictures. Ha! Y'all know I went crazy. This little girl is all of 21 months old and makes me feel every single one of my own years. Today is our last day of spring break and I shall miss her terribly next week. Once I awaken from my recovery sleep. Ha!

Spring break, 2018


The number one thing I hoped for my grandkiddos was good health. Number two on the list is to be happy. Oh goodness, that childhood happiness is the best, isn't it?


Do y'all remember laughing at the seemingly slightest things with big hilarity?


And the constant jabbering. I usually tune most people out when they talk but when this little cutie talks, I listen because everything she shares is so interesting!


We've been outside a good bit this week having bubble parties, playing soccer, being cute...


Singing songs...

Scaling the fence (yep, she figured out how to get up there and back down all by herself because all by herself is just the way Bug prefers to do things)...


To play with the neighbor's doggies...



This little stinker has been all over the place this week. We've had big fun but this grandma is exhausted. The good kind.


Best. Spring. Break. EVER.

Did y'all enjoy spring break this week?



Please visit CoasterDoodles

and feel free to FAVORITE the shop.

FREE SHIPPING lasts through Sunday. 
Click HERE for the direct link.  

Y'all can find us on Facebook and 
Instagram (@coasterdoodlessc)




Tuesday, January 23, 2018

When Grandma Assembles a Vintage Kitchen Set

I heard when Bug and her parents visited NashvilleDaughter and DrummerBoy (auntie and uncle) Bug had a blast playing with a friend's kid's kitchen set. That's all I needed to hear to make me decide we needed one here so Nashville Daughter and I looked for the one Bug enjoyed in Nashville and when it showed up on Zulily it went straight into my cart and BAM! sold! We were so excited and couldn't wait for it to arrive which took a super short time (totes unusual for Zulily purchases.) And then, it happened.

When you open the box containing the kitchen set you purchased for your grandkiddos and see this:


That's the hardware. So many screws. And hinges.
the aforementioned excitement quite quickly turns to dread and you might even utter something akin to, "O, HELL NO!" Or maybe not but still, the feeling of dauntiness (is that even a word?) will bring about thoughts of WTH?! or why me? or SERIOUSLY?

Saturday came and went without the thing so much as coming out of the box. TeacherDaughter was coming to help but ended up dealing with a car issue which is about as much fun as the assembly of the kitchen set appeared to be. Anyway, Sunday was the day.

The box inside the box. Sheesh. 
I hauled all the pieces into the living room and sat in the middle just staring at them and then thought the best place to start would be sorting out the pieces when help arrived. These two came to assist with the assembly. Can Y'all guess how much we accomplished in the hour they were here? Ha!





Afterwards, it took me another 2 hours and 40 minutes but I did it. Of course, the journey was interesting.

The closer I got to completion, the happier I got but I'm not sure if it was because it was so cute or because I was sick of the assembly process. Probably a bit of both.


These were the hardest part. I've never struggled to get something screwed in as I did with these legs. And there were 5 of them.


Almost there...
I'm guessing the vintage part of the set is that phone. Who has those anymore? But guess what? Bug knows exactly what it's used for and she just chatted away with the thing up to her ear. Go figure. 
Afterwards? It's adorable!

That's Tucker's basket beside the kitchen set because he has to
have toys wherever Bug has toys. 

But that's not why it was worth the effort. This is:





She kept saying, "Wow" over and over again with the biggest eyes.

I started doing some things around the house and could hear the opening and closing of the cabinets and Bug just talking up a storm. She loves her new kitchen set and I'm loving what I hope to be independent play on her part. Ha!

A word about the assembly: While it was worth the effort to see her enjoy the kitchen set, I would rather pay someone next time. Let me assure you the people who assemble toys are not paid enough so if you need something assembled, gladly fork over that money and make sure you include a nice tip! I will give Kidkraft credit for decent instructions though they weren't perfect they were better than others I've seen and tried to follow. If you've never tried to assemble a somewhat complicated item before, I wouldn't suggest you begin with this unless your superpower is figuring things out.

Have Y'all assembled any toys recently? Do you remember the process when your kiddos were growing up?



Help Grandma pay for the kitchen set by
visiting my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles

and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
while you fill up your cart! 😁💓

Here's a sampling of the newest creations:





Wednesday, November 22, 2017

30 Days of Thankful for Family

Here we go with another list of Thanksgiving week thankfuls. Today's list is rather specific as all 30 thankfuls are in reference to my children and grandchildren. I'm sure Y'all can tell which ones are specific to grandkids. Ha!



30 Days of November Thankfulness the Grandchildren and Daughters List:
  1. The first everythings
  2. The cuddles and nuzzles
  3. The eye contact and the knowing that accompanies it
  4. The laughter
  5. All the feels
  6. The love- there is none other like it
  7. Watching them make discoveries
  8. The spoiling
  9. Sharing secrets (like candy they aren't allowed to have)
  10. The joy
  11. The silliness
  12. The excitement of new things
  13. Sleepovers
  14. Giggles
  15. Holidays
  16. Surprises
  17. The fun
  18. The energy
  19. The conversations
  20. Sharing family traditions
  21. Curiosity
  22. Daughters
  23. Sons-in-law
  24. Happy adult kids
  25. Sister visits
  26. Sister love
  27. Cousin love
  28. The happys
  29. The closeness (specifically referring to relationships here)
  30. Being a grandma

This list could also go on forever. There's just nothing better than family/daughters/grandkiddos.

What would Y'all add to this list of thankfuls?




Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles

and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! 😁💓

Look for upcoming sales at CoasterDoodles!
20% off sale is in full swing!
Code: HOLLYJOLLY


Monday, November 20, 2017

Baby M Goes to Nashville

One of the things I love most about my girls is how much they love each other. I used to pray and pray about this when they were growing up. I always wanted them to be close and be able to depend on one another should the need occur. It worked because they do love each other and help each other and love spending time together. Not that they never disagree but those last about a minute and then they're gone and forgotten.

When one sister lives 8-9 hours away, it's not that easy to spend non-digital time with her so Baby M and her parents flew off to Nashville over the weekend to get some face-to-face time with NashvilleDaughter and DrummerBoy.

Apparently, Baby M was unimpressed with the flight but she had a great time once they arrived in Nashville.

Saturday morning art on Auntie's kitchen island:


Then it was off to the Adventure Science Museum--

I love interactive museums for kids!





Cutest astronaut EVER!

 Next, home for football and a nap. Well, sort of---

Go DAWGS!





And a Friendsgiving feast that night- this one is just of the women/girls/baby girls:


Sunday was out and about in Nashville---






How many pictures does one take before everyone is looking at the camera when a toddler is involved?





 Four, apparently. I think they got off easy this time. Ha!


It does this mama's heart good to see her girls spending time together and enjoying it. Of course, I did get a text from NashvilleDaughter at 7:05 AM their time Saturday: Been up for an hour already...

Yeah, Sweetie. That's what happens when there's a toddler in the house. I might have responded with this:


The little family returns today and I'll have Baby M this afternoon for a couple hours. I'm sure she will recount the entire trip to me as we sit at the table and work on our CoasterDoodle creations. It's her favorite thing right now. 

Oh, what was I doing while they were gone? Hanging out with this little dude:





Red hair on the baby boy and curls on the baby girl. Now, all we need is somebody to have one with curly red hair. Grandma LOVES red hair and curls.

These babies are growing fast so Grandma needs to come up with new names for them and I think I have them picked out. Stay tuned...

Happy Monday, Y'all! Make it a good one!


Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles

and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! 😁💓

Look for upcoming sales at CoasterDoodles!
20% off sale begins TODAY!
Code: HOLLYJOLLY






Monday, November 13, 2017

What Do Grandchildren Teach Us?

Somewhere between parenting and grandparenting, we may lose sight of some important truths about life, relationships, and ourselves. We tend to get caught up in the busy-ness of life and let that preoccupation is the very thing that causes us to shut out these truths. Grandchildren bring them back to life and we'd do well to not forget them ever again.

I've only been a grandmother for 16 months but I have certainly learned numerous lessons as well as being reminded of those truths pushed to the wayside as life took over. I wonder if I would ever have remembered without these precious souls to remind me. Anyway, I would love to share my top ten with Y'all today.


The Top 10 Truths My Grands Have Taught Me:

  1. There truly is joy in the simple things. Really. Pure joy. All it takes for Baby M is me to dust her check with a pompom made of yarn against her cheek. Simple and yet, her reaction is pure joy and amazement and before you know we're both in the joy zone. 
  2. We are never too old to play. No matter how old you think you are or how old you feel, you are NEVER too old to play. Little kids don't care what you can or cannot do just that you interact with them in a fun and playful way. 
  3. Play is important. Play keeps things in perspective and teaches us about the other players, about communication, about interacting with others, about sharing, about trust...
  4. Nothing is better or more important than person-to-person interaction. I don't care who says different, face-to-face interaction cannot be replaced. 
  5. There are many ways to communicate. Talking is important but it's not the only way to communicate. There is play, a look, a smile, body language, eye contact, a touch.
  6. A smile can indeed melt your heart. Enough said. 
  7. Laughter is vital for life. And good hearty belly laughs are the best. Laughter is contagious and makes us feel good inside and out. We should all do it more.  
  8. The only time that matters is right now. The present moment. LIttle kids don't think about yesterday or tomorrow, they deal with right now which is something all of us should practice.  
  9. Never stop asking questions. I know we adults get tired of hearing and responding to the 5 bazillion questions little kids ask us every single day but have you ever noticed how some of those questions cause you to think before you answer? Even though Baby M's questions all sound the same, "Uh?" I still answer her. And I'm not afraid to tell her I don't know. Little kids learn so much from asking questions and we do, too. Never stop asking questions or seeking answers. 
  10. No matter what sort of voice you have, sing and sing loudly and no matter how you look, dance and dance and dance! As Pete the Cat says, "It's all good!" 
I know there are many more things we can learn from our grandchildren and I'd love to hear what Y'all have learned! 

Have a wonderful week, Y'all!



Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles

and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! 😁💓


Indoor wreaths have arrived at CoasterDoodles!
with more to come soon!
And, YES! We still have our wonderful coasters!


Monday, October 16, 2017

Sleepover at Grandma's

Some weekends are routine. Some are filled with busy-ness. Some are spent alone and some are spent with friends and family. Some are quiet and some are loud. Mine are spent in front of the television during football season because it's football season and I love all football- college and NFL. But this weekend was even better than that.

I spent my weekend with this little nugget. It was part of my gift to her mommy whose birthday was Saturday. That's right, she had the birthday, I got the gift.



And my goodness but she was busy. How many tissues does it take to wipe the nose on a 15-month-old? An entire box. Can Y'all hear her say, "Thank you!"?



And cute. She's just the cutest.



And busy. I mean she never stopped except for bed.



She read to me. Yes, I understood every word. Grandma's can do that.




Even when the book was upside down. The talent this kid possesses! 




We had loads of laughs.




Because this kid is full of silliness.




And that was my weekend!


How was your weekend?


Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles
and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! 😁💓


There's something new at CoasterDoodles!
Handmade felt flowers are coming for 
jute and yarn wrapped letters and wreaths!



 
Design by Imagination Designs
Illustration by MerryLittleDoodle
Background by CinnamonDove