Nature Center Fun

I don't know how much I have written about this, but I am a part of a MOMS Club. Its very well organized (I'm even on the board this year) and as a result there are many activities during the week that we can attend. It's often very helpful, so we can get out of the house - especially in the winter. It's great socialization for not only the kids, but for me as well.  In early March we met up with some moms from the group at a local nature center.  It's a great nature center (I think I have posted pictures on here from there before) and I have taken the kids there many times - sometimes with other people and sometimes just by ourselves.

One of the great features they have is a two rooms upstairs that have walls which are floor to ceiling windows.  They look out to a forest with bird feeders, so you often see squirrels, birds of all kinds, chipmunks and turkeys!  When we went this particular day the turkeys were right by the window! And then one jumped up on top of the bird feeder! It was a fun morning!

Our friend Aurora checking out the turkeys

Aurora and Luka checking out the turkeys

Snack break while watching the birds

Eddie with his friend Eleanor reading about nature

Turkey on top of bird feeder!

Playing with some puzzles!

Grandma R.

I've had this post started for quite awhile now, but for some reason it's been really hard for me to finish. On March 9th my grandma passed away. I called her Grandma Rezabek, although most of the grandkids called her Grandma Vi.  The problem was, my other grandma was also named Viola, so that would have been confusing! Anyhow, I am really going to miss my grandma, but I will always have fond memories of the times I spent with her.  She was an avid reader and I have the Anne of Green Gables book that she read when she was a child. I also have great memories of staying at her house when I was very young. She had a wonderful big backyard with a huge swing set and a pool! Oh how I loved going to visit there.  She and my grandpa also put together a huge dollhouse that I loved playing with when I visited.  Their freezer was stocked with Pudding Pops (remember those), ice cream sandwiches and ice cream. My brother and I loved having breakfast there because they had a microwave long before we did and she would make bacon in it!

For a long time my grandma and I were pen pals - when I was in high school and college.  It was fun receiving letters from her and I know she liked hearing about my life too.

When I think about my grandma, I remember her as a kind, patient, soft-spoken, happy person. I never remember her rushing and she always had time for me and others. I know these last few years were tough for her, so while I will miss her, I know that she is at a much better place.  The last time I saw her, only a week before her death, I knew she was not comfortable or very happy. I knew that day that I left her that it would be the last time I saw her alive.  It was so bittersweet.

Below is probably the last picture that was taken of her - about 8 days before she passed away. I wanted to make a trip with the kids as soon as possible and we ended up postponing it because we were sick. She was happy to see the kids, but I know they tired her out quickly. I'm glad I have this picture to remember that last visit.


I don't feel like I can adequately convey how much she meant to me or what an impact she has had on my life. She taught me so much. I am grateful that she was in my life for 35 years.

Three!

Today this little baby turns three!  What a wonderful three years!  Everyday he amazes me, challenges me and melts my heart! I love you so much, my little builder!

Spring yet?

Last year around this time, it was almost 80 degrees . . . not so much this year.  Eddie loves the snow and Edith is actually doing much playing in the snow.  When we were at JoJo's a couple of weeks ago, they had more snow than us (that didn't last long as we got dumped on the next week!).  While we were outside playing in the snow, two trees across the street were getting cut down.  It was fun for the kids to watch.  Eddie even did a little sledding with JoJo.

Cousin Fun!

When we visited my parents and great grandma, we were also able to see Sebastian and Saffron - the cousins!  They really like each and play nicely together!  JoJo has a quest to get a decent picture of herself with the four grandkids.  I think it might happen when they are 15 or so . . . :-)

Trying to get a picture of the four kids . . .

Pretending to sleep with Saffron

More laughing than sleeping from Edith!

Visiting Great Grandma

Last week we finally made it back to WI to visit Great-Grandma.  We have been planning to go for a couple of weeks, but illness delayed us.  I decided to take the kids during the week, so we packed up and hit the road last Wednesday (after we got an all clear from Edith's dr that her ears were indeed infection free.  Her runny nose literally started the next day, sigh . . .) Is it sad that traveling with the kids is becoming easier and easier - and by myself too!  They were a dream in "Old McDonalds" when we stopped for lunch and both took small naps.

We spent Thursday morning with her and then Friday I was able to go and have lunch with her by myself. I'm glad we were able to see her yet again this winter.

Zoo Visit At Last

I've been feeling rather "unbloggy" lately (is that a word? It is now!) Even though I have been taking pictures, and the kids have been doing lots of fun and cute things, I haven't wanted to take the time to document.  I feel guilty about it because this has been a record of our family activities.  So this afternoon I'm making myself sit down to do some catch up.

To start - At the beginning of the year we bought a zoo membership.  We hadn't been back since because literally every trip we planned, someone got sick. It became a huge joke around here. Finally one Saturday morning as we were sitting around eating breakfast, Uncas asked if we wanted to go - right then!  We were out of the house within the hour!  It was a super fun morning and we were all healthy!