Framed Original Artwork from Riley and Jessica

A few months ago, my son Joshua told me he was attending an art show at his kids' school.

The show featured framed artwork by the students. And the artwork was for sale.

I was super disappointed that I could not go. He mentioned the show at the last minute, and I was busy at work.

Well - guesss what I received for my birthday?

Yes, framed original artwork from two of my granddaughters: Jessica and Riley.

Scroll down to the second photo so you can see the second piece of art.

Nothing makes a home more special than great art - especially when the homeowner knows the artist.

A special gift indeed!

"I Have a Thing For You"

This is what Timothy's girl friend Jasmine called out to me as I was on my hands and knees last night after work cleaning the downstairs bathroom.

Side note: My mother hates that I wash floors from a "hands and knees" position. She thinks it's demeaning. I think it's the best way not to miss anything. But whatever.

A "thing for me?"

"Does Timothy know?" I called back.

I should say here that Jasmine is pretty awesome. Two nights ago, she was in the ER after getting smacked in the nose with a softball (yes, it's slightly broken), but she was up early the next day, ready for work.

Yesterday, she spent the day babysitting my granddaughters because Joshua as at work, and Amber had to accompany Ezekiel on a field trip.

She sent me photos of the fun they were having. I should add here that Jasmine's specialty is cakes, and her dream goal is to open her own bakery one day.

The girls did some baking...

Some waiting...

And sharing...

Yes, this was the "thing" Jasmine had waiting for me at the other end of the door.

What's really sweet about this, more than Jasmine engaging the girls in the kitchen, is Jasmine teaching Jessica and Riley how to be thoughtful and kind.

Wouldn't you agree?

Stranger Than Fiction

Today I got to play dolls with my two granddaughters today: Jessica, 4 and Riley, almost 2.

Are you following me?

So Jessica put her new doll in the high chair and said the doll was hungry.

I, the gallant and generous grandmother, offered to make the doll something to eat. 

And so I went to the refrigerator.

Um...not what I expected to see. Cue the horror music...

Or, at least, The Addams Family theme song.

Three Good Reasons to Take a Three-Day Break: Ezekiel, Jessica, and Riley

The downside to working many hours as a newspaper features editor and writer, as well as having a solitary hobby I love (writing fiction), coupled with the current inability to afford a car poses a distinct challenge when it comes to spending time with family that doesn't live nearby.

So with some leftover vacation time that needs using up before the end of 2016, I decided to spend some of it with family.

I spent the last three days about an hour away from home at my son Joshua's and his wife Amber's home being mother and mother-in-law and as well as grandmother to Ezekiel (4), Jessica (2) and Riley (4 months and born this year on my birthday).

Timothy hung out with me on Friday and played uncle. Rebekah hung out with me on Saturday and Sunday and played aunt.

And what did we do?

I colored and played with stickers and sticker book with Jessica, browsed through Spiderman comic books with Ezekiel, danced to Colby's Missing Memory with Jessica and Riley, played Candyland (Joshua, Rebekah, Ezekiel, and Jessica, with Amber and Riley looking on), watched bad stand-up comedians with Timothy, introduced Joshua to Galavant, and watched Koran dramas with Rebekah.

I ate pizza from Aurelios twice, compliments of Joshua managing the local venue. I taught my monthly writer's workshop (and I have a new student) on Friday night, hardly missed a beat on exercise, read some, and slept full night's sleep on Friday and Saturday , luxury in and of itself. 

On Sunday, we all attended the church of Amber's choice. This brought the double blessing into running into an old friend (guitar player in the worship band) and a great message of dying to self.

I changed plenty of diapers and even mixed up two batches of formula, a first for this former nursing mom (Amber's breast pump broke).

In short, I had a fantastic weekend!

Today it's back to work for just three days, a marathon feat since five days will have to be crammed into these three.  But first, a few photos of some of the most important people in my life.